Hold Her Heart (Words of the Heart) (17 page)

He wrapped his arm around me gingerly, so I wouldn’t spill my coffee, and we sat quietly in Piper’s garden, watching the leaves rain down from the trees.

Everything was a tangle, but I was right, the Logan string wasn’t. Whatever we had right now was right.

“Hey, Ban, your dad’s here,” Fiona called from somewhere at the front of the garden.

“He’s early,” I said, disentangling myself from Logan.

“He’s anxious to see you for himself,” Logan said. And then he kissed me tenderly. “I know the feeling,” he said then looked at me.

“We’re good,” I assured him. He nodded, and we hurried along the garden path to the gate.

“You’re here,” I called as I spotted my dad. I ran out to greet them. Well, run might be too generous a description for my speed. Faster-than-I-was-the-day-before walk with a slight hitch was probably closer.

My dad wrapped me in his arms but hugged me gently. “I am. I couldn’t stay away another minute. I’m really trying to give you some space to figure everything out, but . . .”

“I needed you, and you came,” I said, my voice muffled against his chest.

He tightened the hug.

When we finally separated, I turned to say hi to Margo, who was already talking to Logan.

“Margo, I can see you don’t need introductions, but Logan, this is my dad, Patrick. Dad, Logan Greer.”

They shook hands, and Dad said, “So you’re my daughter’s unexpected roommate.”

“I am. I’m not around a lot. I mean between school and work I basically eat and sleep here.”

Speaking of where Logan slept made my cheeks feel warm. My father noticed and raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. “I wanted to talk to Siobhan for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”

Logan nodded his understanding. “Margo, I don’t have to leave for work for an hour or so. Would you like a tour of the house?”

“Yes,” she said, patting my shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Dad’s new wife really was a sweet lady. “Thanks, Margo. It wasn’t a big deal.”

Logan made a face from behind Margo’s back. I didn’t need words to know he was scolding me for underplaying the surgery.

I ignored his silent rebuke and turned to my dad. “Why don’t I show you Piper’s garden?”

Dad nodded.

As we walked past Logan and Margo, my father’s hand brushed hers, as if he couldn’t resist the urge to make contact with her.

I never doubted that he loved my mother, but I was equally sure he loved Margo.

“I’m glad you found her,” I said as we walked into Piper’s garden.

“I am, too,” he said as we stepped through the gate. “Wow.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty magnificent, isn’t it? Even in the fall as everything is dying off, you can’t miss what a special place it is.” I led him to the bench I’d just left. I pointed out a few of the plants I recognized now. “Fiona’s been teaching me about plants and birds. She’s better at the birds than the plants. Sometimes she points out something, gives me a long lecture about it, and then starts giggling because I bought into her fiction. I think there’s a chance she’s a born storyteller like Piper.”

“I want to meet her,” Dad said.

“She called to let me know you were here, so I’m pretty sure she’ll be out sooner rather than later.” He looked nervous and ill at ease, and I was pretty sure it didn’t have anything to do with meeting Fiona. “What did you need to say to me, Dad?”

I could see it, his need to tell me something. It was something he didn’t think I’d like. I felt a spurt of fear. What if he were sick?

“Are you okay? Are you sick?” I asked.

From his expression, I knew he was all right. “No, honey, it’s not that. I planned to tell you sooner, but there was Ned’s visit and Carey, and then you came here. I didn’t want to tell you on the phone and—”

“Dad, you’re killing me,” I said. Not knowing was worse than knowing.

“Margo and I are moving to Atlanta,” he finally said, interrupting my musings.

I let out a long breath. “Okay. Why?”

He looked like a kid who was being sent to the principal’s office. “I was offered a position there. It’s too good to pass up.”

“That’s wonderful, Dad,” I said as I hugged him again. He wasn’t sick. My relief spread over me like a blanket. My dad was okay.

“Seriously, don’t do that to me again. Why were you so nervous?”

“Because this is not a good time for you,” he said. “So many things are changing. Carey. Piper. All of it. I want to be here for you, but I’ll be gone. We’re planning on moving over the holiday break. We put the house on the market last week. I feel as if I’m deserting you.”

“Dad, I would never think that.” When Dad and Margo moved in together, he’d lived at her place for a year before he’d sold my childhood home, and they bought a house together when they married. “I’m happy for you.”

