The Father He Deserves

by Lisa Jordan

  Detaching his son’s arms from his legs, Evan knelt in front of the child. “What’s going on?”

  “She won’t let me take my toys. She said they could get lost.”

  “Well, buddy, you need to listen to her. Your mom knows if they get lost, you’ll be disappointed.”

  “If you say it’s okay to take them, I can tell her yes. I can take them, right?”

  Evan exchanged looks with Coach and smothered a laugh. “Dude, really? If your mom said no, I’m not going to say yes to make you happy. Then we’ll both be in trouble. Besides, there’s gonna to be so much other stuff to do.”

  “Fine.” Aidan’s bottom lip puffed out as he clasped his arms around his chest. Without another word, he trudged back to the house and slammed the door.

  Evan pushed to his feet, and Coach slid an arm around his shoulders. “That’s some pretty awesome parenting.”

  His mentor’s words warmed him. “I’m no fool. Mom’s word is law. I can’t blame him for trying, though. I’m sure I did the same thing when I was a kid.”

  “And how’d that work for you.”

  “About as well as it did for Aidan.”

  Twenty minutes later, after getting everyone loaded and buckled in, they pulled into the church parking lot. Evan’s brothers arrived right behind them with their families.

  Evan unfolded a plaid blanket and spread it on the ground behind Tucker, Isabella and the twins, and between his father and Claudia and Jake and Tori.

  Coach and Dr. Mary settled on the other side of Evan’s father and Claudia.

  Natalie opened her picnic basket and pulled out a blue plastic rectangular container, two matching covered plastic bowls and a smaller rectangular container. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like but I made chicken bacon ranch wraps, pasta salad, cut-up fruit and blackberry crumb bars.”

  “Man, that sounds great. You didn’t have to go to all of this trouble. You could’ve asked me to grab a pizza or something on the way over.”

  Pink stole across her cheeks. Her ponytail fell forward, veiling her face. He longed to tuck it back where it belonged, but he kept his hands to himself.

  “I enjoyed doing it.”

  They made their plates and chatted with their families around them while they ate.

  After finishing a second helping, Evan stretched out on his back with his right arm behind his head. He patted his stomach and sighed. “Tank’s full.”

  Aidan stretched out beside him and patted his own stomach. “My tank’s full, too.”

  Evan grinned and cupped an arm around his son.

  “Too bad you’re full. I also made chocolate chip cookies as a surprise.” Natalie pulled out another plastic container, lifted up the corner of the lid, and the scents of sugar, vanilla and chocolate wafted toward them.

  Leaning up on his elbow, Evan raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure I can find room for a cookie or two.”

  “Me, too.” Aidan sat up and grabbed a cookie from the container. “Can I take one to Livie and Landon?”

  “Sure, go ahead.” Natalie wrapped a couple of cookies in a napkin and handed them to him.

  Taking the cookies, Aidan scrambled off the blanket and headed toward his cousins. “Hey, guys. Guess what?”

  Evan sat up. “If I lie here, I’m going to fall into a food coma. Want to take a walk?”

  Natalie looked at him, then cast a glance at Aidan sharing cookies with Livie and Landon.

  He pressed a hand to her arm. “He’ll be fine. We’ll take a quick walk around the block and be back before the movie starts. Besides, I want to talk to you about something.”

  She nodded. “Okay, I want to talk to you about something, too.”

  After being reassured by Tucker and Isabella they had no problem keeping an eye on Aidan, Natalie pushed to her feet and brushed crumbs off her flowered skirt. Paired with a pink T-shirt and white sandals, she was the epitome of summertime.

  Evan wanted to take her hand, but he didn’t want to pressure her, especially in front of a crowd of people.

  Once they rounded the corner and were out of view of the church, Evan took her hand. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

  “Dad and I had a good talk the other day while you were in the pool with Aidan.”

  “Yeah? What about?”

  “His doctor released him to return to work part-time.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “Yes, it is. I think it will help him get some of his energy back, too. But he said his heart attack was a wake-up call. He and Mom are cutting back their hours. Mom’s promoting Willow from associate to partner at the clinic.”

  “Even more good news. Willow will do a dynamite job.”

  “No doubt. When Dad had his heart attack, Mom cut her hours, and she’s going to keep those same hours. Even though Dad’s coaching only three days a week for now, he’d like to return full-time...until he retires in the spring.”

  “Whoa, Coach is retiring? He’s a legend. Who’ll take his place? Will he run the kennels full-time?”

  “Dad gave a recommendation to the board for a replacement.” Natalie faced Evan. “I probably shouldn’t say anything and Dad didn’t come out and say it, but he alluded to the fact that he suggested your name.”

  “Me? I’m no coach.”

  The idea of following in Coach’s footsteps seemed a little overwhelming, but like Nat said, he may not have been who Coach referred.

  “No, but you love the water, and you’ve been doing an excellent job working with Aidan. But again, I may be speaking out of turn. As far as the kennels go, Dad wants to retire from those, too. He said he doesn’t mind lending a hand, but he asked me to take over the business. Not only could I continue with the boarding side of it, but I would have a place to establish my dog training business here in Shelby Lake. I could keep partnering with Zoe Sullivan to grow the service dog project. And Willow and I would like to work with the school district to bring in dogs to help children with reading challenges to grow their skills and confidence.”

