Chapter Sixteen
Josh transferredDad from the wheelchair to the recliner in front of the TV in the family room. Their house was located on the same side of the street as the inn, which meant that Dad’s property had a view of the Pacific, although the view wasn’t as spectacular as the one from Redwood Cove Inn. Part of the view was obstructed by the cliffs off to the right.
Nevertheless, the family room had accordion glass doors that opened to a deck. Josh cracked open one side of the glass panel to let in the cool ocean air.
Dad flicked on the TV. “I just love when the breeze comes in.”
Josh loved everything about living there. Memories of Mom accosted him every time he walked into the family room. He would always find her sitting in her chaise lounge, crocheting hats, scarves, and other items for the humanitarian group she belonged to at the local church.
Josh didn’t think he would ever move. When Dad passed, Josh would inherit not only the house, but Redwood Cove Inn. Josh clutched the back of his neck and focused on the waves, trying not to think that far into the future. Losing his mom had been heart-wrenching. He didn’t want to go through something like that again. Yet he knew that was a pipe dream.
Dad’s neurologist couldn’t give him an exact time on when his ALS would escalate. On average, people with ALS lasted three years from the time they were diagnosed. Dad was at the beginning of his second year. In addition, he was taking medication to slow the process. However, slowing down his ALS only meant he could tack on two or three months to his life.
The wind was playing with the waves, as was a surfer. Josh had never had the itch to try surfing, although the guy appeared to be in his element and having a good time. Josh’s idea of a good time was strapping on his SEAL gear, hanging out with his former team, and protecting his Navy brothers as well as his country. That always got him fired up.
Josh had brooded for months after the doc told him he wouldn’t be going on any more missions. But he’d already known he couldn’t. The limp in his gait would’ve slowed him down, and his hearing would’ve only gotten him killed along with others. Josh had the option of a desk job at some military base in the US, but working behind some desk wasn’t him.
“Josh. Josh,” Dad said again.
The urgency in his voice made Josh’s heart fall to his feet. Josh rushed to his dad’s side. “Are you okay?”
Dad smiled, allowing Josh’s pulse to slow. While Dad didn’t smile often, he’d come to terms with his ALS. “I was dealt this card, son,” he’d said many times. “Now I have to make the best of it.”
Josh could understand the reasoning. With his own hearing impairment, Josh had to do the same with what fate had given him. Of course his situation didn’t have an end date like Dad’s.
“Can you get me my glasses?”
Josh snagged them off the coffee table and set them on Dad’s nose. “I need to go to the inn. Your caregiver should be here within thirty minutes. Will you be okay? Do you need to use the restroom?”
Dad adjusted his reading glasses. “I’ll be fine. Any word from your girl?” His tone was charged with both excitement and trepidation. Josh knew he was worried about Liza.
“You’re still trying to play matchmaker?” Josh teased.
“You both like each other but aren’t doing anything about it. Why not? She’s beautiful, your type, and I like her.”
Josh crossed his arms. “How do you know my type?” This he had to hear. He hadn’t brought any women home since high school.
Dad cocked one eyebrow. “Son, Riley resembles Marybeth.”
Josh could feel a deep crease forming in between his eyes. “I don’t think so.” Sure, Riley and Marybeth both had black hair, but Riley’s eyes were a stormy gray, and Marybeth had blue eyes.
Dad reclined in his chair. “All I’m saying is ask her out.”
Josh tucked his hands into his jeans pockets and lowered his gaze as if he were shy talking about girls, dates, and what Dad wanted for him deep down—marriage. “I did ask her to dinner and a movie.”
Dad’s face glowed all of a sudden. “She said yes, I hope.”
Josh glanced at the TV.Good Morning, Gold Coastwas on. Dad recorded the morning show. He loved watching the mascot more than the host. Their mascot was a golden retriever named Star, who stole the show every time. Plus, Charlie seemed to notice the pretty mascot, as he barked at the screen on occasion when he was in the room. “It’s hard to date a woman who doesn’t live here.”
“Distance doesn’t matter. Woo her as much as you can while she’s here. And make sure she knows how you feel, especially before she leaves. You do feel something, right?”
Josh harrumphed. He felt lots of things around Riley that his dad didn’t need to know about. Regardless, Josh did want to get married someday. He wasn’t opposed to dating someone steady, and Riley was the perfect candidate. Actually, she was the only one who was worming her way into his heart and his head. If Josh were being honest, she was setting his body on fire—a fire that would rage until their lips locked and their bodies melted together.
“I just met her. It’s not like one kiss and we’ll walk into the sunset and live happily ever after.”
Dad gave one of those looks that said,Right. You keep lying to yourself.“That’s what happened with your mom and me. So don’t be so jaded about love.”
Josh wasn’t jaded; he was just a realist.
