Page 88 of One Foggy Christmas
I can’t contain my smile. “They did, although I'm sure that's not what you want to hear.”
Lynette’s eyes return to the pot in front of her, stirring the soup for dinner tonight. “Nash, I'm not against you. I just want my daughter to be happy and to have a relationship with her.”
I push my laptop away, focusing on our conversation. “Now that I've been in Skaneateles with your family the last two and a half weeks, I feel bad about everything Sadie's missed the past three years. I should have done more to mend the rift between you guys.” I lean forward, hoping she feels the earnestness behind my words. “I did try, and I sincerely want you to knowthat taking your daughter away from you wasn't my intention at all. I encouraged her to call you, but I could have done more. I gave up easily when Sadie pushed back, and I shouldn't have.”
Lynette stopped stirring halfway through my speech and faced me, giving me the perfect view of her misty eyes. “I appreciate you saying that. It means a lot.” She wipes her hand on her apron and walks to where I sit at the dining table. “For a long time, I placed a lot of blame and anger on you, as if it were your fault for everything that went wrong between us and Sadie. It was easier to blame you than to face my own missteps in our relationship. But I was wrong in doing that. You’re different than I thought, Nash. You’re a good man. I see what Sadie likes about you.”
She reaches her hand out, placing it on top of mine.
“So, is this, like, a truce?” I smile.
“I think so. Moving forward, maybe we could work together.”
“I'd really like that. I don’t know my own mother very well, but I’d like to know you.”
“I’d like that too.” She squeezes my fingers before returning to cooking dinner.
“If we're allies now,” I say, “maybe I could ask you for some advice about your daughter.”
“At this point, I think you know Sadie better than I do.”
“That might’ve been true three months ago, but I’m in uncharted water now.” I walk to the barstools around the island and take a seat. The closer proximity to Lynette seems appropriate for such a delicate topic. “Last night, we went on this incredible date. We had so much fun, and it felt like how it used to be. I saw Sadie’s walls come down, and we even kissed.” Lynette’s lips twitch with surprise. “But now I don’t know where to go from here. Obviously, I want to build on the momentum. So, I thought I could take her to Syracuse tonight and do something fun and different—unless you have a better idea.”
“Give her some space.” Lynette leans against the counter. “Just because the date last night went well doesn’t mean everything between you two is fixed.”
“But we kissed.”A really great and romantic kiss.
“And now Sadie has to process what that kiss means, and you need to give her the space to do that. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but one good date isn’t a declaration of her love. She’s grappling with a lot of emotions.”
My head hangs. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”
So, space it is.
SADIE
“Great worktoday,” Heather, my physical therapist, says as I walk her to the door. “That was our last session.”
My brows lift. “Really?”
“Yeah, you’ve passed everything with flying colors. From a motor skills perspective, you’ve made a full recovery.”
“That’s great.” I try to show enthusiasm as I open the front door for her. “Thanks for everything.”
“No problem, and good luck with the rest of your recovery.” She spins, walking down the front steps.
My eyes drift to Nash, down by the firepit, chopping wood. I’d be lying if I said him chopping wood wasn’t attractive. The manliness behind each lift and swing of the axe is something worth watching.
So I do watch—at least for a few seconds.
There’s a proven attraction with Nash. After our kiss the other night, I’m not doubting that. It was nice. Hands down, the best first kiss I’ve had.
But a great kiss isn’t enough to build a life on.
It’s the emotional connection that’s not coming as easily. It’s hard to force feelings you don’t feel. And how long do you give yourself to find those feelings before you decide they’re not coming and never will? I don’t know. I just know it’s too soon to decide anything yet. I woke up from my coma less than a month ago. I need more time to sort through it all.
When Nash notices Heather’s car pulling out, he lifts his head, seeing me by the front door. An immediate smile drops over his mouth, and he waves. I wave back then shut the door.
I’m glad he’s keeping himself busy. The last thing I need right now is him following me around. There’s already too much pressure on my feelings.
