Page 35 of Sheltering Lily

COLIN

“I’m going to do it, sir. I’m going to take the step you always thought possible for me.” I stood in front of the Admiral’s gravestone. I often visited the final resting place of the man who had taken a chance on three unruly juveniles. I knew my brothers visited, too. On the Admiral’s birthday, all of us who were in town came together. The Admiral had done more than raise us. He’d made us who we were as adults by offering tough love and amazing empathy.

Being a parent myself now, I had new respect for the old guy who had given up his leisurely retirement years for us, the Vale brothers. The childless man had understood us as individuals, made sure we had what we needed. For me, the Admiral had chosen the game of bridge to challenge my analytical mind and channel my attention. And he’d listened to me, recognizing my need for a family.

“I got the family I always wanted. I love my brothers—you know that—but my family is even bigger now. The McCallisters are my cousins—and my friends. Plus, I’ve got a daughter who is truly mine, even if I’m not her biological father. And I have a woman—Lily, you’d like her—who’ll be my wife, I hope.” I had plans to propose that very evening. “So I get to be a husband and a dad and have the storybook family I wanted so much as a kid. You always knew that was possible for me, even when I couldn’t see it myself.”

I chuckled and looked around the cemetery, where azaleas were in bloom, spreading their pink and white petals across the grass. “My family didn’t happen in the usual way, but I wouldn’t change anything about what I have. Well, except add a few more kids, if Lily’s willing.” I thought she would be, since she was so great with children, but I wanted her to be free, too, to pursue her dreams. We’d make it all work out somehow. I no longer doubted that was possible.

“I hope, sir,” I said, focusing on the grave again, “that I can be half the father to my kids that you were to Zach, Alex, and me. Half of what you did would be damn special.” I could almost hear the old guy’s voice arguing with me, telling me that I’d be the best father my children could ever wish for. That’s what the Admiral would say. For the first time in my life, I believed it.

“Wish me luck, sir. It’s time to propose and have a wedding.” I was sure Lily would accept. She’d promised me on the night I’d been shot that she’d stay with me for as long as I wanted her. Since that was forever, since I loved her more deeply than I would have thought possible, I felt sure we’d be together and create the family of my dreams, our dreams.

“I’ll let you know how it goes,” I said before resting my hand on the stone marker for a moment.

As I walked away, I smiled in anticipation of what the day would bring. My next stop was to pick up Lily from her art class and drop her off at Chance’s house, where Sofia was already playing with Ray. Just as I rolled into the parking lot, Lily came out of the building. Her smile was wide as she said goodbye to her classmates and headed for my truck.

How the hell had I gotten so lucky as to find her? Well, I hadn’t really found her. I’d advertised for a nanny, she’d shown up on my doorstep, and then she’d changed my life. I got out to help her stow her bag of supplies in the back.

“Good class?” I asked after I kissed her. She was always happiest after leaving the sculpting classes. She said she hadn’t decided which medium of art she enjoyed most, but I could tell.

“Awesome. I’m working on something special.” She had an enigmatic smile on her face.

“What?” I imagined a nude statue of myself and hoped she wasn’t creating that in class for all her classmates to see.

“Not that.” She blushed, seeming to read my thoughts, which happened a lot. “Something else for you, though.” I opened the truck door for her. Once she was in, I leaned closer.

“Tell me,” I whispered, brushing my lips lightly against hers.

“Only if you tell me what you’ve got planned for tonight.” Her hand stroked the side of my neck—a sensitive spot for me, and she knew it.

“Nope.” She’d been trying to wheedle the information out of me ever since I’d asked her to block off the evening for a special event.

She gave a little shrug. “I guess we’ll both have to be curious, then.”

I got in and started driving toward my cousin’s house, unwilling to give up. “Is it something you can use for self-defense?” I teased.

“It’s heavy enough to do some damage, I suppose. That’s the only clue you’re getting, by the way.” When I didn’t comment, she huffed. “I expect one clue about tonight in exchange.”

“You should establish the rules of a bargain before giving information. I’m under no obligation, since I didn’t agree to reveal anything.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her cross her arms over her chest. “In the spirit of goodwill, however, I guess I could offer something.”

“What?” She pounced.

“It’s a formal occasion. There are new dresses waiting at Chance’s house for you and Sofia.”

“You bought us clothes?” she exclaimed.

“With Mandy and Carolyn’s assistance,” I clarified. I might have managed something for Sofia, since I’d purchased clothes for her before. Figuring out a style and size for Lily was a complete mystery. Mandy and Carolyn had saved my bacon on that one.

“Now I’m even more curious about what you’ve got planned, but you’ve given me a clue, so I’ll be satisfied for now,” she said as we pulled into my brother’s driveway.

As soon as we got out of the truck, Sofia burst from the house and ran toward us. She veered to Lily first, who picked her up and gave her a hug.

“How’s my girl?” Lily asked, kissing Sofia’s cheek.

I loved it that Lily said those words to Sofia. I wasn’t the sentimental type, but my heart melted when I heard them.

Sofia whispered something to Lily.

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