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“Thank you. I promise you that nothing between us will change if we see your mom once in a while or if Lexi is in our lives. You’ll just have more people who love you, which is always a good thing.” Max caressed his son’s soft hair. “No one will ever love you as much as I do.”
Caden smiled. “I love you, too.”
“Why don’t you go get cleaned up? Your mom will be here in a little bit.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to meet my mom.”
“I know. It’s exciting.” Max helped Caden up from the chair, noting that he was moving more easily than he had since the accident. “Call me if you need help.”
“I’m fine.”
After Caden left the room, Max sat back in his chair feeling amused, amazed and relieved after the conversation with his son. From the start, he’d been the most incredible kid, full of spunk and sass and curiosity for people, places and adventure. Max felt sorry for everything Chloe had missed with their son, but he hoped that maybe she could be part of his life going forward.
Before he’d gotten her letter, the thought of allowing her into their lives would’ve been preposterous to him. But people grew and changed and evolved, and he hoped the new version of Chloe would be someone he’d want in his son’s life.
Chloe arrivedright on time at three o’clock, driving a white SUV and wearing jeans, boots and a sweater with a navy blue down vest. Her hair was darker than he recalled, her blue eyes clear and her smile bright. It was almost shocking to Max to see how great she looked, because his most recent memories of her had been colored by her utter misery over the pregnancy and childbirth.
Max went out to greet her.
“Hi, Max,” she said, smiling. “It’s good to see you.”
“You, too. You look great.”
“So do you, but then again, you always did.”
“Thanks. Caden is excited to meet you.”
“That’s nice to hear. I wondered if he’d be angry with me.”
“He doesn’t have that in him.”
“I guess that makes me lucky. How’s he feeling?”
“Much better.”
“And you? Having him hurt must’ve been awful.”
“Worst thing I’ve ever been through, but as long as he and Chase are okay, that’s what matters.”
“He’s close with Chase?”
“Very. They’re like brothers.”
“He must have a lot of other cousins by now.”
“There’s twenty-six grandchildren at last count, and that doesn’t count the Colemans.”
“Wow. And he’s the oldest, right?”
“He’s inherited a few older cousins since Landon married a woman with a daughter and Charley and Tyler took in his nieces after their parents died. The younger ones look up to Caden, though.” Max glanced back at the house. “Before we go in, I just wanted to know what you’re hoping to have happen.”
“I’d like to see him occasionally, maybe go to one of his games or to his school for whatever goes on there. I’m not asking for anything more than to be in his life, however you and he see fit. I know it’s more than I deserve—”
“I don’t hold it against you, Chloe. You did what was best for you and Caden, and it was a long time ago. He’s been the greatest blessing of my life. I wouldn’t change anything.”
“Thank you for stepping up for him the way you did. I’ve always been so thankful to you and your family for doing what I couldn’t.”
“You’re welcome. Come meet your son.” Max led the way inside, where Caden and Daisy were seated on the sofa. When Chloe followed him in, Daisy moved closer to Caden. “Caden, this is your mom, Chloe. Chloe, this is Caden.”
