Page 107 of The Write Track
“You do?” I was still shocked that this man was the same father I’d grown up with.
“Don’t act so surprised. That’s one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. I want to get to know you as an adult. I’ve been lax in that department, and it’s going to change.” There was no give to his tone.
“I would really like that, although I don’t know if you’re going to like Savannah.”
He merely shrugged. “You’re here. It will be fine.” He leaned back in his chair. “Now, tell me what sort of trouble you’re in, and don’t leave anything out. I can’t help until I know exactly what we’re up against.”
“It’s a long story, and it involves the worst man in the world.”
Dad didn’t look daunted. “I’m sure I’ve dealt with worse people.”
“I don’t know. This guy… he’s psychopathic or something.”
“Just tell me. I’m sure we can figure it out.”
“We’re going to have to do it fast. Whatever Preston has planned, he’ll do it in the next few days. Monday, we pack up and head home.”
“And then you’ll have to say goodbye to your little love nest,” Dad mused. “Does that make you sad?”
“Yes and no. The cabin isn’t great, and as much fun as we’ve had, there’s plenty more fun to have away from this place. It’s just that we’ve built our entire relationship in a bubble. What happens when that bubble bursts?”
“Your world gets bigger.”
His answer was simple, yet it threw me. “Do you really think it’s going to be that easy?”
“Yup. You’re clearly smitten. You wouldn’t fall for anybody who doesn’t deserve it. If she’s like your mother, then you’re going to be happy forever.”
I swallowed around the sudden lump in my throat. “That’s a weird word. Smitten.”
“Is it the wrong word?”
“No.”
“Then tell me what you’re up against, and we’ll fix it. Whatever this is, we won’t be the ones losing. I guarantee it.”
And just like that, I had the father I’d always wanted. Sure, there would be some bumps along the way—it would be impossible for there not to be—but I was looking forward to yet another journey.
“Okay, but brace yourself. This is the worst story you’ve ever heard.”
“Then I definitely want to hear it.”
28
TWENTY-EIGHT
Ihad no idea what Nathan and his father had talked about for an hour. I just knew that Nathan seemed like a new, much happier man when he emerged. I was tentative when stepping forward—Nathan had told me stories about Andrew Cooper—but I’d been met with a hearty embrace and a warm smile.
Nathan would tell me what they’d talked about eventually. It would probably take an entire night to get the story out. I was looking forward to it. For now, all that mattered was that his father had a plan… and it involved him leaving the campground for several hours.
“I don’t understand,” I said as I stood shoulder to shoulder with Nathan and waved Andrew off. “What are we doing here?”
“I honestly don’t know. He said to leave it to him. He didn’t even give me a dirty look when I told him we started out fake dating. I figured he would find that juvenile.”
“It was juvenile.”
He laughed and slung an arm around my shoulders. “I’ll never be sorry for it.”
“You won’t?”
