27. Clint
27
CLINT
A fter getting out of his wet clothes and into a clean T-shirt and lounge pants, Clint stepped out of the bathroom to the welcoming smell of hot chocolate. It was Nora’s favorite, and at a time like this, she needed all the comforts she could get.
Clint planned to be one of those comforts. Her mom’s surprise call had really done a number on her, and he’d do anything to ease her mind.
Leaving his boot to dry by the fireplace, he made his way into the kitchen where Nora was warming milk in a saucepan on the stove. She’d settle for instant hot chocolate if necessary, but she loved the rich homemade version much better.
He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Breathing in the warm chocolate, he pressed a kiss to her temple. “Smells amazing. ”
“Sorry we haven’t gotten around to watching the movie tonight,” she said as she turned to face him. She slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. “Thanks for letting me cry.”
“Anytime,” he whispered as he leaned in and stole a quick kiss. He’d never get tired of kissing her, and it was his goal to make sure she always had his shoulder to cry on when things got tough. She fit against him like they were two pieces of a puzzle, and his arms wrapped perfectly around her.
She sighed and let her arms drop. “What am I going to do about my mom?”
“Well, you don’t have to do anything unless you want to. You told her you didn’t want to meet up with her.”
“I know, but now that I’m not as angry and worked up, I’m second-guessing it. I wasn’t very nice on the call.”
“No, but she called after over ten years and acted like nothing happened. Who does that?”
“You’re right.”
Clint cupped her face in his hands and tilted her head up to him. “But you’re right too. You’re not a mean person, and the right thing to do is forgive her.”
“Like God forgives us,” she added. “I guess I haven’t thought about forgiving her since she wasn’t around to forgive. How do you forgive someone who hasn’t technically apologized yet? ”
Clint shrugged. “I can’t answer that, but I know you’ll find a way. Whether you let her back into your life or not, I think you’ll figure out how to make peace with her leaving.”
Nora huffed. “You think mighty highly of me. I just hung up on the woman less than an hour ago.”
“Yeah, but phone calls go both ways. If you change your mind and want to meet her, you can always call back.”
She nodded. “Thanks for talking me off the ledge.”
Clint stepped around her and took over stirring the hot chocolate. “I think this is ready. Where’s your cup?”
She handed over one of the mugs he always kept in the cupboard for her. “Make it a double.”
Clint moved the saucepan over the sink and poured the hot chocolate into the cup. “My woman gets what she wants.”
Nora took the mug and cradled it in both her hands. “I can’t believe Dad isn’t back yet.”
“He hangs out at my parents’ house late sometimes.”
“I know. And I can’t decide if it’s because he enjoys the company or if he’s avoiding me.”
“Are things still tense?” Clint asked. He hadn’t thought much about Hank staying away from the cabin, but maybe he didn’t know what to say to Nora.
“Yeah. I haven’t been very nice to him since you paid off his debts. I guess that’s another person I need to forgive.”
“Your dad’s a good man, but he does have flaws just like all of us. Unfortunately, his mistakes have caused you a lot of hurt.”
“Cost me my home,” Nora whispered. “I love him. I do. I just don’t know how to feel.”
Clint jerked his head toward the living room. “I’ll stay with you until he gets here.”
“Should I tell him?” Nora asked as she settled in on the couch.
Clint scooted close, careful not to bump her mug. “About your mom?”
“Yeah. Why didn’t she call him? Does she want to see him too? How did she get my number? I definitely didn’t ask enough questions.”
“I don’t think you asked any. You were kind of in shock.”
Nora sipped the warm drink and rested her head on Clint’s shoulder. “Thanks for being here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The truth of that statement hit him in the gut. Life was full of ups and downs, and Nora had always been there for him too. She’d taken care of him during his injury. He had another three months of recovery ahead after his next surgery, and she hadn’t left his side yet.
When her dad lost their ranch, he’d done everything he could to help. No matter what happened, he’d be by Nora’s side.
“Clint, can you pray? I think I need it right now,” Nora whispered.
He rested his arm around her shoulders and bowed his head. He’d been praying for Nora for as long as he could remember, and this situation was no different.
“Lord, Nora needs strength right now, but she also needs discernment. Please help her to see Your will. Help her to forgive and heal from old hurts. Remind her that she is loved, and that You are with her no matter what happens. I pray that You would show her who to trust and who to lean on when times get tough.
