When the Heart Falls(88)

Not housekeeping.

“Dad? Mom? What are you doing here?”

Winter comes out of the bathroom and stands by my side, her hand in mine, offering me whatever support I need.

My mom has an uncertain smile on her face, but it’s my dad who speaks. “May we come in, son? There’s something I need to tell you.”

Pulse racing, I open the door and step back. “We’re going to be late to an important event, so I don’t have much time.”

“This won’t take long,” he says.

Winter holds out her hand. “I’m Winter Deveaux. You should be very proud of your son. He’s an accomplished architecture student about to find out if he won a prestigious award. This is a big night for him.”

I smile at my girlfriend’s veiled threat to my parents and love her all the more for it.

My mother grips her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. You’re even lovelier than your picture.”

Her words suck the breath out of me, because the only picture they’ve seen of Winter is the one I left on Stevie’s grave. The one he was looking at when he died.

My dad clears his throat. “That’s why we’re here. Your mom told me about your award, and I needed…” he stutters, stops and then regroups. “Son, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for my anger, for controlling you and your brothers, for causing their pain and, in some ways, their deaths. I’m sorry for pushing you away and cutting you off, and I need you to know, I’m proud of you. I always have been. I was jealous that you had the strength to follow your dreams when I never did, and I took that out on you, because I was weak. Because I never stood up to my father the way you did. But I’m glad you did, and I’m proud of the man you’ve become.”

Something cracks open inside of me, and I hug my father. I’d forgiven him after Stevie died, but the pain of our past never left me, until tonight.

There are tears in both of our eyes when he pulls away. “I sold the business, got a pretty penny for it too.”

This shocks me even more than his apology. “What are you going to do now?”

He puts an arm around my mother in a gesture I haven’t seen since I was a kid. “First, I’m taking your mother on a world tour. She’s always wanted to travel but I’ve never had time. Then, we’ll figure out what the next chapter in our life will hold. I never even thought about anything but what your grandfather wanted me to do. I have a lot to learn about myself, and now, plenty of time to learn it.”

“That’s great, Dad. I’m really happy for you both.”

He reaches in to his pocket and pulls out a checkbook. “There’s one more thing. You worked on that ranch most of your life. You deserve a percentage of the profits. I can’t do anything about your trust from your grandfather, you’ll still have to wait until you're 25 for that, but here’s your share of the business.” He tears a check out and hands it to me.

My eyes widen at the number of zeros. “Dad, you don’t have to do this. Winter and I are doing fine.”

He shakes his head. “It’s not a favor, or a gift, it’s payment owed for work you did. Take it and build your dream home for you and your family, invest some, pay for school, do whatever you want. It’s yours.”

Winter tugs at my sleeve and points to the clock.

“Dad, Mom, I’m so happy to see you, but we’re late. Would you like to join us for the ceremony?”

Dad smiles. “Nothing would make me prouder.”



The ceremony is long and boring and takes forever. My nerves are on edge as they award the runner-ups. My name is not called.

And then the woman on stage holds up an envelope and makes a big show of tearing it open. “And announcing this year’s winner. This young entrant shows great promise as an architect and will have an opportunity to work with the best in the field. Cade Savage, please come to the stage to accept your award, and welcome to the team!”



It’s an emotional night with so many highs that I’m worn out when we get back to our hotel. I’m holding my award, thinking of what it took to get here, when Winter wraps her arms around me. "Your brothers would be proud of you. Not just for tonight, but for how you've changed your family forever."

I put the award down and hug her, enjoying the feel of our bodies pressed together. "I wish they could have been here. I wish they could have had the father they deserved."

"They had you, just like our children will. And their lives served a purpose. They helped break the cycle of abuse in your family. Now, you are all free."

I kiss her then, grateful that I'm with this remarkable woman. "I have something for you.” I reach into my bag and bring out a tube with a red bow on it, handing it to her.

“What’s this?”

“Just open it.”

She pops the top off and pulls out the blueprint inside, spreading it on the coffee table. I can see the moment it registers and her eyes light up. “It’s the design for a house. It’s… incredible!”

“Our house, if you want it.” I open a black velvet box that’s been burning a hole in my pants all night and drop to one knee. “Winter Deveaux, will you do me the great honor of being my wife? I want to build you this house and raise our family in it.”