Rose says we have to write letters to our friends and family just in case. I know you’re probably wondering why I wrote you one. You’ve always been like a son to me, Jake. I’ve known you since you were still in diapers. The thought occurred to me today, what if I’m not able to see you full grown? What if I can’t see you on your wedding day? What if I can’t be a part of your life, your future? When a man gets old he thinks about his past, about his regrets. My regret was never talking to my own father one last time before he left this world and went into the next. Although you have a damn fine father, I always felt like I was another one for you. That being said, Jake, I’m so damn proud of you. By now I hope you’ve had both failures and successes, but more than that, I’m proud you’ve found someone that’s worth holding onto. When men fall, they fall hard, they fall ass backward into the water without a life preserver—you’re one of those men, Jake. My advice? Be the man. Don’t let yourself drown. Don’t run or swim away from the safety of the boat. The boat, that’s your home, your family, your life. The preserver that keeps you afloat will always be your wife, your partner. Without a preserver you drown, a preserver without something to hold onto has no purpose, so you see, you need each other… you need to rely on one another for everything. Never forget that if it’s not worth fighting for, it’s not worth having. When you feel like giving up, when you feel like you may not be good enough, remember that none of us really are. We’re all undeserving of the women in our life, but damn if we don’t try every single day to become worthy of their love. I guess what I’m saying is… love her. Please her, cherish her, and by God, son, her smiles better outnumber her tears.
To my second son… and his new wife… may your bed be filled with laughter, your nights filled with pleasure, your home filled with the smell of good food, and your hearts be full of joy. This is the reason we are on this earth—to love.
Jake choked back the giant knot in his throat and stuffed the letter into his pocket. Damn Bill for making him feel like an emotional woman.
Did he love her?
Char?
His breath came faster as he began thinking about the past few weeks. Sure, they’d just reconnected, but he’d known her all his life. He knew about the freckle on her hip, her aversion to pickles or anything green, and finally her laugh.
Oh, he knew her laugh, because it made him feel like a damn superhero when he made her laugh.
And now he felt like an ass because the last time she’d laughed was too long ago and he truly was part of the reason for her tears.
With a curse he got up from the dock and made his way back toward the house.
Chapter Forty-four
Char drank her second glass of wine and took a seat at the large table set up outside. The dinner was a catered event with full-on entertainment. It should have been hosted by Kacey’s parents but because they were gone, the entire Titus clan was footing the bill for everything.
A few food tents were scattered to the side. The main table for the wedding party was long and covered with different types of tropical flowers and candles. All of it was heartbreakingly romantic.
Grandma took a seat next to Char and eyed her glass of wine. “How many of those have you had?”
“Enough.” Char sighed.
“Hmmph.” Grandma reached into her large purse and pulled out a manila envelope. “The pastor gave me permission to have you and Jake sign separately since you’re in such a huff.”
Char eyed the marriage license. “Isn’t this supposed to be filled out tomorrow?”
“Agh.” Grandma waved her off. “It’s just one more detail we won’t have to worry about. Sign here.” The paper was only pulled slightly out of the envelope so most of it was covered, which was just better when Char thought about it. She didn’t want to even see the spot where Jake was supposed to sign. They’d both lost their tempers. She couldn’t even remember why she was so mad at him. If she really thought about it, it wasn’t anger, really; it was total and complete humiliation and rejection.
He’d made her fall for him.
And she had—hard.
After the wedding they’d go their separate ways and she’d be on her couch jobless and lamenting the fact that the one guy she’d ever loved didn’t love her back, or didn’t want her enough to try to love her.
Char signed her name quickly and handed the pen back to Grandma.
“Now, now.” Grandma patted Char’s back. “Everything’s going to work out just fine. You trust your Grandma.”
“Only one problem,” Char leaned into Grandma and whispered. “You aren’t my Grandma.”
The smile on Grandma’s face widened just slightly before it went back to normal size. “Why, of course I am. Remember when I told you I would ruin Jake?”