“How did you get through all of that?”
“Leaned on friends.”
“Tessa?”
This is awkward, almost as bad as the sex talk with Logan, one I am pretty sure was a little late.
“We also found out Jade was pregnant then. Hell, she didn’t even know.”
“How did you feel when she and Ryan hooked up?”
“Well, they didn’t just hook up, Ava; they got married. He stepped up and took care of both her and Luke. Loved them so much. Ryan is a damn good man, father, husband, and friend.”
She nudges me. “Jade says you did, too.”
“I did what Tommy would have done for me.”
“Do you miss him, Daddy?”
“Every single day.” It’s true. “You don’t just forget about someone who meant so much to you, regardless of time or change.”
“What did you do right after you lost him? What do you remember the most that got you through it?”
Shit, got to love these questions.
I look at her and consider the best advice to give, and I’m sure she sees the wheels turning.
“I want to know what to do for, Harper,” she explains.
“Be there when she needs you, Ava. That’s it. That’s all anyone can do.”
“Okay.”
I lug up three totes full of papers and am about to go into the garage when I look out the window and decide, if I let that stuff sit, I’ll probably be dragging it back in the house.
Hard to let go of the glory days.
“Hey, Ava?”
“Yeah, Daddy?” she asks, peeking out from the breezeway into the garage.
“How about we order pizza and have a bonfire tonight?”
She crinkles up her nose. “In the snow?”
“Yeah, in the snow.”
“Sounds good. Can we invite the neighbors?”
“Sure, if they feel up to it.”
THREE
SNOW FIRE
Ava and I went to the store to grab some drinks to add to the pizza party we planned.
When she invited Jade, they decided we should extend the invitation to more of the Ross family, who were still here in the States, awaiting Tessa and the kids return from England. As much as I know Ashley is going to have a problem with this little get-together, I know it’s the right thing to do.