Page 5 of A Chance at Forever

Her lip curled. “What am I? Five?”

I bit back my initial response to remind her to be respectful. I knew moving here would be an adjustment. Kendall hadn’t wanted to leave her friends or her school.

For me, it made sense to move back home. I had family and friends here. It was familiar, and I needed that after being gone for so long.

I took a deep breath. “What would you like to eat?”

She rolled her eyes, and I held my tongue again.

“Why did we have to move here?” She’d made it known she hated small towns.

But I suspected her main issue was that I’d deleted all the apps on her phone. Melanie didn’t monitor her usage. I didn’t mind if she kept in touch with her friends, but I didn’t like the things I was hearing and seeing on those apps. She was constantly primping and prepping and then filming herself. All I could think about was who was watching my little girl on the other end.

“This is my home.” This decision tore me up inside because she would be more comfortable in the home she’d grown up in, but Melanie had sold it.

“It’s not mine.” Her jaw set in a stubborn line, reminding me a little of myself at her age.

I settled my elbows on my knees, drawing on the patience I’d used in the military. “I hope you’ll like it. That you’ll at least give it a chance.”

She snorted and looked away from me.

I liked to think I wasn’t the same when I was a kid, but I was probably worse. I butted heads with my dad every time we were in the same room together.

But I couldn’t let her disrespect continue. “I know you didn’t want to move here.”

“I want to live with Mom.”

I wasn’t expecting that admission, and I guess I should have. She’d always lived full time with her mother, but I thought she would still want to see me. In the past, she enjoyed our time together, but it was limited, and I always planned fun things for us to do.

It wasn’t real life. Now we’d be living together full time, and I was tasked with making sure she went to school and did her homework. It was a different dynamic. A role she wasn’t used to me playing.

“I’m sorry I missed out on so much of your childhood, but I want to get to know you better. I want to be your father.” I needed to be patient with her and let her get used to the idea.

She didn’t respond, but I took it as a good sign that she didn’t roll her eyes this time.

“I loved my job, but I hate that it took me away from you. I wanted to be there when you said your first words, took your first step, and when you learned how to ride a bike. I want to be there for you now.” I didn’t ask her if she’d let me because I didn’t think I’d like her answer. It would take time for her to get used to me being in her life more.

She swallowed and then nodded.

I let out the breath I’d been holding. It was something. A small step forward. It was more than I expected after the painful drive from Indiana to Maryland.

I needed to focus on Kendall and what she needed. I shouldn’t be caught up in a high school relationship that ended ten years ago.

I got up to move the chocolate chip pancakes to a container and pour myself some orange juice.

Kendall followed me and sat on the stool. “Can I have blueberry pancakes?”

“Sure.” I probably should have refused because I already made her a perfectly good breakfast, but I needed to pick my battles. I’d gotten a small concession from her this morning. I wouldn’t push it.

I mixed the batter, pleased that Kendall helped put the blueberries in before cooking them. Kendall brushed her brown hair behind her ears. She had my brown hair and eyes and was on the cusp of developing into a teenager. I wasn’t ready for any of it, but I’d figure it out. She needed me no matter how much she pushed me away.

She was still in that last stage of being a girl but not yet a teenager, and I wanted to hold on to that for as long as I could. It was the primary reason I’d taken away the apps on her phone. It might have been the right thing to do, but I knew I’d make missteps along the way.

I didn’t want her to put herself in danger, but I also didn’t want her to grow up too soon, worrying about how she looked on video, wearing makeup, and—God forbid—stressing about her weight.

“What are you going to do this summer?” When I was her age, I was really into sports, but Melanie said she wasn’t. I’d looked into activities, but other than camps and some recreational sports, there wasn’t much that wasn’t already full.

Kendall’s shoulders raised. “I usually hang out with my friends.”

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