Page 65 of A Lonely Road
Jake slowly lowered the swing so I could rise to my feet. All trace of wistfulness evaporated from my expression at the prospect of a competition, and I taunted, “Okay, but I’ll probably crush you, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Cheryl and Dave entertained us throughout the game with enough embarrassing and hilarious childhood tales to make up for my father telling them all about my teddy bear pyrotechnics. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed so much. By the end of the night, my cheeks were sore from it, but my heart felt full enough to burst.
I watched my father actually kiss Cheryl’s cheek as he said goodbye, clasp hands with Sam and Casey, and give both Jake and Dave the one-armed guy embrace that I’d seen other men use, but never John Cassidy. Then he hugged me tight to his chest, an equally rare occurrence.
“I love you, Bear,” he whispered against my temple.
I squeezed him back. “I love you, Dad.”
When he released me, Sam caught my elbow to discuss plans for another round of shopping. Before my father left, however, I overheard him as he leaned in closer to Jake and murmured, “Walk out to the car with me, would you?”
My heart sank as they walked away. I should have known real life would intrude again the minute I let my guard down.
Chapter Thirty-One
Jake
Thoughmypulsespedto a gallop at the quiet words, I stood, leaving Nora nestled between my mother and sister, and walked down the driveway with John. When we reached his gray Honda, he stuck his hands in his pockets and leaned against the passenger side door. I braced myself for bad news.
“Roberts got a name from the host of the bachelor party,” John said quietly. “The guy who assaulted Nora is Frank Scarpella. Friends haven’t seen much of him after the wedding. They said he told them he was going to visit family.”
I blew out a breath. “Let me guess, the family hasn’t seen him either?”
John nodded in confirmation. “I extended my stay for another week, at least. I don’t expect you to keep any of this fromNora, Jake, but I wanted to get a word alone with you. Scarpella has no criminal history, no arrests. Maybe he’s living out some revenge fantasy based around you two, maybe he’s just trying to scare you, prove he’s in control. Whatever his game, I don’t want the son of a bitch getting anywhere close to Nora.”
“He won’t,” I said grimly.
“Good. Make sure Nora gives you my number. I want you to be able to reach me in an emergency.”
I nodded. “Will do, sir.”
With a long, searching look, John nodded again. “You love her,” he said after a long pause, “and you make her happy. That’s all a father can ask for. Thank you for taking care of my girl, Jake.”
“I couldn’t do anything else,” I replied.
It was that simple. I’d go to the ends of the Earth for her.
“She’s been running a long time, looking for something, somewhere. I’m not even sure she knew what that was when she started out. Her place, her people. Trust isn’t something that comes easy to her, never has been. I knew as soon as I saw you two together that she’d finally found it. And, as her father, I’ll only tell you this once—if you break her heart or her spirit, I will absolutely break your knees.”
I laughed and shook John’s hand one last time. “I’d expect nothing less, sir. I promise you, she’s safe with me.”
Heart, body, and soul.
The only thing stronger than my newfound dedication to not letting down the man who would hopefully become my father-in-law was my commitment to loving Nora as best I could.
John grinned, his dark eyes glinting in the twilight. “I know. If anything else happens with Scarpella, I’d better hear it from you or Nora instead of from Roberts.”
“She won’t be leaving my sight for the foreseeable future, though she’ll probably kick my ass sooner or later over it.”
John gave me a wry smile. “She might, if she weren’t head over heels for you, too.”
It warmed me to hear her father say it—almost as much as hearing the words directly from Nora’s lips, but not quite. If her affection was clear to someone like John Cassidy, then it must be true. I smiled a little and inclined my head in thanks.
“Have a good night, Jake.” He winked as he got into the car.
“Have a good night,” I murmured belatedly.
For a long moment after the Honda pulled away from the curb, I stared after it, thinking about what he’d said, then I hastened back to Nora’s side.
