Gunner shifted on the seat beside her. He’d offered to let her handle this alone, but his presence gave her strength. And she needed all the fortitude she could get.
She glanced at her watch. It had been seventeen minutes since they’d left the garage. If he didn’t show, she didn’t know what she’d do. Probably cry. The burning behind her eyes verified the thought. Talk about the ultimate rejection.
“He had to close up the shop,” Gunner said. “I’m sure he’s coming.”
“That makes one of us.” Her breath felt stuffed in her lungs.
“What do you need? What can I do?”
His thigh pressed against hers beneath the table, a solid presence. “You’re already doing it. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I didn’t even say a word back there. You did it all on your own.”
That was true, but it was still nice knowing he had her back.
“Look, there he is,” Gunner said.
Charlotte followed his gaze to the man walking up the same pathway they’d taken. A breath escaped her. Her father hadn’tditched her after all. He’d exchanged his jumper for a pair of jeans and a white button-down shirt. The street clothes made him seem younger somehow. More approachable.
When he glanced their direction she gave a little wave.
Gunner nudged her. “See, what did I tell you?”
“I’m so relieved I don’t even mind the not-so-subtle ‘I told you so.’”
“I was counting on that.”
A moment later Craig took a seat across the table. “Sorry it took so long. I had to close up.”
“No worries.” She gestured toward Gunner. “I should’ve introduced you at the garage. This is my friend Gunner.”
The men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
Then Craig clasped his hands on the weathered tabletop and met her gaze. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even catch your first name.”
“It’s Charlotte.”
He nodded, his lips lifting a little. “I also want to apologize to you. I didn’t handle that very well back at the station.”
“I understand. It must’ve come as a big shock.”
“It was, but... there’s more to it than that. Hearing your mom’s name, seeing her face, brought back some memories for me. Unpleasant ones.”
Charlotte frowned. She’d assumed they’d been in love or something close to it. But maybe it had ended badly. “Oh. I didn’t realize.”
“It’s not what you’re thinking. Your mom was great. She was a sweetheart. The unpleasantries are all on me. I wasn’t... I wasn’t a good person back then.”
What did that mean exactly? Was he referring to his affair? “Okay...”
He leaned forward. “I don’t know what you already know about me, but I was married to Cooper and Gavin’s mother when I met your mom.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“I have a lot of regrets about how I’ve lived most of my life. The affair was unfair to your mom and to my wife. But it was just one of the many ways I let people down.” His brows furrowed. “I owe you the truth, Charlotte—I’m an alcoholic and have been for many years. Since I came back from the Gulf War.”
It was Charlotte’s turn to reel. This was a far cry from her childhood fantasies. But she was an adult now. Her father was only human, and people made mistakes.
He shifted on the bench. “That’s probably why your mom never told me about you. I was in no shape to be any kind of father.”
