The Father He Deserves

by Lisa Jordan

  Being in Evan’s arms felt so good and so right. Life had been a difficult teacher, proving nothing lasted forever. But, oh, how she wanted to lean into Evan’s words and believe them to be true.

  What if she did all of that and still ended up with a broken heart? Then what? She wouldn’t have anywhere else to turn.

  Was she willing to risk it?

  Chapter Eleven

  The last thing he wanted to do was to scare his son, but somehow Evan needed to get Aidan to trust him, to understand he was there to help and to protect him.

  But he got it.

  He did.

  He remembered having similar fears when he was his son’s age. The way that fear bubbled up and wrapped around him.

  When Tucker and Isabella invited Aidan to go swimming with them, Nat had reservations until Evan suggested they go, too. Not that he wanted to invite himself...but like Aidan, his mother needed to trust.

  Spending the afternoon at the lake had seemed like a great idea until he suggested it to Nat and Aidan. How could the son of a state swimming champion and grandson of an award-winning swim coach hate the water?

  He glanced at the beach where Natalie had spread out a striped quilt. Daisy was curled up under a pop-up shade canopy on the blanket while Nat and Isabella sat in the sand helping Livie make a sandcastle. Landon romped in the water with Tucker.

  With Nat’s hair piled on top in a messy bun and her wearing a pink-and-white polka-dot cover-up over her matching one-piece swimsuit, Evan struggled to keep his attention on his son.

  Clusters of pines, oaks and maples guarded the perimeter of the denim-blue lake. Across the water, a couple of paddlers launched orange and blue kayaks into the water.

  Evan turned away and swallowed the sigh building his chest. Midafternoon sun beat down on his back as he stood in the waist-deep water with River and Toby paddling beside him. “Come on, Aidan. The water’s great, and I won’t let go of you, I promise.”

  With the afternoon breeze whisking the water off his bare skin, Evan moved to the edge of the dock and rested an arm on the gray, weather-beaten wood. He reached out to touch the little boy sitting on the middle of the dock with his knees pulled to his chest and his thin arms wrapped around his skinny legs. Aidan buried his face in his knees and shook his head from side to side.

  Evan pulled himself out of the water, wincing at the strain on his shoulder. Man, he was getting soft without the daily paddling.

  River and Toby jumped onto the dock beside him, shook their coats free of water, then sprawled on the sun-warmed wood.

  He tucked a finger under Aidan’s chin and lifted his face so Evan could see his eyes. “When I was your age, I was afraid of the water, too.”

  Aidan eyed him. “You were?”

  Evan nodded. “My mom took us to the pool, and it looked so big. Kids were running everywhere, and for a little skinny kid, it was overwhelming. I was too afraid to try.”

  “What happened?”

  “Mom signed me up for swim lessons with this very nice man named Ted Bishop.”

  “Hey, that’s my grandpa’s name.”

  “It sure is. Coach taught me how to swim. Now I love the water. If I get in over my head, I know how to handle myself.”

  A sudden image of being trapped under his kayak surfaced in his head. His skin grew cold, and a familiar pressure mounted in his chest. Closing his eyes a moment, he breathed in a lungful of air.

  He was safe.

  He blew out the air through his nose.

  He was free.

  River rested his head on Evan’s thigh, warming his skin. Evan placed his hand on the dog’s neck and soaked in his calming presence.

  “I’m not strong and brave like you.”

  His son’s tiny voice sent a surge of warmth through Evan’s chest at the same moment it pinched his heart.

  “Remember what I said before—strength and bravery come from within. You think superheroes are born brave?”

  Aidan shrugged.

  “Nope. They learned how to overcome difficult circumstances. Their bravery comes from here—” Evan tapped Aidan’s head “—not here.” He tapped his son’s small biceps. “Believe in yourself, and you can do anything.”

  Evan caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned to see a couple walking their dog. Spying them, the dog barked and tugged on its leash.

  Beside him, River’s ears perked, but he didn’t move his head off Evan’s leg. Toby stilled, his ears on alert. “Toby, stay.”

  The dog remained where he was. “Good boy.” Evan patted his neck and turned back to Aidan. “So, want to get your brave on? I won’t let go. I’ll keep you safe.”

  Aidan relaxed his hold on his knees. “You promise?”

  Evan put his hand to his chest. “I promise.”

  Standing, Evan extended a hand to Aidan. “I promise not to let go, so now it’s up to you to trust me.”

  “What’s trust mean?”

  “It means you believe my words are true.”

  Aidan looked at him a moment, then gazed at the lake. He scrambled to his feet the same time a loud woof echoed across the water.

  Evan turned to shield Aidan. But instead of protecting his son, the turn of his hip grazed the child’s side. Before Aidan could catch his balance, he landed in the water with a loud splash. “Dad!”

  Heart thundering in his ears, Evan jumped into the lake and reached for Aidan. But he disappeared under the water.

  “Aidan!”

  Evan dived at him, caught the kid around the waist and hauled him to his chest.

  Coughing and sputtering and crying, Aidan clung to Evan’s left arm. Heat seared the joint but Evan tried to ignore it. “Hey, I’m right here.”

