Drew stood at the kitchen window, as Jordan and Miranda walked across the lawn toward the Inn. His fists clenched in frustration when she planted a kiss on Jordan's cheek. She said she was going to tell him there was nothing more than friendship between them, but she had told him that, too, and look what had happened last night.
Last night. That had certainly turned out better than he expected. Heat prickled his skin as he thought of it. He'd been keenly aware of missing her over the years, but after what had happened between them, there was no way he could go back to his old life. Having Mandy in his bed again, even for a short time, was enough to convince him he needed to have her there always. It struck him with perfect clarity that this was the first time since he could remember not fantasizing about running off on some grand adventure—the first time he wasn't plotting his quick escape from the Inn. For once in his life, he craved family and stability. A legacy.
I'm going to marry her. The thought hit him like a load of bricks to the chest. Marriage and Drew Elliott didn't usually go hand in hand. His family would never believe it. The trouble was, Miranda wasn't likely to believe it, either. He wasn't sure if he could get her to sleep with him again, much less marry him.
"She sure is a beautiful woman, isn't she, son?"
"Huh?" Drew snapped back to reality at the sound of his father's voice. "Oh. Yeah."
"Yup. Beautiful, both inside and out, just like your sister. I'd say they're just about the best women in all of Solace Creek, saving your mother, of course." Max Elliott rubbed his chin, considering. "Guess I don't have to tell you that, though."
"What do you mean?"
"Come on now," Max said. "You may have been away for a long time, but you've been my son even longer. I know a little bit about you, and I'd venture to say you're still smitten with our dear Miranda."
"Can you blame me?" Drew laughed. His dad had sure hit the bull’s eye on that one.
"No, no," Max said. "Can't blame you. Not for that, anyway."
Drew's temper began to flare. He had enough problems with Miranda. The last thing he needed was a lecture from his old man.
"Now, son. Don't get all fired up. I didn't mean anything hurtful by it. I just don't want you to stir things up again if you aren't ready to see them through." Max smiled and patted Drew's shoulder. "You're my son, and I love you. But Tommy's my grandson, and Miranda—well, Miranda's like a daughter to me. They're my family, too, and I don't want to see them get hurt again."
Drew clenched his teeth. It really galled him that his father thought he needed a reminder. Still, it wasn't right to be angry at the truth. He was fully aware of the mistakes he'd made.
"What are you saying, Dad? You don't want me to be with her?"
"That's not what I'm saying at all, son. In fact, nothing would please your mother and I more." Max walked to the refrigerator and pulled out the pitcher of sweet tea Nancy always kept inside. "Want a glass?"
"Why not?" Drew took a seat at the table. His father obviously had some strong opinions about this. He may as well hear him out.
Max handed Drew the glass of tea, and he took a long draw of it. The sweet liquid that would always remind him of home. Just one of the many things he had missed.
"Your mom sure does make some good tea, doesn't she?" Max said. "No matter where I go, I've never tasted better. Funny thing, too. It's only water, tea, and sugar. You'd think it'd taste the same regardless of who made it, but no one does it like Nancy, that's for sure." Max drained his glass and set it back on the table. He took a long knowing look at his son. "The thing is, there's not much your mom could do that I wouldn't love. I suspect you feel the same way about Miranda."
Drew nodded and waited for Max to continue. After almost thirty years of being his son, Drew knew when Max had more to say. Usually, it was worth waiting for.
"When you love someone, you must be patient, son. Things don't always work out in the way, and in the time, we'd like them to. The thing is, you hurt Miranda pretty bad. Even the strongest of love can't always recover from that."
"Thanks for the words of encouragement, Dad," Drew said.
"I'm not trying to discourage you, son. Furthest thing from it." Max sighed and toyed with his glass, while Drew waited with bated breath. There was a fine line between stating the truth and ripping a heart open like Christmas wrapping paper. "It's just that you've been known to act on a whim, sometimes. Your mom and I would like you to really think about what you want, before you set off on a course of action where either one of you might get hurt. That includes my grandson."
Drew smiled at the mention of Tommy. "He’s a great kid, isn't he, Dad?"
"That he is. He takes after his old grandpa." Max winked at Drew, and grinned.
"I've missed out on a lot with him, haven't I?"
"Things do happen fast at that age," Max said. "Which brings me to the next subject."
Drew groaned inwardly. What next?
"Your mom and I have been wondering about your plans for the future." Max held up a hand to stay Drew's cries of protest. "I'm not talking about long term—not yet, anyway. We just want to know if you plan on sticking around after the busy season is over."
"Trying to get rid of me already?" Drew laughed.
"Not hardly, son. Not hardly."
Max's smile widened, and his eyes beamed with acceptance and love, illuminating the guilt in Drew's heart.
"Fact is, we love having you around. It makes your mother happy to have her whole family back together again. We'd love you to stay longer. Maybe even consider making it permanent."
Drew's heart felt as if it were melting. For years, he was worried that his family might not want him around. He was ashamed of his behavior and thought they might feel the same way. He should have known they would never reject him.
"I'd like that, too," he said, swallowing the lump that seemed to be forming in his throat. "I've really missed all of you." He looked around the large, homey, kitchen. "I've missed this place, too. It gets lonely out there on your own."
"Not as glamorous as it sounds, huh?"
"Nowhere near as glamorous." Drew laughed, a hollow sound filled with all the things he knew he had missed out on. "Seriously, though, I know I've done wrong by Tommy. I want to move back home. Be a real father to him."
"And, Miranda?"
"Mandy will have to make her own choice." Drew's gaze roamed to the window, where he could still see her laughing with Jordan on the front lawn. He looked back at Max, the pain almost too much to bear. "I messed up, Dad. I know she loves me, but she doesn't trust me enough to give me a second chance."
"Trust takes time, son. You're not going to win that back overnight."
"What do I do?"
"You go about living your life in a way that shows her you're a trustworthy man. It's the deeds that make the difference, son, not the words. You'd do well to remember that."
Drew nodded.
"That means being a good father to Tommy and being on time for your mom's Sunday dinners. It also means," he said, giving Drew a probing look, "laying off the ladies."
Drew laughed, uncomfortably. The last thing he wanted was to discuss his sex life with his father.
"I mean it, Drew. I've seen you eying some of the girls on the wait staff. You get involved with one of them, Miranda will find out about it. And, you'll never have a chance with her."
Another woman? The last thing he wanted was another woman. Not after last night, anyway. His dad was right, though. Miranda might take a long time to come around, if she ever did. The old Drew would have grown impatient. Might have considered taking up with another girl. Miranda was probably expecting that, but this time would be different. If he wanted to be with Miranda, if he really wanted his family whole, then he had to bide his time and prove to her this time would be different.