“That sounds like Hale.” I nod. “He helped my cat Larry recently. He has a natural talent for it.”
“I’ve told Hale countless times that he doesn’t need to follow in his father’s footsteps. But when Nick got sick, it didn’t just change my life but Hale’s too. Him dropping out of veterinary school.” She clears her throat and clamps her eyes shut, clearly trying not to cry. “Before that, he seemed so content. That’s why I’m so glad to see him here with you. I haven’t seen him this happy for a long time. He needs an omega. Someone like you. Someone to bring joy to his life again, so thank you.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing I’ve done.” I don’t deserve her gratitude. “We haven’t known each other very long.”
“I knew that Nick was the one for me on our first date.” She eyes me knowingly. “We bonded on our third. Can you believe it? My parents were shocked, naturally. Sometimes it’s not the time you spend with someone but how they make you feel and what kind of person you turn into when you’re with them that counts.”
Hale peers around the doorway. “What are you two talking about?”
She bats some bubbles in his direction. “Never you mind!”
“We better be heading back, Mom.” Hale comes into the kitchen, hugging her. “Calder’s taking Kady to the fair, and you know he’s a stickler for being on time.”
“Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Va—Winnie.” I smile. “It was delicious.”
Hale kisses his mom on the forehead. “I’ll call you later.”
“Send Cal and the others my love, okay?” Winnie plants a kiss on his cheek then turns to me, cradling my face in her hands. “It was so good to meet you properly, Kady, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again soon. Don’t be a stranger.”
After bidding goodbye to Nick and being fussed over some more by Winnie, we set out back to the car.
“So…” I bump Hale with my hip. “I think you have some explaining to do. Your dad’s company?”
He runs his hand through his dark hair. “Oh, that.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? You made me believe you were a delivery boy.”
“Well, I kinda am.” He smirks. “I just don’t make the deliveries myself. That lion statue was a one-off.”
I stop in front of Janice, crossing my arms beneath my chest. “You should have said something.”
“Why? Would it have changed your opinion of me to know that I’ve taken over my dad’s company?” I get inside when he opens the car door for me, intending to continue this conversation.
Once seated, Hale’s hands tighten on the wheel. “When Dad got sick, someone had to do it. He’d always hoped I’d be the one to take over one day.” He shakes his head. “I just thought we’d all have more time.”
“Hale.” I put my hand over his, recalling how happy he’d looked when he was tending to Flossie and Larry. “Do you even want to run Valen Enterprises?”
“What I want doesn’t matter.” His tone is flat, devoid of emotion. “The company means a lot to my dad. You heard him tonight. He started it from the ground up. I have to do this for him.”
“Have you told him how you feel?” After my chat with Winnie, I’m sure they’d understand.
“There’s nothing to say.” Clearly, Hale is resigned to his fate. “I’m fulfilling my destiny.”
“What about being a vet?” I prompt him. “I thought that was your real dream.”
“It’s just a dream, Kady.” He turns the key in the ignition then pulls away.
“It doesn’t have to be.” I hate seeing him give up his passions. “My father runs all sorts of businesses. You could hire help. People to run it for you.”
“I couldn’t do that to Dad. You didn’t see him when he was first diagnosed with MS. He was okay to begin with, but then he got worse. He had always been the kind of man who could do everything, but he began struggling to keep up at work.” He shakes his head, pain etched across his features. “When I took over the company, he felt like a part of him was still there. I’m carrying on his legacy.”
He’s putting everyone’s needs above his own. I know better than most what it’s like to have the expectations of your father thrust upon you, but from what I’ve seen of Nick, he only wants the best for his son and to see him happy.
That gnawing pit in my stomach resurfaces again, feeling like a heavy weight and reminding me that the longer I spend with the Valen Pack, the deeper I’m getting…
THIRTY-TWO
Calder
