Chapter 25

25

The Saturday before Father’s Day, Brooklyn took a deep breath of the glorious sun-warmed air. She kept one eye on Shadow Lake Survival’s driveway and one on Colin, where he stood on the other side of the lakeside pavilion. Picnic tables covered in dishes of food filled the large structure. The Shadow Lake Survival team members and their families gathered around, the children were running and playing without a care, adding to the festive event. Just outside, a smoking grill held hamburgers and hotdogs that Reid had charge of grilling.

Brooklyn didn’t think she would ever see this day. They’d done it. Had Kane in custody. Her life was her own again. And as a bonus, they’d done it before the big Father’s Day gathering. Just barely. But in enough time for her to call her parents and invite them to today’s celebration. Her mom just texted that they were turning into the driveway.

Brooklyn’s heart pounded. Her palms were moist. She was both excited and nervous about seeing them again. Three years was a long time to be separated. They would both have changed. What wouldn’t have changed was the love between the three of them, and that could overcome anything else.

A white SUV drove up and parked. Ah, she was right. Change had occurred. The first one—a new car. Life had gone on for them. For her. Didn’t mean they didn’t miss each other. Just that they’d lived their lives as she would expect them to, and hopefully, they were happier than she’d been.

The doors opened, and her dad slid out from behind the wheel, and her dear, sweet mama out the passenger side. She retrieved a casserole dish from the back and handed it to Dad. Brooklyn had told them not to bother bringing anything for the potluck, but she knew her Southern-bred mother could never come to a potluck empty-handed.

They hurried down the driveway, and Brooklyn started off to greet them, but her legs went weak. Rubbery. Her mind blurred. She felt lightheaded. Like she might drop. Strong hands came to lift her up by her elbows from behind before she fell.

“Don’t worry.” Colin’s strong voice whispered in her ear. “I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.”

“I don’t get this,” she said. “I’m so happy to see them. So what’s wrong with me? Why do I feel like I’m going to drop?”

“I’d suspect it’s excess adrenaline over expecting your parents than a crash of relief when you actually saw them.”

She wanted to fling herself into her mama’s arms and hold her for hours, but when she tried to take a step, she still felt weak.

“Why not sit on the bench for a minute?” He helped her to a nearby picnic table.

Her mother frowned. Looked hurt.

No. Oh, no. Brooklyn didn’t want to hurt her mama.

Colin rushed to them and held out his hand to her dad.

“Colin Graham.” He shook her dad’s free hand, then looked at her mama. “The excitement got to Brooklyn, and she felt weak, but I know she’s eager to hug you.”

“Mama, please,” Brooklyn called out. “I’m sorry. I…I want…”

Her mother charged across the open space like she did when Brooklyn was young and had hurt herself. She dropped onto the bench and scooped her into her strong arms. She held tightly, hurting Brooklyn’s ribs, but she didn’t care. The pain was so worth it. Her mama smelled like her flowery jasmine perfume that she’d always worn, and Brooklyn couldn’t hold it together any longer. The tears she’d released ramped up to sobbing.

“It’s okay, sweet pea,” her mama said and stroked her hair. “We’re back together, and we’ll never be parted like this again. That’s all that matters.”

Brooklyn leaned back and drank in the sight of her mama, slightly older looking but still fit, with regal posture learned from her mama as she’d said all good Southern girls knew. Her nose was pointed much like Brooklyn’s. Her smile, a joy to behold. Brooklyn suspected that even though they knew why she had to go into hiding and was probably safe, that they worried the whole time and that beautiful smile might not have been so readily present.

“Let me take that dish over to the food table for you, Mr. Hurst,” Colin said.

She caught sight of him and gave him a smile of thanks.

“Oh!” her mama exclaimed. “Oh my.” She took Brooklyn’s hands and lowered her voice. “When did this happen? When did you fall in love?”

Brooklyn stared at her. “I didn’t know I did.”

“That smile said it all. You love this man. Who is he? Where did you meet him?”

Brooklyn gave a quick overview.

“So he works here at Shadow Lake?”

Brooklyn nodded.

“Isn’t that wonderful?” She clapped. “You’ll be living closer to us then.”

“Mama,” Brooklyn warned.

“Yes, Geneva.” Her father sat next to Brooklyn and put his arm around her. “You’ll have her married off in less than five minutes here, and she hasn’t even said she loves the guy.”

“She doesn’t have to say it. A mother knows. That’s good enough for me.”

“And if Colin doesn’t love her back?” her dad asked.

“He does,” Colin’s voice came from behind her. “But he hasn’t had a chance to tell her yet.”

Brooklyn fired a look over her shoulder, seeing in his eyes what her mama must’ve seen in Brooklyn’s. So they were in love. What did that mean?

