CHAPTER FIVE
SOREN CALDWELL
I pace in front of the living room’s bay window while Rachel and Tristan play with a herd of horses Rachel got for her third birthday.
“Look, Daddy!” She holds a black and white horse over her head to show off the sparkly pink butterflies in its mane and tail. Apparently, the green ones weren’t good enough judging by their scattered presence on the area rug.
“Good job, baby,” I say with a faint smile.
Rather than on the daughter at my feet, my mind is on my eldest upstairs. The sixteen-year-old going on her first date tonight.
Diana has spent the past two hours up there helping Sara Beth get ready, while I watch Rachel and try not to freak out about my girl attending winter formal with a boy instead of her friends.
“Look at mine!” My nephew waves a chestnut pony in the air. It has a glittery halter and saddle hooked around its plastic body while its wild hair remains free of adornment.
When my sister’s husband shared his plans to whisk Kennedy away to Vienna for an anniversary trip, I immediately volunteered to watch Tristan for them.
The same age as my daughter, I figured the two rugrats would have fun together, and it would be easier for me to babysit than Ezra with his one-year-old twins.
“Nice buddy. Maybe this weekend we can visit the stables, and I can show you how to put a halter and saddle on a real horse.”
“Cool!” Tristan and Rachel high-five as she squeals in excitement. She loves hanging out at the lodge with me.
Another generation of Caldwells to continue our family’s legacy at the lodge, even though Tristan is technically a Lincoln. But we consider Wyatt an honorary Caldwell.
Diana sweeps into the room, an air of anticipation riding in her wake. “Sara Beth looks beautiful.” She bends to pick up Rachel and faces the bottom of the staircase. “Are you ready to see her?”
“Yeah!” Rachel and Tristan cry simultaneously.
I give a less enthusiastic nod.
“Alright, come on down.”
The swish of fabric brushing across the floor precedes the tip-tap of heels on the hardwood stairs.
The kids gasp as Sara Beth practically floats down the steps in a sea of silver silk and organza. Her hair is braided into a crown on her head that holds a few sprigs of white holiday berries.
“You look like a princess!” Rachel shouts, clasping her hands over her heart in awe.
Sara Beth spins in a circle to cause her skirt to flare. She really does look like a princess.
There's a pain in my chest.
My girl is growing up.
“You're gorgeous, baby.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she says with a blush. The doorbell rings, and her eyes widen.
That must be Joseph.
Diana pulls out her phone to check the time and nods. “Punctual. We like that in a guy, don't we?” She elbows me in the side, and I grunt in response.
Diana laughs, knowing my feelings about Sara Beth going on a date with Joseph Benson.
He seems like a good kid, but Sara Beth is still my baby girl.
I open the door with a grimace. Although, maybe it's closer to a glare based on the way Joseph looks like he's about to piss his pants.
“Hello, Mr. Caldwell. I'm here to pick up Sara Beth.”
“Dad, move. Let him in.”
I reluctantly step to the side.
“Picture time,” Diana cries, scooting the kids closer for a ton of photos before pushing me in for one with Sara Beth.
“Remember your curfew,” I warn once we're done. “Eleven o'clock. Sharp.”
“We've got it, Dad.” Sara Beth groans, tugging on Joseph's arm.
“And if you need anything, just call,” I say, watching as they trek down the porch, the sidewalk, the drive, until reaching Joseph's car parked on the curb.
“They'll be fine. You've raised a good girl,” Diana murmurs, wrapping an arm around me.
“I'm a good girl!” Rachel shouts from her place in my wife's other arm.
“Yes, you are.” I lean over to tickle her.
“Hey, what about me?” Tristan calls, still in the living room with the horses.
“You're a good girl, too,” I tease.
“I'm a boy.”
“Oh, how could I forget?” I grab his waist and haul him in the air. “I think your mom and dad are planning to call tonight to say hello. Are you excited?”
“I'm going to show them my horse.”
“Excellent plan. I'm sure they'll love it.”
After setting Rachel down so she can rejoin her cousin playing, Diana curls her arms around my waist again and rests her chin on my chest.
“How are you really doing?”
“Wishing my little girl wasn't so grown up,” I admit.
“Look on the bright side. You still have another girl to go through the same growing pains with.”
“Don't remind me… Rachel, you're never going to grow up on Daddy, are you?” I ask.
“Never grow up?” Her nose wrinkles. “Like Peter Pan?”
She doesn't like that idea.
But, of course, her favorite movies don't involve flying boys and pirates. She is more into talking animals at this point.
“I know this is sad,” Diana says. “But it's a good thing. Our kids are becoming independent.”
“I know, I know,” I agree.
Diana smiles, then stands on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my lips. Before she can retreat, I hold her there, cupping her cheeks with my palms. Needing those extra seconds of comfort from my wife.
“I love you,” I whisper.
And I always will.