Page 123 of Saddles

A deep voice sounds tinny. “April Nelson, this is Doctor Shevman. I’m afraid you were listed as an emergency contact for Albert Nelson. I regret to inform you he suffered another cardiac event this afternoon, and he did not recover. This message is sent at his request prior to his passing.” The heavy click echoes in the silence between April and I.

“Ford?” she squeaks.

I can see the shock on her face. Pulling her into my arms, I squeeze her as she processes.

“There’s one from his law firm,” she whispers against my chest.

“April, it’s Sam Caldwell, one of your father’s partners. I’m sure by now you’ve heard the news of his passing. I need you to come down to process his belongings. His will is on file, and you’re the sole beneficiary—”

She drops the phone, the rest of the message getting lost in the gap in the cushions.

That’s when I feel the first heat of tears land on my shirt.

“Did he die because of me?” A shudder shakes her shoulders and her nose buries against my neck.

“No. His heart was already weak. Anything could have set it off.” My lips find the top of her head as I rock her gently.

Her thumb works over one of the fading cuff scars on her wrist. “This is the last thing he saw of me.” Her head rises with a trembling chin.

“He was a fool. Blind to the magnificent woman that you are.” My palm works broad circles over her back.

There’s a part of me that wishes I hadn’t held back on him that day. I should have said my piece and set the record straight.

It wasn’t my truth to share, though.

“I guess that explains why Norma is sucking my ass,” April grumbles as a half-smile pulls up one corner of her mouth. “That’s pretty damn funny my dad didn’t leave her a dime.”

Her head slumps back against my chest. “Ford?”

“Mmhmm?” I let her hair tickle my nose as I try to tuck every part of her against my body.

“Will you still love me if I’m rich? My dad wasloaded.” She sighs, snuggling tighter into my arms. “Funny, I never wanted any part of it, and made it very clear to him.” She twists to see my face. “Maybe I’ll give it all to charity?”

I’ve got twenty-five years of generous paychecks sitting in a bank. I don’t exactly have expensive tastes. She’d never have to work anyways, I’d make sure of that.

“You spend it on whatever you want, Frosty. I just want you.” I meet her teary gaze.

She tilts her lips up to meet mine. “I love you, too.”

Chapter 40

April

I am determined to make today special and fight back the grief that is trying so hard to bring down my mood.

Merry fucking Christmas.

But it is. My father was far from winning any “best dad” awards.

I’m sad he’s gone, because it means I’ll never get the closure that I somehow ever won his approval.

Yet my common sense tells me that it would have never happened anyways.

Ford has brought a new light into my life, and I want to show him how happy he makes me.

Carrying the tray carefully, I tiptoe into the bedroom and take a moment to admire the man lying with nearly his entirebeautiful body exposed. Only the corner of the sheet hides his waist, while his muscular, tattooed arm drapes over his eyes.

After setting the breakfast on the nightstand, I carefully kneel on the edge of the bed, then straddle his shrouded hips.

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