Page 98 of Worth Loving
“Of course not. I wouldn’t even let you. Go and do what you need to.”
“I’ve never been away from him for twenty-four hours before.”
He didn’t like the way it was making him feel either.
“He’ll be fine. And he’ll be so excited when you come back. I’ll make plans with him for the time you’re away.”
“Thanks.” He jogged to the front of the house and up the stairs where Jonah was coloring.
“Can I come down now?”
“I’m sorry. Sometimes it’s just easier to talk without you interrupting. Daddy has to go away for a few days.”
“Where are we going?”
He groaned. “Just me. I need to go see my family in New York City. My grandfather is sick and he’s asking to see me.”
“Who’s that?”
He ground his teeth. “You’ve never met him. He’s older and had a heart attack. He’s sick. But it’s best if I go alone. I won’t be long. I promise. Carly is going to have some fun things planned.”
“How about Molly? Is she going with you?”
“No. She’s got to work. I’m going alone.”
“You’ll call me when you’re gone?”
“I will. I’m not leaving until tomorrow. I’ll see you tonight and tomorrow. I promise.”
He lifted his hand and let Jonah slap it. “Bye, Dad.”
“Bye, bud.”
He returned to his car and drove out, but knew he had to tell Molly something too.
He sent her a text to see if she could call when she had a minute.
The phone rang almost immediately. “That was fast,” he said.
“I figured it had to be important.”
“It is. I need to go to New York City tomorrow. I’m not sure how long I’ll be there.”
“Is everything okay with your family?”
“No. My mother called. My grandfather had a heart attack and is having open heart surgery on Friday morning. He’s asking to see me before then.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Dean. Do you want me to go with you?”
He never expected that. “No, I’m good. I appreciate the offer though.”
“If you want, I can. I don’t have to meet your family or anything if you don’t want me to. I know it’s kind of early for that, but I just wanted to be there for you.”
Because as close as they’d gotten, he still hadn’t met Erika or seen Ruby again.
It’s like they were both moving slow even if his heart was at the finish line.
“Thanks. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. But I’m good. Carly is going to stay with Jonah. He’d only get in the way.”