“Lord, I love this woman, and I pray she knows how special she is. Thank You for bringing us together and letting our friendship grow into something more. I pray we always put You first in our relationship and that You guide us in all things. Amen.”
When the prayer was over, Nora rested her mug on the table by the couch and wrapped her arms around him. He breathed in the smell of rain in her hair and the peace he hoped to give her.
“I needed that. Thank you,” she whispered.
“You’re my world. Anything you want, I’ll make it happen.”
“You spoil me,” she said with a laugh.
The rumble of her dad’s old truck killed the rest of her laughter. She nuzzled closer to him before taking a deep breath.
“You want me to give the two of you some privacy?” Clint asked.
“No. You’re practically family.”
Clint said another silent prayer as Hank’s boots thudded against the wooden porch. When the front door opened, Nora sat up straight and turned to greet her dad.
“Hey, I was getting worried about you.”
Hank toed off his boots and hung his coat on the rack. “Oh, you don’t have to wait up on me. I was just hanging out with the Taylors.”
Nora fidgeted in her seat. “Actually, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Her dad stilled. “Really?”
“Yeah. Come sit down,” Nora motioned to the recliner by the couch where she sat with Clint.
Hank took the seat and leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “What’s wrong?”
“Um, I’m not sure if anything is wrong, but I got a call from Kelly tonight.”
Kelly. Clint hadn’t heard the name in years. It was easy to forget Nora’s mom when no one ever spoke of her.
Hank nodded and averted his gaze. “I figured she might call you.”
Nora’s back straightened like someone had pulled a string tight on a puppet. “Really? How did she get my number?”
Hank continued looking at the worn wooden floor. “I gave it to her. I didn’t know if she would use it. I called her a few weeks ago to let her know we’d moved, just in case she needed anything. She asked about you.”
Nora sat on the edge of her seat and reached one hand out to Clint. “What did she say?”
“Just that it had been too long since she’d talked to you. She wanted to know how you were doing, but I wasn’t sure what you’d want me to tell her. So I suggested she call you.”
“Why? Why would she care now?” Nora asked. “I don’t know if I want her to care.”
“And that’s why I didn’t tell her about you. We haven’t talked about her in a long time.”
“Last time we talked about her, I didn’t have anything nice to say,” Nora added.
Hank sighed. “I know you’re mad at her, and I know you’re mad at me too. I just hate that I failed you twice.”
“How did you fail me twice?”
“It was my fault your mom left. It had nothing to do with you.”
“She could have acted like she cared about me at all. She hasn’t called me once until tonight,” Nora said.
“Well, it’s still largely my fault. I gambled away every extra penny we had, and she couldn’t take it anymore.”
Surely, Nora didn’t think her mom left because of her. Nora had her own problems with her dad, but she’d never abandoned him. The idea of leaving family when things got hard was probably foreign to her.
“Have you forgiven her?” Nora asked.
Hank looked up at his daughter, and the crow’s-feet in the corners of his eyes deepened. “I have. I played my part in it, but she made her choice too. I’ve done a lot of thinking about both sides, and I can’t move forward until I make peace with the past. I hope you can forgive her one day too, but I won’t force you to make that decision.”
Nora nodded. What would it be like if Clint had to forgive one of his parents for something like abandonment or gambling? Hopefully, he’d never know, but he’d try his best to understand it while Nora was working to reconcile things with both of her parents.
Hank cleared his throat. “I’m really sorry for all I’ve done to hurt you. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better husband to your mom, and I’m sorry for all the dumb decisions I’ve made.
“Grant has been helping me work through some things, and he got me set up with an online group for gambling addicts. That’s part of the reason I’ve been spending so much time over there. I didn’t want you to know because…I’m ashamed. ”
“Dad, you could have told me. I’ll support you. I’m really proud of you for getting help.”
Hank nodded but kept staring at his clasped hands. “Could…could you forgive me, one day?”
Nora inhaled a quick breath. “I’ve already forgiven you. I didn’t know how I felt about it until now, but I love you, and I’ll always be here for you.”
Hank rubbed a hand over his face, probably hiding the beginning of tears.
Nora stood and opened her arms to her dad. He rose to his feet and wrapped his daughter in a tight hug.
Clint sat back and thanked God for answered prayers.