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“If there is one thing I’ve learned about mistakes in the past, if you hold onto them, Rip, they’ll never let you move forward. So you messed up then, and I’m going to guess you messed up tonight.”
I nodded. “She told me it was too late.”
Steed tossed his head back and laughed. Hard. I chuckled too because he was laughing so damn hard, and I had no idea why.
“What’s so funny?”
“Rip Myers, how long have you known my daughter?”
“Eighteen years.”
“That is eighteen years you have been best friends with a Parker woman. You have been around the Parker women for eighteen years. Have you not learned a damn thing? From any of them?”
I lifted a brow. “Sir, I’m not really sure if there is a correct answer to that question.”
Steed winked. “You have learned. Parker women are stubborn as hell. They react on impulse. Take Chloe saying yes to that douchebag, Easton.”
I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing.
“They love fiercely, are devoted as hell. They believe they are right one hundred percent of the time. And most important of all, they stay angry for a hell of a lot longer than most people do.”
“Great,” I whispered, my fingers raking through my hair.
“I’m going to give you some advice, Rip. But first I want to ask you something.”
“Okay.”
“Do you love my daughter?”
My chest squeezed, and my stomach felt like it flipped over. “Yes. I’ve been in love with her for as long as I can remember.”
“There ya go.”
I drew my brows in. “I’m confused. Was that your advice?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Um, thank you, I guess?”
Steed laughed. “I don’t think you and Chloe have ever let yourselves see how in love you are with each other. Love conquers everything, Rip, when you let it take control. It is your lifeboat when the water is too deep, your safety net when you close your eyes and step off the cliff. Your blanket to keep you warm when the nights are cold and your mind is filled with worry or uncertainty. The one thing that ties you and Chloe together besides your friendship is your love for one another. Love, Rip, is the reason you face the fear. You take the leap. You vow to make it work and trust that it will.”
My eyes stung as I fought tears back. I had never trusted in our love. Never had faith that it would be able to conquer all.
“What do I do to win her back?”
The corners of his mouth slowly rose. “Be patient. She’s hurting right now for a few different reasons. Keep fighting for her, though. She’s worth the battle.”
I nodded. “Yes, sir. She certainly is.”
“Now, are you leaving or coming into the house?” Steed asked as he stood.
“I believe I’m going into the house with you.”
“Good. You might want to stick close by me for a bit. Chloe was in the kitchen with a butcher knife earlier. She seemed pretty pissed.”
When I laughed, and he didn’t, I quickly stopped. “Ohhhh, you’re being serious?”
“Hell yes, I am. Did you not remember the one bit that I said was important?”
“Parker women stay mad.”
“They don’t stay mad, son. Angry. They stay angry. You’ll learn the difference very quickly, I’m afraid.”
“Right, right. For a hell of a long time.”
He slapped my back and opened the front door. “You always were a quick learner, son.”
I followed Steed through the house. It was a massive house, but it felt like we reached the kitchen a lot sooner than I was ready to. I heard voices and knew more of Chloe’s family was here.
“Look who I found,” Steed announced.
Everyone in the kitchen turned and looked at me. Chloe’s grandparents, John, and Melanie were standing on either side of Chloe. Gage was sitting at the bar alone with Mike, and Alyssa was leaning against the kitchen sink. She gave me a sympathetic look, so I wasn’t sure if she and Chloe had talked about what happened in the cabin.
Trevor walked into the kitchen and slapped me on the back. Hard.
“You stupid bastard,” he said as he leaned in close to my ear.
“Trevor!” Scarlett, his wife, said as she pushed him away. “Don’t let him get to you, Rip.”
I smiled. At least the entire family wasn’t here. I might have actually turned and ran for my life.
“Rip, sweetheart, we were beginning to wonder where you were. Thank you for finding Chloe,” Melanie said, a sweet smile on her face.
Nodding, I forced myself to talk. “Of course. Anything for Chloe.”
Chloe’s head lifted, and our eyes met. The look she shot me made me swallow hard, and I could swear I felt sweat beading on my forehead.
“We are in the process of making chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. It always makes Chloe feel better when she bakes. Why don’t you join us?” Melanie asked.
