He kept his focus on the steady, smooth motions of the plane.One hitch in his technique now would gouge the wood and mean he would have to start over.
His dad continued to sit there without a word, watching.Ready and willing to listen but not pushing.And Tripp had to admit he was way too much in his head about Willow.
He paused, straightened.“I messed up.”
His dad raised his graying eyebrows.“How so?”
“I kissed her last night.After I brought her here.”
His dad started to smile.Stopped when he saw Tripp’s expression, and nodded.“Why is that bad?”
“Because.”Because he was a piece of shit, that was why.
That steady, measuring stare stayed on him.
“Because she doesn’t know what really happened over there.What I did.”
“Then tell her.”
He let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head.“Yeah, no.She’d hate me forever.”Especially now that they’d crossed an uncrossable line and couldn’t go back to just friends.Ever.
“You’re going to have to tell her at some point, son.”
Tripp pressed his lips together and picked the plane back up, his conscience writhing.“I can’t.”How was he supposed to tell her?It would devastate her and her family and cost him any chance of being with her.There was almost zero chance she would understand, let alone forgive him.And he wouldn’t blame her.
“You can,” his dad said quietly.“And you will, when you’re ready.Because that’s the kind of man you are.”
He opened his mouth to snap something in response, stopped when he caught motion out of the corner of his good eye.Willow was walking toward the shop door with Rufus.
“Hey,” he said to her, feeling like he was being torn in two.Seeing her here in broad daylight after only having that one kiss was a kick to the gut, reminding him that he could never have her.Not in the real and permanent way he wanted.
“Hi.Oh, hi, Mr.Rawlings.”Her face lit up with a big smile for his dad, who rose to hug her.Rufus skittered back out of range.
“Sorry, fella,” his dad said.“Who’s this furry guy?”
“Rufus.He’s a bit skittish,” Willow said.
“That’s all right, we’ve all got our issues, don’t we, boy?I’ll move slower.”He sat down on the stool, let Rufus come up to him and check him out.“So, fill me in on what happened last night after whale watching.”
Willow shot a glance at Tripp then told his dad about everything.“Whoever was in my yard must be linked to the ammo I found and maybe the break-in too.There’s no way it was all random bad luck.”
At some point, Rufus decided his father wasn’t a threat and crept over to nudge his hand with his nose, demanding pets.Tripp’s dad scratched the dog’s ears and head almost absently, his attention on Willow as she finished the story.“Well, let’s hope Rafe gets a solid lead and wraps all this up fast so we know you’re safe, and then you can get back to your life.”
The idea left a hollow feeling in Tripp’s stomach.
“That’d be nice,” Willow said, smiling down at Rufus.“Good boy, buddy.”
“He’s got a soft soul.Will you be staying here until the suspects are caught, then?”
Willow blinked in surprise and looked at Tripp.“I...”
“Probably for the best,” he said, wanting her to stay despite his torment.
“I agree,” his dad said.
Willow looked uncertain.“I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re not a burden,” his dad answered before he could.“Tripp cares a lot about you, and so do I.Staying here is the logical thing, even if it’s just for your peace of mind.Anyone looking for you won’t come up here, and my son and I are more than capable of keeping you safe if anyone does.”
