Page 74 of Cowboy's Last Stand
A former Marine, he grunted with approval.
“His name is Jason.He’s twenty-nine, and he’s from Montana.He just hiked the Continental Divide Trail.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a trail that goes from Montana to New Mexico.It’s over a thousand miles.”
“He hiked a thousand miles?”
“He did.”
“Why?”
She laughed, shaking her head.“He likes being outdoors.”
“Has he met Marcus?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“He’s good with him,” she said, aware that her voice had gone soft.“Really good.”
“When can I meet him?”
She straightened abruptly.“I’ve only known him a week.”
“Honey, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve known him.I can tell by your face that you’re halfway gone already.”
She nibbled on her lower lip.Was it obvious?Was she falling in love with Jason?“You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“Too soon to get attached?”
“Too soon to date.”
Her father gave her a sympathetic look.“Baby, it’s been almost two years.You’re a young woman.”
“What if I’m not ready to move on?”
“Then wait a little longer.You have time.Just remember that there’s a difference between being scared and being ready.If you wait for every fear to go away, you’ll wait forever.”
She acknowledged this difficult truth with a sigh.
“Why don’t you come here for Thanksgiving?”
“We’re coming for Christmas.You already bought the tickets.”
“I don’t get to see you enough.Now you’re going to get married and move to Montana.”
“I’m not,” she protested.“Stop.”
They talked for another thirty minutes about Marcus, the weather in Chicago, and her half brothers and half sister.Marcus ran over to say hello before Jaden’s game started.She promised to call again next weekend.
“I miss you,” her dad said.
“I miss you too.”
They said they loved each other before she signed off.Then she hopped up from the bench, too giddy to sit still.Talking to her dad always helped her feel centered.His opinion meant the world to her.