  He needed to be excited for Nat, and he was. He hadn’t seen her this animated since returning home.

  He forced enthusiasm into his voice. “You’re sure excited about this, Nat.”

  A wide smile spread across her face. “I am. I’ve been thinking about it for the past few days. I wanted to talk about it with you because it does affect Aidan indirectly. Once your family agreed to the service dog program at the beginning of the month, I gave notice to my aunt that we were moving. Aidan’s really flourished this summer, and I feel like we can put down roots in Shelby Lake.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “I’m sorry. I’ve been going on and on without giving you any time to speak. What did you want to talk to me about?”

  He brushed away her question. “Eh, that can wait. I’m really happy for you. It sounds like this is the kind of opportunity you’ve been waiting for.”

  “It could be an answer to prayer.” She lifted a shoulder and raised her eyes to him. “I don’t know. Maybe God hasn’t forgotten me after all.”

  “I don’t doubt that for a moment.”

  “Thank you, Evan, for being so patient with me. For believing in me. Even though the idea of taking over Dad’s business scares me a little, I remembered what you told Aidan about being courageous. So I’m trying to find the courage to move forward with my life and not allow my past to hold me back.” She stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.

  He wrapped her in his arms and breathed in her essence. Even though he was excited for her newfound enthusiasm, he realized he was in the position where he was going to have to choose between Natalie and chasing after his own dreams.

  Unfortunately, there wouldn’t be a middle ground between the two.

  * * *

  Tucker and Isabella made falling in love look so easy.

  In the shor
t time Natalie had gotten to know the bride, she’d learned it had been anything but easy for the two childhood friends who’d reunited last year—the widowed single father and the insecure chef who struggled with abandonment issues.

  Something Natalie could totally relate to.

  When Isabella had returned to Shelby Lake after losing her prestigious job, she’d stayed to help save her father’s diner and care for Tucker’s children after his nanny quit. Despite their ups and downs, their story was what romance novels were made of.

  And now Natalie had been invited to see them get married.

  Natalie and Aidan sat next to her parents in the right section of pews in the sanctuary of the Shelby Lake Community Church. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, scattering jewels of light across the ruby-colored carpet.

  Peach and white roses had been attached to the mint-green and white bows at the end of the pews. Dressed in matching mint-green sleeveless dresses, Isabella’s best friend, Jeanne, and Jake’s wife, Tori, made their way down the aisle as Alec Seaver played a romantic song on his guitar.

  Landon, dressed in a gray tux, carried a small pillow and walked beside Olivia, who wore a peach dress and scattered a trail of rose petals on the dove-gray aisle runner.

  As they passed by Natalie’s pew, Landon waved. “Hi, Aidan.”

  The small gathering of close friends and family laughed quietly.

  The music tempo changed and Isabella appeared in the doorway holding on to her father’s arm. As everyone stood, Natalie’s gasp joined the chorus of the others.

  Dressed in a white lacy off-the-shoulder gown with a sweetheart neckline and beaded bodice that emphasized Isabella’s tiny waist, and a full skirt with beaded lace appliqués, she looked like a princess, especially with the long veil that was attached to her updo and swept along behind her.

  Natalie stole a glance at Tucker.

  Hands clasped in front of him, he stood tall and composed, wearing a grin only a man in love could pull off. His lovestruck gaze didn’t waver as he watched his bride come toward him.

  Jake and Evan stood next to him. Micah hadn’t been able to make it, much to the family’s disappointment.

  Natalie’s heart sighed.

  A true romance.

  Would she have that?

  Could she have it with Evan?

  They’d been growing closer since the night at the escape room, but since last weekend’s movie night at Evan’s church, he’d seemed a little distant again.

  Or maybe her insecurities were feeding her vivid imagination.

  For the first time in years, Natalie considered that having her own happily-ever-after might be possible after all.

  The freedom that created within her sent an unexpected rush of tears to her eyes. She tried to blink them back, but one managed to trickle down her cheek.

  As she traced it away with the back of her pinkie, Natalie looked up to find Evan watching her with an endearing expression. He winked, which sent her pulse skidding.

  Her eyes roamed over the way his gray tux jacket hugged his wide shoulders. She had been so used to him being in T-shirts, and shorts or jeans, that seeing him in a well-fitted suit stole her breath.

  Once Joe, Isabella’s father, had given her over to Tucker, the pastor invited the guests to sit.

  For the next twenty minutes, Tucker and Isabella made promises to each other, pledged their love and sealed it with a kiss, eliciting cheering from the guests and whistles from Jake and Evan.

  After the ceremony, Natalie waited outside the church with Aidan and her parents for the bride and groom to make their exit.

  Moments later, Tucker and Isabella rushed down the wide steps through a gale of bubbles dancing and floating in the breeze instead of the usual tossed rice.

  Someone touched her elbow. She turned to find Evan standing so close that the subtle outdoorsy scent of his cologne enveloped her. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him close.

  But she couldn’t do that.

