Page 68 of Dream a Little Dream

“I know, and I wish I had considered his feelings before my less than discreet ambush at Amazin’ Glazin’.”

“Not your fault,” he said, as a round of laughter erupted in the living room. They were giving us space to talk. No one had come in to refill a drink, grab a napkin, or drop off their plates and join the conversation. “People like to gossip. As soon as the next rumor rolls in, they’ll be onto it and forget all about us.” He shifted.

“I had a great dad,” I blurted. “I loved him a lot. Still do. Always will.” I don’t know why I felt the need to get that out there right away, but it was important. I wasn’t replacing my own father, in any capacity, by reaching out to Jake. Both things could exist.

My comments didn’t seem to faze Jake. “He was a good guy. I liked him. You were lucky to have him as your dad. It was a terrible loss for the whole town. But especially you.”

“That might have been the time to step forward, you know.”

He went still for a moment. “Would have made sense. The version of me from twenty years ago was a chickenshit who drank beer, quaked in his boots, and put those feelings first. I wouldn’t make that same decision again. I’d wring that guy’s neck if I could. But I was a grown-ass adult who wasn’t grown at all.”

I did my best to see things from his perspective. “I imagine your family factored in.”

He nodded. “I was married. She didn’t know I’d fathered a child, and I was afraid to tell her.”

“Right. I gathered that after talking to Charlie.” I was absorbing as we went but knew I’d take the conversation out again, when I was alone, and examine it more fully, comb through each detail. “And you’re fairly sure…that you fathered this particular child?”

“The timing matched. And you look so much like my mama, I can barely believe it. Yeah, I’m sure. But at some point, sure, maybe we—”

“Find out officially?” I finished. Kyle had already briefed me of the quickest way to test paternity.

“Just for your peace of mind.”

“How’s the pie?” I asked. He’d taken a couple of distracted bites.

“Oh. The fuckin’ best. Peggy is a genius when it comes to this kind of thing. As you know.” He knew I frequented the donut house. He’d had his eye on me all this time. While I still hadn’t worked through the resentment of not being told, there was a surprising feeling of comfort in the thought of him watching out for me.

“This is still a lot to wrap my head around.”

“I know. But I did some thinking, and the most important thing for you to hold on to is that everybody, you know, loved you.” His voice had gone raspy. “Everybody.” I watched as his face went pink with emotion just like mine so often did.

My throat ached with an uncomfortable lump and my eyes filled. Dammit. I didn’t mean to get all sentimental, but there I was, fighting emotion as Christian and Elizabeth argued about whether a foot had been in bounds when the receiver caught the ball.

I smiled at myself and Jake returned it. “What a day,” I said. “Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday.”

“I’m a big eater, so I’m right there with ya,” he said with a laugh. “Wanna watch the game?”

“I definitely do.”

We joined the others and sat around my living room, shooting the breeze and trading stories as the memorable day wound down. A peaceful calm settled over me while Kyle and I said our final goodbyes to Devyn and Elizabeth, the last couple to leave.

“You did an amazing job today,” Kyle said.

“I don’t know aboutamazing.”

“Don’t downplay.” Her eyes were determined when she met my gaze. “You made the day wonderful for everyone. I don’t know how you do it, but you have this welcoming spirit that makes people comfortable in their own skin.”

“That’s such a nice thing to say.” I watched her. “The truth? Today was only what it was because I had you here with me.” Now that the dust had settled, I thought about her trajectory and experienced immediate guilt. “And you must be so exhausted. You worked a fullshift and then jumped right into the throes of preparing a huge meal with guests everywhere. You haven’t had a break or any downtime.”

“This wasn’t work. I loved every minute of it.” She paused. “But yes, every muscle in my body is screaming.”

I laughed. “C’mon. I have an idea.”

I used my fancy remote to turn on my gas fireplace and watched as the flames licked and danced. “I will never get used to the magic of just pressing a button and having instant fire. The cave people would seek out my friendship if they knew.”

“You’d be all over the cave news, I bet.”

I took a seat on the couch. “Damn right I would. Sit right here,” I said, patting the spot on the floor in front of me.

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