  “You pushed me!”

  “I’m sorry, buddy. It was an accident.”

  “You broke your promise.”

  The four words were coughed out between chattering teeth, and his son’s righteous anger clawed at Evan. Yes, technically, he did, but it wasn’t done purposely, something his son wouldn’t understand. At that moment, Aidan saw his own suffering and the feeling of being let down.

  Oh, how Evan understood that.

  Wasn’t that how he’d been feeling toward God?

  Evan wrapped his arms around his son. “I’m right here.”

  “I was scared.” Aidan fisted a hand and slugged Evan in the chest. “I couldn’t see you. I thought you were gone.”

  “I know, but I was there the whole time. I will never leave you.” As the sound of his own words washed over him, a lump formed in Evan’s throat.

  “Aidan!” Natalie sprinted down the dock, her bare feet thundering against the wood. Reaching them, she knelt on the edge of the dock and flung an arm out to them. “Give him to me.”

  Evan tightened his left arm around Aidan, who had his arms wrapped around Evan’s neck, and paddled to the dock with his right arm. “He’s fine, Nat. Just a little shaken.”

  As soon as Aidan touched Natalie’s fingers, she pulled him out of the water and crushed him to her chest.

  Evan hauled himself out of the water once again and placed a hand on Nat’s shoulder. “Like I said, he’s fine.”

  “This time.”

  “Next time he falls into the water he needs to know how to handle himself.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “He needs to take swimming lessons so he doesn’t panic. Honestly, I’m surprised Coach hasn’t started him yet.”

  “I’m his mother. I’ll decide when he’s ready for lessons.”

  “The earlier he starts, the easier it is. He doesn’t want to be the only twelve-year-old in the tadpole class. I can teach him right here. Or even at the pool if that will make you feel more comfortable.”

  “You have no right to int
erfere.”

  “I’m his father—that gives me just as much right as you. We need to make decisions together that benefit Aidan, not encase him in a bubble.”

  “I’m protecting him.”

  “From what?”

  “Getting hurt.”

  “Nat, pain is a great teacher.”

  “You don’t need to tell me. I think we’ve had enough beach time for one day.”

  “Come on...”

  She sighed. “I don’t want to fight. Especially not here and not in front of Aidan.”

  With Aidan still in her arms, Natalie headed down the dock. At the blanket, she talked to Isabella, then started gathering their towels.

  Exhaling loudly, Evan pulled himself out of the water and called the dogs. He trudged down the dock, the boards creaking beneath his feet.

  One step forward, two steps back.

  At some point, it had to get easier, right?

  If not, then he had a long road ahead helping his son face his fears without his mother coddling him.

  * * *

  Evan was right.

  And Natalie really hated admitting that.

  Why did she react so badly around him?

  Aidan needed to learn to swim, and she had to stop her own fears from holding him back.

  As she peered through the narrow rectangular window in the door that led into the pool, Natalie couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face as Aidan scrambled out of the water again and again to jump into Evan’s open arms.

  Each time Aidan did it, Evan praised him with as much enthusiasm as if it were the first time.

  Yes, she really needed to let go because Evan was a great dad. She had been so wrong to deprive him of his son.

  “He’s doing a great job.”

  Natalie turned to find her father dressed in track pants and a light blue polo shirt with the activity center’s logo embroidered on the left breast pocket. “Dad, what are you doing here, and why are you dressed for work?”

  He shot her a very familiar grin. “Doc cleared me to go back to work. Part-time for now, but I can come in three days a week. Once swim season rolls around, I’ll be as good as new.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What does Mom say?”

  Still smiling, he nodded. “We both think it’s a good idea.” He reached for her elbow and gave it a little tug. “Let’s go outside and walk the track. I want to talk to you about something.”

  Natalie looked at her father, then cast a glance back through the pool door window just as Aidan popped up out of the water with the same excited expression he’d been wearing since Evan had coaxed him into the pool.

  She longed to be in there with them, but she didn’t want to interfere with Evan teaching their son how to swim.

  “Natalie?”

  She turned away from the window, then tightened her hold on Daisy’s leash. “Coming. Daisy will enjoy the walk.”

  Hearing the W word, Daisy’s ears perked. She started running ahead and pulling on the leash until Natalie stood still. When Daisy stopped tugging and waited, Natalie rewarded her with a treat and a head pat. “Good girl, Daisy. Let’s walk.”

  Her father held the door as Natalie left the air-conditioned building and was smacked in the face by the midafternoon muggy August humidity. She moved her sunglasses off the top of her head and settled them on her face.

  They strode down the sidewalk and pushed through the unlocked turnstile to the entrance of the field.

  A couple of teenagers dressed in T-shirts and nylon running shorts ran past. They lifted a hand. “Hey, Coach.”

  He waved back. “Keep up the good work, guys.”

  She and her father fell in step while Daisy stayed by her side. “What did you want to talk about, Dad?”

  “After the doctor cleared me to return to work, your mom and I went to lunch. We had a talk that was long overdue. As I mentioned the other day, my heart attack was a wake-up call for both of us. We’re working too hard and pushing ourselves too much. It’s time to slow down and enjoy more out of life than working long hours and coming home exhausted.”

