“You okay, Dad?” she whispers.
“Yeah,” I say. “I just don’t want you to be afraid to talk to me.”
She’s quiet. Then, she sniffs. “I’m not afraid.”
I pull back, brushing her hair back. She looks up at me with Della’s dark eyes. “What then? Gage said you didn’t want to.”
She chews the inside of her cheek.
“I just…don’t want to mess things up between us and Ryder Ranch if things don’t work out,” she says finally. “You’re really good friends with Deacon, and it would suck if I dated Gage and we had a big falling out.”
I’m looking at her hesitant face one second, and then the next, I see her clearly, in ten years time. She’s found somebody just as wild to be with. She’s married, but she’s not settled down, and she’s enjoying every second of it.
“I don’t think that’ll happen,” I say, clearing my throat.
She goes quiet. Then, her gaze darts up. “Did you just know when you met Mom that it was going to be forever?”
“No,” I say. “I don’t believe in that.”
Her brows rise. “Wow, that’s really romantic.”
The percolator is bubbling hard. I release her and flip it off then take down a couple of mugs. Julie-Mae accepts one, holding it out while I pour.
“Your mom and I are really similar people, we were compatible, and had chemistry. But I also made a choice the minute I thought I could have a chance with her.”
“So you don’t think you’re soulmates?”
“Depends on what soulmates are I guess.”
“I can see how she was really swept off her feet,” she says dryly. “Very romantic.”
“I’m not romantic,” I agree. “But I did show up.”
“How do you mean?” She takes a sip of coffee and grimaces. I always make it stronger than she likes.
“I mean, whoever you pick is gonna see you through a whole lot of shit someday,” I say. “Life’s got a lot of bad in it. Make sure it’s somebody who can ride all the ups and downs with you.”
She lowers her cup slowly, biting her lip. “Do you think Gage is like that?” she whispers.
“I think with the parents he’s got, he’s got the best chance of anyone at hitting all the marks,” I say carefully.
The corner of her mouth turns up. “Is that you giving me your blessing?”
“You don’t need it, you’re a grown up,” I say. “But if you want it, here it is.”
This time, she hugs me, and I hold her to my chest, remembering how small she was when she was born, just a tiny little thing with a set of lungs that shook the house. I took one look at her and told Della she’d be the troublemaker of the family. And that’s alright—I wouldn’t trade her for anything. She’s perfect the way she is, and Gage better see that, or I will kick his ass into the next county.
“Alright,” she says, wriggling out of my arms. “I’m gonna get changed so we can eat.”
She disappears upstairs. I break open the bag and set battered fish and fries onto two plates. By the time she gets back, everything is laid out. She sinks down into her chair.
“So I can really date Gage, for real?” she asks.
“You really can.”
She smiles then wipes it off her face so she doesn’t lose her tough reputation. “How’s the baby?”
“He’s good. I called your mom on the way home. Everybody’s doing well.”
