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“And you,” Mom said as she pulled away from me to hug her granddaughter. Tears sparkled in her eyes. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
The teenage attitude I’d seen this morning had dissipated. In its place was a girl who seemed pleased to be getting attention from her grandmother.
Mom pulled back, her eyes bright. “Come in. Come in.”
We walked through the foyer, following the smell of baked chicken into the large kitchen. It had been completely renovated since I’d lived here. The wall between the kitchen and the living room had been knocked down so I could see out the large windows to the trees on the back of the property. “This looks great.”
“Your father finally let me have free rein a few years ago.”
Comfortable furniture faced a large stone fireplace. Not seeing my father, I asked, “You need any help with dinner?”
“Oh, it’s finished. I just need to set the table if you want to take the plates and silverware into the dining room.”
Kendall followed me, grabbing the napkins and the pitcher of iced tea. We quietly set the table. I was lost in the memories after not being in this home for a meal in ten years. Anytime I visited, I stayed in a hotel and met my parents at a restaurant. I needed to maintain distance.
“I didn’t believe it,” my father said as he entered the room.
My stomach tightened further as I looked up at the man who never failed to set me on edge. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
I sounded just like Kendall had earlier. My tone filled with irritation. Christ, he made me so prickly.
He stood in the room, his feet set shoulder-width apart, his arms crossed over his chest. His jaw was tight, his eyes narrow. Then his gaze settled on Kendall, and he softened. He lowered his arms to his side. “Kendall.”
“Grandpa.” She moved into his arms that he held out for her.
I’d never been present for her visitations with her grandparents, so I didn’t know how close their relationship was. But she seemed genuinely happy to see my father, in a way she hadn’t exhibited with my mother. Were they close?
Dad closed his eyes as he squeezed her tighter. When he pulled back slightly, he looked down at her. “Is it true that you moved here?”
Kendall nodded. There were no eye rolls or complaints. She seemed to have a soft spot for my dad. I couldn’t reconcile that with my relationship with him.
Dad ruffled her hair. “I’m happy you’re here.”
Was he happyIwas here? Why did I care? I thought I’d gotten over seeking his approval a long time ago.
“I’m surprised you moved here,” Dad said to me over Kendall’s head.
“It’s a great town to raise a child. Plus, I have family here.” When I made the decision to move back, I wasn’t sure how Dad would receive me. I knew Mom would be pleased, but would he expect me to work for the business?
Dad scrutinized me before he finally nodded. “I’m glad.”
Had I finally done something he agreed with?
My parents had been upset when I got Melanie pregnant. They thought it was reckless and that a baby would ruin my life. At the time, I’d been trying to forget Sophie. It was after boot camp, and I was set to deploy. I wasn’t sure how I’d manage it unless I erased Sophie from my memory bank. She’d been clear that she wasn’t interested in creating a future with me, or at least, that’s how I took it.
We were drunk. I couldn’t even remember if we’d used protection. I was pissed at myself until I saw Kendall for the first time. I’d never forget what it was like to hold her, to feel her warmth and the grip of her fingers.
I didn’t regret Kendall because she was the best thing in my life, but it wasn’t easy expecting a child with a one-night stand while deployed. Instead of making my father proud that I was doing things on my own, I’d disappointed him yet again.
Mom came into the room with a casserole dish in her hands. Dad took it from her and set it carefully in the center of the table.
“I, for one, am ecstatic you’re here. We have so many things to catch up on.” Mom’s gaze flitted from me to where Dad stood.
There was palpable tension in the room between my father and me.
Kendall looked at me uncertainly.
“Sit. I bet you’re hungry,” Mom said as she left the room again.
