Page 89 of Perfect Enough
Sophia looked down at the floor. My heart felt like it had stopped in my chest.
“What are you doing here?”
Sophia walked up, took my free hand in hers, and squeezed. She blinked back tears.
“Soph, what’s happening?”
She touched my face with her soft hand and said, “It’s your grandfather. He’s had a heart attack.”
Sophia’s words rattled around in my head as I stared at her. “Is he okay?”
“I’m not sure,” Sophia said softly. “Rose called me. Um, you gave her my number she said. She said to come to the station to drive you back to the ranch, to your grandparents’ house. She only told me it was about your grandfather.”
“Josh, do you need us to do anything?” I heard the chief say.
I shook my head and started for the exit. My steps started slow but picked up speed. I could hear Sophia rushing to keep up with me, and the faint sound of Larry telling her to let them know if they could do anything.
Once outside, I didn’t go to my truck; I walked to Sophia’s car. Dropping my bag into the back seat, I slipped into the passenger side and willed Sophia to hurry. She was only seconds behind me.
We drove in silence for the first few minutes before I spoke. Staring out the window, I said, “My granddad was the first person to take me hunting. It’s one of my favorite childhood memories. I shot my first eight-point buck with him. He had a deer blind, and I can remember freezing in it as we waited for what felt like forever. That was when he taught me the value of being patient. If you wanted something hard enough, you just had to say it aloud, believe it in your heart, and never give up.”
“I can’t wait to meet him,” Sophia said as we looked at one another.
“He’s going to love you. Probably tell me you’re the one, because I’ve never brought home a girl for my family to meet.”
She smiled and focused on the road again as she pressed harder on the gas pedal. “Did he teach you other things? Like to ride a horse?”
I shook my head. “Nah, that was my parents. I think they had me on a horse the moment I could sit up all by myself. They waited a few years to put me on a bull.”
Sophia choked. “They put you on a bull as a baby?”
Smiling, I said, “Most bulls are just babies when they’re back home and out to pasture. I’ll introduce you to a few.”
“Um…I’m not sure I’m ready to meet your bull friends just yet.”
I laughed lightly and was so grateful to her for distracting me from the reason she was racing toward my grandparents’ place.
She asked me about growing up on the ranch the rest of the way. I had already answered most of the questions early on in our friendship, but I didn’t mind answering them again. It kept my mind off of the uncertainty about my grandfather. If he was still home, then that was a good thing. At least…I hoped so. We weren’t heading to the hospital.
Sophia tapped in the gate code and drove forward. I told her where to turn to get to Grams and Granddad’s place.
Once we pulled up, I opened the car door and rushed up the steps. Realizing I’d left Sophia behind, I waited. She hurried up the steps, and I took her hand in mine. I opened the front door and found Nate standing in the foyer. He wore a solemn look—and I knew the news wasn’t good. Was Granddad on bed rest, forced to take it easy for the next few months? We could easily make sure he did that. Lots of rest and he’d be fine. He would befine.
“Nate, how’s Granddad?”
His eyes filled with unshed tears. He looked at Sophia, who held my hand tighter, then back to me.
“He…he had a heart attack.”
I looked around. “But he’s okay? He’s home?”
Nathan slowly shook his head.
“He’s gone, Josh.”
Frowning, I asked, “What do you mean, he’s gone? Where is he? Granddad?” I called out as I walked farther into the house, pulling Sophia with me.
“Josh, Granddad is…he’s gone. He passed.”