Page 75 of Quintessentially

Dax

Kandace is quiet as we walk through the glass doors of the hospital. Stepping outside, the breeze blows fallen leaves around our feet as we make our way through the parking lot to my car. It isn’t until we’re there that Kandace wraps her arms around me, laying her face against my chest. My arms go around her, holding her against me as cars drive past and the cloudy morning sky churns overhead.

At this moment, I don’t give a fuck about the repercussions of my change of plans. I’m where I’m supposed to be.

“He’s going to be all right,” I say, rubbing small circles on her back.

“I want that with all my heart.”

Opening the door for her, I hold it while Kandace gets in the front seat. I’ve always liked my Porsche, but for the first time, I see it differently. It’s low to the ground, has only two doors, and there’s not enough room in the back seat for Molly’s car seat.

How long will she be in a car seat?

As I walk back to the driver’s door, I decide to table that and other questions for another time. As I sit behind the steering wheel, I notice how exhausted Kandace appears, her eyelids fluttering in the morning light. That doesn’t diminish her beauty and poise. I want to wrap her in my arms and let her rest. However, life threw us a curveball, one I’m just now aware of, and one that won’t allow for long daytime naps.

“I stopped by your house before going to the hospital,” I say. “It’s how I knew where to go.”

Her eyes open. “Chloe told you?”

“You weren’t responding to my text messages, and I was afraid to call. Chloe was awake, but Molly was still asleep.”

“Oh good. She’ll be full of energy.”

I snicker, catching the sarcasm in Kandace’s tone. “I can help with her.”

“You haven’t slept either.”

She’s right. I haven’t and if I want to keep my job, I need to drive back to Chicago by nine tomorrow morning. “You’re done dealing with everything alone. I won’t push where you don’t want me, but I will let you know where I want to be and what role I want. I want to be a dad, one who doesn’t put himself above his daughter.”

Kandace’s eyes again close as she lays her head back on the seat. “I’m too tired, Dax. We can talk about this another time.”

Reaching for her hand, I pull it up to my lips and kiss her knuckles. It isn’t until my kisses move up her wrist that she grins and opens her eyes.

“If you’re trying to wake me, it’s working.”

“Let’s go to your house and relieve Chloe.”

Kandace nods as she closes her eyes.

Raindrops begin to fall as we drive out of Washington toward Riverbend. The pavement glistens with my headlights as the wind picks up. The weather in Riverbend isn’t significantly different from the Chicago area until winter. When it comes to autumn thunderstorms, I’ve seen them all.

The rain picks up as we drive, yet Kandace is sound asleep in the passenger seat. Seeing her there, trusting me enough to sleep, makes me smile. I remember times when we were younger when we would drive to the Tastee Freeze or a nearby reservoir to swim. While those times seem like a lifetime ago, they aren’t—unless it’s Molly’s life that is the measuring stick.

Kandace wakes as I pull onto the gravel lane near her home. She blinks as she takes in the dreary day. “I think I fell asleep.”

“You weren’t snoring…much.”

“I don’t snore,” she says with a scoff.

The only cars in the drive are two trucks, Randy’s and Justin’s, and Kandace’s SUV.

“Where is Chloe’s car?” Kandace asks.

“Maybe she had to leave, and Justin is watching Molly.”

“Justin will be asleep in two seconds.” Kandace pulls her phone from her purse. “Thank goodness.” She clutches her chest. “I have texts from Chloe. My phone was on silent.”

I pull my car up next to Justin’s truck. “What did Chloe say?”

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