Disbelief bracketed Kyle’s eyes. “You paid for the ticket, Dad?”
“I did.” And if Kyle thought that was impressive, wait until he saw how Mitch spoiled his first grandchild.
“And you’re really good with all of this? With us being here.”
“I am,” Mitch assured him. “Now, you’d better do as Joyce says. You know how she can get.”
Kyle laughed. “Yeah, I do.” He stood. “It’s good to be home.”
“It’s good to have you home.” Mitch got to his feet as well. He had a lot of questions that remained unanswered, but those could wait until later. Kyle clearly needed some rest.
“I should at least get my bag out of the car if I’m going to shower. Which I want to. I probably need it. I drove straight here. I only stopped for gas and when Ruthie needed something. I’m beat.”
He looked it, but Mitch didn’t say that. “You’ll be all right in a few days.”
“We’ll fix you up,” Joyce said.
Mitch carried Ruthie over to her. “Will you take her while we get their stuff?”
Joyce slipped the baby into her arms. “It would be my pleasure. She looks ready to sleep herself, the little angel.”
Kyle yawned. “I’ll set up the Pack ’n Play before I shower. Then you can put her down in that.”
Mitch went out to Kyle’s car with him. As Kyle opened the trunk, he turned to his dad. “I really wasn’t sure what to expect coming here. Joyce said it would be all right, but…” He shrugged. “Thanks for being so decent about it all.”
“I love you,” Mitch said, knowing full well it wasn’t something he’d said to his son in many years. “I’m sorry you ever thought otherwise. I’m sorry for all of it. You and Ruthie are welcome here for as long as you want.”
Kyle looked like he was struggling not to break down. “Thanks,” he managed.
Mitch pulled him into a hug. “Everything’s going to be all right, son.”
Kyle leaned into him and nodded. “I hope so.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Frankie knocked on Lucas’s door. As soon as she did that, she realized she’d come unannounced. What if he was in the middle of filming an episode of his show? Or showering? Or what if he wasn’t home at all?
She glanced at her phone, thinking she should text him.
The door opened and he smiled at her. “Morning.”
“Morning. Hey, I’m sorry for just dropping by. I should have texted or something.”
He shook his head. “No, it’s fine. You’re welcome here anytime. Come on in. You want some coffee?”
“No, I had plenty of that at home already.” She stepped inside the foyer but didn’t go any further. She was wet from the rain and she didn’t want to track footprints on his floor. “I really just came to say thank you for mentioning me yesterday. Not only did I get a bunch of emails from people interested in my work, but I sold quite a few things from my shop. It was a good day. And I emailed Stacy back about doing a logo for her.”
“That’s fantastic. I’m so glad.” He made a funny face. “Don’t you want to come in?”
“It’s raining. My feet are all wet.”
He laughed. “I don’t care. But you can take your shoes off if you want. Or just…I was going to say wipe them, but I don’t actually have a rug. I should get one.” He grabbed her hand. “Just come in.”
Before she could protest, he’d pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’m really glad you came over.”
“You might not be so glad when I tell you what I came here to talk to you about.” As happy as she was for the new business, she had to tell him the truth.
He frowned. “Why? What’s going on?”
