Page 64 of Since the Day We Kissed

How did I not know I had a daughter all this time?

The answer struck him: he hadn’t wanted to know.

He’d left for the army, thinking it was easier that way—for both of them. He’d changed his number and made himself unreachable, cutting off everyone—Kara, his dad, the town. And he hadn’t looked back, not once.

Memories with Charlotte over the past few days flashed through his mind like a chaotic slideshow—the easy conversations, the shared jokes during his volunteer shifts, but not once did he think to ask about her father.

Why would I?

He’d assumed Kara had met someone else, had Charlotte, and then ended up a single mother. He’d dated other women since Kara. It wasn’t unreasonable to think she’d moved on.

Now, everything felt—different. Every smile, every laugh they’d shared; it all took on new meaning. He wasn’t just someone in her life—he was the father who hadn’t been there. And the worst part? He hadn’t even known he was part of the picture because he didn’t give himself the chance to know.

The thought consumed him, drowning out everything else ...

By the time he snapped back to reality, he was already pulling into the driveway, barely remembering the drive home. Shaking off the haze, Ethan climbed out of the truck and headed over to Clyde’s place.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

Ethan waited for Clyde to come to the door, but after a minute, there was no sign of him. He knocked again, then tried the door. It was unlocked. Pushing the door open slowly, Ethan stuck his head inside.

“Clyde?” Ethan called out. “You here?”

“Out back!” Clyde’s voice carried from the rear of the house. “Come on through!”

Closing the door behind him, Ethan walked through his neighbor’s house, through the kitchen, and out to the back porch.

“Ah, there you are.” Clyde sat in a rocking chair, sipping a cup of tea with Hero at his side.

When the dog spotted Ethan, he walked over wagging his tail.

“I’m really sorry about this,” Ethan said, looking down at Hero.

Clyde waved it off. “The garden will be fine, don’t worry. Sit down, why don’t you?” He gestured to the chair next to him.

Ethan sat, letting out a sigh. Hero followed, resting his head on Ethan’s knee with a soft whine.

Clyde leaned forward, studying Ethan’s face. “Everything all right? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Ethan forced a smile as he reached to scratch behind Hero’s ears. “I’m fine, just life.”

Clyde nodded, reaching out to pat Hero as well. “Ole boy found a hole under the fence. Once he was out, guess he figured he’d try his paw at gardening. Didn’t you, you rascal?”

Hero wagged his tail and licked Clyde’s hand, looking up at him with innocent eyes.

Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I feel terrible. I’ll patch up that hole right away and replace anything he ruined. Just let me know what needs fixing.”

Clyde’s gaze went. “You know, this whole thing reminds me of Wrigley.”

“Wrigley?”

“Your dad’s old dog,” Clyde said softly. “Robert found him one night, wandering the streets. Took him in, nursed him back to health. That dog, he was something special. Kept your dad company for years after he got out of prison. Even got your old man to put up that fence. I think having Wrigley around gave your dad a purpose, you know?”

Ethan’s throat tightened with each word.

He blinked hard, fighting the sting in his eyes.

Doggy door. Makes sense now.

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