Page 90 of Heartstrings & Horizons
“A bit late for that, I’m afraid. But I appreciate it, Luca. You’re welcome to come visit anytime, and mom already told me you’d drive the U-Haul when the time comes so there’s no backing out of that, either.”
He chuckles then passes me the duffel bag from the backseat, and we head into the house. Here goes nothing.
“Hey dad, we’re here.” I set my overnight bag on the couch as a rambunctious medium sized spaniel mix comes running into the room, sliding across the hardwood, nearly slamming into the wall.
“Hey Pip. Good to see you.” Dad pulls me in for an awkward hug, nodding towards Luca, who saunters through the door a moment later. “Good to see you both. How was the drive?”
“Not bad. What’s that smell?” I ask, although I’m pretty sure I know the answer.
“Me and Sue are out on the deck grilling. You hungry?”
“Starving,” Luca replies.
“Perfect, we’ve got steaks, medium rare, grilled chicken, and a few hot dogs for Bella over here, but you’re welcome to share,” he says, pointing to the dog. Dad has always used humor in awkward situations.
“Hey kiddo, can we talk for a minute?”
“Yeah, sure dad.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen grabbing a beer,” Luca says, giving me a ‘holler if you need me to save you’ look then walks into the kitchen.
“Look, I know your mom and I have been kind of hard on you the last few weeks. We want what's best for you. If this Cade guy makes you happy, then I’m happy for you.”
“Dad, it hasn’t just been the last few weeks. You guys have been on my ass since I was a kid. Always putting these impossible expectations on me, not taking into consideration what I wanted — not even bothering to ask. The only thingIever did for me was choose Cade, and you both shit on that decision, too.”
Dad stares at me incredulously. I’ve never raised my voice at him, and I certainly never outwardly criticized how he raised me. This confrontation was a long time coming.
His face relaxes into a remorseful expression. “I’m sorry, Pip. Truly. If I ever made you feel like you weren’t good enough, or you couldn’t make your own choices. That wasn’t my intention. I know your mom was particularly hard on you — herharshness was one of the reasons we didn’t work. I wish I had done more to protect you from it.”
“Thank you, Dad. I get it, but whatever is broken between us isn’t going to be fixed overnight. You have to let me grow up, make my own choices, and my own mistakes. For the first time in my life I’m really fucking happy.”
“I’m glad. I’d like to meet the man who makes my daughter smile.”
“You will, dad. He’d like to meet you, too.”
The conversation fizzles, and we join Luca and Sue outside on the back porch for dinner. The evening light fades, sending my thoughts swirling back to Oak Ridge. This trip has been heavy and emotional, but I’m grateful to have at least spoken my piece. Maybe I was wrong to doubt that my parents could ever give me the closure I so desperately wanted. Only time will tell. Right now, I’m ready to get back to the place and the people who really hold my heart.
Chapter 35
Paige
? Sunrise - Norah Jones
Paige: Just landed.
Cade: I’ll be the guy in the cowboy hat.
Paige: Ha. Ha. We’re in Nashville, dumbass.
Ipractically sprint through the baggage claim when I spot Cade waiting for me with a bouquet of wildflowers. Just to mess with him a little bit, I run right past and watch his face fall, before I stride back around, put his cowboy hat on my head, and kiss him senseless.
“Hey handsome, wanna take me for a ride?” Cade slaps me on the ass and lays another sinful kiss on my lips.
“Just say the word, baby, and I’ll take you in the truck before we ever leave the parking lot.” Cade’s eyes are full of heat now and I can feel the bulge in his jeans pressing against my belly. It still does things to me, knowing I have this affect on him. We wait for what feels like an eternity for my luggage, then head out to the truck, hand in hand.
Before I can open the passenger door, Cade pushes me against it and cages me in with his hands on either side of my face.
“I missed you so fucking much,” he groans, his lips touching mine in a ghost of a kiss. “I’m coming with you next time. I can’t go through that again, baby.”