  “Is Mom okay? She would have told me if she was sick, right?” Tightening her grip on Daisy’s leash, Natalie’s heart raced as she tried to recall her conversation with her mother before taking Aidan to meet Evan at the pool. She appeared to be in good health. If she lost her, what would she do?

  Her father pressed a hand on Natalie’s arm. “Stop. I can only imagine what you’re thinking. Your mother is just fine.”

  Heat crawled across her cheeks. “Why do I always dive off into the deep end with my ridiculous thoughts?”

  “They’re not ridiculous. You just need to filter them so they offer truth and don’t send you in a downward spiral. Anyway, your mom and I have looked at our schedules, and while we love what we do, we want to spend less time working and more time together.”

  “Are you talking retirement? Mom’s only in her early fifties.”

  “Eventually, yes, but for now, we’re going to cut our hours. Your mom cut back her hours at the clinic after my heart attack. Willow’s been doing such a spectacular job that Mary’s going to continue working those same hours. She’s already talked to Willow about making her a partner instead of an associate.”

  “Willow won’t let her down.” Somehow Natalie couldn’t picture her mother being content sitting at home while someone else ran her clinic, but she knew Willow would step up and do her mother proud.

  “Definitely not. The doctor cleared me for coaching for three days a week, and when I’m able, I’ll return to full-time through this year’s swim season. Then I’m going to retire. Until you came home, we didn’t think it was possible to take a step back from what we love. With the way you’ve been managing the kennel and even increased business, you’ve shown me it’s time. I’d like to turn the business over to you, Natalie. It would give you the necessary place to expand and to grow your dog training.”

  “Dad, I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything now. Think about it. Pray about it. Although I love working with the animals, my heart lies with coaching. I want to give them the best I have to offer before I retire.”

  “You’ve built the kennel business from the ground up. Do you really want to give that up? And what about coaching—who will take over?”

  “I’ve given the board my coaching recommendation. I’m sure you’d agree with my choice. And don’t you worry, Punky, I’ll still be hanging around lending a hand with the kennel. But you’ve flourished over the past couple of months, and I’d really like to see what you can do. You can reestablish roots in Shelby Lake and be closer to those who love you.”

  Roots.

  A secure home.

  It was an answer to prayer.

  The image of Evan’s RV flashed into her thoughts.

  Was she willing to put down roots in Shelby Lake if he wasn’t sticking around? Or would she somehow be able to fight past her fears to have everything she’d always wanted—a secure home with the man she loved and the family they raised together? Even if it meant leaving Shelby Lake?

  Chapter Twelve

  More than anything, Evan wanted to say yes to the endorsement deal he’d been offered.

  It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Not to mention the money he could put away for Aidan’s future. But while his heart jumped to respond, his mouth had been slow to speak.

  With the promise of giving an answer by the end of the week, Evan ended the call with his sports agent and cradled his head in his hands.

  For the first time in his life, he had more than himself to consider. He had to think about how taking the endorsement opportunity would affect Aidan.

  And Natalie.

  How was he going to tell Natalie without her freaking out?

  Lord
, direct my steps. Show me the way You want me to go.

  A glance at his watch showed he was going to be late picking up Natalie and Aidan.

  To promote more family-friendly togetherness, Evan’s church had put together a community event—Food and Flix. Families were asked to bring chairs and blankets, and picnics to eat together. Then afterward, the church staff planned to have games and prizes. Once it grew darker, they were showing a family-friendly film on a makeshift outdoor screen and passing out popcorn.

  When he’d pitched the idea to Natalie and invited her and Aidan to go, she had surprised him by saying yes.

  Maybe he could find time to talk to her about the phone call he’d received.

  If she said yes, then he’d be golden—not to mention having more money to put toward his house and maybe a little to tuck away for the future—their future.

  Somehow he had to get her to say yes.

  Less than twenty minutes later, he pulled into the Bishops’ driveway behind Dr. Mary’s parked sedan with the trunk open.

  Coach came out the side door carrying a wicker picnic basket. Seeing Evan, he lifted a hand and stowed the basket in the trunk.

  After cutting the engine, Evan pocketed his keys, hopped out and unhooked Toby from the back seat. Toby jumped down and stayed by Evan’s side. “Hey, Coach. How’s it goin’?”

  “No complaints.” He glanced at Evan and Toby, then back at Evan’s truck. “No River?”

  “Nah. Not tonight. He’s hanging out on the farm. With Nat, Aidan and two dogs, I didn’t have enough seat belts for all of us. Looks like I’m going to need a bigger vehicle to haul us around. Animals need to be secured, so if I’m going to continue with the fostering program, we’ll need more room.”

  “Sounds like you’re planning to stick around.”

  “We’ll see what happens.”

  “You’ll be okay without River?”

  “I think so. The nightmares are lessening.”

  Smiling wide, Coach clapped him on the shoulder. “Glad to hear it.”

  The side door swung open and Aidan raced out, flinging his arms around Evan’s legs. “Dad, Mom’s being mean.”