  At least not there.

  Instead, she pasted on a smile, thankful for being able to hide behind her sunglasses, and brushed her hand over his sleeve. “Hey. You clean up nice. It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?”

  “Thanks.” Evan’s eyes darkened as his gaze roamed over her burgundy floral wrap dress. “Yes, it was. Tucker and Isabella deserve a lifetime of happiness. And speaking of beautiful, you look gorgeous.”

  She couldn’t fight the heat that warmed her cheeks so she looked away, toying with the snap on her clutch purse. “Thanks.”

  Someone called his name, and he lifted his hand in acknowledgment. “I have to head back inside for pictures. See you at the reception?”

  She nodded, not trusting her voice.

  Once he left her side, she felt strangely alone. Silly, since her parents were less than a foot away and the front churchyard was filled with people.

  After she managed to pull her parents away from their conversations with half the guests, they headed up Holland Hill for a rustic picnic reception honoring Tucker and Isabella’s first date, complete with a taco bar and s’mores for dessert.

  A large canopy tent covered at least a dozen banquet tables arranged in three rows and pushed together for family-style seating. White cloths covered the tables, along with mint-green place mats and matching runners. Clusters of peach and white roses in shallow bowls with clear gems lined the middle. Swags of tiny lights swathed in mint-colored tulle draped from the canopy ceiling poles, scattering tiny gems of light across the reception area.

  Off to the side, under a smaller canopy, a DJ had set up a stage with a makeshift dance floor.

  For the next hour, Natalie tried to keep Aidan seated so he would eat and not run off to play with Livie and Landon, who were bouncing in their chairs at the bridal table. Friends chatted with her and her parents. While she tried to pay attention to conversations, her focus kept drifting toward Evan, especially when Aidan escaped and raced over to his father, sitting next to Jake.

  Having shed his jacket, Evan rolled up the sleeves to his dress shirt, exposing his tanned, muscular forearms, and undid his tie. He lifted Aidan in his lap and laughed at something the boy whispered in his ear. Evan caught her eye and winked, said something to Aidan, and then they left the table as the DJ invited the bride and groom to the dance floor.

  Tucker drew Isabella close, whispered something in her ear, and as wedding guests clinked their silverware against their glasses, he lowered his head and kissed her sweetly, eliciting sounds of “aww” from the crowd.

  Someone placed hands on Natalie’s shoulders, and she didn’t need to turn to know Evan was behind her. He whispered in her ear, “Dance with me.”

  It wasn’t a question. But he didn’t even need to ask.

  She smiled, then held out her hand. He took it in his and led her to the dance floor, where his hands settled on her waist. She curled her arms around his neck and moved along with his graceful steps.

  She belonged in his arms, and it was time to stop lying to herself about it.

  Resting her cheek against him, she listened to the low rumble in his chest as he sang along with the lyrics, serenading her quietly.

  She sighed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Evan’s words, spoken quietly, nudged one of those bricks in her wall.

  How could she tell him she was falling in love with him all over again? What if he didn’t feel the same way? Or worse, what if he hadn’t forgiven her yet?

  The underlying thread of anxiety and fear that made her question everything could be tugged at the wrong moment, causing her happiness to unravel.

  She shook her head.

  Evan pulled back and tipped up her chin. “Why don’t I believe you?”

  “I’m fine. Really.”


  “Would you still be fine if I kissed you right now?”

  She darted a look around the yard, then back at him. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  “I think kissing you is the best idea I’ve had today.” Evan brushed a thumb over her cheek.

  “Not here. Not in front of everyone.”

  He grinned. “So if we were somewhere else, you’d let me kiss you?”

  How was she supposed to answer that?

  She rested her head against Evan’s chest and allowed the words to a romantic song about finding love again wash over her. When the music ended, they broke apart. Not letting go of her hand, Evan guided her off the dance floor. “Let’s get out of here. I need you to myself for a bit.”

  “Hey, you two leaving?” They turned to find Jake and Tori, hand in hand, heading to the dance floor.

  “Hey, man. No, we’re...uh...going for a walk...to talk.”

  “Talk, huh? Yeah, a walk’s great for that.” Jake’s smirk sent a rush of heat to Natalie’s cheeks.

  “Leave them alone.” Tori batted at her husband’s chest, then she smiled at them. “Hey, Ev. With all the wedding prep going on this week, I haven’t congratulated you on the endorsement deal.”

  Natalie’s eyes zipped to Evan’s. “What endorsement deal?”

  Tori’s eyes widened as her mouth formed an O. She gave Evan a pained look and mouthed, Sorry.

  Evan wrapped an arm around her shoulder and directed her toward the road. “Let’s take a walk.”

  Suddenly she had the feeling the walk wouldn’t have anything to do with the alone time he had been imagining between them.

  Once they were out of earshot, Natalie turned, shrugging off Evan’s arm. “What was Tori talking about?”

  “I’ve been offered an endorsement opportunity.”

  “I see. Were you planning to tell me?”

  “Yes, of course. I wanted to tell you when we attended the Food and Flix event at church, but you were so excited about taking over Coach’s business that I didn’t want to rain on your parade.”