There was absolutely no way her father hadn’t noticed him coming from the same hall she had.Where there was only a bathroom and a bedroom.And she’d told him she’d just gotten out of the shower.Lilian swallowed the meep of mortification as her eyes darted back to her father.
Her father gave her anI knew itsmirk.Without a word, he stepped forward and extended a hand.“Garrett Brody.Nice to meet you.”
“Hawk Carlisle.”
They clasped hands, and Lilian felt the tension in the room snap tight around the connection.The air held still.The blood in her veins went cold.Even the cows next door stopped eating to honor the gravity of the moment.
And then the two men released each other and stepped back.Her father was actually smiling a little bit.“Hawk, huh?What kind of name is that?”
“I know it’s a little theatrical.I promise, my name is more dramatic than I am.”
Her father huffed, but it… wasn’t a bad sound.There was still an assessing look in his eye as he took in Hawk’s appearance.The T-shirt was from some sports team Lilian didn’t recognize, but apparently it passed muster.
“Well,” Garrett said, rubbing the back of his sunburned neck.It was the first sign of embarrassment he’d shown at walking in on them.“Why don’t the two of you get yourselves sorted and come in for dinner.”
“We will, Dad, thanks!”Lilian said, urging him toward the door before she melted into the floor.
As soon as the door closed behind him, she turned to Hawk.“Really?”
In all the time she’d known Hawk, she’d never seen such a broad grin on his face.He was… amused?
“What?”His hands went into the pockets of his shorts in a casual shrug.
“You want to have dinnerwith my parents?”
“You know my parents.I want to get to know your family as well.”
“Ibarelyknow your parents,” she pointed out.“I see them more than talk to them.I’ve talked to your mom for maybe ten minutes and your dad even less.”
It was just a flash, but she could have sworn his grin fell at the mention of his dad.It only lasted a moment before he shook it off.“Come on.”The ease was back in his voice as he came up and stroked her arms.“I'd like to meet the owner of the bookstore I've been building back up.”
Her spine went rigid.
She’d been so concerned about her father, she hadn’t even stopped to think about the other parent in the equation.
It wasn’t that she was ashamed of her mom.There was nothing to be ashamed of.When she’d first avoided telling Hawk the truth, she’d never imagined they would behere.On the verge of having… something together.A few weeks ago, he hadn’t needed to know what was happening with her family.
But now he did, right?
“Hey.”A warm hand caressed her cheek, offering reassurance.She naturally leaned into the touch.“What’s wrong?”
“There’s something I didn’t tell you,” she whispered.
He held her gaze, and whatever anxiety or concern he might have felt at the moment, she couldn’t pick it up.He was a stoic but reassuring presence.“All right, what is it?”
“My mom.She was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.”
There was a slight widening of his eyes, and his lips parted in quiet shock.Whatever he’d been thinking it hadn’t been that.“Lilian…”
“Only Margo really knows.But that's why I’ve been working so hard in the bookstore.She’s been undergoing treatment, and I’ve been helping take care of her and the shop.”
“How bad is it?”
Her lip quivered at the question.It had been so long since she’d talked about this with someone outside her family.And it was still difficult to get the words out.“It’s not as bad as other people.”
“That’s not an answer.”
She wiped at her eyes where a familiar prickle burned.“Stage 2.She underwent surgery, a lumpectomy.Now we’re doing chemo so we can make sure we get everything.The doctor is hopeful, though.It’s been… hard.”
