Page 120 of All I Ask
He smiles a little. “I never understood why you married Meghan anyway. She wasn’t the girl for you, son.”
I have no idea if he’s fully back with me or he’s still confused. “Do you think Teagan is?”
“Only you can answer that.”
“Evasive as ever, Pop.”
“A man has to make his own choices.”
I’ve made plenty that I wish I’d chosen differently.
“You’re a smart man, anyone tell you that?”
My father walks closer, and touches my shoulder. “I married a smart woman.”
And there he is, the man who loves my mother more than anything. “Mom is pretty special.”
His head shakes as he looks down. “I forget sometimes.” His voice is full of shame. “I don’t remember things, important things, and I don’t want to forget her.”
A part of my heart breaks. No one in this world deserves this, but least of all him. He’s been the pillar of strength and someone to admire. My mother and father have loved each other more than anything.
I grip his hand, waiting for his eyes to meet mine. “She knows it’s not you. Mom loves you and remembers enough for the both of you.”
A tear forms in his green eyes, but he wipes it away. “Marry that girl, Derek. Marry the girl who you’d cry over if you forgot her. Marry the girl who even when your brain can’t remember, your heart does.”
“That’s my plan, Pop. I just have to get her on board.”
He pats my shoulder and leaves the room.
I look at my messages and there’s one from a client who is having issues with her horse. I grab my bag and head out the door, thankful to have something to do other than think.
On the ride over, I drive down Main Street, and see a girl who looks an awful lot like Chastity carrying a bookbag. I pull over, roll the window down, and call out her name. “Chastity?”
She can’t hide the shock in her eyes quick enough. “Oh, hi, Dr. Derek.”
“Do you need a ride?”
She shakes her head quickly. “No, no, no, I’m just walking.”
I’m not buying it. “Where? I thought you were working on the project with Everly?”
“We were. We finished a few minutes ago so I’m going…to the…to the McCutchreys’store. I need to get something.”
She really needs to work on her storytelling if she’s going to lie. “That’s where I’m heading, hop in.”
“No, really.” She looks around. “It’s totally fine.”
“Come on, your mother would never forgive me if I let you walk in the cold.”
“It’s not cold.”
I grin. “And you’re not telling the truth.”
She sighs and her head falls back. She looks so much like her mother right now. “Fine, but you can’t tell my mom if I tell you.”
I’m thinking that’s not a great bargain to make with Chastity, but the last thing I want is for her to end up in trouble. “I can’t promise, but if it’s not illegal, I won’t.”
“I’m going to see my father.”