“Gather around everyone,” Reid called out. “The burgers and hot dogs are ready. We’ll eat while the girls put on the special show they’ve planned for us.”

“To be continued,” Colin said.

“Yes.” Her mother winked. “To be continued. And if it’s okay, I believe I need to sit between you and Colin for lunch so I can get to know him.”

“It’s okay with me,” Colin said.

“Of course,” Brooklyn said, but wasn’t really ready for her to get to know Colin all that well, when they hadn’t even talked about dating or a long-term future.

Colin offered his hand to help Brooklyn up, and the four of them started for the food table. Brooklyn had gained a bit of strength in her legs again, but eating would help chase the remaining weakness away. She would need all of her strength for her part in the afternoon’s program that eight-year-old Jessie, Reid’s biological daughter, and seven-year-old Ella, his stepdaughter, had planned.

She introduced her parents to people as they passed them and when they got in line for food. They filled their plates with casseroles, salads, fruit, coleslaw, and more before getting a burger from Reid at the grill. Colin then led them all to a table with his brother and their mom, who were already seated on the long bench. He introduced them to her parents.

“You have a very special daughter.” Sandy moved her cane so Colin could sit next to her. “She’s been helping with my health issues, and I couldn’t ask for a better companion.”

Brooklyn’s mom beamed. “It all started with her baby dolls. No pretend mother ever took better care of her babies.”

Sandy smiled. “Something you miss out on when you have boys.”

“Mom just doesn’t want to embarrass Dev here.” Colin grinned. “He loved his baby doll.”

Dev socked him. “I did love Luis, and I’m proud of it.”

“And let’s not forget that Luis was a hand-me-down from you, Colin,” their mom said with a smile. “And he was well loved by then.”

“Yeah, well, he was more like a stuffed toy than a doll.”

Brooklyn loved how her big, tough guy wouldn’t admit to loving a doll when he was little.

Colin also introduced her parents to Russ and his wife Sydney, along with her teenage sister, Nikki, who sat across from them. Sydney glowed with happiness, but Nikki’s frown and slumped posture said she wasn’t all that eager to be there. Still, the sisters resembled each other, but Sydney had blond hair while Nikki had dyed hers a wild shade of blue.

Chatter and laughter filled the afternoon as people ate and got to know each other until Jessie and Ella, wearing matching pink party dresses, climbed up on a makeshift stage. A large, colorful banner fluttered in the breeze where they’d strung it across the back, and it read, ‘ First Annual Father’s Day Celebration .’

Jessie grabbed a karaoke microphone. “Attention. Attention. We’re going to start our program. Each kid—well, me and Ella together cause we only get one song—chose a Christian song that was a hit the year our dads were born, and we’re gonna sing it. Sorry. We didn’t realize when we decided to do this that some are really old and a little bit lame.” She rolled her eyes.

The others laughed.

“How adorable.” Brooklyn’s mom leaned over to whisper. “Reminds me of Father’s Day banquets we used to have at church when I was young. The kids always did a program. I wonder why we ever stopped having them.”

Brooklyn suspected it was just a sign of the times when kids were too busy to do one more activity, but she didn’t say that. She squeezed her mama’s hand. “Sounds nice.”

People quieted down and gave the girls their attention.

“Dad, we love you,” Jessie said, looking at Reid. “And we wanted to go first. I mean, it was our idea to do this and it should be fair that we start, but it’s getting close to naptime, so we’re going to start with the youngest.” She gave a pointed look at Ryan’s wife, Mia, who was holding their seven-month-old son, Austin.

Mia flipped her mousy brown hair, still holding hints of a former black dye, over her shoulder. She got up, kissed a surprised Ryan on the head, and took the baby to sit with her in a chair on the stage. “Sydney, you should be up here, and I really shouldn’t be going first, but I guess we can wait until the baby’s born.”

“Five months down and counting.” Russ beamed at his wife and put his arm around Zach, his six-year-old son from a previous marriage. “Then we’ll have Mini Me II.”

Zach looked confused but still beamed up at his dad with pride.

The crowd laughed, then settled down.

“I first want to apologize for my lack of singing voice, but Austin loves his daddy, and I wanted to be sure he knew it.” She locked gazes with Ryan, and the air was fairly charged with electricity between them. The same electricity that sparked in Brooklyn when she looked at Colin.

“Hey,” Reid called out. “Cool the looks. This program is only approved for G-rated content.”

Another outburst from the crowd, and Russ socked Reid in the arm.

“So, if Austin could choose a song to dedicate to his daddy from the year he was born, it would be In a Father’s Heart, by Kathy Troccoli.”

Brooklyn wasn’t familiar with the song, but as Mia sang it, she learned it was a song of hope and love, joy and family.

She watched Ryan, the tough guy, tear up as he listened. He kept clearing his throat. Mia stepped down, and he jumped up to envelop her and his son in a hug.

