Six Months Later
“Dude, I’m so glad you’re here,” Caden said, sounding relieved.
I clapped him on the back. “I wouldn’t miss this shit for the world, Caden. I mean, this is huge.”
“Can you believe I actually stuck with an idea?” he asked.
“No, I can’t believe it. That’s why it’s huge, man. You did it. You have your own damn business. I’m just glad you got rid of the hopping idea. You sure you test ran this thing?”
“I did, and people loved it. The beer seems to be the favorite. But they like the food too. And I finally narrowed down the brews we’re gonna do, out of some that I was testing.”
“Awesome. I’m proud of you, Caden. And I’m glad you didn’t stick with the original name. ‘Jump ‘N Hop’ sounds a hell of a lot better than ‘Hoppin’ Hoppers’ or whatever it was.”
“No shit. And I’ve got you to thank for it. For the restaurant, not the name. You were useless with the name, but your investment is what got us up and running.”
“Well, reconnecting with my father gave me more financial freedom than I expected.”
“Things going smoothly there?” he asked.
“Better than I would’ve ever expected,” I said.
“And Blithe? How’s she doing?”
“She’s good. I’m already having to look at enrolling her into kindergarten.”
“Oh, yeah. That shit’ll start in the fall.”
Six months had done all of us a lot of good. Caden had told me he was serious about opening his restaurant and presented me with a business plan.
It was a professionally-bound document outlining everything he would need, down to the penny. He had gotten a couple of people to become angel investors, but he didn’t have nearly enough money to get all of this up and running.
So, I had a talk with my father, and I was able to swing an investment that gave him the capital he needed. For a percentage of the business, of course.
I also received my inheritance, which my dad had said he was planning to give me all along but could never reach me due to the fact that I had fled. Now I was a billionaire. I suppose I had been all along, but hadn’t wanted to be because it would tie me to my father. Since I had a daughter, and a love interest now, I figured I should take advantage of all the things that money had to offer.
Speaking of the love interest: Paige stayed in town and stuck by our side. She helped out with Blithe more than I could’ve ever imagined. Her funds were dwindling with her staying in that damn hotel, and I finally convinced her to stay with us.
She gave in, came to stay, and never left. I had plenty of money to take care of her, and Blithe too. Those two ladies were my world now.
My father began renting out a beachside condominium to stay in whenever he came down. He had it outfitted so he could work there and be with Blithe whenever she wanted.
I kept a close eye on him for months before I accepted the fact that he had changed, and I watched a bond grow between him and Blithe that made my heart swell with pride. I slowly saw my isolated, angry father morph into the man he had always wanted to be, and I watched the love in his eyes grow for his granddaughter.
My father was right. His years of therapy and AA had done him good. He was a changed man, and even though I couldn’t believe it at first, the evidence was right there in front of my eyes.
Blithe was the light of his life. She had her grandfather wrapped around her little finger, and all the toys in my apartment were proof of that. I think that if my mom were here, she’d be happy to see how things had turned out. She was always a very forgiving woman. Of everyone except herself.
“Hey, Caden!”
I turned at the sound of Paige’s voice as Blithe came running up to Caden.
“Hey there, big girl,” Caden said as he picked her up. “How was school?”
“Good, I’m hungry,” Blithe said.
“Well, I’m glad you are because I’ve got a plate made especially for you.”
“Really?” she asked. “What is it?”
“That’ll ruin the surprise,” Paige said as she winked at me. “And you don’t wanna do that, do you?”
“I like surprises,” Blithe said.
“Speaking of surprises, I thought you weren’t gonna be able to make it,” I said.
“I finished up my painting sooner than I thought, so here I am,” Paige said.
I bent down to kiss her lips lightly before I pulled her into my side.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here,” Caden said. “I want you to be the guinea pig for something I’m debuting.”
“Oh, no,” Paige said. “What is it this time?”
“It’s a new kangaroo dish. I had two that the public tested out, and they didn’t really like either one. They liked elements of both, but not the overall dishes. So, I combined the most popular elements into one dish. I won’t even charge you for it.”
“Good, because kangaroo is expensive,” Paige said.
“You wouldn’t be paying anyway,” I said.
“I should, since I sold my first painting today,” Paige said.
I looked down at her before I picked her up and swung her around. “I told you that you could do it.”
“How romantic,” Caden said. “She tells you she’s sold something, and your first words are ‘I told you so.’ That’s messed up.”
“In his defense, he did tell me, and I didn’t believe him,” Paige said.
“Hey, I was on your side,” Caden said. “I was about to negotiate a spa day or something. You really need to learn how to flex that guilt muscle of yours.”
“Don’t worry, I’m saving it up for a really good moment,” Paige said.
“I’m sure I’ll stick my foot in my mouth again soon enough,” I said.
“Eww, feet,” Blithe said.
“I’m with her,” Caden said. “Now, who’s ready to eat?!”
The crowd outside of the restaurant roared to life as everyone cheered and clapped.
“Then come on inside!” Caden said. “Jump ‘N Hop is open for business!”
We all piled in and took a seat right near the kitchen. Caden was running around trying to manage the floor while servers rushed to get their tables’ orders. The inside of the place was fantastic, and the smells coming from the kitchen were heavenly. Blithe wiggled in her seat next to Paige as she drew with some crayons Caden had given her, but then a familiar face appeared at our table.
“Mind if I join you?”
“Grandpa!” Blithe said.
“Hey there, princess,” my father said.
“Mr. Kent, I didn’t think you were going to make it,” Paige said.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” he said. “Mind if I sit by you?”
I moved over so he could sit across from Blithe.
“Did you skip out on another meeting?” I asked.
“Nope, I just took it on the road,” he said.
“You didn’t fly in?” Paige asked.
“There’s some bad weather brewing in upstate Washington this morning. So, I decided to drive. It’s an agonizing haul. I don’t know how in the world you did it, Paige.”
“It helps when you’re being paid three times what you usually make,” she said, grinning.
He laughed. “So! What’s on the menu?”
“Rabbit, kangaroo, and crickets,” Caden said.
“That sounds… different,” my father said.
“And it’s all wonderful, I can assure you. I’m glad you came, Kent.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it, Caden.”
It felt a little surreal, all of us sitting in a booth in Caden’s restaurant. My father, who had chased us away, was now the foundation of this family; Paige, who was surveilling me, was now the woman I couldn’t live without; Blithe, the daughter I didn’t know I had, was now my rising sun; and Caden, who had been all talk, was now running a business like he’d always dreamed.
It was hard choking down my tears as I sat back and looked at my family.
“What can I get you to drink, Mr. Laine?” Caden asked.
“Kent, please. And I’ll try this stout. Is it really made in-house?”
“Yes, sir, and it’s fabulous.”
“Then I’ll have one of those, and make sure the bill gets to me.”
“Mr. Kent, that’s not necessary,” Paige said.
“I know it’s not, but I’d like to treat everybody. It’s a special night, and I don’t want a budget ruining it for anyone.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said.
My father’s gaze whipped over to me before his hand came up to pull me in for a hug.
“Anytime, son,” he said. “Anytime.”