Cadence of Cranberries - Valerie Comer Page 0,7

winced. His daughter was now expecting something even more over the top. This punk — would-be doctor or not — had better not blow it with Charlie’s little girl.

“Of course, she said yes. Alex isn’t stupid enough to gamble that big. The guy’s an accountant, after all. So then Evan switched the lights to flash yes! And everyone came out and cheered and all that.” Dominic’s voice petered out. “Anyway, that was tonight’s excitement. But now I’m here with you.” He tugged Katri closer to his side and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Dad and I went down to Riverside Park. Have you ever been on the Looff Carousel? It looks so fun.”

Dominic chuckled. “Plenty of times when I was a kid.”

“I’ve never been. I want to.” She batted her eyelashes at Dominic.

How could the lad resist that? Charlie wouldn’t have been able to. Thankfully, she hadn’t begged her old dad. Guess it wouldn’t be as romantic as riding it with her boyfriend.

Dom rubbed her shoulder. “Sometime we will. Maybe next time you come home with me.”

There was an opening. “You still think of Spokane as home?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve got a lot of family here. A lot of history. Seattle was only ever meant to be a place to get my education.”

“Nurses can work anywhere,” murmured Katri, leaning against her boyfriend.

“They can.” Dom smiled at her.

What did Charlie really think of Dominic Santoro? He should encourage the young pup if it meant Katri would move close to her father. But a doctor worked crazy, nasty hours. Could a dad really wish that kind of life on his daughter? Julia’s strident voice still berated his conscience.

He’d also like to think Katri was too young to think of settling down, but she was twenty-three and finished her education. Lots of kids her age got married. He could be thankful she’d found Jesus a few years ago. That had opened the pathway to a relationship between them, and she’d introduced him to faith. And Dominic had been raised in the church. Katri had told Charlie today that she and Dom weren’t sleeping together. They were ‘saving it’ for marriage.

Kudos to them.

Charlie wished he’d done the same. Not that Julia would have cared.

It was eleven o’clock. Charlie stood and feigned a yawn. “It’s been a long day, so I’m off for bed.” He looked straight at Dominic. “Let yourself out before midnight.”

“Yes, sir.” The lad met his gaze with a nod.

Katri unwound herself from around Dominic and came over to Charlie. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a squeeze. “Thanks, Daddy.”

Aw, man. Charlie hugged his baby girl tight. Whatever she wanted, he’d give it to her. Sun, moon, stars, whatever. “Love you, baby.”

“You, too, Dad. See you in the morning.”

With another warning look at Dominic, Charlie retreated to the master bedroom. He wasn’t prepared for this stage of life, which was all kinds of hilarious, since he hadn’t been ready for the last few, either.

Hadn’t been ready for Julia’s defection.

Hadn’t been ready to be cut out of his daughters’ lives.

Hadn’t been ready for Jesus.

The knot in his gut loosened slightly, because Jesus had been ready for him. Looking back, Charlie could see so many things in his life nudging him toward a loving Father. He might be a lousy dad. His own father hadn’t been any better, truth be told. But God showed him what fatherhood was all about. Lavishly showering love on His children. Yeah, there was a corrective hand here and there, too, but God was full of blessings.

No, He hadn’t restored Charlie’s marriage, but he didn’t even want that, not anymore. Julia had ruined any lingering affection by the life she’d led since booting Charlie out twelve years back. He didn’t want Julia back, but he did want the same kind of relationship with Evie that he had with Katri. Evie worked at Boeing, eyeing the ladder to the top the way he had when he was her age. You’d think that would give them something in common, but no. He wanted to caution her that success wasn’t everything — although money always helped — but she’d turned deaf ears to her old man years ago.

Charlie sighed as he changed into flannel pajama pants and a clean T-shirt. He stood in front of the mirror for a long moment, studying his short graying hair, the lines around his eyes. At least, when he turned sideways, he saw the trim physique of a younger man. But the truth was,