Page 109 of Caged

“Thank you.” I didn’t hide my tears. Ever since I was a kid, I thought I was a disappointment to him. The only time I didn’t feel that way was when I earned straight A’s, won an award or a boxing match, or followed in his footsteps.

Despite all my psychology training, I never thought to question my assumptions as an adult. They’d been with me for so long, I accepted them as the truth.

“I know I wasn’t the most attentive dad, and I’ve never been good at expressing my emotions, but I’d like to change that.”

I blinked back more tears. “I’d like that, too.”

“Luckily, we have a week to lay a solid foundation.”

“A week.”

“Well, five days, but I’m all yours for every minute of them.”

I nodded. My father and I would heal our relationship while my body healed my wounds. I wasn’t glad I went through hell, but I was glad for the opportunity to connect with my father and forge the relationship I’d always wanted with him.

“Is that why you kept boxing?” he asked. “To please me?”

“Yes and no,” I admitted. “But I grew to love it. I don’t compete anymore, but I still train. I found a great coach atmy local gym. And I’m taking BJJ. My goal is to win against one of the guys at a monthly training match.”

He laughed at that. “That’s my girl.”

I dozed to as he told me stories about boxing competitively in the Marine Corps.

Chapter 42

Cate

“Dad, can you please stop fussing over me?” The doctor released me, after much begging on my part, after I woke up from my nap. Sammie, one of the part-time employees at SSI and a Weatherford cop, had dropped us off at my apartment less than thirty minutes ago and I was already doubting if I could handle having my father around twenty-four-seven for the next four and half days.

He’d done a one-eighty after our talk and was trying to make up for twenty plus years of ‘neglect’. His word, not mine. I loved him for trying, but having him cater to my every whim felt weird.

“I’m going overboard, aren’t I?”

“A little. Though I appreciate your effort.”

“I wasn’t always there for you. My priorities were in the wrong place and it took almost losing you to make me realize it. I want to be more present in your life.”

His confession brought tears to my eyes. Without thinking I wiped at them, making myself wince.Damn bruises.

“Thanks, Dad.” I wrapped my good arm around him for a hug, only grunting a little at the pressure my slinged arm put on my battered and bruised torso. Getting shot and having several ribs cracked sucked. The bullet had entered high on the right side of my chest, angled down, and exited my back—narrowly missing my lung.

“I love you, too.” He hadn’t actually said the words, but I read between the lines.

He pulled away. “Can I make you some dinner?”

“Sure. That sounds great.” Remembering I hadn’t been home in a week, I said, “On second thought, maybe we should order out.” Any food in my refrigerator had to be bad by now. “I’ll clean the fridge out after we eat.” Or maybe after a post dinner nap.

“What do you want? And don’t say steak. The doctor recommended lighter meals for the first few days.”

I sighed. “Fine. There’s a good Thai place that delivers. I’ll have Pad Thai with chicken.” It would be flavorful and filling without being too heavy, plus the leftovers would be just as good when I warmed them up.

“Egg roll?” he asked.

“Sure.”

While we ate, dad asked me about SSI, wanting to know if I liked it and found it fulfilling.

“I love it. I thought I’d miss the FBI and the big city, but I don’t. And I’m helping people.”Not Wendy. But she was dead before her father hired us, so nothing we did would’vechanged that outcome. I shook off the wave of guilt. “Turns out I like the small town vibe.”

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