Page 15 of The Eleventh Hour

“Let me be a family friend. Don’t be anything more than that.”

He closes his eyes as if it pains him. “I know that it hasn’t been easy living here, but I need you to know that I love you. You are my daughter, and when I got that phone call, the only part that I regretted was that I couldn’t be there.”

I take his hand and squeeze it. “I know. It was better you had nothing to do with the court case. Thank you for sending me the lawyer, though.”

Six years ago, I contacted my father through a friend. Someone who promised me they wouldn’t tell my father where I was or what was going on. He called my dad and, to my surprise and eternal shame, Dad came through, sending the best lawyer he could find. I never called again, and I haven’t seen him since I left at sixteen. The lawyer was sworn never to reveal any details to my father. He respected my father and his business enough that he complied easily.

He died five years ago, a month after I’d been let out. Hit and run. Unsolved. His body was found in the hardware store’s car park, broken and bent. His wife took their children and left town as fast as they could.

But that man got me out of hell. He went to war for me, and I will always remember his sacrifice. Dylan Lithgrow was a fucking hero to me.

We stand in silence, the scent of dahlias swimming around us. The sun is shining today but with a soft warmth and not a blistering heat. Bees zip around us, busy on their journeys. The day imprints itself into my mind. I’ll never forget this moment. Perhaps I came to say goodbye.

“Dad,” I say at last, breaking the silence. “I love you. You did the best you could, and I never once doubted that you loved me. I didn’t leave because of you.”

“Why then?” he says and flushes. “I said I wouldn’t ask.” He rubs a hand over his eyes and groans.

I sigh. “I left because I met someone, and I hated that I was making everyone fight. It just seemed right to disappear, just like how I arrived. I didn’t think I belonged in this world.”

He lets go of my hands to wipe at his eyes. His eyes are the same green shade that River has, and his hair is as thick as it always was. It’s just River’s hair is a few shades darker. There is nothing of this man in me. I am my mother’s daughter. “You’ll stay, as Jax? You’ll stay where we can still see each other. I can’t bear to lose you again. Even if you’re in my life in some small way, it’s better than nothing.”

I hesitate to promise. “I’ll stay as long as I can.”

“I guess I’ll take it. I just wish-”

“Edward, come back. The party is starting, and you need to make a speech.”

We both turn and look towards the house. A dark-haired older man peers at us and waves us in his direction.

“You remember Richard?”

“How can I forget? He washed my mouth out with soap when I was eleven. I still remember him searching my room and tossing my belongings, searching for his ring.” I can’t help but feel a tinge of the childish outrage. “He’s a dick, I didn’t take it.”

“He hasn’t changed much. Still just as focused on business and an absolute stickler for manners and rules.”

“Well, as partners, I imagine so. How is the lumber business treating you?”

Dad-Edward shrugs. “It has its productive years and its down. It’s doing well at the moment. Richard has all but taken over the day-to-day runnings, allowing me to spend more time at home.”

“Dear god almighty.” I grasp my chest and pretend to have a heart attack.

“Quiet, you. I see that smart mouth of yours hasn’t vanished.”

“I’m afraid you’re out of luck on that front.”

“Good, don’t ever change. Not for anyone. You’re perfect the way you are.” His love for me is in every word, and it breaks my heart.

Richard lets out a piercing whistle and glares down at us. He looks good for a man twenty years my senior. The black suit looks like it was made for him. But as good looking a man as Richard Hastings is, his heart has dollar signs, and he smiles only when he sees green or gold.

We walk back slowly, not rushing despite the filthy look Richard levels my way.

“Who is this?” Richard asks.

“Surely, you haven’t forgotten Jackie?” Edward laughs.

I elbow Dad, alarmed that he’s spilling my identity already.

“Oh, come on now, Richard is family.”

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