Kathi put the car in Drive and headed back the way they came.
Later, lying in bed, Faith thought about the recent changes in her life. Soon she would meet the man who had given her life. The man who, for twenty-eight years, had never stopped believing he’d find and reconnect with his daughter. But when she closed her eyes, it was face of the man who’d come to her rescue that she saw. The man who kissed her with a sweetness she had never experienced, the one who, despite her good judgment, she wanted to know more about.
CHAPTER 5
Monday afternoon, Faith and Kathi stood at the counter in the car rental office. “I’m so glad you came down.” No matter what happened, she could always count on her best friend to be there. She smiled, remembering how Kathi had come over after Faith’s last breakup. While watching a comedy movie, they had stuffed themselves with pepperoni and mushroom pizza, wine and popcorn. It had been just what Faith needed. And she had done the same for Kathi a time or two.
Kathi waved her off. “Girl, you know I had to make sure you were all right.” She took the paperwork from the agent and penned her signature in all the designated areas. The woman handed Kathi her copy. “Thank you.”
Faith got her rental, then drove Kathi to the airport. “Call me when you get home.”
“I will. And you be careful with that arm. I’ll be in and out for the rest of the week in a training class, but let me know what happens with your father…and Brandon. You wouldn’t happen to know if he has any brothers, would you?”
She laughed. “No, I don’t. And what about the guy you’re supposed to be dating?”
“The key word is dating. Not married.” A police officer outside the terminal blew his whistle. “Guess I’d better get going. Take care, sis.”
“You, too. And thanks for being here.”
Kathi climbed out of the car, grabbed her bag from the backseat, threw up a wave and disappeared inside the terminal.
Faith pulled away from the curb. With the construction, traffic and confusing signs, she got lost twice before finding her way out of the airport. She smiled thinking about Kathi’s last statement. The woman was outrageous. But the question was a good one. She didn’t know much about Brandon other than his first name, that he worked at a home safety company—a lot—and his family got together for dinner on some Sundays.
While driving, nervous flutters filled her belly. The last time she was behind the wheel hadn’t ended well and she was very conscious of every car around her. Faith managed to make it back to the hotel without mishap and breathed a sigh of relief.
She spent the next hour working on a website, but kept getting distracted with thoughts of her father. Now that she had seen where he lived, she was even more curious about him. Her arm was healing nicely, so she needed to plan her visit. She saved her work and shut down the laptop.
She went to the kitchen and rummaged through the refrigerator for something to snack on. She settled for a container of peach yogurt. Though dressing and showering still gave her problems, she could finally get a spoon to her mouth without pain radiating all through her arm. She sat on the sofa, opened another one of her father’s letters and read. She finished it and opened another. Her cell chimed, letting her know she had received a text message. It was Kathi.
Made it home.
She texted back: Glad to hear it.
She placed the cell on the table and unfolded the next letter. The words on the page brought tears to her eyes.
Hi, Faith. How’s Daddy’s baby girl? It’s been five years since I’ve seen you and I know you’re a big girl now. I miss you so much, sweetheart, and think about you all the time. I can’t wait to see you again.
All my love,
Daddy
Faith was crying so hard she could barely see the words. She clutched the letter to her chest and let the tears fall. Once they finally stopped, she set the paper aside, stretched out on the sofa, closed her eyes and tried to bring her emotions under control. She had no idea how long she lay there before her cell rang. Instinctively, she reached for it with her right hand and winced with the pain. Coming to a sitting position, she picked it up with her left hand.