Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
TIMBER
Kane steps into view, and for a moment, the world falls away. It's just him and me. The noise of the dock, the cries of the seagulls, even the wind, seem to hush. He's alive. He's safe. Relief washes over me like an overwhelming wave.
Suddenly, Hailey’s hand slips from mine. “Daddy!” she screams, her voice piercing the thick salt air, filled with joy. She dashes forward, a bright streak against the wooden planks, her small legs carrying her as fast as they can toward her father.
Kane catches her effortlessly, holding her tightly against him, his face buried in her hair. The long embrace speaks volumes of the ordeal and the relief. It’s a poignant sight that grips at my heart, stirring a blend of emotions inside me.
Together, they walk toward me. Kane’s eyes find mine across the remaining distance. His gaze is intense .
May, standing beside me, leans in and whispers with a soft chuckle, “Your man is back.”
For once, I don’t correct her. “Yes, he is,” I say, my voice stronger than I expect, ringing with a new truth.
As they approach, well-wishers pat Kane’s back with hearty slaps, tossing comments like, “Glad you made it!” and “Rough night, huh?” Despite the friendly greetings, Kane doesn’t engage. His eyes remain laser-focused on me, his stride purposeful.
Goosebumps prickle across my skin, a mixture of anticipation and something else—an awakening of feelings I’ve tried to ignore. The closer he gets, the more pronounced the sensation becomes, stirring a heat that seeps through my veins.
He stands before me and sets Hailey on her feet. “Hang tight, Noodle.” He looks at me and his eyes convey a message clear and raw—he’s going to kiss me.
He leans forward. His lips brush my ear, and his voice is low and gravelly, husky from the sea wind. “All I thought about last night was that kiss I wanted but didn’t take,” he confesses, sending shivers down my spine. “I’m going to kiss you. If you don’t want it, step back.”
I don’t move back. Instead, I close the space between us, pressing my body against his. The world fades into a blur, the noise of the dock slips away, and all that remains is the heat of his body warming mine.
I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him down to meet my lips. Our kiss is deep and sensuous, a mingling of relief and desire. His lips are firm yet tender, moving with an intensity that tells me he’s been holding back, waiting for this moment as much as I have.
As our kiss deepens, the rest of the world hits pause, respecting the gravity of our reunion. This kiss—it’s not just a kiss. It’s a declaration, a fierce acknowledgment of the night apart and the moment we are now seizing.
When we finally pull apart, the intense connection doesn’t need words to define it. I don’t know what the future holds, and right now, it doesn’t matter. We’re here, together in this moment, and now is all anyone ever has.
May clears her throat, drawing our attention to her. Her expression is a mix of amusement and concern as she turns her focus to Kane.
“I hate to interrupt this reunion,” she says, as she points toward his hands. “But those hands of yours need tending to, Kane.” His skin, raw and peeling, catches the light, reminding me of the night’s harshness.
“May I borrow him for a bit?” May asks, her tone gentle, yet insistent, understanding the importance of the moment but prioritizing Kane’s well-being.
Kane leans in once more and his lips graze mine in a quick, tender kiss.
He bends down and kisses Hailey’s cheek. “Be right back, Noodle,” he says. “May is gonna patch me up.”
Hailey’s smile stretches wide. “Okay, Daddy!” She bounces on her toes and claps her hands. “Hurry back. I want to show you my drawing!”
“Sure thing, kiddo. ”
I watch Kane walk away. For a moment, a pang of reluctance washes over me. It seems like I’ve only just claimed him, and already I’m hesitant to let him out of my sight. But I set the emotion aside, reminding myself that he’ll be back soon.
With a deep breath, I redirect my focus to Lucas and Tommy, who have been engaged in their own nearby play, unaware of the emotional storm brewing nearby.
“Alright, you two,” I point to the building. “Let’s head back to the community center.”
They begin singing in unison, “Kane and Timber sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”
“There was no tree,” I say, shaking my head. How do kids always know that song? It’s like it’s embedded in their DNA.
As we step into the center, Hailey makes a beeline for the art corner, ready to dive back into her project. She doesn’t know how dire the situation was for her father, and I’m glad I could insulate her from that. All she knows is that everything is right in her world.
Glancing at the clock, a combination of restlessness and anticipation washes over me. Kane said he’d return soon, and every passing minute seems like an eternity.
Hailey picks up a marker and works her magic on the paper in front of her. She draws three stick people and when I ask who they are, she proudly tells me it’s her family. Pointing at the tallest, she exclaims, “Daddy.” Then, pointing at the smallest, she says, “Me.” Her finger moves across the one with the big smile. “This is you.”
I experience a combination of emotions. Warmth fills me at the sight, but there’s a pang of longing too. I’ve always wanted a family. Hailey’s art makes me wonder if a long-term relationship with Kane is possible. Does he want that too? It’s a question that lingers in my mind, stirring uncertainty. But for now, I focus on the joy of this moment, cherishing the time we share and remaining open to whatever the future may hold.
Lucas and Tommy’s parents arrive unexpectedly early. They explain they heard on their radios that Kane was found and thought it would be good to come in early so me and Hailey could be free to go home and care for him. With the boys gone, a quiet descends upon the room, broken only by the occasional giggle from Hailey as she draws all the things she wants, like a dog, a horse, and a unicorn.
I steal glances at the clock, willing time to speed up, eager for Kane’s return. But amidst the anticipation, I remind myself to savor this moment—the quiet before the chaos of emotions that will surely come when Kane walks back through that door. So, I lose myself in the simple pleasure of creating art with Hailey.
As Hailey proudly holds up her masterpiece, a shadow falls across the doorway, drawing our attention. My breath catches as I turn to see Kane filling the space. His hands are bandaged, and there’s salve on his face, but he’s as handsome as ever.
As Kane’s gaze sweeps the room, his eyes lock onto mine. Excitement flutters in my chest. “Hey there,” he whispers. His voice is weary but filled with affection. “Are my girls ready to head home?”
My girls... His words send a rush of giddiness through me, a sensation I can’t quite contain.
“We’re ready whenever you are,” I say.
Together, the three of us make our way out of the community center. And as we walk, a sense of hope stirs within me, a belief that this could be the start of something beautiful for all of us.