I was about to find out.
I turned down North Cartwright Road that led to Hidden Springs. Jack lived off there in a plantation style house.
Two minutes down the road and I could see it.
It was five thirty. The sun was bright already but still held that subtle presence of peeking through to start the new day.
If I knew Jack, he would be up already tending to the horses.
The house I’d loved so much came into view and I turned down the long drive, passing the fields and the lake.
I’d forgotten how big the place was, it was huge.
I pulled up just outside the house across from his truck. He had that same beat up pickup he called Bertha.
God, I’d missed him. He was Claire’s father but he’d felt like mine too.
The door to the stables opened and my heart stilled when Jack stepped out. His face contorted with curiosity as to who would be coming to his home at this hour.
He took off his heavy duty work gloves and started walking toward us.
When I opened the door and stepped out he stopped short and stared on ahead at me, his lips parted and shock registered on his face.
Jack looked the same, a little older but roughly the same. Most guys who were ex-military tended to take care of themselves. Jack was no exception. He still looked tough like he could kill you. A little like a cross between Bruce Willis and Hugh Jackman. That was what Jack looked like.
I froze, not knowing what him stopping meant.
Did he stop because anger made him stop, or did he stop because of the surprise.
I didn’t know and the not knowing seized me up, preventing me from moving forward.
Hope however filled my heart when he took a step toward me.
Hope I hadn’t realized I’d wanted badly, and for years.
One more step, then another and I started walking to him too.
We met each other halfway and he looked me over with that classic look. Like he’d just seen a ghost.
He wasn’t far off since I’d been a ghost for the last five years.
“Xander? Is that really you?” he asked. His voice was heavy with emotion.
When I nodded a tear ran down his cheek and he pulled me in for a hug.
