Page 71 of Hometown Heart

Cody's face fell. "That's not very long."

"No, it's not." Edward knelt down, meeting Cody at eye level. "But it's a start. And next time, I'll stay longer. I promise."

"Why don't you two explore the harbor?" I suggested. "I've got some paperwork to finish at home. You can pick me up for dinner later."

"Are you sure, Dad?" Cody asked, concern flashing across his features. "You love the harbor walk."

"I'm sure, bud. You show Papa all your favorite spots." I forced a smile, needing space more than I needed to police Edward's interaction with our son.

Edward frowned, reading me too well despite the year of separation. "We could all go together."

"Another time." I ruffled Cody's hair. "Have fun. Take lots of pictures."

I walked away before either could protest further, heading toward my SUV with measured steps. Only when I was safely inside, doors locked and engine running, did I allow my carefully constructed facade to crack.

The anger I'd been suppressing rushed forward like a breaking dam—anger at Edward for disrupting our life, at myself for still caring, at the unfairness of a world where I'd had to rebuild everything while he'd simply continued his successful career trajectory.

I pulled out of the parking lot, not entirely sure where I was heading until I found myself on the winding coastal road that led away from town. The ocean stretched endlessly to my right, whitecaps dancing in the afternoon sun. I drove until the buildings thinned out, until I reached the small turnout overlooking Whistleport's northern cove.

It was my favorite peaceful place around Whistleport, but today, it offered no solace. Edward's presence had unbalanced me more than I'd anticipated. Seeing him interact with Cody, watching them fall back into their familiar rhythms, had awakened an uncomfortable realization: part of me had been counting on Edward's continued distance to secure my place in Cody's life.

My phone buzzed with a text from Silas.

Silas:Checking in. Hope lunch went okay.

I stared at the message, feeling unmoored. Instead of responding, I dialed Edward's number, surprising myself.

He answered on the third ring. "Jack? Everything okay?"

"Is Cody with you right now?" I asked, skipping pleasantries.

"He's exploring tide pools about twenty feet away. Why?"

"We need to talk. Alone. Can you meet me later?"

There was a pause. "Of course. Where?"

"The ice arena. Eight o'clock. After Cody's asleep."

"Jack—"

"Just be there." I ended the call, my decision made.

It was time to confront the fears I'd been avoiding since Edward's call—and the truths I'd been hiding from myself.

I spent the afternoon at home. Edward texted periodic updates—photos of Cody examining starfish at the tide pools, posing by the lighthouse, and devouring an ice cream cone the size of his head. They looked happy together. Complete. I tried not to analyze what that meant about the life we'd built here without Edward.

When they returned for dinner, Cody burst through the door in a whirlwind of excitement, words tumbling over each other as he described their adventures.

"Papa knows the guy who designed the lighthouse renovation!" he exclaimed, dropping his jacket on the floor despite my pointed look. "And we saw seals! Real ones! And Captain Knick let us on his boat and showed Papa how the lobster traps work."

Edward entered more sedately, carrying a bag from the local bakery. "Peace offering," he said, handing it to me. "Cinnamon rolls for breakfast tomorrow. The bakery owner—June, I believe?—insisted they're your favorite."

"Thanks," I replied, accepting the bag while wondering how June Miller knew my breakfast preferences. Then I remembered—Silas had mentioned it once during a quiet morning at Tidal Grounds, when he'd surprised me with freshly baked rolls.

"Can we have pizza for dinner?" Cody pleaded, already digging through a drawer for the delivery menu. "Papa's never had Gino's stuffed crust!"

We ordered pizza and ate around the kitchen table, a pale imitation of our former family dinners in New York. Cody dominated the conversation, refining his already elaborate plans for Edward's next visit. The summer carnival. The Fourth of July parade. The lobster festival in August.

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