Page 45 of Timber Ridge

“You know exactly where your grandma is. She’s up there watching over us all,” Dad says warmly as he takes the picture. He looks at Timber. “Can I hang this one?”

Timber nods, smiling as she hands him the stapler. Dad carefully hangs the drawing high on the wall, a visible reminder of the love and memories that bind us together. When he’s done, he turns to us. “What else needs to be done?”

Timber takes charge, directing the men on where to move the tables for Sunday’s event. Her natural leadership shines through, and I am proud of her. As we finish setting up, I wrap my arms around her shoulders, pull her close, and press a kiss to her temple.

“Great job,” I whisper. Timber smiles up at me, her eyes shining with shared understanding and gratitude. Together, we’ve faced so much, and together, we’ll keep moving forward.

“Who set this up?” Dad asks.

All eyes turn to Timber. “I thought it might be nice to remind everyone of the town’s promise,” she says. “Sure, life gets busy, but it’s important to take moments to belong and enjoy each other’s company.”

My father’s eyes widen at the display of affection, and he clears his throat awkwardly.

“I see I’ve missed quite a bit,” he says.

“I’d say,” Eliza’s voice comes from the entrance. Next to her is Matt, who holds Cody.

Dad’s steps quicken, eyes lighting up as he scoops Cody into his arms. He coos, his rough voice surprisingly gentle.

Just then, Rhys and Reid burst inside, their faces lit up.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” Rhys calls out, his eyes locking onto Dad. Reid is quick on his heels, his expression one of disbelief.

“Dad. You’re back.”

Dad turns to them with a broad smile, stepping forward to pull them into tight hugs. “It’s great to see you guys.”

As Reid hugs Dad, dad pats him on the shoulder. “We had no idea you were coming. You could have called.”

Dad looks at all of us—his gaze lingering on each face, his breath catching slightly. “It was time I came home,” he admits. His voice is thick with regret and relief. “I missed too much. There’s no place else for me but here.”

Rhys, always the one to probe deeper, folds his arms and studies Dad closely. “So, you’re back for good?”

Dad nods. His eyes meet each of ours. “I’m here to stay, help with the grandkids, and make up for the time I lost.”

Relief washes over me. As the oldest, I’ve carried the weight of trying to fill Dad’s shoes. Knowing he’s here to stay means I can finally relax, confident that he can resume his role as the head of the family.

“How about we talk over dinner?” Dad asks. “I could really go for some of May’s famous pie.”

After Lucas and Tommy are picked up, we leave the community center and head to May’s Café. It’s a place full of our memories, and it’s time to make a few more. May’s pie, with its perfect crust and sweetness, is just what we need to finish off this day right.

Timber walks next to my dad. “What should I call you?”

Dad chuckles. “Peter is fine,” he says, then looks at our intertwined hands and adds, “Actually, call me Pops.”

The word hangs in the air. Dad not only approves of Timber, but he sees her as part of the family. That speaks volumes. Even Dad, with his reserved ways, can see Timber’s here to stay.

Chapter Nineteen

TIMBER

I’m in the kitchen, prepping for the potluck and making a batch of my special potato salad with capers and bacon. Hailey is upstairs gathering her toys, giving us a rare moment together alone. The kitchen is a whirlwind of activity, but in our little corner, time seems to slow down. Kane expertly chops the cooked potatoes while I cook the bacon, our movements synchronized in a comfortable rhythm.

“So, capers in potato salad, huh?” he asks, leaning in a little closer, his voice low and sexy.

Who thought cooking could be so damn hot, but that voice and his nearness is absolute foreplay.

“It’s a game-changer,” I say. The truth is, he’s the game-changer. I never thought I’d have these feelings about anyone again. Hell, I don’t even think I felt this strongly about my ex. What’s harder is knowing he’s feeling the same way and not being able to act on anything because we are almost never alone except for late in the night when we’re too exhausted to do anything about it.

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