Page 37 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

Steven gave me a small, understanding smile. “You’ve got a good heart, Cory. I’ll handle the logistics.”

“Thanks, Steven.” I stood, pocketing the letter. “Let’s focus on the insurance claim for now. The rest… It’ll happen when the time’s right.”

As I walked out of the office, my mind swirled as I clutched the letter in my hand. The sun dipped lower in the sky as evening approached. It was surreal how life seemed to take unexpected turns. Grandpa Prescott’s note felt like a piece of a puzzle I didn’t even know I was missing.

Making my way to a small park near the town center I found a place to sit and think. A couple of kids were playing on the swings, their laughter cutting through the late afternoon’s quiet. Finding a bench beneath an old oak tree, I sank down, resting my elbows on my knees and staring at the letter.

Jake. Grandpa knew.

I tried to piece together how he might have found out. Maybe someone in town had mentioned it in passing, or perhaps he’d seen something in one of his rare visits to Beaver Creek. Then it hit me. Had he and Dad discussed Elena’s condition before she left town? Whatever the case, it didn’t change that Grandpa had tried to make amends in his way—late but meaningful.

As much as I wanted to be angry about his timing, I couldn’t. Instead, I felt a strange sense of gratitude. This was an opportunity, a way to show Elena and Jake that my family wasn’t entirely devoid of decency, even if it had taken years to surface.

The envelope weighed heavily in my hands. I didn’t know how I’d present this to Elena, but I knew one thing: it wasn’tgoing to be today. Jake was my priority now, and I needed to focus on building a connection with him before introducing the complexities of Grandpa’s actions.

The sound of a baseball smacking against a glove broke my thoughts. Across the field, a couple of teenagers were tossing a ball back and forth. It reminded me of Jake, his eager face lighting up whenever he talked about his games. That kid had my stubbornness and Elena’s determination, no doubt about it.

I leaned back against the bench, closing my eyes for a bit. Despite the chaos of the past week—fires, insurance claims, and now this—I felt a strange calm settle over me. Things were starting to align in ways I hadn’t expected, and while the road ahead was murky, I knew I wasn’t alone on it.

After a while, I stood, tucking the letter back into my jacket pocket. There was no use overthinking it now. I’d cross that bridge with Elena when the time was right. For now, I had one more stop to make before heading back to Cedar Cove.

I arrived at my parents’ house just as the streetlights came on. The familiar sight of the cozy ranch-style home brought a wave of nostalgia. My father was out front, pushing the lawnmower toward the garage.

“Hey, Dad,” I called, stepping out of my SUV.

He straightened, giving me a nod. “Cory. Didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

“I was in town handling some business,” I said, walking over. “Thought I’d stop by.”

He gave me a long look, his sharp eyes reading more than I wanted him to. “Business, huh? Or does this have to do with the fire or Elena?”

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Both, I guess. Can we talk inside? I want to catch up.”

He grunted, nodding toward the house. “Your mom’s in the kitchen. She’ll be happy to see you.”

Inside, the scent of Mom’s cologne proceeded her before she appeared from around the corner, drying her hands on a kitchen towel. Her face lit up when she saw me. “Cory! You didn’t tell us you were coming.”

“Wanted to surprise you,” I said, leaning in for a hug. Her warmth and familiar presence were a balm I didn’t realize I needed.

We settled in the living room, the three of us catching up on the past few weeks. I kept the conversation light, avoiding the heavier topics of the fire and Grandpa’s letter. Instead, I asked about the hardware store and how things were going in town.

After dinner, as the stars began to dot the night sky, my dad pulled me aside. “You’re not just here for a casual visit, are you?”

I sighed, leaning against the porch railing. “No. I’m figuring some things out. Elena and I are reconnecting, and… I’ve got a son, Dad. His name’s Jake.”

His eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t say anything at first. Then sucking in a deep breath, he said, “You’ve got a lot to work through, son. But if anyone can handle it, it’s you. As soon as your mother finds out, I’m sure she will want to meet him.”

I nodded, his words settling over me like a worn comforter. For the first time in years, I felt like I had a purpose—something real to fight for. And no matter how complicated things got, I wasn’t backing down.

Nineteen

Cory

The fluorescent lights buzzed softly as I stood in the middle of the grocery store, holding my phone in one hand and squinting at the text Elena had sent me. Brisket, salad ingredients, wild rice, mac and cheese, s’mores. Simple enough, but there was something oddly domestic about the whole thing that made me smile.

It wasn’t long ago that my idea of dinner involved takeout containers and silent meals eaten at a desk. Now, this Sunday morning, I was picking out brisket for a family cookout and worrying about which brand of marshmallows Jake would like best.

I grabbed the bag of marshmallows and scanned the shelves for chocolate bars. Jake’s enthusiasm for the fire pit had been infectious, and I found myself looking forward to sitting around it, sharing s’mores and stories under the stars.

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