him because you were the best dads a kid could ask for.
Did I tell you that often enough? I know I told you I love you. I just hope I told you it enough.
So, my fear is awaiting the unknown. Then again, don’t we all fear that in some way? Kevin did, and he still took that chance with his father. Maybe I should learn from his experience and let the future take care of itself as it pertains to Jennings.
I wish you had a way of answering me back. I’d love to hear you one more time. You stood by me the way no one else ever has. And I miss you with every cell in my body.
Kara.
Pressing Send, I close out of the application and shut down my computer. Just then a text comes in.
How about a hike with Kevin up Mount Roberts tomorrow? Then we can grab some crab after? It’s Jennings.
My lips curve. That sounds perfect. I’ll ping you after I’ve prodded the teenage beast.
A few dots, then: Sleep well, little Owl.
You too, Ace. See you tomorrow.
And clutching my phone, I whisper, “I look forward to it,” before I make my way out of the kitchen, shutting off lights along the way.
Kara
After that day, things irrevocably changed between all of us. Jennings wasn’t simply becoming a part of our lives, he was in them. And all of us shined brighter than the Northern Lights as a result.
With every moment, we began to heal our hearts and our pasts with new memories. Jennings made certain to open up to Kevin about his childhood, creating a bond between father and son that I think healed any remaining uncertainty in Kevin about what he should feel about his newfound parent.
As we’re flying to Skagway for a day trip, Kevin brings up my favorite topic: Jennings’s days as a Lumberjack. “So, Dad, now that I’ve seen the show, tell the truth. Was your only job really to attract the tourists by looking good?”
Jennings sputters into his microphone. “Jesus, Kara. What kind of nonsense have you been filling our son’s head with?”
“Why, I told him about your impressive log-rolling capability,” I say sweetly. Jennings cuts me off with a groan.
“Son, no matter what your mom or Maris says, it was a lot harder than it looked.”
Kevin does his best to hide his snicker. “Uh-huh. Did they trust you with the power saw?”
Jennings shoots me a baleful glance. “No, they let Kody and Nick play with those.”
“Let me tell you the real story behind the Lumberjacks,” I say with relish. Seconds after, I’m squirming in my seat shrieking, “Ten and two, Jennings!”
“Your opinion on what my ‘duties’ were as a Lumberjack are skewed at best, Owl,” he jokes even as he ruffles my hair.
I harrumph, but at least he’s not tickling me.
“Why do you call Mom, Owl, Dad?” Kevin asks suddenly.
Jennings stills, before his hand slides over my hair. “That’s because she used to be so focused on what she was doing or the people she was talking with, she’d have the stillness of an owl before it took flight. That and owls notoriously are a symbol of wisdom. And as we’ve talked about, your mom was, and is, the smartest person I know.”
“Except Jed. I think he was smarter than all of us,” I murmur, leaning into Jennings’s hand.
“He was wise,” Jennings agrees. “But I’d still put you ahead.”
“With Uncle Jed a close second,” Kevin pipes up.
Jennings reaches back and slaps his hand against Kevin’s. “Exactly that. But back to the topic at hand, one thing your mother is not an expert on is the Lumberjack Show.” Jennings’s voice carries a note of haughtiness.
I cover my microphone to muffle my laughter. “Right. As if spending the summer in intensive study of all of you wouldn’t make me an expert,” I retort.
“Who were you studying other than me?” Jennings demands.
I shrug. “Listen, Brad was completely Rainey’s, but still, he was Team USA. So was Kody, for that matter.” Faking a yawn, I add, “It’s hard to root for a rival country.”
Suddenly the plane hits a little turbulence. I sit up straight. “What was that?” I screech.
“Just demonstrating to our son some of the talents of Team Canada,” Jennings says.
I open and close my mouth several times before I decide to up the ante. Twisting in my seat, I singsong, “Maris has video at the house.”
“Crap,” Jennings mutters as Kevin hoots and hollers.
“Now which parent do you think he’s going to believe? What