Page 69 of Cold Foot Komodo

Dan swung his attention back to Reed. “Is she a shifter yet?”

That question took him by surprise, and it took him a couple of seconds to respond. He did so with a single head nod.

“What is she?”

“Timber Turned her.”

Dan’s eyes filled with emotion, and he took another swig of beer. “It didn’t start off like this. We had these dreams of how it would be, you know? Gale was different back then. Things got so messed up, and she lost sight of anything that was important over time. I keep waiting for her to come back. I’ve been hanging onto hope that she’ll change for the longest time.” There was such sadness in his tone. “Now my daughters are shifters and they will have nothing to do with us, and someday we’ll be grandparents without any grandchildren to spoil. Won’t we?”

It was Wreck who nodded now.

Dan made aclicksound behind his teeth. “That’s what I think about when I’m missing them. My little girls.” The words were thick in his throat now. He ran his hand across his jaw and blinked back moisture in his eyes.

“Sasha can still be reached,” Reed said softly. “She still has a thread of hope. Just so you know. She’s so close to cutting you guys off completely, but she’s not there yet. It’s really going to be up to you.”

“You love her?”

“I would die for her. I love her more than anything.”

Dan nodded, eyes locked on him. “Thank you for trying to talk some sense into her,” he said of his wife. “I’ll keep trying, too.”

Reed pulled a folded piece of paper out of his back pocket and handed it to him.

“What’s this?” Dan asked.

“It’s a chance for you. I asked Sasha one night what it would take for her to try again, and she said three months no contact, all while Gale gets counseling. And then family counseling via Zoom for all of you. And any communication for the first year would be through a family app that mediates how Gale is allowed to talk to her. She won’t be able to cuss her out, or talk down to her, or call her names. There will be a mediator that monitors the conversations. Gale has to be trained on how she’s allowed to talk to Sasha. Calling her a bitch three times a day is done. It’s done.” Reed said again for emphasis.

Dan stared at the information about the counselors and the name of the family app, and his lips ticked up into a smile. “I think this is a good idea.”

“If it was up to me, you both would fix what’s broken,” Reed told him. “Sasha and Timber always deserved that effort.”

“I’m ready,” Dan told him. “I’m also comfortable with issuing some ultimatums for their mother. Either way, I’ll bekeeping what’s left with Sasha.” There was truth to his voice, and Reed felt relief. Sasha deserved the world. If he could get her dad back, at least, he would feel like he was taking care of her heart.

“I’ve got a question for you,” Reed said.

“Shoot,” Dan said.

“I love your daughter. I want to give her the ring I’ve got in my pocket. I think she’ll say yes. I think she’ll be real happy.”

“Hell, she’s been showing Timber pictures of rings she wishes she could have all week,” Wreck murmured, a slight smile on his lips.

“I wanted to ask you first. I want your blessing if you’re willing to give it, sir.”

Dan’s eyebrows went up and he leaned back in his chair, looking shocked and emotional. He took another swig of the beer, thinking. He huffed a breath and hung his head, and Reed could see it—a tear hit the snow by the toe of his boot. “I always wanted that moment,” he said thickly. “I didn’t get it with Timber.”

Beside Reed, Wreck stiffened.

“I understand why though,” Dan said, looking up at them. “That was on me. You have my blessing. And Wreck, you didn’t ask, but you have my blessing too. I thank you both for making my girls happy. If you ever want to send me pictures of special moments, well, I’ll cherish them.” Dan stood and offered his hand to Reed again, and this time, the shake was firm and the smile genuine.

And then he offered his hand to Wreck.

Wreck cast a glance to Reed, and then stood slowly, slipped his palm against Dan’s, and shook it. “Fix it with Sasha fast,” he murmured. “Timber’s wanting a baby. She’ll take longer to warm up to trying with you again. She’ll have to see genuine, long-term change with Sasha for Timber to break her no-contact oath. If Gale can’t do it? Fine. You do it. Stick up for your kids.”

“I will,” Dan told him, releasing his hand. Truth.

The porch door opened, and for a second Reed thought it was the server again, but the scent on the breeze froze him in place.

“Dad?” Sasha asked softly.

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