“Oh, give it a rest bro,” Jason teased.
“Back off, Jason. Find your own girl. I know you only asked for a ride so you could spend time with Honey.”
Everyone roared at the companionable teasing.
Ken frowned from across the room. He wasn’t openly hostile towards Ira, but he wasn’t friendly either.
“Have you heard from Lindy lately?” Honey asked, trying to draw Ken into the conversation. He looked so alone sitting on a kitchen chair he’d pulled into the room.
His face brightened. “I have. I’m going to see her tomorrow.” He paused. “I guess it is time to confess. Lindy and I have been talking. A lot. On the phone. We’re working through our issues. We aren’t good, but we’re trying to get to know each other again.”
“That’s wonderful,” Honey exclaimed before everyone else offered their congratulations. She wasn’t certain how long it had been since Ken’s wife left, but she knew it was a couple years at least. She’d love to see them make up. From everything she’d heard, they’d been a great couple.
Ken seemed pleased, but uncomfortable with all the praise. “How about you guys, are you pregnant yet?” he asked Flint and Amy.
“No!” Amy proclaimed. “We’re not even married yet. We might have kids some day, but we have relationships to build with the two teens we already have. We’re not in any rush to make a decision.” She shared a fond look with Justice, who everyone called Flint.
“Maybe some day,” he said quietly before turning the tables on Ira. “How about you?” he asked with a pointed look at the arm around Honey’s shoulders. “You guys look cozy. Kissing cozy. Any kids in your future?”
“Back off, Flint,” Ira growled.
“I’d love to have kids, someday,” Honey spoke at the same time. Heat rose in her face. “I mean, we’ve only just started dating, but some day, I do want to have kids. Several of them. But we’re not planning anything, except maybe another date.” She snapped her mouth shut to stop the rush of embaressing words.
“I’d like kids, too,” Ira said quietly. “I have no living relatives. Except you guys,” he stammered. “I mean…it’s hard to adapt to suddenly having a family. But I’d like sons to pass on the Castillo name.” He looked guilty. “Not that the Flint name isn’t an honorable one.”
Honey reached up and squeezed his hand. “Nobody thought you were dissing half of your heritage. They understand. Don’t you guys?”
“Son, I’d be disappointed if you weren’t proud of your mother,” Robert said. “Now, how about that pie?”
Sue chuckled. “One small piece for you. Doctor’s orders.”
“I can’t wait for my next physical. I’m sick of all the mollycoddling. I spend half my life in my man cave, pounding out my frustrations on leather.”
“What are you working on?” Ira asked.
“He made me an exquisite purse,” Sue exclaimed. “He repaired the briefcase Tricia inherited from her grandfather. All the boys have belts, except you Ira.”
“I’m working on it. I can only do so much at once.” Though Robert grumbled, it was clear he was proud of his family’s pride in his work.
“Can we see your man cave?” Honey asked.
Five minutes later, they stood inside a small shed. Robert flipped a switch and warmth rushed over them.
“I added the heater last fall. It was too cold in here to work. Let me show you around.” He demonstrated his leather stitcher and some stamps. He had at least a dozen projects underway. “I can only carve so much at once before my hands cramp up from holding the leather carving knife. Paint, glue, and dye take time to dry. That’s why there are so many things on the go.” He looked thoughtful. “You guys want to pass an opinion on something?”
“Sure thing,” Ira offered.
Robert fished around in a drawer and extracted a half-finished leather jacket. The feminine garment was thigh length and constructed of soft black leather. “Think Sue will like this?” he asked, clearly uncertain.
Honey fondled the leather. “It’s exquisite. She’ll adore it.” She looked at it with a critical eye. “It looks like the right size. It’s beautiful.”
“Great job,” Ira patted Robert on the back. “She’ll love it. Did you sew it on that stitcher?”
“Heck no. I bought a used sewing machine. I keep it hidden. I don’t want her asking questions before our anniversary.” He flushed guiltily. “Son, I’m sorry I abandoned you. It was the wrong decision. I don’t expect you to understand, or to forgive me, but maybe you can take comfort in knowing I regret my decision. I always have.” He cleared his throat and turned away.
Ira looked thunderstruck, either at the sudden turn in the conversation or the apology. His frown turned to a look of resignation. “I don’t understand your decision, but I appreciate that you regret your actions. Honestly, I’m proud to call you Dad.”
Honey stifled a gasp at Ira’s change of heart.
Robert whirled around. Tears in his eyes. He flung his arms around Ira and patted his back. “Welcome to the family, son.”
