Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Cole
“ M om, you look great. I think city living agrees with you,” Willa said, smiling brightly.
We were FaceTiming with Willa’s parents, who were still in Portland so that Dr. Savard could work with rehabilitative specialists. Willa missed her parents and texted with them daily, but they had asked to see us tonight, so we’d made the time.
“The condo we’ve rented looks out over the ocean, and I’ve been taking long walks every day,” her mother said. “Your father says we should get a dog.”
Willa laughed. “Dad, you look amazing. And you barely even need your cane anymore. Maybe a dog is exactly what you need.”
“They’re working me to the bone over at the rehab hospital. It’s practically around the clock.” He chuckled. “I feel like I’m training for the goddamn Olympics.”
Susan elbowed him gently. “Don’t listen to him. He’s doing great. And sitting on the couch gets old after a while. It’s warmer here than in Lovewell, and we mostly get rain rather than snow because of the ocean.”
“Are you turning into a city girl now?”
She huffed a laugh. “Your father and I take walks and we go to little cafés. We’ve met up with a few friends who were in town, and next weekend, we’re taking a little road trip down to Boston. Six is playing there, and your dad bought me tickets as a surprise,” she gushed, her smile wide.
Roger beamed. “You know your mother loves the theater, and she’s been so wonderful, taking care of me, so I’m taking my girl out and doing it right.”
The two of them smiled at one another in a way that made my heart clench. They’d both had long, demanding careers, and even after decades of marriage and raising a child on top of it all, these two people still loved one another deeply. Willa was lucky to have had this example of what a loving, functional marriage could look like. My heart ached with the longing to experience that for myself.
They chatted for a few more minutes, Willa’s smile growing as she updated her parents on the town and my team’s recent victories. They were so supportive and interested in every detail of our lives.
“Willa, sweetheart, I love you to bits, but could I have a moment alone with my son-in-law?” Roger asked.
My stomach lurched when he called me his son-in-law. It felt like a huge responsibility, and he was the kind of man I’d never want to let down.
Willa blew him a kiss and headed off toward the bedroom.
“I wanted to check in with you and see how my Willa is really doing.”
“She’s doing great, sir,” I replied. “Working hard.”
“I hate that I had to leave her with the practice like this. I never intended to drop this kind of responsibility on her so early in her career, and I worry about her.”
“She’s doing an incredible job. There are good days and bad, and I know she’s looking to hire more help, but she cares so deeply for every single person in this town. She’s making it work.”
“Thank you for saying that.” He ran his hand through his gray hair. “I shouldn’t have given her all this responsibility so early. A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to sell the practice, but I turned it down. I wanted to save it for my Willa. But she’s young. You’re young.”
He shook his head, clearly getting emotional. “The two of you are so in love. You should be out experiencing the world together instead of being saddled with enormous responsibility in a small town that could never fulfill you.” He wiped a tear from his eye. “My daughter deserves the world.”
“I agree.” I couldn’t say it out loud yet, but I intended to give it to her. I had a lot of work to do and a lot of things to learn along the way, but she made me want things I had never allowed myself to even consider having before.
“I didn’t do all the things I should have done, and I wasn’t the man I could have been. And that’s because I gave every part of myself to my job. I don’t want that for my little girl. I want her to have a full life with a family and a partner. I want her to travel and spend time with friends. Find hobbies and prioritize her health.”
“She will,” I assured him. “If there’s anyone who can do it all, it’s Willa. And I’m right here to support her. We exercise together, and I make sure she gets enough rest. We go out and see friends. I swear to you,I will do everything in my power to keep her healthy and happy every day of my life.”
He cleared his throat, choked up. “Thank you, son,” he rasped. “You have given us such a gift. Please take care of my girl.”
“She’s our girl now,” I said. “And I will take excellent care of her.”