Page 105 of Better Late Than Never

I could, and right now, I was glad I’d managed to maintain this closeness with my sons despite the long separations and the demands of my career. I was glad they were here now, and that they wanted me to be there for their big events. There’d been times I’d worried they’d resent me too much, but I must’ve done something right to make up for the places I’d fallen short.

I could live with that.

And today I was quietly grateful to my ex-wife in ways I’d never known I needed to be. I’d had no idea that she’d reassured our sons that I’dmostlyspent the wars someplace safe and quiet. Whether it was ultimately the best thing to do, I’d never know, but I was glad the boys had only been aware of the danger after I’d been evacuated from the warzone. They’d been shaken up, seeing me stitched and bandaged, but I’d come home after my convalescence and never went back downrange.

Out of twenty-four months, they’d only had to grapple with the dangerous reality for three, and it was all after the fact. Maybe it was for the better, maybe it wasn’t, but it eased my conscience more than I’d expected, so I’d take it.

Thank you, Aimee, for sparing our boys the truth.

* * *

“I still can’t believe Africa is practically in your backyard,” Landon said as we waited to board the ferry in Tarifa. “That’s just… that’swild.”

“Is this your first time going?” Savannah asked. “I mean, with as close as you are…”

I nodded. “I wanted to go a few times over the summer, but…”I couldn’t risk going with Alex.“The heat in Spain was enough—I was afraid I’d melt in Morocco.”

“It’s still going to be in the eighties this week.” Savannah cocked a brow. “That’s cooler?”

“Believe it or not? Yes. August isbrutal.”

She made a face.

I glanced up at the screen, which showed our ferry as still leaving on time, but not boarding yet. There wasn’t much to do in the terminal, so the kids and I mostly amused ourselves on our phones. Quinn was updating himself on some sports scores while Landon and Savannah leaned over her phone, perusing TripAdvisor for things to do in Tangier.

I, of course, had plenty to keep me occupied on my screen.

You leaving for Tangier today?

Yep. At the terminal right now. Thanks for the rec for a tour guide!

Any time. He’s really good—he’ll show you every inch of the city.

Would it be cheesy to make a joke about showing you every inch when I get back?

(eyeroll emoji) OMG seriously?

(grinning emoji)

LOL Have a good time in Morocco.

Will do.

Still chuckling, I turned my phone over on the table, and when I looked up, I was met with three very curious faces. Glancing between them, I asked, “What?”

They exchanged looks I couldn’t read.

I shifted in my chair and asked again, “What?”

It was Quinn who finally spoke. “Okay. I gotta ask.” He inclined his head. “Are you dating someone?”

I straightened. “Am I—what?”

“Don’t play stupid, Dad.” Landon rolled his eyes. “You always knew when me or Quinn had a girlfriend because we kept grinning like dorks at our phones.” He gestured at my phone. “So… who’s texting you and making you grin like a dork?”

The heat in my face had to be a dead giveaway.

Savannah smothered a giggle. “I think you’re busted, Connor.”

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