Chapter 5 - Cade #2
The afternoon is cooling down, clouds rolling in with the promise of evening rain. The town is quiet, just a few people out walking dogs or heading into the small shops that line Main Street. A couple of people nod at me in greeting, their eyes curious when they see Sierra and Ruby.
Small towns. Everyone knows everyone, and news travels fast. By tomorrow, the entire population of Blackwater Falls will probably know that Cade Lawson has a kid.
The thought should make me anxious, but it doesn't. Let them know. Let them talk. Ruby is the best thing that's ever happened to me, even if I only found out about her three hours ago.
The Blackwater Inn is a renovated Victorian house painted pale yellow with white trim. Linda Mason, a woman in her fifties with kind eyes and graying blonde hair, is at the front desk when we walk in, and her face lights up when she sees me.
"Cade! I didn't know you were expecting guests." Her eyes move to Sierra and Ruby with unconcealed interest.
"Linda, this is Sierra and Ruby." I hesitate for just a second, then commit. "Ruby's my daughter."
Linda's eyes go wide, but to her credit, she recovers quickly. "Your daughter! How wonderful! And so beautiful… She has your eyes." She beams at Ruby. "Welcome to Blackwater Falls, Ruby. I hope you'll enjoy your stay."
"Thank you," Ruby says politely. "Do you really make breakfast?"
"I do! Every morning from seven to ten." Linda's smile widens. "What kind of things do you like? Pancakes? Waffles? French toast?"
"Pancakes!" Ruby's enthusiasm is infectious.
"Then pancakes it is. I'll make sure to have chocolate chips available tomorrow morning. Every kid should have chocolate chip pancakes at least once." Linda turns to her computer. "Now, let's get you checked in. Sierra Reid, yes? I have you down for a double room, three nights?"
"That's right," Sierra confirms, pulling out her credit card.
I watch Linda process the check-in, chatting with Ruby about the best places to visit in town.
Sierra stands close to me, close enough that I can smell her shampoo, something citrusy that I don't recognize.
It's different from what she used to use, and somehow that small detail drives home how much time has passed.
Eight years. She's had eight years to change shampoo brands, to build a life, to become a mother.
And I've had eight years to become someone who can maybe, possibly be the father Ruby deserves.
But have I? Or am I still the broken man who ran away from everything, who couldn't face his own failures?
Could I go back to that town and be whole? Could I do it for Ruby?
The questions spin in my head, unanswered.
"All set!" Linda hands Sierra two key cards. "Room 204, second floor. There's an elevator if you need it, but the stairs are faster. And Cade?" She looks at me with warmth. "I'm happy for you. She seems like a special girl."
"She is," I say, and mean it with everything in me.
We head upstairs, Ruby chattering about how cool the Inn is, how she's never stayed in a place with such fancy wallpaper and pretty lights. Sierra's quiet, probably as exhausted as I am by the emotional roller coaster of this day.
Room 204 is at the end of the hall, decorated in soft blues and creams with two double beds and a small sitting area by the window. It's one of the nicer rooms, overlooking Main Street.
Ruby immediately claims the bed by the window, bouncing on it. "This is perfect!"
Sierra sets down their overnight bags, and turns to me.
"So," she says finally. "Tomorrow. What time should we—"
"Nine?" I suggest. "That gives you time for Linda's pancakes, and trust me, they're worth getting up for. I could pick you up here, or you could meet me—"
"You could pick us up," Sierra says. "If that's easier."
"Nine o'clock then." I should leave. Give them space to settle in, decompress from the day. But I can't quite make myself move toward the door. There's so much we need to talk about—custody, visitation, the future. Whether I could move back or if they'd ever consider moving here.
But not now. Not with Ruby in the room, exhausted and happy and calling me Dad like it's the most natural thing in the world.
Ruby saves me from the awkward moment by launching herself off the bed and wrapping her arms around my waist in a surprise hug.
"Thank you for today," she says, her voice muffled against my shirt. "This was the best day ever."
My arms come around her, holding her close, and I have to blink back the sudden sting of tears. "Thank you for being brave enough to come find me."
She pulls back, grinning up at me. "See you tomorrow, Dad."
"See you tomorrow, Ruby."
She bounces back to the bed, already pulling out what looks like a stuffed elephant from her bag. Sierra walks me to the door, stepping into the hallway with me.
"Thank you," she says quietly once the door is closed behind us. "For being... For handling this the way you are. I know it's a lot."
"It is a lot," I admit. "I'm still processing. Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I have a daughter. But Sierra—" I make sure she's looking at me. "I meant what I said in there. I'm not leaving. I'm not walking away from her."
"I know." Her voice is thick with emotion. "I can see it. The way you look at her, you already love her."
"Of course I do. She's amazing. And that's because of you." The words feel important, necessary. "You raised an incredible kid. All on your own."
"Not all on my own. I told you. My parents helped. And the guys from the old station, they—" She stops, wrapping her arms around herself. "But thank you. For saying that."