If ever there was a time for reconciliation, it was Hillary’s wedding. “Eddie, listen, this is your life. I don’t mean to interfere; that’s the last thing I want. What you should recognize is this may well be your last chance to reconcile with your daughters.”
“What do you mean?”
“Being indifferent and avoiding reconciliation simply isn’t working. This engagement is a gift. An opportunity. Fight for your daughters. Let them see your heart and how important they are to you.”
Eddie’s sigh came over the line. “You’re right. Thanks for the call, Julia.”
“You’re welcome, Eddie.”
What had started out as an uncomfortable conversation had ended on a gentle note. When she disconnected the call, Julia leaned back and closed her eyes, praying that Eddie would take her words to heart and do whatever was necessary to be reunited with his girls.
Chapter 7
Heath spent the weekend thinking about Julia. More than once, he’d been tempted to call to ask if she’d go sailing with him. He’d kept his boat in the divorce and often enjoyed time on Lake Washington. Lee had never taken to the water, so he’d frequently gone out with friends or his sons. Since both Michael and Adam had plans for the weekend, Heath had ventured out with a friend he’d known since his college days.
As it so often did, time spent on the water had relaxed him. As he leaned back, letting the wind carry him across the choppy waters near the University of Washington, his mind had continually drifted to Julia. He would have enjoyed sharing this day with her. The desire to ask her had been strong. He would have given in, if not for fear he was coming on a little strong.
They were together nearly every morning as it was, and recently they’d fallen into the habit of having coffee together following their workout. He enjoyed her company, far more than any other woman he’d met in the years since his divorce. Like him, Julia was gun-shy, and he didn’t want to overwhelm her.
But he was interested in Julia. Very interested.
Monday morning, after they’d exercised, parted, and showered, they met at the Busy Bean. It was her turn to buy coffee, and he let her, although he would have preferred to pay himself. Probably a sexist thought, but he couldn’t help that. It was how he’d been raised. The man paid. Any woman paying for his half made him slightly uncomfortable.
He was early enough to get a table, and stood when Julia arrived, after collecting their coffees. Standing was likely another faux pas, but again, this was how he’d been taught. Ever the gentleman.
Once seated, he asked, “Did you have a good weekend?” He hoped to feel her out about joining him on his boat the next time he went out on the water.
She seemed to be weighing her answer. “It was a mixture of the wonderful and the not-so-wonderful.”
“How do you mean?” With anyone else he might have left it at that and awaited details. He wanted to know, and so he asked. “If I’m prying, stop me. What happened?”
She smiled, letting him know she hadn’t taken offense. “The best part was when my daughters stopped by. My oldest, Hillary, just got engaged. She’s been dating Blake for three years and I’d been hoping, of course.”
“That is good news.” His own sons were getting to the age where they should be thinking along those lines themselves. To this point, neither of his boys seemed to be in any hurry to make a commitment. Heath wondered if the divorce might have something to do with their reluctance. It could be what had held Julia’s daughter back.
Julia’s eyes lit up with happiness, as she relayed what she’d learned about her daughter’s plans to this point. “It’s wonderful news and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
“And the not-so-wonderful part?” he prodded.
“Yes,” she said, sighing, “Hillary remains on the outs with her father. I was put in the uncomfortable position of being the one to tell him his daughter is engaged.”
Heath didn’t envy her. “I take it the conversation didn’t go well?”
“It actually ended up being fine, after an uncomfortable start. Naturally, Eddie was hurt that I was the one to tell him. I’d rather stay out of this conflict between my ex and our daughters. The last thing I want is to be caught in the middle. The only reason I called was because I was afraid if word got out, and Eddie heard about the engagement from someone else, it would devastate him.”
Julia’s sensitivity toward her ex-husband’s feelings impressed Heath. “It sounds like your girls haven’t forgiven their father.”
Julia groaned. “That’s putting it mildly.”
She didn’t elaborate, and he didn’t press her with more questions.
“What about your sons? Do they have issues with their new stepdad?”
Quite the opposite, from what Heath could make out. He never wanted to put his boys in a position of having to choose; consequently, he didn’t ask, and they seldom volunteered information. “Apparently not. They don’t mention much about my ex and her husband, and frankly, that’s just as well.”
“You’re fortunate. My girls took the divorce personally. They don’t seem to understand that while Eddie no longer wants me in his life, he loves our daughters and wants a relationship with them.”
Seeing that Julia was struggling with this situation, Heath sought a way to brighten her day. “Let’s concentrate on the positive. Your daughter is engaged, and you’re pleased.”
“I am,” she said, brightening at the reminder.
“I say this news calls for a celebration. Let me cook you dinner,” he suggested. Since living alone, Heath had become adept in the kitchen. The first year following the divorce, he’d dined on takeout most nights. Within a few months, he was tired of the same menus and the same restaurants, and decided to teach himself to cook. He signed up for an online cooking class, tried out a few basic recipes, and was pleased with the results. It was possible to teach an old dog new tricks! He was eager to show Julia he was a man of many talents.
“When?” she asked, and then playfully narrowed her eyes. “Heath Wilson, are you asking me out on a date?”
“Ah…” He was unsure how to answer. Thinking quickly, he said, “Not a date. A meal between friends.” Then, because he was eager to spend time with her after the long weekend, he added, “How about tonight?”
Her shoulders slumped in disappointment. “I can’t tonight. I’ve signed up for a charity pub crawl.”
That sounded like fun. “How about tomorrow, then?”