I lifted my hand, hiding my grin at his use of foul language. Ray Rusknevercursed.
I draped an arm around his shoulder. “If you take that medicine, I might work out letting you attend the next game.”
He lifted an overgrown eyebrow. “Are you bribing me?”
“Possibly.”
He grinned, nearly losing his pipe. “I’ll think about it.”
My palm clasped against his plaid shirt as I let him tell me all the things he and Cecile had planned for the garden, along with how he planned for me to go pro one day.
I listened to every word before fishing my phone out and FaceTiming my sister. When he finally grew tired and I walked him back inside, I watched him fall asleep, wrapped up in a quilt Cecile had made. Before I left, I pressed a kiss to his head, turnedoff his lamp, then made my way to my truck. It never got easier, but I wouldn’t trade my days with him for anything.
18
Trinity
“How are you liking Canyon?” Jodie asked as I pushed my food around on my plate.
It wasn’t the food. The food was delicious. Well, the three bites I took were, but seeing my father interact with hisfamilysuddenly erased my appetite. In its place was longing, a little insecurity, and a simmering anger.
Jodie was nice. We’d met once before, but this was the first actual conversation I’d had with her. She was trying, and I could tell she sensed the obvious awkward atmosphere just as much as I did. Let’s be honest, the woman was closer to my age than my father’s.
“I like it.” I returned a smile as one of the twins giggled before tugging on the other one’s hair.
Henley and Harrison were five years old, and I had to admit, two of the cutest little boys I’d ever seen. They had bright blond hair and bright green eyes. They weren’t identical, but it was no mistaking that they shared a womb.
“She’s really catching on with Julia.” My father reached over to cut up the chicken on Henley’s plate.
The movement was so natural. Like he did it all the time. I didn’t remember a single time he did that for me. Come to think of it, I didn’t really remember a time when he was at our dinner table. But here he was, in his castle of a house, kissing his young, beautiful wife on the cheek and making his sons’ plates.
“Julia is great.” Jodie sipped her sparkling water. “And she even looks fabulous that far along in her pregnancy.” She chuckled. “I looked like a beached whale.”
“You did not.” My dad winked at her. “You were glowing.”
I shifted uncomfortably. Maybe I should have eased into dinner. Maybe a coffee date first.
“So.” My dad moved his attention back to me. “Any idea what your plan is after graduation?”
Clearing my throat, I dropped my fork. “Obviously, I’d love to work with a team. I’m not set on just one sport, so I’m keeping my options open.”
“Smart girl.” He nodded. “Did you prefer one sport over another growing up?”
The fact he just asked me that brought back the same unease. I was supposed to be putting in effort. So I answered.
“I played volleyball, basketball, and ran track. I’d say track was my favorite.”
“Athletic like your old man.” He smiled. “We do a 5k every year for a charity event. You should join us this spring.”
“Oh yes! That would be so much fun.” Jodie beamed before shifting her eyes to Harrison, who tossed a green bean at his brother.
“Sure,” I agreed with a weak smile.
I was sure my mother would love that.
“Can we show Trinity our playroom?” Henley practically bounced in his seat.
“Ohh pleaaaaaase,” Harrison chimed in.
