Page 117 of Fallen Hearts

I was now retired from the military. Retired from the NYPD. A fiancé. An innkeeper.

I made my way down to the dock, but I didn’t sit, like the memory of my father, on its edge. I wasn’t fishing. Or mourning. But instead, celebrating.

A new life. One I never could have seen coming.

Pia and I had only been engaged a few days, but those days had been as perfect as possible. I took the ring to get resized. Filled out a mound of paperwork for my early retirement. Made love to my fiancée, a lot.

It had been a good week, but there was one thing missing.

I love you, Dad. Wish you could have met her. I should have talked to you sooner, but I didn’t know what to say. Or how to do it. I’ve thought so often over the past few weeks of you sitting here, on this dock, looking sad. But I wonder if I had it wrong all along, remembering the way I wanted to remember, to protect myself. Maybe you weren’t sad, but content. Every time I asked if you would ever remarry, you insisted you were happy. With me. With the inn. That it was enough. I never believed you, but maybe I should have.

I love you. And miss you. But I know you’d be proud of what we’re doing with the place. It’s looking better than ever, and next spring we’re giving Heritage a fresh coat of paint and a new roof to cap the renovations off. Pia has so many good ideas, ways to put us on the map. She doesn’t just want to turn a profit but wants to make this the crowning jewel of Keuka Lake. Knowing her, of all the Finger Lakes. And she’ll do it, too. We’ll do it together.

I’m glad to have you along for the ride.

“Trying to prove former Rangers don’t get cold like mere mortals?”

Beck joined me on the deck.

“I didn’t expect to find myself down here,” I admitted, realizing the T-shirt and cold weather really didn’t go hand in hand. “Just kind of wandered down.”

“I’m headed into town. Need anything?”

“Nah.” I shook my head. Then, remembering I’d grabbed the money yesterday, I pulled out my wallet and handed Beck a wad of cash. “For the pot.”

“Didn’t think it would be you to go first.”

“First? You say that as if I won’t be the last.”

“You won’t. Parker will be next.”

“He doesn’t even have a girlfriend.”

“And you did?”

“Fair point. What about you?” I asked, already knowing his answer.

“No fucking way. One woman? For the rest of my life? Nope.”

“I might have agreed with you at one point.”

“But then… Pia.”

“But then Pia,” I agreed. “She really is incredible.”

“Look at you.” Beck was about to burst out laughing. “Where’s the straight-faced Mason I know and love?”

“You don’t love that Mason. How many times have you said I was grumpy as hell?”

“Ahh, there he is. I was beginning to worry.”

“You’re fucking insane.”

The lake was quiet today. So peaceful. I hoped my dad was at peace too. “What do you think he’d say about all this?”

Beck sighed. “He’d say, ‘It’s about time.’”

My head whipped around to Beck. “You think so?”

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