Page 86 of From the Start

“Your mom is a smart lady.”

“Stuart built this seating area for Mom. He proposed to her here.”

“Why is there a growl in your voice?”

“Sorry.” I clear my throat. “Stuart messed up when he first started dating Mom. She forgave him, so I did as well but I haven’t forgotten.”

“It must be difficult. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if Dad started dating again. He loved Mom so much.”

“My dad wasn’t as devoted to my mom. He left her with six kids and started a new family somewhere else.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry.”

I shrug it off. “I was ten when he left. I’m over it.”

“I was fourteen when Mom died. I’m not over it.”

“Sorry, I—”

“I’m not begging for sympathy. I’m just trying to say I understand how the loss of a parent at a young age can affect your whole life.”

“Losing Dad hasn’t affected my whole life.”

She smiles at me and I can’t resist those lips. I lean over the armrest and meld my mouth to hers. The armrest digs into my waist but Harper is worth a little pain. She’s worth everything. She’s my everything.

If she left me the way Dad left Mom, I’d be devastated. I wouldn’t be able to go on. I wouldn’t want to find another woman to love and marry. Never.

The thought of losing her has me grunting and Harper pulls away. “What’s wrong?”

“I poked myself with my fork.” It’s not a lie, although it’s not why I grunted.

“We should probably eat before the rest of your cutlery joinsthe fork.”

We relax back in our chairs. Harper stares at the ocean as we eat, but I can’t keep my eyes off her.

“Do you want to stay living in town or would you enjoy a place similar to this?” I motion to the ocean.

“This is lovely, but I can’t imagine ever leaving the house I grew up in. Although, a pool would be awesome. Dad did aquatic therapy after his stroke and now he loves to swim but navigating the sand to get to the ocean is too difficult.”

“You can use Mom’s pool whenever you want.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you ask your mom first?”

“Nope. You’re family now. You don’t need to ask.”

Her breath hitches. “I’m not family, Goofy.”

“What do you think of this beer?” I ask since I don’t want to argue with her. But she is family. She’s just not ready to hear those words yet.

I understand. She’s been alone with her dad for a long time. She’s not used to having a big, rambunctious family.

What she doesn’t realize is, a big family means there are more people to share the load. I’m honored to be the person to introduce her to how wonderful having a family means.

Chapter 25

“But I wanted a marshmallow.” ~ Harper

Harper