I look back at him, and the look in his eyes is so sweet that I turn to face him. “It feels so good, doesn’t it.”
He nods and looks sheepish. “I went through a phase of calling you every night…a few phases of it, actually.”
My eyebrows crinkle. “When? I don’t remember you ever calling me every night.”
“I, uh…I hung up. Every time.”
“What?” I think back and remember one week in particular where it seemed like I got a call around the same time every night. “That was you? I was starting to get creeped out when it stopped.”
“I started staying away from the bottle more. That helped.” He laughs. “I wanted to say how sorry I was for ruining everything between us. And more than anything, I wanted to tell you that you were never just a way for me to pass the time. Being with you was the only time I wanted the moments to stand still.”
“I wish I’d known.”
“Me too.”
“Let’s not waste any more time. Okay?”
“Okay,” he says.
“We say how we feel, and we don’t look back with regret…at least not so much that it wrecks the right here, right now.”
“I like this plan.”
“And I promise when you call and breathe heavy, I’ll talk dirty to you instead of hanging up.”
He laughs. “Makes me want to call you right now.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
NOT SO SOFT
CAMDEN
The time has finally come…the soft opening for Windhaven Resort is this afternoon. Our family, friends, and staff, as well as business owners from Windy Harbor and all over Minnesota and a few influencers, will all be spending the night. It’s the first time we’ll be showing everything Windhaven Resort has to offer.
Before the doors open, Dad stands in front of my family, as well as Juju, Milo, and Erin, who all may as well be family by now, with tears in his eyes.
“When I brought the idea of this resort to you kids, I wasn’t sure I’d ever see this day. But not only have you brought what I’d envisioned to life,and then some, but you and the crews you’ve each assembled have done it in record time.” He looks at Milo and wipes his eyes. “Forgive me for getting so emotional. It’s been a big year.” He laughs. “Cancer, beating it…” He lifts his eyes and does praying hands. “And enlisting Milo, the most innovative architect I know…who’s still living, God rest your mom’s soul. She would’ve loved you for the way you love ourdaughterandfor your work,” he tells Milo. “I’m blown away by what you’ve made possible. What all of you have made possible.”
He looks around at us and continues. “You’ve each contributed more than I ever thought possible. I thought it might just be me and Milo for a minute there,” he laughs, “and the next thing I knew, we were all building my version of Rivendell.”
He lowers his head and takes a breath. “I hope you carry a sense of pride and ownership at what you’ve built. This weekend is our warm-up, time to have fun and give it a practice run, but I think we’ve got this one in the bag, kiddos. You’ve already done the hardest part. There’s still work ahead, but from here on out, we can enjoy everything we’ve put in place. It goes without saying that I’m proud of you, but I’ll say it anyway: I have the best family ever, and I’m so damn proud of each and every one of you.” He points at Grayson. “And as for you, my favorite grandson…”
“I’m your only grandson!” Grayson says, and we all laugh.
“You got me there.” Everett chuckles. “I love seeing everything about this place through your eyes, little man. Thank you for being the sunshine for us all.”
Grayson nods solemnly. “I love you too.”
Grandma Nancy hands Grandma Donna a tissue, and they both blow their noses. Grandma Nancy leans in and whispers something in Dad’s ear, and he nods.
“Would you like to say anything, Mom, before we open those doors?”
“I sure would.” She holds out her hands on either side, and we all do the same until we’re one big circle. “Get ready to change the lives of everyone who walks through those doors. I know Donna is the more positive of us two”—they share a laugh, and we all laugh too—“but she’s shown me that a kind word when someone’s down, or lending an ear when someone needsto talk…it does heaps in terms of turning someone’s day around. In some cases, it could even be saving a life.”
She looks in each of our eyes with what she says next. “All different kinds of people will come here needing to recharge, and some maybe even to find their way. I encourage you to lean in and shine as bright as that lighthouse out on the lake. You do that, and this place will be more than the beautiful resort it already is—it will be heaven on earth.” She looks up to the sky. “Dear Lord, bless this place and everyone who comes through these doors. In Jesus’s name. Amen.”
“Amen,” we echo.
