Thirty-Two
-CARTER-
The air was still warm when I got back to Bridgeport the last Saturday in August. I was a little bummed that I’d missed the final days of work for the summer. But just like I’d planned, Lauren was out on the dock getting ready to go night fishing with Cory, June, and Hailey, and if everything went the way I hoped, missing the last days of work up here would have been more than worth it.
Lauren’s hair was up in one of those messy buns and her face was fresh and glowing. She was wearing a flowing blue T-shirt that hid her baby bump, long jean shorts that frayed at her knees, and a pair of gray Converse. Totally at ease. Man, she was gorgeous. I hadn’t seen her since before the memorial last weekend, and I wanted to run and kiss her. But the deep inhale coming from the tough guy beside me held me in check.
Cory was standing in the rowboat passing out life jackets to the girls. Lauren immediately slid her arms into hers and started securing the buckles, but Hailey and June just stood there, holding their life jackets, giggling. Hailey spotted me, gasped, and elbowed June who giggled even harder.
Man, these girls were terrible at sneaky.
“Ready, sir?” I asked.
“I was born ready, soldier,” he said in his gruff voice.
Mr. Derian slipped behind me as we walked down to the boats. I was taller by a few inches, but I was pretty sure he had me beat when it came to width. The guy was as much of a beast as any marine I’d ever met, but he had a soft spot for his daughters. I found that out about ten minutes after I knocked on his front door and told him about Lauren’s situation. He got up and was pulling out his suitcase before I even asked him to fly back with me to spend some time with her. The fact that I’d already bought his ticket just helped me win him over.
Hailey and June were clapping now, shrieking in little bursts.
“Oh my gosh, you guys,” Lauren was saying. “What’s going on with you?”
Cory tapped Lauren on the shoulder and pointed toward me. Lauren looked up, shielding her eyes against the falling sun.
Her face froze when she saw me limping toward her. Hailey and June bounced up and down yelling, “Surprise!” and set the dock to bobbing. Lauren teetered, arms flying out as she tried to catch her balance. I grabbed her around the waist, savoring the fruity scent of apple shampoo.
“You should really learn how to handle yourself around hot vets, cowgirl.” I pulled her toward me, praying the whole time that she’d still want me.
She turned and the want in her face was unmistakable. “You’re back.”
“Those fish’ll be talking clear into next summer,” I added, tucking one of her stray hairs behind her ear. “Besides, your fishing partner would be pretty disappointed if he came all the way from Texas to have you fall in before you even start.”
“Hey, sunshine,” Lauren’s dad said as I winked and stepped off to the side.
She gasped, covering her mouth and blinking a million times.
“I’m so sorry, baby. About what your mom did. And for what I did. I should’ve been here for you.” He swallowed. “I don’t know if it counts for anything, but I’m here now. If you can forgive me for being a stubborn old man, I want to be a part of your life, stay part of your life. Be a granddaddy to my grandchildren. Help you with my newest one. Maybe we can start now with a little fishing trip?”
Lauren choked on a sob and threw herself at her dad. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back, whispering as he closed his eyes.
My heart swelled when she glanced at me with her tear-streaked face and mouthed, Thank you.
I saluted. “Have fun out there, guys. I’ll be right here when you get back.”
Mr. Derian got into the boat with Lauren, and they started paddling toward the other end of the lake.
Hailey and June waved from the end of the dock, then tackled me in a huge double hug—almost knocking me off-balance.
“That was awesome, Carter,” Hailey said. “Thanks for including us!”
“Dang Carter, you made her so happy!” June said.
“Yeah, thanks for your help,” I said. “You were both, so, uh—”
“Obvious,” Cory finished.
The girls headed back toward camp screeching with laughter.
“Mission accomplished,” Cory said.
“Couldn’t have gone any better.” I stared at the beautiful girl in the back of the retreating rowboat about a hundred yards out.
“Want to fish?” Cory asked, handing me a fishing pole.
“I had no idea,” Lauren said, grabbing my outstretched hand about two hours later. “We had an amazing time. Thanks so much, Carter.”
“I forgot that girl’s a fish magnet,” Mr. Derian said, tying off the boat. “She caught, I kid you not, ten in a row, and I got nothing.”
“You’re losing your touch, Dad,” Lauren said.
They laughed and warmth flooded my veins. This was exactly what I’d hoped for when I came up with this idea.
“Kellie helped me,” I said. “She’s in the snack shop waiting. She booked the three of you a few nights up here. Thought it’d be good for you all to spend a few days together since the campers are gone.”
“You two have some catching up to do,” Mr. Derian said. “I’ll be up there with Kel, sweet pea. And thank you, Carter. I appreciate what you’ve done for me and my daughters.”
He shook my hand and headed up to the snack shop.
“Why’d you do it?” Lauren asked.
Her eyes glowed like warm honey and lit a familiar fire in my soul.
I stepped closer, slipping my arms around her waist and holding her tight.
“Because, honestly, I wanted to make it up to you—everything I’ve put you through. That weekend at my parents,’ walking out when you were singing