“But I’m worried about you.”

The fact he was worried made me feel loved. “Dad, do you remember my senior year when I got so nervous about going to college? I’d always known exactly who I was and what I wanted in high school. But I’d achieved those goals, and I was moving away from you and Mom, moving into a dorm with a total stranger. I was terrified. I’d had to put undeclared down for a major because I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do. And you said . . . ,” I prompted.

“I have no idea,” he said. “But I’m sure it was wise and sage and all that,” he added with a grin.

“The only constant is change.”

“Well, it was wise, but it’s not original,” he said with a laugh.

“Ah, but you added something more original. You said no matter what you do, things change. You can curse those changes or embrace them. Well, I embraced them. I met Jaylin. And here I am, with a career I’d never dreamed of and a happy life. Even this—Piper, Ned, and Fiona—is more than I ever could have imagined. I didn’t know what to expect, but, Dad, they’re truly wonderful. I’m happy I’ve met them.”

“And Logan?” he asked with that all-knowing dad look I think he took a class on perfecting—a class he’d aced.

“He’s been a good friend.” I thought about how Logan held me at night. No judgments or trying to put moves on me. He’d simply been there for me. “A very good friend.”

Dad didn’t say anything. He just shot me another of his classic looks.

“That’s it, Dad.”

He
humphed
me.

“Back to your move. You don’t have to worry about me. And while we’re both adults, you have my blessing if that’s what you wanted.”

He laughed. “Maybe it is. The university is putting us up until we find a place. We’ll be looking for a house with guest rooms so whenever you come for a visit you’ll have someplace to sleep. And we’ll be close enough for you to go see Jaylin. It’s only a few hours down to her place. No more winters and . . .”

I listened to him talk enthusiastically about his plans, but I could still hear his concern for me. I reached out and took his hand. “Dad, the only constant is change. I’ll be fine.”

“I know you just had surgery and that this isn’t the best time, but I’m afraid there is no best time, and I didn’t want to have you find out some other way.”

I kissed his cheek. “Thank you for worrying. I—”

“Ban,” Fiona called.

A split second later, Archie barreled down the path and barked at my dad once then went to kiss him. Archie was definitely not a good guard dog.

“I’m back here,” I called. I turned to my dad. “I told you. Batten down the hatches. You’re about to face a tsunami.”

Seconds later, Fiona came down the path as I was petting Archie’s head.

“I gave you a few minutes,” she said to me. “Dad said to be polite, so I was, but I couldn’t wait any longer.” She turned to my dad. “I’m her sister. I’m not sure what that makes you to me. My sister’s dad? They don’t have a name for that, and Mr. Ahearn sounds weird. I mean, if my sister’s calling you Dad and I call you Mr. Ahearn—”

“What about an honorary uncle?” I suggested.

Dad smiled. “I’d like that.”

“Me, too,” Fiona said. “I don’t have any aunts and uncles, so I could use one. Uncle . . .”

She waited for his name.

“Pat,” he supplied.

“Pat. Uncle Pat. Yeah, that works.”

“Are you going to give him lessons on how to be an uncle?” I asked, then turned to my father. “The first day, Fiona told me what was required from sisters.”

Fiona’s hair was in a loose ponytail, so as she nodded, strands of hair started flying out of it. “I told Ban that she had to always think I’m right and that I’m perfect. I think that applies to ornery uncles, too.”

“Honorary,” I corrected. “Dad’s many things but ornery isn’t one of them.”

I could see my father was thoroughly charmed. “I’m pretty sure that thinking that you’re perfect is not going to be a problem.”

“I know, right?” Fiona teased.

“My stepmother’s in the house with Logan. If Dad’s your honorary uncle, that makes Margo an honorary aunt. And I’ve heard tell she’s very good at spoiling nieces.”

“Yeah? I better go meet her.” She took two steps toward the hole in the fence and then turned back around and hugged my dad, who was caught unaware but adjusted to an armful of nine-year-old just fine.

When Fiona released him, she said, “I thought about it and I gotta say thank you to you. I know Mom would say it if she were here. You were a good dad to my sister. I know that’s all Mom ever wanted.”

I was still blinking back tears as she shot through the hole in the fence.

