Ceci thought about the way he was with Holly, how serious he was designing that kart after having seen how badly Ceci wanted to win the Pawsome race, how he came to her father’s, took her karting, what he told her about Naomi and Niles. And suddenly she realized why he didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve. Not because he was unfeeling, but because his heart was just too big.
Leo’s father stood up. “Will you take a walk with me?”
They went outside and soon were strolling through a lush and fragrant meadow. There was color everywhere, the field blooming with bluebells, cowslips, red campion, and buttercups. Ceci inhaled the sweet and heady fragrance laced with honey, orange blossoms, and a pinch of something woodsy and spicy like clove.
“Leo always stood out,” he said. “Even as a kid. He never really fit in his surroundings. Not because he was out of place, but because he was out of time. Still is. I think he comes across old-fashioned sometimes.”
Laughing, she nodded.
He sighed. “He has a penchant, some might even call it a weakness, for jumping in or intervening whenever he thinks a woman’s been insulted or might be harmed in any way.”
Up ahead were some tall trees and what looked to her like woodlands. When they reached the trees, they veered left. The path narrowed and the trees gathered around them.
“I think it’s because he couldn’t save his mother. Of course, to some people that might sound ridiculous. She had cancer. It’d gone too far and there was nothing anyone could do. But while his brothers and I felt bad about that, we understood it, and accepted it. Leo never did. I think he thinks he failed her, and he carries that with him. He couldn’t save his mother so he feels he has to save the women he can, any woman who ventures onto his path.”
Suddenly, Ceci stopped.
“It’s striking, isn’t it?” he said, smiling.
Just up ahead was a field awash in a soft and stunning blue.
“Forget-me-nots?” she asked.
“They were his mother’s favorite flower.”
Ceci thought of that scarf Clarke had bought her in Montana. There were forget-me-nots on it.
He crooked his arm, inviting her to take it. “Come on.”
When they arrived at the field, Ceci stared in wonder. There were forget-me-nots as far as her eye could see.
“Leo planted them.”
She gaped. “Allof them?”
He nodded.
“Byhimself?”
“The gardener offered to help. But he wouldn’t have it. He went out there with a garden fork, a rake and a small trowel. He wanted to finish before she died. He did.”
He took hold of Ceci’s arm with one hand and pointed with the other. “Do you see that?”
Up ahead in the distance was a headstone surrounded by a sea of blue.
“That’s where his mother’s buried.” He sighed. “When she was dying, I knew I would have to be both mother and father to my boys, because I knew I would never remarry. And Leo being the youngest … maybe I’ve been too present, too persistent. I think sometimes I suffocate him. Especially the past few years. I’ve been hard on him, not in a negative way—not criticizing him but just pushing, always pushing.”
“I don’t think you need to push him. I think he pushes himself. And you definitely don’t need to be hard on him, he’s hard enough on himself.”
“That’s what his mother always said; she reminded me of it just before she died.”
As he gazed out at the field, Ceci wondered if he would prefer to be alone. Then suddenly he turned, and while he blinked, seemingly surprised to see her, it didn’t look like her presence bothered him. In fact, she had a feeling he welcomed it.
“Do you think,” he swallowed, “it’s possible for a father to love his child too much?”
If it were, I wouldn’t know what it was like.
When they returned to the house, they met Athos on the terrace.
