Chapter Ten

HADLEY

“Ms. Arrowood, your next client is here. I’ve sent him back,” Patti, the office receptionist says through the phone.

I look at my schedule, confused because I have a clear day for the most part. The only meeting I have is with Renee to go over possible options to get more money if we agree to give up a seat on the board.

Which, I actually think might be a better option. Once the company takes over, we have no idea if it’ll be profitable, but the other side is that they will most likely destroy the farm that she’s spent her whole life building.

I haven’t heard from Cayden in four days. Four days of me trying to pull myself together and forget him. I’ve gone to the gym every day, giving a lot of extra energy hoping to sweat him out of my head. That hasn’t worked. I’ve meditated, because my mother swears that always helps clear her head when she’s struggling. I’m clearly not built for that. And then I have gone to the stables everyday this week. Not even Max has helped. If anything, it’s worse because I think of him most there.

“Patti, I don’t have any clients coming today.”

Before she can respond, my door opens and my dad walks in.

“Well, I wouldn’t call myself a client.”

I smile, my heart feeling light and settled at the same time. “Daddy.” Immediately I’m on my feet and moving toward him.

His strong arms wrap around me, and I sink into his chest. There is nothing in the world that makes me feel safer and more like myself than a hug from him. He squeezes me tight and then kisses the top of my head. “Hello, Squirt.”

I smile, shaking my head. “I am twenty-six, not really a squirt anymore.”

“You’ll always be my little girl. Learn to accept this.”

“Sure, Daddy. Why are you in the city? Mom never said anything about it.”

He sighs. “Your uncle needed me to come look at the security setup with the new company he’s acquiring. I figured it was a reason to see you and your mother was pretty adamant I do exactly that.”

“I’m surprised she didn’t tag along.”

“Oh, she wanted to, but she can’t with the school year coming to an end.”

My mother is the best teacher in the world. I know everyone probably thinks their favorite is the best, but it’s true here. She is that person that just emanates kindness. Her kids love her so much and always come back when they’re in town.

“They’re lucky to have her.”

“We all are,” Dad says without hesitation. No one in this world loves her more than him.

“So, you’re here, do you…” I check my watch, seeing it’s a little past one. “Want to grab lunch?”

“Lunch would be good. Pizza?”

“Are there any other food options?”

He shakes his head. “You are going to become a pizza one day.”

“I can accept that.”

Daddy laughs and I hook my arm around his. We leave and head a few blocks down to my favorite spot. It’s one of those pizza places you’d walk right past because it’s tucked in. Melanie and I stumbled in after it started pouring when we were walking home and it’s now our most loved restaurant in the city.

Plus, it’s pizza.

“So, what’s happening with that big case of yours?” Dad asks as we sit down with a pie.

“Tomorrow, I have another round of negotiations.” And another round of seeing Cayden.

“Are you going to win?”

I shrug. “I have a very strong argument and my clients are willing to concede on two things, which is the leverage I need. I don’t think we’ll need to budge on either, but if we do, neither hurt them.”

“Sounds like you have a good plan,” Dad praises.

“A plan is just that though, I need to get the other lawyer to see my way. ”

“You will.”

My dad never doubts my ability, even when I don’t see it the same. He is levelheaded, smart, and because he was a Navy SEAL, he can handle extremely stressful situations. You know, like falling in love with opposing counsel and sleeping with him multiple times when you absolutely shouldn’t.

“Dad, can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

I grin. “How did you handle going into missions, knowing someone might get hurt or worse?”

He puts his slice down, wipes his hands, and releases a long sigh. “You don’t really handle it. You don’t even consider it if you can. Battle is not a place for doubt or feelings. It’s when you rely on your training and instincts. It’s no different than when you have to argue a case.”

“That’s the problem. I can’t…separate them suddenly.”

His eyes narrow and I have a feeling he is guessing there’s a boy, but my father doesn’t do boys with me. It doesn’t matter my age or the fact I am a grown woman. I am still seven in his eyes, climbing up to the treehouse or playing Go Fish. When I tried to date Avery Gladstone in high school, my mother had to threaten to make him sleep in the barn.

We went to prom and at the end of the night, his father and mine stood at the front door, staring us down to ensure we didn’t kiss.

Little did they know we totally made out in the bathroom at the prom and he touched a boob.

“Why can’t you do that?”

“Because, my feelings are muddled.”

He quietly grunts. “And this case, is it the people you’re protecting or fighting?”

“No, it’s the lawyer.”

Dad’s face falls and his chin falls to his chest. “Hadley, no. You know I am not rational with this shit. It’s why you have your mother. She is able to see sense.”

“Well, I need you to be a big boy and accept that I am a grown woman and I need you to help me not have feelings.”

“Good fucking luck with that. I didn’t want feelings with your mother and we see how well that turned out. Hell, look at every damn Arrowood in our family, brimming with unwanted feelings. I would really love it if you didn’t have feelings because then I don’t have to have them with this guy I don’t even know and want to kill.”

This was a mistake. “You are so dramatic, you know that?”

“When it comes to my kids, yup. I know I’m dramatic. You and Bethanne are my world. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you both.”

“You can’t protect us always, Dad.”

“No, I can’t. And I hate it.”

I smile. He really is an amazing father. “So, how do I separate these unwanted feelings?”

“You shove them down so far you can’t see them during the battle, and after it’s over, you face them head-on. Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that they don’t stay buried, no matter how hard you try.”

That’s what I was afraid of. I will never be rid of this…and I really need to be so I can stop thinking of Cayden every day.