I love you. Now and forever.
Dad
~Warning – I’ve made sure in my other letters to make sure the boys don’t let their baby sister get serious with anyone they don’t approve of. Don’t roll your eyes atme, Bébhinn. Like I wrote earlier, if he’s worth you, your brothers and nephews won’t be able to run him off.
~~I’ve been thinking about a few big hikes we could do together. One is in Wales. What do you think of getting your mom to play in the mud with us?
~~~Call Lee after you read this. His firm has a gift for you from me.
~~~~I’m going to let you go now. No more postscripts. Live your life knowing I will always watch over you.
Bébhinn carefully folded the letter back into its neat trifold with one hand. She was surprised to feel her other hand in the firm grip of Dagr Griffiths. She breathed a shaky breath out, silent tears tracking her cheeks, finding herself so very thankful for the gift of her father’s words.
His words weren’t just about his love for her. They were also permission, or a demand in his case, to go on living life.
To live and love and laugh.
She would always carry her father’s memory, and itwouldbe enough.
Bébhinn gave Dagr’s hand a tight squeeze of acknowledgment, and he tightened his grip in response.
He didn’t let go, and neither did she.
twenty-four
DAGR
Luckily,the wind during the storm last night kept the snow from packing the trails too heavily. There were still spots that might have been treacherous if Dagr hadn’t been familiar with the terrain. The two and three-foot drifts easily changed the landscape and could give less experienced map readers trouble.
Undoubtedly, the petite woman walking behind him would have had no problems. Her father had made sure she was a highly competent outdoorsman.
Bébhinn had doused the rest of the fire’s coals with snow while he stacked the remaining firewood against the cave wall that morning. They’d already eaten a breakfast of protein bars and water and dressed.
Before he crouched to lead the way out of the cave, he’d given her a stern look. “Do you want to talk about anything? About the letter?” he added unnecessarily. She hadn’t pulled her face mask up yet, so he saw her cheeks pinken. He hoped she wasn’t embarrassed about sharing such an important moment with him.
She smiled softly and shrugged. “The letter is ... it so encompassed Dad. Wonderful and sweet and exasperating. I’m glad I waited to read it. I wasn’t ready six months ago.”
Bent at an uncomfortable angle, he took an awkward shuffle step back to where she stood upright and took her gloved hand in his. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Thank you for being there. I’m not sure I could have done it without you beside me.”
“You could have. You would have.”
She used her free hand to lightly touch his cheek before saying, “I think we were meant to meet.”
He felt his body shudder and heat. “I agree.” Before he could do or say anything inappropriate, he dropped her hand and backed out of the low opening. “Best get on with the last section.”
They trucked along for almost eight hours at a steady pace, but far from his normal trail running speed. He was no longer in a hurry and had no plan to risk an injury on the covered trail. He was also in no hurry to part with the present company.
He heard a gasp behind him and turned in time to catch Bébhinn’s arms as she stumbled forward.
“Good grief,” she grimaced. “Sorry about that. I didn’t place my foot in your footstep and stepped on a branch or something that shifted. If I don’t pull it together, you’ll think I’m a green hiker.”
Her laughter proved that she wasn’t concerned about his reaction. Even with the shit weather, she was excellent at summiting. Her ability to pinpoint their location and read terrain changes was impressive.
“Yeah, you are so clumsy.” He forced himself to let her shoulders go and step back.Remember, dumbass, you’re entering middle age, and she’s still at uni.“Another hour andwe’ll find Conwy. I’m sure my buddy’s son parked your Jeep beside mine.”
“And thankful I am that you did that for me. I wasn’t looking forward to driving a couple of hours to grab my Jeep before driving on to the ferry.”
