Chapter 21

Twenty-One

Cory

“I still can’t believe it.”

Mom’s face lit up as she placed a stack of pancakes in the middle of the table. “A new grandbaby, Cory. And to think we waited so long for you to settle down! I only wish we had been in Jake’s life sooner.”

“I wouldn’t call it settling,” Dad chimed in with a wry smile. “Seems to me the boy’s diving into the deep end—ready-made family and all.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Jake’s a good kid, Dad. And Elena…” I hesitated, trying to find the right words. “She’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I just didn’t know it back then.”

The smell of bacon and coffee filled the kitchen, the familiar scent wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. I sat at the breakfast table, watching my mom fuss over the stove while my dad sipped his coffee, flipping lazily through the local paper. They’d been talking about the baby nonstop since I told them yesterday, and their excitement hadn’t dimmed one bit.

Mom sat down, her eyes brimming with happiness. “Well, I think it’s wonderful. And this baby—I can’t wait to spoil him or her rotten.”

Dad nodded in agreement as he looked up from his newspaper. I took a bite of my pancake, letting their enthusiasm wash over me. It felt good to be here, to be surrounded by their love and support, but I knew I needed to steer the conversation toward something else.

“So,” I started, carefully testing the waters, “since we’re talking about changes… have you given any more thought to retiring, Dad?”

He lowered the paper slowly, his brows knitting together. “Retiring? From what?”

I gestured vaguely toward the street. “The hardware store. Business has been slowing down for years now, especially since the big chain stores moved in. You’ve said yourself it’s more of a hobby these days.”

Dad set his coffee cup down with a soft clink. “A hobby I happen to enjoy. Keeps me busy.”

“Sure,” I said, keeping my tone light, “but what if there was something else you could do with the space—something that’d help you and Mom enjoy retirement while still keeping the building in the family?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Go on.”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “I don’t want to live or work in Dallas any longer. And I’ve been thinking about using the building for The Horizon Foundation. We need a local headquarters, and the store would be perfect. I could pay you both a generous rent, enough to give you some extra breathing room. You wouldn’t have to worry about keeping inventory, dealing with customers, or anything else.”

Mom glanced at Dad with a thoughtful expression. “That could work, don’t you think? You’ve been talking about cutting back for a while now.”

He scratched his chin, his gaze fixed on me. “And what about you? You planning to stick around Beaver Creek for this big operation?”

I hesitated, knowing the answer wasn’t so simple. “That’s the plan,” I admitted. “I want to move Elena, Jake, and the baby here. But it’s not just up to me. Elena has worked hard to build a thriving business in Cedar Cove. As far Elena’s family goes… well, let’s just say I’ve got some fences to mend there first.”

Dad’s expression softened, and Mom reached across the table to pat my hand. “You’re doing the right thing, Cory. But if you’re serious about this, maybe you should call the Mitchells first. Give them a little heads-up before you show up on their doorstep.”

I shook my head. “No. If I call, they might not even agree to see me. I need to do this in person.”

Mom sighed, but there was understanding in her eyes. “Well, if that’s how you feel. I see Ellen Mitchell around town in the mornings sometimes shopping, you know.”

“Perfect,” I said with a nod, standing up from the table. “But I’d feel better starting with Jim first. If I can get through to him, maybe the rest will follow.”

“You be careful, son,” Dad said, folding his paper. “Jim’s a tough one. But if anyone can win him over, it’s you.”

I smiled, grabbing my jacket. “Thanks, Dad. And think about the foundation idea, okay? We’ll talk later about it.”

As I stepped out into the crisp morning air, I felt a mix of nerves and determination settle in my chest. Winning over Elena’s family was going to take time, but I was ready to do whatever it took.

The drive to the Mitchells’ house felt longer than it should have, a familiar song on the radio doing nothing to calm the nerves. I’d thought about this conversation a hundred times, but now that it was here, I wasn’t sure if any amount of preparation could make it easier.

Their house looked much the same as I remembered—white siding, a wide front porch, and a well-kept lawn lined with a few old oak trees. I parked along the curb and sat for a moment, gripping the steering wheel as I tried to gather my thoughts. Apologizing wasn’t my strong suit, but if there was ever a time to swallow my pride, this was it.

I stepped out of the car and spotted Jim Mitchell behind the house, the rhythmic sound of hammering drawing me toward his woodworking shop. As I walked closer, the smell of sawdust filled the air, mixing with the faint scent of freshly raked leaves.

Jim glanced up as I approached, his hammer pausing mid-swing. His expression was guarded, his brows drawing together as he set the hammer down on the workbench.

“Cory,” he said, his tone neutral but clipped. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

I nodded, stuffing my hands into my pockets. “Morning, Mr. Mitchell. I know this is probably the last thing you wanted today, but I’m hoping we can talk.”

He straightened, crossing his arms over his chest. “Talk about what?”

“About the past,” I said, meeting his gaze. “About Elena. About Jake. I owe you an apology, and I wanted to give it to you face-to-face.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, his stance shifting just enough to show he wasn’t entirely closed off. “I’m listening.”

I took a deep breath, my words tumbling out before I could second-guess myself. “I made a mistake, sir. Leaving town the way I did, losing touch with Elena… it wasn’t fair to her or to you and Mrs. Mitchell. I didn’t know she was pregnant when I left, but even if I had, I wasn’t in the right headspace to be the man she needed. I thought I was doing the right thing by joining the Marines, but looking back, I can see how much I hurt her—and all of you—by not staying in touch.”

