After All (Cape Harbor 1)

Their moment was interrupted by the shrill sound of her phone ringing.

“And if we want to make that happen, you’re going to have to change that obnoxious ring tone.” He laughed, stepping aside so she could answer. While she was busy talking, he carefully put the most important document of his life back in its place and returned the folder before closing the drawer.

“We have to go,” Brooklyn said, staring down at her phone. He already knew from her demeanor who the call was about. “That was Simone. She says that the doctors are telling her it’s time for everyone to come say goodbye.”

“Do you want . . .” Bowie paused. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask her. Did she want him to go? Stay? Drive them and wait in the lobby?

“You’re coming, right?”

“Of course.” Now that she had asked, he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to be there. He was angry with Carly for the years of deceit and wondered if she weren’t dying, would she have ever said anything? Deep down, there really wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Carly would’ve held fast to the paternity of Brystol if she weren’t lying on her deathbed, and that thought angered him. He wanted to lash out at Carly, berate her for keeping something so important from him. But he knew nothing good would come from doing so and would likely upset Brystol, and that was something he wasn’t willing to do.

“We can go together, in my car,” Brooklyn suggested.

“Is it okay if Luke comes?” he asked. “I rarely leave without him.”

Brooklyn glanced at him, leery. “Does he chew on things?”

Bowie laughed. “He’s better trained than some of my workers. Luke will be fine. We’ll leave a window open for him, and he’ll most likely sleep. Plus, he’s a good comfort for Brystol, with her grandmother dying.” He shrugged. Trying to sell his dog to someone else wasn’t something he was used to. Everyone around town loved Luke, and Brooklyn would as well once she had a chance to get to know him.

“I think that’s a good idea, especially for Brystol.”

Together, they walked downstairs, and Brooklyn hollered to Brystol that they needed to head over to the hospital. She suggested that she pack a few things to keep her mind occupied. While Brystol was getting her bag ready, Brooklyn and Bowie sneaked some kisses in the kitchen. He felt like he had been with her forever, when in fact, the one night they had spent together was purely happenstance and had yet to be repeated. When he had arrived at her apartment that night, he had gone to console her, to give her a shoulder to cry on. As much as he had longed to kiss her, he had never intended to do so that night. Standing in the kitchen with her now nestled in his arms, he was thankful he had.

The drive over to the hospital was eventful, to say the least. Every window in the SUV was down, letting in a nice cool breeze. Brystol’s head was resting against the door, letting the wind blow her hair around. Bowie couldn’t wait to spend more time with her, to understand her mannerisms, her moods, and her facial expressions. He thought he saw worry on her face, maybe even fear or apprehension, but he wasn’t sure. He thought about asking her what she was thinking about and figured the answer would be simple: her grandmother. Brooklyn eyed her daughter in the side mirror and reached for the dial on the radio, turning up the volume. Within seconds, she started belting out the tune coming through the speakers. Bowie knew what she was doing. This was her way of changing the mood. Brooklyn was trying to lift their daughter’s spirits, and it was working. Brystol sat upright and sang her heart out. Bowie did his best to pay attention to the road but found himself trying to watch his girls. Brooklyn claimed she had asked him to drive because she didn’t know the way, but he knew that was just an excuse. She was giving him a glimpse of what their family life was going to be like, and he fucking loved it. He didn’t care that his girls were singing off-key or that his dog’s slobber was getting the back of his arm wet, because he was happy. This was the life that he had been waiting for, and in a matter of hours, his whole world had changed.

“Can Luke come in?” Brystol asked as they arrived at the hospital.

“Not inside, but when you need a break, we’ll come get him and take him for a walk. There’s a great little place over there for Luke.” Bowie pointed toward a small field that had been designated for dogs.