"Wasn't it easier for you that I was gone? The only person who knew your dirty little secret wasn't around to blow your life up."
"It wasn't easy. I missed my son. And your mother missed you even more. She'd cry when you didn't come home for the holidays. That's when we started opening up our Christmas dinners to extended family and friends. It helped her get through the day without you. When you came back, she was unbelievably happy, but she still hates that you and I don't get along."
"And does she ask you why?"
"She's asked me many times, and I always tell her the same thing—that I let you down, I wasn't there for you, and you can't forgive me."
"You've never thought about telling her the truth?"
"I've thought about it a thousand times, but I'm afraid I'll lose her if I do. I love her, Jake. I always have. What we went through with Paul tested us in ways you don't understand, because you weren't a parent. You saw it through the eyes of a sibling. It was different for you than for us. And I'm sad to say that I failed the test. But I did try to do better after that. I've tried to make your mom and Paul as happy as I can. And I'd like the opportunity to make things up to you."
It hurt to know that his dad was willing to put everyone else in the family over him, but at least he was being honest for the first time in a long time. And he could be honest, too.
"I've never wanted to tell Mom or Paul," he admitted. "I hated that you asked me to keep the secret, but the real reason I kept it was because they were fragile, especially right when it happened. I thought about coming clean later, but everyone had moved on, and you and Mom seemed happy enough. I thought Hannah was gone forever, but that's changed. I have a second chance with her, and I have to take it. I have to, Dad. She's the one. She's always been the one."
"And she can forgive you for cheating on her?"
"I'm very aware of the irony," he admitted.
"What if I asked you for a second chance?"
"It's not the same."
"It's not, but it is. It's about forgiveness. It's about accepting that people can be weak. They can make mistakes, but that's not their entire story."
His dad made a good point. "You're right. A mistake is not the whole story. But I've never thought you wanted my forgiveness, only my silence."
"I've wanted both."
"Well, I'm glad you can admit that." Jake paused as his phone began to buzz. He pulled it out of his pocket, his body tensing as he saw a stream of texts coming in from Hannah. "Damn," he muttered. Her texts were all short and panicked.
With Kelly at cabin. She's in labor with complications. Call Adam and get an ambulance up here. Tell him Kelly is being stalked by a cop—Tom Washburn. She didn't kill Russ; Tom did. I'm trying to deliver her baby, so I can't talk, and she doesn't want me to call 911 to dispatch ambulance to this address. She thinks Washburn will use it to get to her first. He can't know where we are.
His mind raced with questions, but he quickly texted her back: Done. On my way.
"What's wrong?" his father asked.
"I have to go. Hannah is with her sister at their cabin in Wicker Bay. She's in trouble. I don't know what's going on. But she needs an ambulance at her cabin, and she can't call 911."
"Why not?"
"I don't know, but she can't."
"All right, Jake, take it easy. I know where the cabin is. I'll arrange for the ambulance."
"You can't mention Kelly's name or Hannah's, for that matter. And, again, I don't know why. It just seems to be very important."
"I'll take care of it, Jake."
"Thank you." While his dad was doing that, he punched in Adam's number, as he headed toward the office door. Thankfully, Adam answered.
"Kelly is back at Hannah's cabin," he told Adam, as he jogged toward the elevator. "She's in labor and in trouble. Hannah is with her. She said that Kelly is being stalked by a cop."
Adam swore. "Who is it?"
"His name is Tom Washburn. Kelly seems to think this cop can track anything broadcast through the police or 911. My father is sending an ambulance from the hospital. I'm on my way. What about you? Can you meet us?"
"Yes, but I'm in Black Falls, Jake. I'm probably an hour away. I'll call Brodie and get him up there as soon as possible."
"Great. I'll be there in thirty minutes, twenty if I can," he promised.
"Be careful, Jake."
"I'm not worried about myself." As he ended his call, he was shocked to see his dad keeping pace with him. "I thought you were getting the ambulance."
"Both our ambulances are out on calls. Judy is contacting the fire department. She will make no mention of Kelly or Hannah's names. I don't know what's going on, but it sounds bad."
"Kelly has a stalker who's a cop. He killed her boyfriend. Now she's in labor, and Hannah said there are complications." He flipped open the locks on his truck. "I'll talk to you later."
"I'm coming with you," his dad said forcefully. "And I'm bringing my medical bag. Hannah and Kelly might need my help, especially if we can't get an ambulance out there fast."
He didn't argue. As much as he hated to admit he needed his dad for anything, he might need his medical expertise. He jumped in behind the wheel, as his dad got into the passenger seat, and he tore out of the parking lot.
His father didn't have much to say as he sped down the slick highway, occasionally bracing himself with one hand on the side of the door.
When he skidded a few feet around
