Page 88 of Keep On Loving You

With her eyes closed, Kat inhaled deeply and took her time blowing out her breath before opening her eyes. “Okay,” she spoke aloud. “I guess I can’t put it off much longer.” The sun would be setting soon, and she wanted to be sure she opened the special package that Steven had given her in the daylight.

She reached around to pick up the little package but didn’t open it right away.

Something about the package felt final.

“Here goes nothing.”

Carefully, Kat unwound the paper to reveal a letter that had been wrapped around a small bottle of whiskey.

“Whiskey, Dad? Really?”

She laughed and put the bottle aside to open the letter.

My dearest baby girl,

If you’re reading this, it means you’ve done it. You’ve conquered my life list and your fears. Yes, I knew you’d save the camping trip for last.

She chuckled a little, but it wasn’t enough to keep the tears from burning her eyes. Only one line into the letter and already she was a mess. She blinked hard and keptreading.

I hope by now you’ve spent some time thinking about everything I asked you to do and hopefully you understand why I wanted this for you. You’re my youngest, Kat. And that means no matter what happened, I didn’t get enough time with you. You see, there could never be enough time for a father to teach his little girl everything about life that he would like, or to tell her everything she needs to hear from him. I hope I’ve done enough and said enough for you to know how much I love you and how proud I am of you.

In my last letter, I told you how proud I am of you for your hard work, but there’s so much more about you that fills me with pride.

You are truly the best parts of both your mother and me. Thankfully, there’s a bit more of her in you than me.

Kat swiped at her cheeks. There was no way she could keep the tears at bay any longer.

I bet you’re wondering about what I put on the list.

She laughed because he was right.

Hiking up the peak was something I wished we could have done together. I can’t believe I lived in Trickle Creek all those years, and never got around to it. There are a lot of things I never got around to. I hope you thought of me when you got to the top, baby girl, because I was there with you.

Kat swallowed hard and tipped her head up to the sky in an effort to pull herself together before she continued.

The painting lessons and learning another language were two things I should have done when I was younger. I was always envious of creative people, and learning another language is never a bad idea. As for the karaoke and the salsa dancing, those were two things to push you into the spotlight. You deserve to shine, and I’m willing to bet that’s exactly what you did. And I hope you had fun in the process.

Oh, she’d had fun. Memories of that dance would stay with her for a very long time. Shekept reading.

I wonder whether you decided to bungee jump or skydive. Either way, I’m sure you cursed me for putting such a thing on the list and honestly, I wasn’t so sure at first. After all, those are both very dangerous things and my job as a father is to protect you, not push you out of planes.

But you and I both know that you don’t need protection. I raised you to be strong and capable, and that’s exactly what you are. It’s important to remember that. Just like it’s important to push yourself.

“Okay, Dad. I get it.” Kat put the letter down and gazed out over the lake. It had been months since she visited her dad’s gravesite and just sat and talked, but the words came easily…and strangely, she felt closer to him than ever. “You want me to push myself and live a full life. I’m trying.” She laughed out loud. “Hell, I’m here. That’s a pretty big push.”

She sat for another moment and let the tears dry on her cheeks before picking up the paper to finish the letter.

One last thing, Kat. Do you remember when you were little and you’d climb up on my lap when I got home from the office? You insisted on sitting with meand having a drink, just like me. Your mother gave you apple juice instead of my whiskey of course, but you always wanted to try it and I never let you. So here you go.

Kat reached down and picked up the bottle he’d included.

It’s my favorite whiskey. So when you look up at the stars tonight, think of me and know I’m always with you.

The one thing I know for sure is that this life is shorter than you expect it to be. Promise me you’ll live the best way you know how. Always make time for the unexpected. Push yourself to try new things, embrace your creative side, and never shy away from the spotlight—because you deserve to shine. But most importantly, love hard and without regrets.

Love always,

Dad

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