Page 19 of Chasing Honor

“No. Not everyone does. But one day you will, if you stop hiding behind the shield of parenthood.”

“You ready, Daddy?” Carson came into the room with a big Tupperware container.

“Are those all cookies?”

“Yep. Gran taught me how to make oatmeal raisin today.” She stopped and looked around, lowering her voice she whispered, “They’re gross, but don’t tell Gran. I think they’re adult cookies because no kid likes raisins for a treat.”

“I heard that, Carson,” My mom called out. “Hey, Ethan. Good shift?”

“Yeah, Mom. Thanks for—”

“Don’t you say it. I’m knee deep rearranging the cupboards. Hugs.” She blew me a kiss and went back to work.

“Come on, Squirt. Time to go home.” I turned to my dad. “Thanks.”

“Any time.”

He knew why I was thanking him, I didn’t need to explain anything to him. As he’d said, he knew what I was thinking before I did.

The drive home was spent thinking about Honor and if what my dad had said was possible. Maybe Honor would be nothing more than a friend, but was there someone out there for me? Could I have what my parents had? I seriously doubted it. My mom and dad had a rare connection. One always knew what the other needed or wanted. My dad was one lucky man, my mother was one in a million.

Carson and I walked into the house, and I was immediately assaulted by the smell of garlic. My stomach growled, reminding me I’d been so lost in my thoughts I hadn’t stopped to pick up a pizza for dinner.

“Hey, you guys are home.” Honor said walking out of the kitchen. Jean shorts showcased her tanned, toned legs, and the tank top she wore clung to her ample breasts. Damn, she looked like heaven. “How was your day?”

“Good,” I answered, and she frowned, not believing me. When had I become so transparent?

“Right. So, I didn’t know what time you guys would be home for dinner, but I’m cooking. You haven’t eaten, right?”

I shook my head, and she continued.

“Awesome. I made spaghetti sauce. An old family recipe. It’s been simmering all day, but I thought I’d wait and make the meatballs and see if Carson wanted to help.”

“You made dinner?” I stupidly asked.

“Is that all right? I thought maybe I’d save you the trouble since you worked all day. But . . .”

I looked down at my daughter, who, for once in her life, was speechless.

“Would you like to help Honor make meatballs?” Carson nodded, still staring wide-eyed at Honor. “Go wash your hands.”

Carson took off, and I stalked toward Honor, stopping shy of knocking her over. I tagged her around the waist and pulled her into me, hugging her tightly.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “You have no idea how much I needed this today.”

I kissed the top of her head, and she started to wiggle in my arms.

“Ethan your stuff is poking me.” I found it amusing she’d said the same thing Carson had said when I hugged her. I loosened my embrace, and her arms finally wrapped around my middle.

“Sorry you had a shit day. You can talk to me about it, or not, I’m here either way.”

“Ready!” Carson bounced into the kitchen. The thought momentarily crossed my mind that Carson had never seen me touch or hug a woman. My first instinct was to pull away, but Honor felt right in my arms. A very close second to the happiness that thudded in my chest when Carson hugged me.

“Awesome.” Honor pulled back. “Ethan why don’t you go do what it is you do and let Carson and me take over the kitchen?”

I let go of Honor and watched her take Carson’s hand, explaining how they were going to mix the ingredients with their hands. I took off to my room to change out of my uniform and thought about what Honor had said, go do what it is you do, and it hit me, I didn’t know what it was I did. I hadn’t been Ethan in a long time. I was Carson’s dad. I was Officer Lenox. But who was Ethan and what did he want?

The answer came quickly and with astounding clarity.