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Sig parked when we got to the airport and insisted on walking me in.
My hands shook as I used the kiosk to check in. Sig excused himself for a moment to talk to the woman at the ticket counter. It seemed to be taking forever, but it wasn’t like we were in a rush. We’d made it here in good time, so there was still more than an hour before my flight.
When he finally returned, I noticed him holding something.
“What’s that?”
“It’s my ticket.” He waved it. “I’m going with you.”
CHAPTER 30
Abby
Track 30: “Daddy’s Girl” by Red Sovine
Feeling frantic as I entered the hospital, I was grateful to have Sig by my side. I still couldn’t believe he’d made that spur-of-the-moment decision. By some stroke of luck, he kept his passport in his glove compartment. I hadn’t even noticed as he’d reached over me and grabbed it before we’d exited the car at the London airport.
When we got to my dad’s floor, I told the woman at the desk I was his daughter, and she directed me to his room. Relief flooded through me when I found him sitting up in bed and talking to a nurse. “Dad!”
“Oh my God!” He looked like he might have another heart attack. “Abby!”
I rushed to embrace him. “What happened?”
“It was just a mild heart attack. Luckily, I recognized the symptoms and called when I did. The paramedics were able to stop it from getting worse. You didn’t have to come.”
“Of course I did. I didn’t know what condition you’d be in when I got here. I had no information other than you’d been taken to the hospital. I couldn’t get through to anyone before my flight. I was so scared.”
His eyes finally moved to the tall man standing in the corner. “Who’s this?” he asked.
“It’s Sig, Dad. He came with me because he didn’t want me to be alone.” I turned to Sig. “This is my dad, Roland Knickerbocker.”
Sig nodded. “Good to meet you, Mr. Knickerbocker.”
“Well, if it isn’tthat prickhimself.”
Sig’s face turned uncharacteristically red. “I’ve been told that’s my nickname.”
“Yeah, for being an arrogant jerk to my daughter when she showed up there. But she told me you’ve since mellowed out. She even likes you now, it seems.” He looked to me for confirmation, and I nodded. “So I’ll agree to like you, too. But just a warning, once you get a nickname from me, it usually sticks. Don’t take it to heart.”
Sig grinned. “Well, I didn’t fly all the way here to get my arse beat, so I’m glad to hear you no longer despise me. I’ll happily accept the nickname, which is probably deserved.”
“Is Claire here?” I asked.
Dad nodded. “She went to the house to bring me some things, since I’ll be here a few days. How long areyoustaying?”
“As long as you need me,” I assured him.
“I don’t need you, honey. I’m fine.”
I pushed a chair up next to the bed. “Well, as good as you seem, I’m still gonna need to talk to your doctors and make sure you’re okay before I feel comfortable heading back.”
“I’m not going to complain about having you around.” He reached for my hand. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I took his hand and kissed it. “I missed you, too, Daddy. I’d rather see you under different circumstances, though.”
“Oh, you’re here.” A voice came from the doorway.
I turned to find my sister Claire holding a couple of bags. Standing, I let go of my father’s hand. “Hey.”
