Chapter 38
CHAPTER
THIRTY-EIGHT
LINDY
“That was a damn fine dinner, sweetheart.” Dad settled into the sofa in the living room of his new apartment.
“Thanks, Dad. I’m glad you liked it.” I brought our dishes to the small kitchen.
“You sure do know how to pan sear a rib-eye in a frying pan. A simple thing, but nothing better. That there is a priceless talent.”
“If you got yourself a good quality steak, then it’s all about the butter, the salt, and the timing.”
It had only taken two weeks to find the apartment which was only a few blocks away from the Flames clubhouse. The brothers had moved the few belongings Dad had wanted to hold onto, and the rest I’d donated to a hospital charity shop over in Chadron.
Dad had started occupational therapy for his maimed hand, and although it was painful and challenging, he was determined. A biker had to ride, a biker had to handle his weapon, and that was my dad, through and through. Same as Minty.
Dad gestured at me. “Honey, come here. Leave the dishes.”
“But—”
“Honey.” His voice had gone firm in that executive, father, command kind of way from my childhood.
I dried my hands on a towel and sat down next to him. “What is it?”
“You don’t have to stay here and take care of me.”
“I like taking care of you.”
“I know you do. But you’ve been doing it for a long, long time now, and you don’t have to anymore.” That muscle along his jaw flexed. “Yeah, I needed help to get started on dealing with this—” he raised his hand “—and finding this place and getting set up. But this is a one-bedroom apartment, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“We both know you need to be in Meager. I talked with Lenore the other day after our family dinner at the clubhouse.”
“I saw the two of you talking, but you didn’t say anything about it, so I figured you would when you were ready.”
“She told me how great it was having you work with her at her store. How she’d love to have you back. And not just for helping her at the shop, but doing her makeup thing with her. She said she has big plans, and you’ve been helping her figure that out. She also said she wants to send you to school. There’s one in Rapid.”
“She said that?”
“She asked me ‘cause she wanted to make sure that I was cool with you leaving here and going to Meager.” He squeezed my leg.
“Are you?”
“It’s your time, baby. It’s been your time for a long while.” Taking in a deep breath, he pressed his lips together. “That night at the Dip, you were so fucking brave. And while I was so proud of you, and so damned terrified, it made my heart break that you were in the middle of this hell battle where you shouldn’t have been.”
“Daddy—”
“You fought back at every turn. You’re so strong.”
“I get that from you.”
His brow furrowed. “When you said your mom and I had made a decision and moved on, that was exactly right. Emmy and I knew what we wanted, knew where we belonged. Now it’s time for you to figure out the same for yourself. Does it mean working with Lenore? Only you know, and only you can decide.
“You’ve got the chance to build something new that you care about, something of your own with a woman like Lenore supporting you. Not just making a buck to pay the bills, but doing something you love and leaving your mark.” A lopsided grin rose over his lips. “And to keep learning, ‘cause I know you love learning. But part of learning is putting all that to use. And with Lenore, you got that chance in a big way, don’t you think?”
My heart thudded in my chest. “I do.”
“You got smarts and you got energy and talent. Don’t waste it, Lindy. Don’t squander it. If you do, it’ll only make you sad and bitter.” He kissed the top of my head. “Your mom would want this for you, too.”
I hugged him, my cheek settling on his chest.
His arms tightened around me. “And if you want to be with Wes, be with him and see what happens. You’re never gonna know unless you dive in.” He blew out a heavy breath.
I lifted my gaze to his. “What is it?”
“Since the day you were born, I’ve never wanted to have this conversation about my little girl and a man. But here we are.”
I chuckled. “How’s it feel?”
“Awkward, stomach-churning, but I’m okay.” He chuckled, and I joined him in that laughter. “How are you doing, honey?”
“Butterflies, but I’m okay too.” I sat up, those butterflies dancing wildly up my chest. “Dad, I want you to know…I love Wes. He’s the one for me.”
He let out a soft laugh. “Ah, Lindy. From a little girl, you always knew what you wanted and what you didn’t want. What you liked and what you didn’t. No wondering, no floating, not you. Why would choosing a man be any different?”
“I am stubborn that way.”
“Lenore told me that you can keep on staying with her until you find something of your own. And Meager ain’t far. Look at Finger and Lenore, and Catch, who’s got his little girl over there as well as his mom and sister. They’re back and forth all the time. Now, so will we.”
“Speaking of back and forth, what’s up with my car? You said the guys were working on her, but–”
“They had to bring her to another shop. She needed next-level work. They’re taking care of it for you.”
“Really? That’s so nice.”
“We’ll bring her to you when she’s done.”
“Might be a while, huh?”
“Looks that way.”
We both sat together in silence.
“Lindy?”
“Mmm?”
“I like us talking like this. Laying it out. It’s a shame we didn’t do it so much after your mom got sick.”
“I like it too, Daddy. And I’m sorry, ‘cause I know I didn’t make it easy.”
“I didn’t give you much to go on. We both got stuck.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
My lips tipped up. “Love you three.”