“In Alaska with a man ten years younger than she is.”
I wave that my point has been made. “And here you are, fascinating, with great girlfriends and a cool job. You turned out just fine. My parents retired in another state and are having a blast, would love me to be there and would love it if I’m not! The Cockers are having kids like our population is in danger. Half of my crew has babies from different guys and girls than the ones they’re with. Some are gay, some are straight. We don’t even care about race anymore. There is no normal except for one thing—we’re human and we care.”
“Turn right here.”
“I think if anything is not normal, it’s a sociopath. Someone with no feelings is not normal. But that’s the only universally true thing I can say when it comes to that overused word. Fuck normal.”
Haven smiles as I point to the house I think is his, because she kept looking at it like a prisoner going to her cell.
She nods and we pull into the three-car driveway. I jump out and run around to open her door, taking her shaking hand.
“I’m a little nervous,” she admits, glancing to the door as it opens.
A grey-haired man in a blue button-up shirt and dark khakis stands waiting for us. He gives a wave that, to me, feels nervous, too. I wave back and she inhales as we walk to the house, hand-in-hand.
I let go of hers to shake his. “Mr. Horten. I’m Billy Cooper. Nice to meet you.”
The green eyes he passed down to her narrow, and his handshake is firm. “Nice to meet you, Billy.”
They stand awkwardly looking at each other, and it’s sad because I see the love there. They just don’t know how to communicate it.
“John?”
A woman appears far down the hallway behind him, her hair grey and styled short, eyes warm and searching. She’s dressed to match him in a blue dress, low heels clicking toward us.
He turns and stiffly says, “My daughter and her boyfriend are here, Hope.”
Haven and I exchange a look since we haven’t locked things down exclusively yet. I’m trying not to laugh at how horrified she is.
“Oh good! I’ve just finished the deviled eggs. Hello Haven.” Her eyebrows rise to learn my name.
“I’m Billy.” I shake her hand.
She smiles, “Hope,” and invites us into a beautiful home, and I’m pretty sure those paintings are real Picassos.
In the dining room is a long table with only four place settings stylishly displayed with a beautiful centerpiece of flowers, fall leaves and glittering pine cones.
Haven blinks at the table. “It’s just us?”
Her dad shoves his hands into his pockets. “We had dinner with our friends last night, and I thought it would be nice to make it just family tonight.”
Hope slides her arm around his back and gives him a warm kiss, then leaves for the kitchen. “I made the best pumpkin bread. I know it’s not a normal starter, but you have to try it!”
“So, how long have you two been dating?” Mr. Horten asks as she disappears.
“Not long, sir. But there’s something good here.”
“Don’t call me sir. Call me John.”
“Mr. Horten,” I offer.
He subtly laughs, a show of his appreciation. I’m telling him I want to earn the honor, that I respect him as a man because he’s Haven’s father. It also shows respect for her.
Don’t ask me where I learned that. It just feels right. The male moral code you can sense in your bones when you care. We often covet respect more than love, and most any guy will admit that.
Haven clears her throat. “Billy is the reason I left the paper, Dad. Tom told you about that.”
He looks at her. “I know who he is. I read your article.”
Her eyes widen, “You read it?”
“Of course I did.”
“How did you find it?”
“I have a Google alert set up for your name so I never miss anything you write.”
All the anxiety in her face evaporates, replaced by softness. “Oh, Dad, really?”
He stares at her, his features relaxing, too. “I was so proud when I read that article, Haven.”
“You were?”
“It was witty and brave and well written. I uh…” His gaze drops to the white carpet. “I was very impressed.”
She bursts forward and hugs him, squeezing her eyes as hard as she squeezes him. He laughs and pulls his hands free from his pockets to return the hug, whispering into her hair, “I love you, kid. I’m hard on you because I only want the best for you.”
Hope walks into the room with a tray of treats, her warm eyes lighting up. “Looks like I missed the best part of the night!”
They laugh and pull away, two people who I will learn still have a way to go to bridge their differences. But the rope barring their way got removed today. And I was here to witness it. I’m a pretty lucky guy.
CHAPTER 19
THANKSGIVING DAY - ONE YEAR LATER
HAVEN
P iedmont Park is made even more beautiful by the changing leaves of autumn. I love it when it’s green, sure, but give me golds, ambers and reds and I’m a happy woman.
It’s quiet since most people are getting ready for an early dinner. Billy asked if we could stop and take a walk, get some fresh air before my dad’s. He knows me well.
We’re dressed in coats and caps, the newly fallen leaves crunching under our boots as we head up a hill
