After the Storm (Cottonwood Cove, #5)

by Laura Pavlov

The way his brows furrowed as he watched the car drive away had my heart threatening to burst. The protective stance, the concern—it was everything I knew he’d be as a father. But witnessing it was different. Witnessing it hurt me in a way that I couldn’t explain to even myself. I was getting a glimpse of the life that should have been mine. Time had never been on our side. And that certainly hadn’t changed.

“I hope no one ever castrates you, Dr. Reynolds,” she snipped. “Well, I hope they don’t either. But I’m not mounting non-consenting women in the park, am I?”

Bahaha

Gracie’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh. Daddy’s not happy about you telling me that horses are your first love. That must be a secret, too. Daddy said it’s a secret that he loves you and me and that we are in his heart. You can’t talk about that at work, Presley.”

“What’s that little bird tattoo on your wrist about?” he asked. “It’s a raven. I did that right before my wedding so I wouldn’t completely lose myself. So I’d remember who I was. The way that you saw me, soaring and flying and free. Which had always been the best version of myself.” “That had nothing to do with me and everything to do with you.”

I’ve never seen long underwear that wasn’t made for small humans. It’s like trying to fit a five-pound sausage into a two-pound bag. That shit doesn’t work.

“Fuck. We can’t change the past, and I wouldn’t change anything now because Gracie is the light of my life. I know I was meant to be her father. I just always thought I was meant to be the man who’d grow old with you, too.” “I did, too. But I’m glad that you have your beautiful daughter, Cage. It used to devastate me—thoughts of you with a child that wasn’t ours—but seeing you with her is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed. It makes me think that all we’ve been through was worth it. And I’d go through all of it again if it meant you got to be Gracie’s daddy.”

“Well, we’re friends, right? I love spending time with you and Gracie, and I’d like to continue seeing both of you while I’m here. I want to know her, Cage. I need to know her.”

“Hey, Bernese, it’s lovely to see you, as well.”

“Is that what you think? That I don’t date because I’m sacrificing for my girls?” he asked as he shook his head. “I’d do anything for them, you know that. And for a few years, sure, I knew they needed my full attention, and I wanted to be there. They’d lost their mother and were grieving. Hell, we’ll always be grieving for her. But that’s not why I’ve remained single.” I looked up at him. “Why, then?” “Because I already met the love of my life. I don’t know if there’s a second chance at that, you know? But I can tell you this much, Cage,” he said, clearing his throat. “If I had a chance to spend one more minute with Beth in this lifetime, I would move fucking mountains to make it happen. Life is short, son. Don’t waste it trying to do the right thing for everyone else. Because who even knows what that is?”