“Is she working around the clock?” Lanie asks with interest.
“No,” I huff out. “She’s finally taking a break and doing some sightseeing this weekend. She must be at a standstill without the parts.”
“You really like her, don’t you?” Raven states, rather than asks, causing my head to whip in her direction.
“Would that be a problem if I did?” I sound more defensive than I intend.
Raven holds my gaze, then slowly grins. “No. I like her for you.”
“We all do,” Sloane chimes in. “But the question you have yet to fully address, Colonel… is… do you?”
“It isn’t a matter of liking her,” I admit.
“The hell it isn’t.” Raven smirks. “From the way I see it, you’re beyond liking her.”
Looking to each of my girls, I inhale deeply. “Yeah… I do.”
“If you love her the way we think you do,” Sloane chimes in, “then why aren’t you with her?”
“That’s a good question….” I muse more to myself than to her. “Wait, how do you know I love her?”
“Dad…” Raven shakes her head in annoyance. “It’s insulting that you think you can hide things from us.”
Well, if that isn’t a kick in the pants. She’s using one of my old phrases on me.
As I glance at each of my daughters, who stare expectantly at me, I realize there’s no sense in denying it.
“Yeah. I love her… In fact, I’m fairly certain she’s it for me.”
“It?” Sloane’s eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets in surprise.
“Yeah… It for me. As in, I’m hook, line, and sinker in love with Faye.”
“So… I’m gonna repeat myself.” Raven waits until my eyes meet hers before continuing. “What in the heck are you still doing in Seaside, then?”
“Uh, I live here?” I ask, completely confused by her question.
“Obviously.” Lizzy rolls her eyes dramatically. “But what are you doing hanging out with us?”
“Uh… Now that I’m retired, I’m making up for lost time.”
“Dad.” Raven’s disdain is clear. “I love you more than anything, but you’re an idiot.”
“Why? What did I do?”
“You should be with Faye,” Lanie interjects.
“But she’s working, and you all are here.” I point out the obvious.
“Have you told Faye how you feel yet?” Lizzy asks.
“Uh… Not in so many words,” I admit.
“Gah, you’re such a guy,” Raven guffaws. “We love you… you know that. But you should go be with Faye… and tell her how you feel.”
“How? She’s all the way in Italy. It’s not like I can just walk over to her house to tell her,” I point out.
Raven rolls her eyes and lets out a deep breath. “There’s this little thing called a plane, maybe you’ve heard of it?”
