Page 78 of Rescued by the Single Dad

Clint’s dad nodded in understanding, then sipped his coffee and removed his tweed hat, setting it beside him on the table. “It was just a feeling I had in my gut. You know? Deep in my belly and in my bones. I saw her, and I just knew my life would never be right unless I went over and talked to her. And after talking to her, I ...” His smile was so full of love Clint had to make fists beneath the table to keep his emotions in check. “I went home, called Mom and said I found the woman I was going to marry. I was just sure. She keeps me on my toes. She challenges me. She excites me. And I knew after just one conversation that she has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met.”

Something wonderful and warm filled Clint’s chest hearing such true and beautiful things about his mother. But it also made him sad. That his parent’s love had been cut short because of their illnesses. At least the time they had together had been full of love and joy, as well as five rowdy boys.

“I still catch myself looking at her sometimes, wondering how I got so damn lucky, you know? How she, a goddess, fell for a schmuck like me. Maybe she’s the crazy one, but if that’s the case, thank God.” His father chuckled, but it quickly turned into a cough.

Panic flooded Clint, and he got up from his seat to grab his dad some water.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” his dad protested when Clint returned and rubbed his dad’s back. “Just swallowed my spit wrong.”

Their breakfast and smoothies were brought to them shortly after and they dove in.

Even though his dad thought Clint was his Uncle Gerald, it was one of the better visits he’d had with his dad. His dad spoke so fondly of Clint and his brothers. Called them wild heathens, but there was so much love and pride in his blue eyes as he said it that he knew it was in jest.

“You’re lucky you just have the twin girls,” his dad went on, spearing a piece of yam with his fork. “They don’t pee everywhere like boys do. I caught Clinton pissing in the damn houseplant the other day. Said Bennett was in the bathroom and that he couldn’t wait.”

Clint snorted. “At least he didn’t just pee on the floor.”

“The boy could have gone outside!” his dad exclaimed. “We have over an acre of land. Why didn’t he pick a tree outside to water? We’re in the middle of a freaking drought, as it is. Could have used a bit of piss on Janet’s rhodo, anyway.”

Clint chuckled. “Boys!”

“And then there’s Wyatt. Can’t keep clothes on that child to save his life. We took them to the mall, and he stripped down to nothing in the food court and was running around with his tallywacker out, flashing the poor old ladies who were playing Keno. Then he tried to go swimming in the water fountain.” He sipped his coffee. “Janet’s worried he’s going to be a stripper when he’s older. The way he takes his clothes off with such flare and enthusiasm, I wouldn’t put it past him. And he’s such a charmer, too. He’ll take his clothes off, then charm the money out of everyone’s pockets.”

Clint’s face hurt from laughing and smiling so much. It’d been so long since he’d talked with his dad like this. So long since he’d heard stories of his childhood. It was the perfect salve to soothe his conflicted and tattered heart.

They finished their meal and their coffee way too soon, and Clint had to get back out to his deliveries. He wished for even just a minute that his dad remembered who he was and that they could have a real conversation. He wanted to tell his dad about Talia, about the business, and even about Brooke. Ask his advice and how he should handle their growing affections for each other.

But there was no sense asking for more than the universe had already given him, which was a beautiful breakfast with his father—even if his dad thought Clint was someone else.

They took their time walking back to the care home, and Clint wrapped his arm around his dad’s shoulders and pulled him into a side hug. “I’ve missed you,” he said, pressing a kiss to his dad’s head over the top of his hat. “Missed this.”

“Then you need to leave Idaho more often and come visit.”

“Yeah, maybe I will.”

With his arm still around his dad, they walked back to the care home in companionable silence. He saw his dad to his room, made sure he was settled then pulled him into a long hug. “You behave, okay?” he said, still squeezing his dad’s slender frame.

“Never,” his dad replied with a raspy chuckle. “What’s the fun in that?”

Clint blinked back tears, the sting behind his eyes a reminder of how precious this time with his father was. His throat was tight, but he fought past it and released his father, smiling through the pain. “Give Janet and the boys my love.”

“And you do the same for Martha and the twins.”

Clint nodded, forced another smile and turned to go.

“I love you,” his dad called after him just as he reached the door.

Clint spun around. “I love you, too.”

They shared a smile for several heartbeats before his father nodded, broke eye contact and turned to his crossword puzzle on the table.

Clint took that as his sign and left, fighting back more tears as he headed down the hallway to the front door.

He couldn’t dwell on the negative. It’d been a fantastic visit. That was what he needed to focus on. His dad helped provide Clint with some clarity about his feelings for Brooke.

Because, just like his dad, when he first saw Clint’s mom, Clint was drawn to Brooke. He already missed her, and he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

He finished his deliveries, then made his way to the airport. He’d always been very good at time management and the fact that he reached the airport at exactly two o’clock didn’t come as a surprise. Rocco would still have to exit the plane and go through customs, but that just allowed Clint the opportunity to call the house and check in on things.

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