Page 89 of Until Hanna

“I’ll work on it.” I kiss the side of her head, then move my hand to her waist and urge her toward the stairs. When we reach the gravel driveway, my mom—who now has my nephew in her grasp—turns our way, and her eyes fill with tears.

“Walker,” she whispers, passing Kingston off to Tucker before walking toward Hanna and me.

“Hey, Mom.” I let Hanna go so I can hug my mother, and she squeezes me so tight I’d swear she’s trying to break a rib.

“I know you said you were coming. I just didn’t expect you to actually show up.” She releases me and looks over at Hanna.

“Hi, Mrs. St. James,” Hanna says, and Mom’s smile widens.

“Call me Mom.” She steps away from me to give Hanna a hug before leaning back to look down at my fiancée’s belly. “I’m really going to be a grandma again.”

“You are,” I confirm.

“This is just the best day. Both my babies in one place!” Mom wipes the wetness from her cheeks, and I look to her side when I see movement, every muscle in my body getting tight as my dad walks over.

“Hey, bud.” He holds out his hand, and I take it out of obligation. “I’m glad you were able to make it.”

“Me too.” It’s a lie. Yes, I’ve enjoyed spending time with my sister and nephew and getting to know Tucker, plus Hanna having the chance to meet them. But I could have done without seeing either of my parents.

“You must be Hanna.” Dad smiles, and she nods.

“Yes. Nice to meet you.” She steps forward to give him a hug, and my hands twitch with the urge to pull her away from him when his arms wrap around her.

“I hope you guys are hungry.” Miranda wanders toward us, her eyes scanning mine briefly before looking at Mom and Dad. “Hanna and I put out food inside for lunch.”

“Great.” Mom links her arm with Miranda’s while Tucker, Kingston, and Dad follow them toward the house.

Keeping pace with Hanna, who’s slowed, I watch everyone disappear into the lake house, then let out a breath when she turns toward me and wraps her arms around my waist.

“Say the word and I’ll get us out of here,” she whispers, and I drop my forehead to the top of her head.

“I’ll be okay. I just—”

“You don’t have to explain,” she cuts me off. “I get it. And I know I said you should attempt to work on your relationship with your mom, but you don’t have to do that if it’s not something you feel like you can.”

“I should be over this. It’s been years since I lived in the house with them and dealt with that situation.”

“There is no time limit on emotions.” She tips her head back to look up at me. “You get to feel however you want for as long as you want. And my offer stands. Say the word, and I’ll make up an excuse and get us out of here.”

“Thanks, baby.” I touch my lips to hers, then let out a sigh before leading her into the house, where we have lunch with my family.

* * *

Stepping out onto the deck with a beer in my hand, I scan the edge of the shore for Hanna, who went down to join everyone for a bonfire and to make s’mores. I was on a call with Otto and Ham, filling them in on what’s going on with the building we purchased. The steel building will eventually have a dive pool inside along with the equipment we’ll need to teach underwater welding and drilling. But the permits for the project have been a pain in the ass to get.

“Are you going down to join them?”

At that question from my dad, I glance over at him. Unlike Trevor, who is still fit for his age, my dad has put on weight around his middle over the years and lost even more hair at the top of his head.

“Yeah.” I start to head for the stairs but stop when he speaks up.

“Do you think we could talk for a minute before you go down there?”

All day, I’ve avoided any real contact or conversation with him, and that’s seemed to work for me. But I know it’s been awkward for Mom and Miranda, who’ve shared more than a few looks, not missing the undercurrent of tension.

Without a word, I walk to the table and take a seat across from him.

“I…” His brows dart together. “I’m not sure how to even start this conversation, but I know I need to.” His gaze moves to the shore, where I can hear Kingston giggle, then it comes back to me. “While you and your sister were growing up, I made more than a few mistakes,” he begins, and I make a sound in the back of my throat. That is the understatement of the fucking century. “I was young and selfish and have no excuse for the things I did to your mom. Things that in turn affected you and your sister.” He rubs his lips together. “I wish that telling you I’m sorry would be enough, but I know it won’t. Will it?”

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