“For pulling me out of my funk.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Learning that about my dad really screwed with my head. I thought I knew him.” Colette’s voice sounds scratchy when she adds, “He was my hero.”
“Was?” God, I hate hearing her say something like that. “He’s human, sweetheart. He’s still the man you’ve always known.”
“I—” She clears her throat. “I just thought he could do no wrong.”
“Nobody’s perfect. But you know that.”
“But if my dad isn’t who I thought he was…” Colette shakes her head. “No. That’s not what I mean. Honestly, it’s a miracle we’re still functioning as a family after…”
She stops, but I want her to finish her thought before I jump in with my two-cents worth.
“What?”
“It’s why they started Sunday Funday.”
“What do you mean?”
“Mom and Dad. Sunday Fundays were their way of keeping us together.”
I nod my head. “I can see that.”
“Why hadn’t that occurred to me before now?” Colette leans her head back until it rests on my chest. “It’s time.”
“Time? For what?”
“It’s time I put on my big girl panties and face the music.”
I’m not sure why that statement concerns me, but I think I should let her work through this. I’ll be there with her if she needs me. Changing the subject just a little bit, I keep one arm wrapped around her as I use my other hand to touch her hair. “Love your hair.”
A snort sounds. “It’s unruly.”
“Like its bearer.”
“Ha.”
With both arms now wrapped around her, I lean down and kiss the top of her head. “This is the life.” At least it’s the one I’ve always pictured, especially after I purchased this spot on the lake.
“It is.”
“Did I tell you there used to be a house here?”
“No.”
“Tore it down.”
She rotates in my arms so she can look at me. “Why?”
“For one, there were no empty lots this close to the water. For the other, it was old. One of the first places built out here. Growing up, we always heard stories about the place.”
“Was it haunted? Because just because you tore it down doesn’t mean the ghosts are gone.”
I chuckle and kiss her nose. “How do you know that?”
She blushes. “Read it in a book.”
