Chapter 27
EVIE
I’ve been searching for my dad. Finding out what happened to him has become my primary focus.
I contacted the base he was stationed at when I was born, and after a painfully long search, it looks like I might have found someone who will be able to tell me what happened to my dad.
I’m at MacArthur Park, standing by the lake where we agreed to meet. Glancing at my watch, my stomach tightens with nerves. He’ll be here any second now.
When John Adams first responded to one of the dozens of emails I sent out, I wasn’t very hopeful. He asked some questions about me and then said he’d be in touch.
It took him two weeks to get back to me. He said he wanted to meet in person, that he had answers for some of my questions.
I hope he does. I stare at the water, wondering what answers he has for me. I’ve given up staring at every face passing me by. I should have asked him what he looks like. It was stupid of me not to.
“Evie.” My name is so soft, I almost think I imagined it.
I glance over my shoulder and seeing a man standing a few feet from me, I turn around.
He takes a step back as his eyes widen with shock. It looks like he’s seen a ghost.
“Are you John?” I ask, an anxious smile wavering on my lips.
He shakes his head, and although his lips part, he doesn’t speak for another minute.
“I’m Hayden Cole,” he says, his voice hoarse.
My eyes widen as the name sinks in. My breaths speed up, and no matter how hard I fight to keep control of the emotions barreling through me, tears fill my eyes.
“You’re Hayden Cole? Josephine Bailey’s fiancé?” I ask to make sure.
My eyes flit over him, trying to match him to the young man in the photo. My hand is trembling so badly, I almost drop the photo as I take it from my bag. I look at the face of my father on the photo, then back to the man.
They both have green eyes. My eyes.
They both have dark brown hair.
The photo shows a scar through his left eyebrow.
I look up, and my breath catches when I see the scar.
He takes a shuddering breath, and when the first tear rolls down his cheek, he says, “I was told you didn’t make it. I looked for you. I went to the hospital. I was told my daughter died.”
I shake my head, and whisper, “I didn’t.”
We just stare at each other, and it feels like time is standing still.
He lifts his arm slowly and cups my cheek in his large hand. Brushing his thumb over the swell of my cheek, his tears start to fall faster.
My eyes are on fire, and my throat is stuffed full of emotions.
“Oh, my God. You’re alive,” he whispers, his voice cracking over the words.
He takes a step forward, and his arms wrap around me.
The moment I bury my face in his chest, it feels like I shatter. If he lets go of me now, my pieces will just crumble to the floor.
A cry forces its way through my throat, and I press harder into my father’s chest so that I can smother the sound.
He holds me so close, his body jerking from his own cries, as he starts to place kisses along the side of my head.
He pulls slightly back, framing my face with both his hands. His eyes hold mine, and I see the sorrow of lost time, but I also see the happiness of now, and the hope of a future together.
“I saw your death certificate, Evie. I didn’t stop until I saw on paper that you were dead, and even afterward, I always had this feeling that you didn’t die. I thought you were my guardian angel watching over me.”
“I thought you didn’t want me,” I whisper.
He pulls me to his chest again, as he says, “I wanted you with every fiber of my being. Not a day has passed that I didn’t think of you and your mom. No matter where I was, you were both there with me.”
We hold each other until I’ve lost all track of time.
Dad pulls back, and taking my hand, he pulls me over to a nearby bench. Once seated, he turns his body to face me and holds my hand in both of his.
A smile starts to warm his face as his eyes keep darting over my face.
“You’re just as beautiful as your mother. When you turned around, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me.”
I swallow and straightening my spine, I say, “I met Maggie. She was Mom’s neighbor. She told me what she could, and she gave me some stuff.”
I hold out my right hand so he can see the ring. I haven’t taken it off since I put it on.
“That’s your mother’s ring,” he says, his voice filled with a mixture of amazement and grief.
“I hope it’s okay that I wear it?” I half ask, half say, not sure how he will feel about it.
He nods. “It’s more than okay. I think she would’ve wanted that.”
∞∞∞
When it started to grow dark, Dad suggested we go for dinner. While we walked to the restaurant, I quickly texted Kyle to let him know that I wouldn’t be coming in to work tonight.
Once we’ve placed our orders, Dad reaches across the table and holds my hand. It’s like he’s scared to let go of me for even a minute.
“Have you gotten married?” I ask. I’m a little terrified he has a family and that they won’t accept me.
He shakes his head, giving my hand a squeeze. “After I lost your mother and you… thought that I lost you, I just worked.”
“Are you still in the military?”
I have so many questions. I wish I could ask them all at once, so I don’t forget any of them.
“I actually never joined the military. I joined the navy.”
“Oh,” I say, feeling dumb. I don’t know much about how it works. To me, the military is the military.
His eyes settle on mine, and it feels like he’s trying to look inside the heart of me.
“I’m a Navy SEAL.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “Not that I’ve been a good one seeing as I didn’t find you.”
“You didn’t know,” I whisper, hating what happened to us, but not wanting him to take the blame.
A muscle starts to tick in his jaw, and a wave of anger washes over his face. It’s quick before he regains control over his emotions.
“I’m going to find out what happened. Someone is going to pay for taking you from me.”
His words are filled with so much determination, it sends a shiver racing down my spine.
The waitress brings our food, and only once she’s left, does Dad say, “You didn’t give up.”
I’m surprised by the proud look on his face that I just sit there blinking. No one has ever looked at me like that.
He smiles, and it warms his eyes. “Your mom wouldn’t have given up either.”