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I drove up the winding driveway to my parent’s property with my hand on her leg laying claim. I was tempted to turn around, go back home and get into bed with her. But we couldn’t miss dinner tonight. It was too important to our families. Plus, I’d made surprise plans for dessert once dinner was over.
I pulled in next to Rose’s car and parked. “Stay there, I’ll come around and let you out.” I opened the door and grabbed her by the waist, letting her slide down my body as I helped her out.
“Hello, you two.” Rose popped open the back of her VW and removed a cooler bag. “I brought the salad. Mom actually let me make something. Sure, it didn’t technically involve cooking but I’m totally counting it. Help me out, Cade. Trevor is already inside with the kids. I’m meeting them here.” I grabbed one of the bags from the back.
“Relatable.” Charlotte laughed. “My family won’t let me cook anything either.”
“You set one kitchen fire too many times and people freak out. Am I right?” Rose laughed.
“Exactly. I deserve a second chance, and maybe some cooking lessons.”
“Lucky you’re with Cade. He’s on his way to expert level cook status.”
They chatted all the way up the walkway while I took it all in. The front of the house had been decorated with a “Congratulations” banner for me and my father and there were balloons and streamers everywhere.
“Hello!” My mother called from the porch. “We’re all out back. It’s such a nice day I figured we would have dinner on the patio.”
“Hey, Dahlia.” My mother kissed Charlotte on both cheeks and hugged her.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, sweetheart. Come inside and let me pour you a glass of wine.”
She looked back at me, and I smiled. “Go for it. I need to talk to my dad.”
Rose took the second cooler bag from me and followed Mom and Charlotte into the dining room.
I found my father on the couch in the living room. He was still and quiet, sitting there with a beer in his hand.
“Hey,” I greeted.
“Cade. Sit with me.”
I joined him, sitting on the chair adjacent to the couch. “How are you feeling? I’m nervous as fuck.”
“Same. I worked my whole life to be what I was, and now it’s finished. I feel a bit adrift. But also, I’m ready to start a new chapter. Sleeping in sounds good too.”
“I think I feel something similar. Not the adrift part, but definitely ready to start a new chapter.”
“I’m happy for you, son. You’re finally on the path you wanted to follow.”
“Yeah, I am. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn all these years. I could have had her back a long time ago.”
“Regret is pointless. And you don’t know that. You could have pursued her years ago and it might not have worked out like it did now. I’m a big believer in things falling into place when they’re meant to. Something pulled you back together this time.”
“It was Winthrop. She was being stalked.” I huffed a laugh. “She was in town longer because of him.”
“Nah, that wasn’t it.” He shook his head and grinned at me. “Cade, you do realize she spent at least a month in Sweetbriar for Christmas every year?” I shrugged; I hadn’t thought of that. “Sometimes she’d be at her dad’s place for the entire summer. She was here all the time, for every single one of her brother’s birthdays, and for Tucker’s kids’ birthdays too. It wasn’t the stalker. You were both just ready this time around.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. I’m always right. But that’s my burden to bear.” We both laughed and he sipped his beer. “How’s she doing?”
“Better. She had a few nightmares right after it happened. But I think therapy is helping. We go every other day. Next week we’ll start with once a week. Plus, she’s living with me now. We moved all her stuff in last week, so she doesn’t have to worry about sleeping alone.”
“And you?”
“I’m fine. I go to therapy with her. I know it’s helping both of us. And not just with the Winthrop situation. But our relationship too. We’re stronger than ever.”
“That’s good. So, let’s see it.”
“See what?”
“The ring.”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “How did you know?”
“Along with always being right, I know everything.” He chuckled. “Okay, fine. Your mother told me.” Mom had gone ring shopping with me. I told her I needed something emerald cut and she had done the rest.
“I was gonna say . . .” I stood and pulled the ring box from my pocket, tossing it to him with a grin.
“Pretty. She’ll love it. But she’d say yes to you without it. That’s another way you know she’s your one and only. Don’t let her go this time. Charlotte is a wonderful girl—a Barrett for life.” He tossed it back to me and I stuffed it in my pocket for later.
