Page 56 of Keeping Guard
“I don’t know. If I can make it happen, I’ll make a detour before reporting back to base.” Maine would be a hell of a detour, but he might be able to pull it off.
Clint’s mother, after learning Noah’s history, had as much as adopted him. She was another thing he’d resented at first, but Leah Barnes was as bull headed as her son. It hadn’t taken long to understand she and her son were his father’s victims as much as he and his mom were. Now they were his family.
“Tell her I’ll expect a blueberry pie with my name on it.”
“You know she’ll have that for you without your asking. And you better be sharing that pie with me.”
“You get pie all the time.” He lived in the same town with her.
“Don’t care. I want half of yours.”
Noah laughed. Boneheaded brother. “Don’t piss me off between now and then, and I’ll think about it.”
“Nothing to think about.”
“How’s Rafe?”
“As hot as ever. He said to tell you hi.”
“Tell him hi back, and that I’ll share my pie with him.” Clint and Rafe had been together for three years, and Noah didn’t think he could find a better man for his brother.
“Asswipe. You’re not giving him my pie. Gotta go.”
“You need me to pick you up at the airport?” He absently scratched Lucky’s neck.
“Nah, I’m renting a car, and I’m staying at Mark’s house, so I’m good all around. I’ll see you Saturday, and brother mine, we’re going to have a nice long talk. You’re gonna tell me what this leave is all about and why you’re in Asheville.”
Maybe. Maybe not. “Later, dorkbucket.” He tried to disconnect before Clint could respond, but he wasn’t fast enough.
“Love ya, fartface.”
Noah grinned at his phone. That was how they ended every call, trying to be the last one to insult the other. He wondered what Clint would think of Peyton. No, he didn’t need to wonder. His brother was going to love her.
“Tell me why this Noah guy isn’t here when I specifically invited him.”
Peyton set her fork down. “He’s not here because I told him he didn’t have to come. He’s not a boyfriend you have to vet.”
“A man I don’t know is living with my daughter and I shouldn’t be concerned?”
“You’ve never been concerned before.” About anything to do with her life. “Why start now?” She didn’t want to argue with her father, but his lack of interest in her had always hurt. What had changed?
“Eat your dinner.”
Anger burned through her, and she took several deep breaths to calm down. Why wouldn’t he talk to her, treat her like a daughter he loved? But he didn’t love her, did he? She was only an obligation, and she supposed she should be thankful he’d given her a home when her mother decided being a mother wasn’t for her. He didn’t have to, and she’d never gone without food, clothing, and a roof over her head. She was grateful, truly, but she’d give all that up for a father who loved her.
Now he was possibly dying, and she’d hoped that would bring them closer. Since he obviously wasn’t going to make an effort to fix whatever was broken between them, it was up to her. So, she’d let go of the anger and disappointment and the little girl wanting his approval. She’d pretend that none of that mattered, and she’d be the daughter he needed to get through what all was coming at him. She’d make sure he lived so that just maybe the day would come when he’d tell her what was lacking in her that he couldn’t love her, and then she could fix herself.
Instead of coming back with a snarky retort, she dutifully picked up her fork. “This is good,” she said of the manicotti.
“It was your favorite as a child.”
Yeah, it was, and that he’d made it for her tonight made her want to hug him, but he’d never liked shows of affection. “It’s been a while since you’ve made it for me. Thanks, Dad.”
He gave her a rare smile. “There’s enough for you to take a container home. Maybe that man you won’t talk about would like some.”
She laughed. “Maybe so.” Leaning across the table, she put her hand on her father’s. “I don’t want you to die. I don’t care how hard you try to push me away, I’m going to be in your face over this. I’ll be at your doctor’s appointment on Monday, and I’ll be there for your treatments. I’ve never been sure you loved me, but I love you, so deal with it.”
“You think I don’t love you?”