“Looks like a sweet family,” Brooklyn’s mom said.

“They do,” Brooklyn said as she hadn’t spent any time with them but the vibe was obvious.

Jessie raced up on stage, Ella right behind her.

Jessie passed the mic to Ella, who stubbed her toe and looked down. “We chose I Will Be Here, by Steven Curtis Chapman.”

Jessie took the mic and slung her arm around her sister’s shoulders. “Ella’s a little shy, but she sings really good. Better than me. And she loves my dad a whole bunch, and I know he loves her too. We’re adopting her. Dad and me, and then we’ll be official sisters.”

Jessie hugged Ella, whose happiness beamed from her adorable little face, and the crowd clapped.

The music started, and for the first time, Brooklyn noticed Reid’s wife, Megan, operating a sound system from just off stage. She proudly beamed at the girls as she started the music.

The lyrics told of our Father being there for everything and in every time. Always. In all ages.

Reid had a similar reaction to Ryan, except the moment the last word was sung, he raced to the stage and grabbed the girls up in a hug.

“I love you both.” His voice came over the speaker.

“Ouch, Dad,” Jessie said, still holding the mic. “You’re squishing me.”

“You should’ve thought of that before you sang me such a pretty song.” He laughed and released them.

Jessie stepped back. “Zach and Nikki are next, but Zach says singing stupid songs is for girls, so it’s just gonna be Nikki.”

Russ flashed a surprised look at Nikki, then knuckled Zach on the head. “Didn’t I say he was my Mini Me I?”

Zach looked up at his dad. “You’re not mad?”

“’Course not. I don’t need a song. I just need to have you here with me.”

“Hey, thanks, Dad. You’re the coolest.”

“Don’t I know it.” Russ blew on his fingers then brushed them against his chest.

The crowd groaned and laughed.

Not Nikki. She dragged herself up on the stage as if she were going to her execution and took the mic. “I didn’t really want to do this either. I mean, you’re not my dad, Russ. Not at all. You’re just married to my sister, but you’ve been cool. Like a dad. Helping me out. Kicking my butt, too, but that’s okay. I usually deserve it. Okay, you only do when I do deserve it.” She eyed the crowd from eyes lined with heavy liner and thick mascara on her lashes. “And if anyone speaks of this again or tells other people, I’ll get all up in your face.”

Sydney groaned and blushed, but Russ puffed out his chest. “If I could have a Mini Me daughter, this girl would be it.”

Nikki lifted her shoulders a fraction. “So I chose Place in This World, by Michael W. Smith. He talks about finding his place in the world, and Russ is helping me do that. You know, like a dad would do.” She looked down at her feet. “So, yeah, I love you. Now let me get this song over with.”

Russ’s smile evaporated, and he swallowed hard as he took Sydney’s hand.

Tears formed in Brooklyn’s eyes. She’d been so blessed to have such an amazing dad when Nikki didn’t have one at all. He’d taken off when Sydney was a teenager and Nikki a little girl. Then their mother turned to booze to drown her sorrows, and Sydney ended up raising her little sister.

Despite Nikki’s angst, she sang with enthusiasm. When she sang about needing his light to help her find her place in this world, her voice broke, and she swiped the back of her hand over her eyes.

The song ended, and she almost tossed the mic at Jessie, then marched back to her table. Russ got up and held out his fist for her to bump. “Love you too, kid.”

She awkwardly threw her arms around his neck and held on tight. Sydney smiled up at them and was bawling openly.

Nikki jerked back and pointed at her sister. “Now see what we did. She’s pretty much been crying over nothing almost nonstop since getting pregnant. Man, I don’t know if I can survive another four months.”

“Not just four months,” Russ said. “There’s all the after having the baby hormones to deal with.”

“Are you kidding me?” She pretended to faint into her chair. “Just kill me now.”

Laughter rang out, and Brooklyn shook her head. She hoped she and Colin did get together for so many reasons, but it would be fun getting to know this blended family too. Never a dull moment, she suspected.

Jessie got up on stage again. “So this was supposed to just be for kids, but Brooklyn said she wanted a turn, and Dad said I had to let her.”

Laughter returned, and Jessie looked bewildered, so Brooklyn hurried to the stage to help with her unease. She took the mic, and Jessie went to sit on Reid’s lap.

Brooklyn looked at her dad. “I haven’t met everyone here yet, but for those who don’t know, I’ve been away from my family for three years. I had to go into hiding and couldn’t have one bit of communication with them. Not a word. So when the girls told me about the program, I asked if I could choose a song for my dad. I cheated a little and chose one that was a hit in the year I was born. I picked I Will Be Here For You, by Michael W. Smith.”

