Slade glances at me. He’d told me the same thing. With a mischievous grin on his face, he says, “She makes me eat my vegetables just like Mom used to, too.”
His dad chuckles, and I wonder when the last time they talked about Juliet was. “God bless her, your mother was a terrible cook. For Finn’s and your sake, I hope Paige isn’t like her in that way.”
“I’m a good cook,” I say, moving to Slade’s side. “Maybe you could see for yourself sometime. Come over for dinner.”
Both of them look at me like I’ve grown an extra head. Perhaps it’s stupid of me to try to help mend this relationship. But I see potential here, potential I’ll never have in my own life. I don’t even know who my father is, so I hate to see others throw away what so many of us would kill to have.
“She backed us into a corner with that one. Didn’t she?” his dad says, looking at him.
“She has a tendency to do that,” Slade says.
“I do not,” I protest, but neither one of them is paying attention, each waiting for the other one to make the first move.
“You let me know if or when you ever want that to happen,” Lyle says to his son. “And I’ll be there.”
Slade gives him a nod, the ball fully in his court. I have a feeling it’s been there for a long time, but he’s just never picked it up. Lyle reaches out, giving my hand a brief squeeze. “Thanks for inviting me in,” he says, and I know he’s talking about more than me inviting him into the house. He’s referring to my invitation to include him in our lives.
When the door closes behind him, I make a break for the upstairs, suspecting Slade is not going to be happy I let his father in. Slade stops my escape, taking hold of my waist. “What the hell was that? You and my dad are best friends now? Did you forget how you met?”
Pulling away, I say, “No, I didn’t forget. Not that you’d let me.”
“Am I just supposed to forget about the fact that my father wanted to bang the woman I’m with?”
“If he and I can move past that, then you should, too. He obviously doesn’t think about me that way anymore.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes, I am.” We stand there staring at each other for a few moments, neither one of us willing to give an inch. “Both of us know this isn’t about me,” I say, breaking the standoff.
“He can’t just make a phone call to help Finn one time and . . .”
“You’re right,” I say. “That doesn’t make up for years of shit.”
“You’re crazy if you think he’s going to be some sort of grandfather to Finn. Can you really see that man on the floor playing trucks with Finn?”
I shrug. “Yeah, I kind of can.”
“I know you grew up without much of a family and are probably starving for some sort of fairy tale family life, but . . .”
“How can you say something like that to me?” I say, stepping away from him. “This doesn’t have anything to do with me. Maybe I overstepped with the dinner invitation, but I wanted you to know that I don’t want to be the reason you two don’t work things out. That’s all.”
He hangs his head, making him look so young. He reaches out for me. “I’m sorry, baby. That was a terrible thing for me to say.”
Moving toward him, I lightly touch his cheek, knowing he’s tired from last night, and dealing with his father is never easy on him. It brings up a lot of bad crap. “He seems lonely.” Slade leans his forehead on mine. “Think about the way he lives his life. How lonely that must be? And not to have any relationship with his son on top of that.”
He pulls back slightly, looking into my eyes. “That would be like if, in thirty years, Finn doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
I nod, but all I can think about is how I hope Slade’s still talking to me in thirty years, how I hope we’re all still a family.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
SLADE
Finn in his stroller, I push him through the streets of Nashville. It’s hot as hell today. I hope Clay and the rest of the stable crew are keeping the horses hydrated. It’s a miracle the stable stood up to that storm. The horses were spooked for a few days, but I’ve been told they’ve settled down nicely. Construction has already started on the house, and I only hope we can be in before Finn’s birthday.
Since it’s technically a workday, I should still be at the office, but I’m the boss, so I do what I want. Besides, with the golf course opening behind me, things have settled down a little. Of course, there are always other projects, but I’ve worked hard to build my business, so I can afford days like this. And it’s going to be a big day.
I used to be the master of my own universe, but now the master is this little guy and his mommy. It’s amazing how quickly life changes. My life used to be ruled by work, women, and whatever the hell else I wanted. Now it’s ruled by nap schedules, diaper changes, and whatever the hell Paige wants. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Since Paige is occupied for the afternoon, I decide to take advantage of her absence. Babysitting so she could visit Catrine was the perfect cover. Finn and I have a special outing planned. I know Paige said it was too soon, but I’m not a man who takes no easily. The next time I pop the question, I’m going to be ready, and that means I’m coming armed with a ring.
It can’t just be any ring either. It has to be special and one of a kind, so I’m taking Finn to a local jewelry designer. She only works by appointment. And you better know someone if you want an appointment. You can’t just walk in.
Two armed guards wait at the entrance. Once I give my name, I’m allowed to enter. I push Finn inside. The place isn’t large. The lights are turned down low except for the spotlights on the jewelry cases that line the walls.
A table in the center is covered in black velvet and has a seat on each side. That’s it. The diamonds and gemstones are the focus of this place. Each wall is lined with cases, set against black velvet again, and the light makes everything glisten. Some bigger pieces rotate on a pedestal while others are set in their own private cases.
“Mr. Turner.” A voice greets me, coming through a door in the corner I hadn’t noticed. “Josephine,” she says, extending her hand. She’s a slight woman, very petite with dark features, and probably in her late forties.
I shake her hand, and she bends down to shake Finn’s, too. “This is Finn. We’re shopping for his mother, Paige,” I say.
“Engagement ring,” she says, and I remember telling them that when I made the appointment.
Taking Finn from his stroller, I hold him on my hip. He immediately starts playing with the stubble on my face.
“What do you have in mind?” she asks, leading me over to a case on the wall. “Size, shape, color?”
“I don’t know,” I say, my eyes scanning the sea of jewels. “I just thought I’d know it when I saw it. Kind of like the woman. I knew she was special the instant I saw her.”
“Take your time,” she says. “Think of Paige.”
That’s easy to do. She’s a constant in my mind, my heart, my soul. All the space that used to be filled up by work or other things has become occupied by Paige. She’s taken up permanent residence in my heart. Whispering to Finn, I say, “What would Mommy like?”