I noticed Dad was blinking hard as well. “She’s something,” he said. “You tried to explain it to me, but I don’t think kids like Fiona can adequately be described. They need to be experienced.”

“Ned’s heading into the hospital soon, so if you don’t mind, you’ll have the day to experience Fiona in her fullest. But come on; let me introduce you before he takes off.”

We walked back up the path, Archie at our heels.

Though I now felt at home here, I knocked on the back door today. It felt cheeky to just invite guests in.

Ned came to the door and smiled. “Mr. Ahearn. I’m so glad you got here before I left.” He held the door open, and as we entered he extended his hand.

“Ned, I’m Pat,” Dad said, shaking Ned’s hand.

“Logan just texted that we should all head over that way. He made breakfast before he had to leave for work.” Ned turned to Dad. “Siobhan and Logan have taken turns seeing to it that I’m fed and that there’s always someone here for Fi. You raised a wonderful daughter.”

I realized that Ned was worried about stepping on my dad’s toes. But Dad smiled and nodded. “We did okay.”

“I’m right here, you two.”

Dad ignored me and still grinning at Ned, said, “I’m sure you can appreciate how hard it was dealing with someone like Siobhan. I mean, a straight A student who never gave us any grief. Arduous is the word I’d use to describe the experience.”

They walked back outside and over toward our house, joking as if they’d known each other for years. Of course, I was the butt of their jokes, but I didn’t mind. It was great to see them getting along.

And I was right; Margo was quite willing to play Fiona’s surrogate aunt.

Breakfast was a wonderful affair. The only way it could have been better was if Piper had been there, too.

An hour later, Ned stood up. “I need to head to the hospital. You’re sure you’re okay with Fi today?”

“Dad, I’m an utter delight,” Fiona proclaimed. “Of course Ban is okay with me. And Uncle Pat and Aunt Margo are already marveling at how lucky they are to have me in their lives.”

Margo and Dad laughed at Fiona’s proclamation and assured Ned as well.

I walked Ned to the front door. “Let me know how she’s doing,” I said. Most days he sent out a text after the doctor came around.

“Definitely,” Ned promised. “She’s going to want to meet them.”

“If she’s up to it, that’s great. If not, she’ll meet them soon.”

Ned kissed my cheek. It surprised me. Over the last weeks, we’d built a solid foundation for a relationship, but to date it hadn’t included any kissing. I smiled at him. “What was that for?”

“That was because . . . just because.”

I kissed his cheek in return. “I just-because you, too,” I assured him.

I watched as he walked back to his driveway and got in his car before I went back inside.

A half hour later, Logan got ready to leave. He called his good-byes, and I left the backyard, where Dad, Margo, and Fiona were playing with Archie, and walked Logan out. “Thanks for making breakfast,” I said.

“Anytime. I’ll see you tonight.”

I watched as he pulled away from the house. I was right. My life might still be tangled, but the Logan string was looking fine.

It was a lovely day. Fiona decided she was Dad and Margo’s tour guide. We went to the peninsula and took a walk down the beach. The lifeguards had long since hung up their whistles for the season, and the beaches were pretty deserted. But Fiona pointed out various birds and found more beach glass.

After lunch, Ned called.

I will confess, I was nervous about this meeting. Not that I thought Dad and Piper wouldn’t like each other. I wasn’t sure why, to be honest, but I was.

Margo and Fiona stopped at the gift shop as we entered, so just Dad and I went to Piper’s room. We put on the gowns and masks and went inside. “Dad, this is Piper. Piper, my father, Pat Ahearn.”

Piper managed to say hello before she broke into tears. After a moment, she pulled herself together and said, “I feel as if I’m meeting an old friend after our e-mails. Thank you, Pat. You don’t know how much it means. Thank you.”

“What e-mail?” I asked.

Dad looked embarrassed. “You mentioned you were coming in and telling Piper some of your childhood stories. And Margo and I started packing, so when I found your mother’s memory box, I started scanning things and sent a bunch of them to Piper. Logan gave me her e-mail address.”

“Old report cards, pictures you drew, snapshots of you,” Piper explained. “And a few anecdotes.”

“Dad.” I hugged him. “Thank you.”

“Your mom and I used to joke that friends must have gotten tired of us bragging about you. It’s nice to have an audience who hangs on your every word and story. Someone who agrees that you are as amazing as your mom and I always knew you were.”