Jim’s expression didn’t change much, but the set of his jaw relaxed slightly. “Ellen told me you and Elena are seeing each other again. I guess that means you’re finally stepping up to help raise Jake.”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “I’m trying to be the father Jake needs and the partner Elena deserves. I know I’ve got a lot to prove, but I’m ready to do whatever it takes to make things right.”

Before Jim could respond, the sound of the back door opening drew our attention. Ellen Mitchell stepped outside, carrying a shopping bag in one hand and looking surprised to see me.

“Cory,” she said, stopping mid-step. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Hi, Mrs. Mitchell,” I said, offering a small smile. “I came to talk to Mr. Mitchell, but… I guess now’s as good a time as any to tell you both what’s on my mind.”

She glanced between me and her husband, setting the bag down on a nearby chair. “Alright, then. What’s this about?”

I hesitated for a moment before deciding to lay it all on the table. “Elena’s pregnant,” I said, watching their reactions carefully.

Ellen’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her chest. “Pregnant?”

Jim’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t look as angry as I’d feared. “Is that so?”

I nodded. “Yes. And I want to be there for her, Jake, and the baby. But that’s not the only reason I’m here. I came to apologize, and I came to ask for your blessing.”

“Blessing?” Jim asked, his brows raising.

“I want to marry Elena,” I said, my voice steady. “I love her, and I want to build a life with her and our kids. But I know I need to make things right with you first.”

Ellen’s eyes softened, tears brimming as she reached for her husband’s arm. “Jim, he’s trying to do the right thing.”

Jim let out a long breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’ve got a lot to prove, Cory. But if this is how you’re planning to start, then…” He paused, glancing at Ellen before nodding. “You have my blessing. And more than that, I hope you’re serious about sticking around this time.”

“I am,” I said, relief flooding through me.

Jim extended a hand, and I shook it firmly, the tension between us easing. “Alright, then. Guess I’m gonna be a granddad again. Maybe this one will be a girl.”

Ellen smiled, wiping her eyes as she stepped forward to hug me. “You better make her happy, Cory. That’s all we want.”

“I will,” I promised, my voice full of conviction.

As I drove away from the Mitchells’, my thoughts lingered on the conversation I’d just had. Jim’s blessing and Ellen’s kindness were more than I’d hoped for, and they gave me a renewed sense of purpose. There were still bridges to rebuild and promises to keep, but I felt like I’d taken a solid first step toward proving I was serious about the life I wanted with Elena and our family.

The next step was clear, and as I pulled into the small parking lot of the jewelry store, the gravity of what I was about to do hit me. I stared at the modest sign in the window, my mind racing with possibilities. It was funny how this tiny shop, one I’d passed a thousand times as a kid, now felt like the gateway to the rest of my life.

I took a deep breath, grabbed my wallet, and stepped out. As I entered, a familar scent of glass cleaner greeted me. The store was quiet, with glass cases displaying rows of rings, necklaces, and watches that sparkled under the soft lighting.

A cheerful woman behind the counter looked up and smiled. “Good morning! Can I help you find something special today?”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice steady even though my chest felt tight. “I’m looking for an engagement ring.”

Her smile widened, and she stepped out from behind the counter. “Of course. Any idea what style she might like?”

I thought of Elena—her understated elegance, her quiet strength. She didn’t go for flashy things, and that’s what made her stand out. “Something simple, but meaningful,” I said. “Elegant but not too… over the top.”

The woman nodded, her expression thoughtful as she guided me to a case filled with rings of all shapes and sizes. “I think I know just the thing. Let’s start here.”

She pulled out a tray, setting it on the counter in front of me. My eyes scanned the options—some with clusters of diamonds, others with intricate designs. But then, one caught my eye: a solitaire diamond on a thin platinum band, timeless and understated.

“That one,” I said, pointing to it.

“Excellent choice,” she said, picking it up carefully. “This one is classic, but the simplicity really highlights the diamond. It’s a great option for someone who values elegance without being overly flashy.”

I nodded, turning it over in my hand. It was perfect—just like Elena. I could imagine her wearing it, her smile lighting up the room as she said yes.

“This is the one,” I said, setting it down gently.

“Wonderful,” she replied. “Would you like it gift-wrapped or just the box?”

“The box is fine,” I said, pulling out my wallet.

As she rang me up, I glanced around the store, my thoughts wandering. I thought about how far I’d come since reconnecting with Elena—about Jake, the baby, and the life we were building. It felt like my life was going in the right direction, and I wasn’t looking for an escape for the first time in a long time. I was exactly where I wanted to be.

The woman handed me the small black box, her smile warm and knowing. “Congratulations. I hope she says yes.”

“She will,” I said, a quiet confidence settling over me as I tucked the box into my pocket.

I started the engine and headed back to Cedar Cove, my thoughts shifting to the next step. The ring in my pocket felt like both a promise and a question, but as much as I wanted to propose to Elena right away, I knew we needed more time. Jake was still getting used to having me in his life, and I wanted him to feel completely comfortable with me before I took that leap. For now, I’d focus on building that trust—one day at a time.