Page 21 of Catching Dreams

I looked at my dad and then found myself walking into his outstretched arms and giving him a big hug. “Thank you for coming up and looking for Molly. It means everything to me.”

My dad nodded and pulled away from the hug while squeezing my shoulder. “I’m sorry about how I’ve acted. I am proud of you, Son, and I support your playing baseball and becoming a dad. I’m sorry it took a natural disaster and the thought of you losing the love of your life to wake me up.”

“He also supports my tattoo side business!” Carter said, walking around Dad. His best friend, Alec Kight, stood next to him.

“Carter? Alec? You’re both here, too? Wow! Who is watching the shop?”

Carter laughed and tilted his head towards Dad. “It’s closed. He said this was more important.”

“We figured people might need their cars worked on, or we’d be able to help in other ways, too,” Alec said and gave me a head nod.

“First time it’s been closed except for Sundays in fifty-seven years. My dad would be rolling over in his grave,” Dad explained. “But you know what? I would rather be here helping your town, and our customers will understand.”

“And if they don't, who cares?” Mom said with a very serious look on her face.

“Tyler! Molly!” Another unexpected but familiar voice called out. I had barely turned around when I felt my sister wrap her arms around me.

“Julia! No way.This is insane!”

“Rob and I figured we’d come and help out with any first-aid needs,” my sister explained. “He’s out with search and rescue to see who needs assistance.” She turned to Molly and gave her a huge grin. “I’m sorry we weren’t able to make the dinner when you came. It’s so great to finally meet you!”

“You, too!” Molly said and gave her a big hug.

“Now, I want to know what all this is about you calling her your wife!” Julia asked as she poked me in the arm.

“Julia! You promised you weren’t going to bring that up right away!” Mom chastised.

“Well, I want to know! I know you do, too!”

“We’ll explain everything later,” I said. “First, we want to get everything unloaded from the truck and start helping. Maybe we can get dinner together tonight and explain everything.”

“Everything?” Dad asked.

“Yeah, there is more to tell,” Molly said as she linked hands with me.

“We can have dinner at my place,” Penelope offered as she came over to where we all were. “My apartment complex has a room residents can rent, so I’ll see if it’s available.”

Molly thanked her friend and introduced Pen, Peyton, and Camden to my family. My mom immediately took the kids’ hands and led them through the volunteer area to show them where to put all the pillows and teddy bears that they would be in charge of passing out. Both kids had huge grins on their faces as they took the bags of sewn items to the area my mom pointed out. My mom was going to be the best grandma!

Carter, Dad, Alec, Erick, Tanner, Julia, and I began to unload all the items we brought while Molly went to check in at the Red Cross tent. She needed to let them know that she was okay and wanted to find out any other information she could about where to go from here. While I was unloading cases of bottled water, I heard a familiar shout followed by my girl’s giggle. I didn’t even have to turn around to know that Cooper had found Molly.

I shook my head as I turned and saw Cooper had Molly in his arms and was spinning her around.

“You scared the crap out of me. Don’t ever do that again!” Cooper was saying as he hugged her tightly.

“I’m so, so sorry,” Molly said with remorse in her tone. “You know I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“I know you didn’t. We were so relieved to hear you were okay.”

“CJ!!!!” a little voice said from behind me. Cooper gently put Molly down on the ground and grabbed Peyton as she jumped into his arms. He twirled her around, just as he had Molly, but only faster and longer. Then Peyton burst into tears as she wrapped her small arms around his neck.

“PJ? What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” Cooper looked at us, scared he had hurt the little girl by twirling her too fast.

Peyton shook her head and whispered something in his ear. Cooper pulled her away from his body a little and let her know he didn’t understand what she had said.

“I left your thank you drawing at the bakery, and now the bakery is gone, and so is your letter.”

Cooper wiped a tear away from her eye and shook his head. I had never seen this tough, tall man cry before, but I saw a tear leak out of his eye. “A letter that important and special always gets to the best friend somehow.” He placed her on her feet and pulled something out of his pocket.

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