Uncle Ames had been a huge help for Hunter, who’d then started an educational foundation specifically for injured veterans and cops to get special training through MIT when they couldn’t go back into the military or on the force. The idea was that they could then get educated in something technological and continue to be good, contributing citizens for their communities.
He was still the founder and CEO of the foundation, but only in name. He’d turned over all the day-to-day operations to William Hyde, his best friend from MIT, who still lived and worked in the Cambridge area.
“Plus, your father wants to go fishing with you,” Elise said, shooting a knowing look at Dad.
“I want to go fishing too,” Deacon piped up. “I got a new pole, Hunt, and it’s awesome.”
“Is that right?” Hunter asked. He knew his father took his other sons fishing, and he was suddenly envious of all the years they had ahead of them. Time to talk and discuss real life things. Time with Dad, when he wasn’t stressed or worried. Time to be themselves and be accepted by Dad.
Hunter had loved going fishing with his father, even when some of the discussions hadn’t been particularly pleasant.
“Just Hunt and I are going this afternoon,” Dad said, looking at the younger boys. “I need you guys to stay here and help your mother with the peas.”
“Da-ad,” Tucker whined. “I helped with the peas all day yesterday.”
“It was an hour, not all day,” Dad said. “Don’t argue with me, or you won’t get to come fishing tomorrow either.” He gave Tucker a stern look, and the little boy began to pout as he pushed his fried potatoes around on his plate.
Hunter wanted to tell his dad that it was okay if the little boys came, but Dad met his eye and shook his head. It wasn’t about him or even them. It was about Hunter, and he nodded.
Lucy had taught him that it was okay to have things be about him sometimes. This was just one of those times.
“Okay,” Elise said. “Who learned something new at church today?” She looked around at everyone. “Grandma and Grandpa would probably like to hear what Pastor Benson said.” She smiled at them warmly, and Hunter didn’t miss the way they smiled back at her.
Elise possessed a special kind of charm, and Hunter wanted a woman like her for his wife. Someone with pure kindness inside them, and someone who loved the Lord, loved him, and loved the family they could build together before they even started.
She supported Dad through anything and everything he wanted, but he did the same for her. Since Deacon’s birth, Elise had restarted her lawn care business, and she ran it from right there at the farm, in addition to everything else she was responsible for.
Hunter couldn’t help thinking about Molly Benson and the way his heart had practically screamed at him to make sure she didn’t get away from him for a second time. He wasn’t sure what that meant. He hadn’t asked for her number or tried to set anything else up with her after she’d invited him to lunch at her parents’ house.
The truth was, Hunter wanted to go, but he knew he couldn’t. He also didn’t want to reconnect with Molly with her parents nearby. He wanted to see her when they could be alone, talk about anything, and he could hold her hand and kiss her if he felt like he should.
His heart pounded in his chest, right there at the dinner table with his family. He’d made a mistake by not getting her number or asking her to dinner for tomorrow night. Like a bolt of lightning, he thought of Uncle Wes, and how he’d talked to his wife, Bree, on the phone for a while before he’d even met her.
Shoulda gotten her number, Hunter told himself. You’ve got to get her number.
He anticipated being very busy for the next few weeks. Even if it wasn’t busy in the labs at HMC, he’d be tired in the evenings, and he couldn’t think of anything better than talking to Molly only moments before he went to sleep.
“Hunt?”
“Hmm?” He looked up at the sound of his name.
“Are you done?” Dad reached his hand toward him, and Hunter looked down the table, realizing that everyone had finished and gotten up except for him.
“Oh, yeah, thanks,” he said, lifting his plate toward his father. Dad took it, something sharp in his eyes. Hunter looked away,