She smiled at her dad. “It basically talks about being there and being able to trust in you. And you always were there. Will be again, now that we’re free to see each other. Mama too, but this is your day. And there’s not a more trustworthy man I know. So be patient with me while I butcher this song. But know that it comes from a place of complete love.”

She sang the song, trying her best to remain on key and more importantly, not lose it in front of everyone. She left the stage, and her dad gripped her in a fierce hug. “Love you, too, daughter, and I will always be there for you. No matter the physical distance between us.”

He released her, and she sat, looking upward to keep her tears at bay. Colin scooped up her hand in his to hold it tightly.

Jessie announced that Brooklyn was the end of the program. The crowd got up cheering and shouting. Reid took the stage and drew Megan up with him. ”A special thanks to our daughters for arranging this event, and to my lovely wife, Megan, for running the sound. I am the most blessed man on earth, and this right here tells you why. There’re still burgers and dogs and lots of food, so dig in. And what say we do this again next year?”

The rapt applause spoke to the crowd’s agreement.

Colin leaned over her to look at her mother. “Do you mind if I take Brooklyn for a walk?”

“Mind?” her mama asked. “I can see you have something special planned, so go for it.”

He tugged Brooklyn to her feet.

She smiled at her parents. “Be right back.”

“Take your time, sweet pea,” her mama said and turned to look across the table at Russ and his family. “We have all the time in the world to catch up, and I know getting to know this lovely Nikki is going to be fun.”

Colin moved at a rapid clip, leading Brooklyn through the crowd, who were complimenting her on her song. Once he reached the edge of the pavilion, he ducked into the trees, drawing her with him.

“Alone, at last.” He grinned and circled his arms around her waist.

She leaned in to him. “I’m glad to be alone with you, but I really shouldn’t leave my mama and daddy for too long.”

“I get that, but I thought we needed to talk about me declaring my love.” Unease darkened his eyes. “I don’t want to scare you away. It’s really fast, I know. You didn’t have to say it if you don’t mean it.”

“I do mean it.”

“Oh. Oh, right. Good. Great.” His broad smile sent chills through her.

“What would you think about dating, then?” His timid tone was back.

“You’re sure you can continue to care for your mom and start dating?” She searched his gaze. “I mean, Dev told me that’s why you’re not dating now.”

“He’s right, but yeah. I guess I just needed to find the right person to know when it’s the right time to forget about all of that nonsense and trust God.”

“Your mom told me your dad was a firefighter, and I’ve never gotten a chance to tell you my dad is too.”

He arched an eyebrow. “What are the odds of that?”

“Long, I imagine. But I only mention it to say I understand what it’s like to have a parent go to work each day, wondering if you might lose them.”

“Until you do.” His eyes closed, and he swallowed.

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Colin. And for bringing this up now when we were talking about such happy things, but I thought you should know.”

“No, it’s good you did. My trust issues stem from that, but I really think I can let them go.” He took a long breath. “If I fail, now I know you understand.”

She touched his cheek. “I do and will be there for you.”

His gaze searched hers. Maybe he was wondering for how long she would be there.

“I was hoping I might talk to you about continuing to care for your mom,” she said. “Not just for a few weeks like we discussed, but indefinitely.”

His eyes widened. “You don’t want to go back to Portland and your hacking career?”

“No, I do, but she doesn’t need that much care yet. More like just having someone with her in case she needs help. And maybe to encourage her to rest more. I can hack from anywhere and take care of her in my downtime.” She knew he might balk at the next bit, but she had to say it. “No need to pay me. I just want to do it for you and her. Dev too.”

He tilted his head and studied her face. “You really want to do that?”

“I do. I’m sure. And as my parents said, this is closer to where they live, so that would be good for all of us too.”

A broad smile crossed his face. “Well, then I accept, as I’m sure Mom will too.”

“Wow, convincing you was easier than I thought. Is this the new Colin speaking?”

“I guess so.” He laughed.

“I suppose if we’ll be living under the same roof, we’ll have a crash course in dating.” She batted her eyelashes at him.

“We’re bound to get to know each other pretty quickly.” He smiled. “So maybe it won’t be too many Father’s Days before you can sing to me.”

The thought of someday having children with this fine man sent a tingle through her, but she’d had far too an emotional day to discuss this in the way it deserved.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I might have used up all my cred with Jessie this year, and she’ll never let me on stage again.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I was once an FBI agent. I can take out an eight-year-old girl. No problem.”

A feeling so indescribably delicious after her three years of fear and exile took over her that she tossed back her head and laughed, but it soon was silenced by a demanding kiss.

Something she would take over laughter anytime, and God willing, she had many years ahead of being silenced in this very way.

Thank you so much for reading Shadow of Doubt . If you’ve enjoyed the book, I would be grateful if you would post a review on the bookseller’s site.