Page 77 of Hold Me Instead
He smiled at his lap. “Thank you. For taking care of everything.”
“Of course.” Charlie bit the inside of her cheek. She gripped the steering wheel, the cool leather sturdy under her hands. “Daniel, I’m really sorry.” She sensed him turn toward her. “That this happened, what you’re going through. I feel like it’s my fault. Things have been so nonstop, and I could’ve been doing more.”
His hand on her shoulder stopped her, and she looked into his tired eyes. “Charlie. This wasn’t your fault.”
“I mean—”
“No. Don’t take credit for something so spectacular,” he said.
Her laugh was short. “I hear you, andshit,I didn’t want this to be about me. I—”
He shook his head. “So many factors went into this. Even I…even I can’t take full responsibility. Genetics, and life, and all that.”
Her nods were small, her blinking rapid. “I just feel like I let you down,” she whispered.
His fingers squeezed her shoulder, firm in their gentleness. “No. You never have, Charlie. It’s not in your nature.”
Her nose pricked, her eyes welling up when she saw the same in his. She stretched across the seat and hugged him, carefully, awkwardly, a small sob escaping her as he squeezed her tightly. “I’m so glad you’re home,” she whispered.
He choked out a sound in reply and kissed the top of her head, a gesture he’d done after her graduation that had made her feel like the familial bond between them was mutual. It had carried her through until now, yet this one was worth even more.
When they separated, she dabbed her eyes, and he did the same with the corner of a napkin. They both chuckled in relief.
“I hope Jeanie grabbed more cookies, if there were any left,” he said as he gestured out the window, where his wife approached.
Charlie laughed and stepped out to help her settle in the driver’s seat.
“Here, my love, I got us both some tea,” Jeanie said, handing him a cup. “Our son grilled veggies for us to bring home too. And look! Little popcorn balls shaped like animals.” She held one up, then tossed it into a canvas tote.
“Where did this come from?” Daniel asked, looking at the bag itself.
“One of the vendors. Picked out a few things for the dogs while I was at it. They had the cutest bandanas—”
“Did you get more cookies?” This, while he started rifling inside like a kid trying to contain his excitement.
She squinted at him. “Yes.”
He winked at Charlie.
The picture of the two of them warmed her as the wind howled around them. “Alright, kids. Get some good rest tonight, yeah?”
Jeanie patted Charlie’s hand. “You too, sweetheart. Stay warm!”
Charlie shut the door with a wave before she walked back to the cookout. She felt lighter, now that she’d cleared the air with Daniel—or at least done a light sweeping. Seeing him here, as he observed his son helping out in a way he probably never dreamed possible, brought a new wave of hope.
“Dr. Harris?”
She had just reached the first tent when she heard her name, looking up to find a man who looked a little younger than Daniel holding a cup of coffee, standing alone. His fair skin was pink with cold. With aswishof his puffy coat, he reached out a hand.
“Ned North. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh, well…” She shook his hand, racking her brain to place him. “And you.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you.” He gestured around. “You’ve put on a nice event.”
“Thanks.” She hesitated. “Is this your first time here?”
“No, no.” He grinned, like she was missing out on some joke. “First time here, but I know what a great place it is. How lucky for Dr. Lee he was able to have such a wonderful veterinarian on staff with him.”
