The Best Is Yet to Come (71)

“That’s new,” Cade whispered, as his father headed back into the other room.

“What is?”

“My father lifting a hand to help Mom with dinner. It appears things have changed in the last six years.”



* * *



—

The meal was delicious, and as it progressed the tension left the room. Conversation flowed freely with a lot of discussion revolving around the recent events in Oceanside. Neither man spoke of the past. What amazed Hope was how Cade and his father pretended this split in their relationship had never happened. Perhaps it was easier that way. The closest it came to being the least bit uncomfortable was when the subject of Cade’s job arose.

“I understand from your mother you work at a tire store as a mechanic. Is that right?” his father commented, and although it sounded casual, Hope knew it wasn’t an idle question.

“I do,” Cade said, without elaboration.

“And you enjoy that work?”

“Very much.”

It seemed everyone at the table held their breath for his father’s reaction. They didn’t need to wait long.

“You always were good with your hands. Even as a kid you enjoyed taking things apart. Cars these days are complicated machines. It takes someone who knows what they’re doing to figure out their inner workings.”



* * *



—

After dessert was served and enjoyed—lemon meringue pie, another of Cade’s favorites—he made their excuses. They had a two-hour drive to Oceanside ahead of them. After words of appreciation from Cade and Hope, both parents walked them to the front door.

“It was good to see you, son,” John said.

“You too, Dad.”

His mother hugged them both. With the rain coming down hard, Cade placed his hand at the small of Hope’s back as they raced toward his truck.

Once out of the weather, Cade reached for Hope. He placed his hand around the back of her neck and dragged her mouth to his for a lengthy kiss. She was breathless when he released her, blinking several times at the passion behind the unexpected kiss.

“What was that about?” she asked, her hand over the rapid beat of her heart.

“A thank-you for coming with me today. For sharing your heart with me. For helping me to bridge the gap between my parents and me. In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m in love with you, Hope.”

Smiling, she leaned her head against his shoulder. “I sorta figured. Guess you know I feel the same way about you.”

“Yup,” he said, and started the engine. He put the car in reverse, ready to back out of the long driveway when Hope placed her hand on his forearm, stopping him.

Cade reverted his attention to her. “Treasure your family, Cade.”

Her words deeply touched him, seeing Hope had none of her own. “I do,” he assured her.

Her smile was wide as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready,” she told him.

They were headed home.





Chapter 26




As much as he’d first hated the thought of counseling and group therapy, Cade had come to look forward to his weekly sessions with Harry. The man was wise beyond his years.

Cade had come a long way from the angry, bitter man who’d stood before Judge Walters. He never would have believed serving his community with the court-ordered hours would have such a profound effect upon his life. Meeting Hope had changed everything for him. She was his light. His hope. Watching her patience and care for Shadow changed him. When he’d left the courtroom to do the community service hours required by the judge, his head had been messed up. He found it hard to believe that anyone really cared. Not for returning veterans, or for discarded animals. From the moment he’d met Hope, he’d been drawn to her. The attraction had gotten stronger, week by week, until she was all he thought about. Meeting with Harry and the others had helped him see he had the will and the power to move beyond the pain and loss of Jeremy and Luke, and the war in general. Hope gave him the incentive to be more, to work hard, to let go of the mental and physical agonies of war—to be the man she deserved. As was his practice, Harry waited for Cade to start the conversation. Eager to talk, Cade leaned forward. “The dinner with my parents went far better than I hoped.”

“Wonderful, Cade. I felt that it would.” These weren’t words of platitude. Harry had never been one to speak anything but truth, whether Cade wanted to hear it or not. What Cade found amazing was how little Harry talked during their sessions. He let Cade find the truth with a few leading questions that subtly pointed him to the answers he needed.

“Dad didn’t bring up our fight all those years ago, and I didn’t, either.” Cade had been prepared if his father had been determined to dig up the past. The bitterness between them could explode with only a few misspoken words. Cade had decided he would politely listen, more for Hope’s sake than for his own, apologize if that was what was needed, and ask if they could find a way to forgive each other. He had everything he’d planned to say prepared in his mind.

Yet neither of them said a word about that horrible day when Cade had walked away from his family. Not a single word.

A smile teased the edges of Harry’s mouth.