Page 66 of Quintessentially

Walking down the steps, I walk beside him. It’s not until we near the first pole barn that I get the courage to speak. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for Kandace and Molly.”

“Water under the bridge.”

“I want you to know Kandace is the only woman I’ve ever loved.” I could go into details on how my personal life has been basically nonexistent since joining the law firm, but instead, I keep talking about her and the beautiful girl I just met and love. “I made a choice to concentrate on my career, and now I know it was wrong.”

“You’re saying you love her.”

“I am. I think I forgot or became distracted, but seeing her, talking to her, working with her at the store, I feel like I did as a kid. Kandace is real. This town is real. It’s not like this in Chicago. I want it all back, all that I walked away from.”

“Have you told Kandace?”

“Yes and no. She’s leery. I see it. She’s afraid that I’ll leave and not come back.”

“Will you?”

“No, sir. I know Kandace isn’t ready for this, but I’d like to know I have your blessing. One day, I want to ask her to marry me.”

Randy stops walking and turns toward me. “Don’t marry her because of Molly. That’s not a real marriage. And Molly shouldn’t be glue.”

I can’t stop my smile. “She isn’t glue. Molly is the cherry on top. I’ll do my best to be her father no matter what happens between Kandace and me. But, sir, without a doubt, it’s your daughter I love.”

Randy nods. “Good answer.”

“Your blessing?” I ask.

“All Bridget and I want is our children and grandchildren happy. If that’s your mission, then yes, you have our blessing.”

“Thank you.”

ChapterTwenty-Four

Kandace

When I finally go downstairs, I hope Dax is still here. I also wouldn’t blame him if he left. Getting Molly to sleep took a little longer than usual. She had so many questions about Dax. Each time I said he’d come back to Riverbend, I also said a silent prayer that I wasn’t misleading her.

With my hands in the pockets of my dress, I go down the stairs. The breeze through the open windows cools my skin. The living room is empty, and the television is off despite knowing the Cardinals are playing right now. The dining room is clean, and the kitchen is quiet. I’m about to give up when I hear voices coming from out on the porch.

My heart sinks a bit, thinking Dax left without saying goodbye.

When I open the door, I’m relieved to see Dax’s golden stare and smile. Those simple qualities shouldn’t affect me the way they do, but I can’t deny they do. My mind is wary, but my body remembers what it’s like to be loved by this man.

“You’re still here,” I say, looking from him to my parents. I don’t know where Justin has gone, but the three sitting here seem to be doing well.

Dax stands. “I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”

I lean against the side of the house. “Then I guess this is goodbye.”

He offers me his hand. “How about a walk?”

“Yeah, that didn’t exactly work out last time.”

Dax’s smile quirks. “I’d say it worked out exceptionally well.”

“We’ll listen for Molly,” Mom says. “Don’t worry.”

I’m not worried about our daughter. I know she’s asleep. “A marching band could parade through her room, and I don’t think she’d wake.” Finally, I look at Dax and removing my hand from my pocket, I take his.

Together we walk down the steps. The sky above us is dark and filled with stars. The farther away we get from the house and barns, the brighter the stars become. Low on the horizon is a large moon, shining its blue hue over the fields.

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