‘Absolutely,’ she says, ‘I’ll handle everything.’
I head out with Jake.
‘You don’t have to come,’ he tells me.
‘I know, but I’m happy to, so you don’t have to go on your own,’ I reply. ‘Plus, they would have thought I was awful if I didn’t.’
He laughs. Thankfully he knows I’m joking about that last part.
‘I really appreciate it, thank you,’ he replies.
Luckily we travelled in Jake’s rental truck so we can head straight there. Thankfully it’s not rush hour, so we make good time. I can tell Jake is worried as he travels. He’s more focused, not as chatty as usual. You can tell how much he loves his dad, and how guilty he feels for spending more time with his mum – even though that’s not his fault.
As nursing homes go, this one is so picturesque. A beautiful old building in well-manicured grounds – not unlike Rosewood in many ways.
‘He has good days and bad days,’ Jake explains as we head inside. ‘Sometimes he’s sharp as anything. Sometimes he gets confused. I haven’t told him about Rosewood. Or… any of this.’
‘I understand,’ I reply.
‘I don’t want him getting his hopes up,’ Jake continues. ‘About me moving here. About… about anything.’
‘Of course,’ I say. ‘I can wait outside if you want.’
Before we can say anything, a member of staff approaches us with a man in a wheelchair. He looks just like Jake, only older.
‘Is that you, son?’ he asks, sounding over the moon.
‘Someone has perked up,’ the woman pushing him says. ‘I was just taking him back to his room. You were upset, weren’t you, Mr Carter?’
‘Hey, Dad,’ Jake says.
‘Oh, I’m fine,’ Mr Carter replies. ‘Who is this with you?’
I open my mouth to speak but I’m not sure what to say.
‘Well, don’t just stand there,’ he says. ‘Come in!’
We both follow Jake’s dad into his room.
As we take our seats next to him, his eyes dart straight to my ring. Then he looks up at me and smiles.
‘Oh!’ he says as tears prick his eyes. ‘You finally did it!’
Jake’s mouth opens.
‘Dad—’
‘Oh, son, I’m so happy for you,’ he says. ‘You and…?’
‘I’m Whitney,’ I tell him. ‘It’s so good to finally meet you, Mr Carter.’
‘Call me Bobby,’ he insists. ‘Call me Dad – I’m just so happy for my Jakey. He deserves to be happy.’
Jake’s dad reaches out, gripping my hand with surprising strength.
‘She’s beautiful,’ he says proudly to Jake. ‘Well done, son.’
Jake smiles. It must be nice for him, to not only see his dad happy, but so over the moon to hear his engagement news too.
