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“Yes, really.”
With a new spring in her step, they hurried to the parking lot, Bella on her heels. They quickly stowed their backpacks and climbed in the truck for the thirty-minute ride back to Laguna Beach. As soon as he turned onto the main road, he snaked his hand across the cons
ole and took Erin’s hand. She squeezed and didn’t let go.
At one point, he flipped her hand over and he spied a blue and green tattoo on her wrist, the spot she’d rubbed several times last night. It clearly held significance for her. He looked forward to discovering the story behind something so dear to her.
The wooded landscape was soon replaced by wide open spaces and then the traffic that clogged the streets of town each weekend. They were back in Laguna Beach. He craved his time in the forest, his chance to get away from the busyness of town and reconnect with nature. And wished he’d had longer with Erin.
A few minutes later, he pulled into her driveway. “Do you want me to wait out here?”
She shook her head. “No. I want you to meet them.”
This was his chance for a glimpse into the life she alluded to, the family that she had committed herself to for the past ten years. But she didn’t have to be uncomfortable on his behalf. “As long as you’re sure.”
Erin squeezed his hand. That was all the confirmation he needed.
“Bella, stay.”
His sweet girl whimpered from the back seat. She had already grown fond of Erin but he doubted her family was ready for Bella’s exuberance.
They climbed out of the truck and he walked beside Erin to the door. Tension poured off her in waves and he wished he could take her hand in his. To provide her comfort. But this was her family and she needed to take the lead.
After drawing in a deep breath, Erin slid her key into the lock and opened the door, motioning for him to follow her into the house.
An older man stood from a recliner in the living room.
“Hey, Daddy.” Erin crossed the room and placed a kiss on the man’s cheek. Her father ran his hand through his hair and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. The affection between father and daughter was evident, but Erin was right, the years had been hard on him. “I want to introduce you to someone. This is my friend, Jake.”
The man extended his hand, his demeanor welcoming. “Robert.”
Jake took Robert’s hand in his. A firm grip, but not strong, his hands showing the evidence of years of hard living. But his love for his daughter shone as he gazed at her. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“You too, son. How do you know my daughter?”
Erin laughed and cuffed her father on the chest. “Daddy!”
“It’s all right, Erin.” Jake couldn’t blame the man for being protective. If he had a daughter like Erin, he’d be asking questions, too. “I actually met her at her job. I’m friends with Austin and I needed his services yesterday.”
Erin bent and picked up a cat winding its way through her legs. Good thing Bella hadn’t come in. She’d be trying to play with the cat. His sweet dog loved other animals but didn’t know her own size. Besides, she thought she was a lap dog anyway.
Erin scratched the cat’s head while they talked.
“That Austin, he’s been so good to my Erin,” her father continued. “Supporting her while she went to school. Did she tell you she graduated college last month?”
Jake smiled at the pride on the man’s face… and the color that crept up Erin’s cheeks. “She did, sir. You must be very proud.”
Her father wrapped his arm tighter around Erin. “I am.”
“Daddy. I’m heading over to Jake’s for dinner, as long as you’ll be okay.”
“You need to stop worrying about me. I’m fine. You go off. Have fun.”
“Okay. You’re sure?” Erin seemed skeptical of her Dad’s assertion but Robert had strength beneath the weariness. Erin just probably didn’t see it with the day-in, day-out routine they had fallen into. It wasn’t Robert holding Erin back—it was just her own love of her family that probably blinded her to how well her father was doing.
“I’m sure.”
Erin let the cat drop to the floor and leaned over and pressed her lips to her father’s cheek. “OK, then. Bye, Daddy. I won’t be late.”
