Unless her mom or brothers were the reason for the tough day—but she wasn’t going to say that and I wasn’t going to bring it up. I squeezed her arm. “You’re the best.”
“No worries. Take care, okay?”
I nodded and wordlessly slipped out of the diner. Again, the winter wind bit. So much for the promise of balmy weather. Hadn’t the forecaster said several days of well above freezing? Well, that hadn’t happened yet. Not that I was going to check the forecast.
After getting into the SUV and turning the heat on full, I headed back down the main street leading to the Cedar Valley Connector.
Normally I listened to music when I drove but, for tonight, silence was better. Perhaps because I needed to arrange my thoughts. Perhaps because I needed to offer prayers for the woman I didn’t know who had died of a massive stroke after a harrowing surgery. Perhaps because I wanted to respect the family she’d left behind. I didn’t even know if she had a husband, kids, parents, or what. Someone had been in the waiting room, though. Someone—or someones—whose lives had just been changed forever.
Leo would have to deal with that.
I’d never had to deliver that news to a loved one. That was up to the doctors. They had training in medical school and everything—but some still did a much better job than others. Somewhere between the arrogance of believing they could keep patients alive for as long as possible—and the acknowledgement they couldn’t—came the compassion for those left behind.
As I drove farther north, the houses and townhouses thinned. Soon the properties were spread apart. The streetlamps had bigger distances between them. Eventually, they were klicks apart. I rarely drove this far out of town. Well, to visit Maddox and Ravi, Stanley and Justin, as well as Adam and Dean. Okay, and a few other friends. But not regularly.
Leo had to make this trek every night after work—just so he could be closer to his kids.
I had great admiration for that.
They meant everything to him. As I had to my parents. As all kids should to their mothers and fathers. Even as I knew that wasn’t the case. Too many stories of abuse. Too many evil people.
When I arrived at Leo’s driveway, I turned in and squinted as I broke through the treeline.
One light on in the main room and no SUV.
Did I miscalculate? Or has he just not made it home? What if he goes somewhere else?
What if he goes to Gideon and Archer’s house?
That felt improbable…except he might want to see his kids. Might want the assurance that they were well. When I had rough days, I took great comfort that Mama was okay.
As my hand hovered over the power button, headlights cut across my rearview mirror.
He’s home.
Somehow, I’d known he’d come here. Maybe not right away—but that he’d wind up here eventually. This was the space he shared with his children. This was the place that grounded him.
I killed my engine and sat still.
He parked, shut off his engine as well, and sat staring straight ahead.
Wow, you really didn’t think this through to the end. What if he doesn’t want to see you? What if he sends you away?
A small voice inside me pointed out that Mama was home tonight, and she loved Fifties’ food almost as much as I did. Or I could just hand him the bag and head home. Quick detour to A&W and I’d be fine. Onion rings were a favorite.
He got out of his SUV. He met my gaze through my window. After a long moment, he gestured toward the house with his chin. Then he turned and headed that way.
I grabbed the food and followed him.
As he held the door open for me, I was able to step inside.
He closed the door and, for a long moment, we just stood—staring at each other.
All the pretty words I’d planned fell away. Instead, I swallowed.
“Yeah.” His voice was gruff as he removed his coat. Once he had it hung up, and his shoes removed, I shoved the bag of food into his hands.
He touched the cloth, as if trying to discern the temperature.
