Part 45 (1/2)
”There's something else... That day when you came to my office... I told you I'd think about what you asked me. And I have. Thought about it. A lot.”
Making an effort to hide his anxiety, Reid propped his arm on the closest stall and waited to hear what Jack would say.
”I'm fifty-six years old, and I'm still learning things.”
”Right there with you.”
Jack gave him a wry smile. ”The thing I've learned this week is that I shouldn't make judgments or reach conclusions without having all the information.”
”How do you mean?”
”Now that I've seen you and Kate together, as a couple, I understand it better. I can see that you love her.”
”I do. Very much so.”
”You'll take good care of her.”
”Always.”
”Then you have my blessing.”
Reid shook his hand. ”Thank you, Jack. That means a lot to me, and it'll mean everything to her.”
”Do me a favor, will you? Let me tell her?”
”Whatever you like.”
”They're back,” Jack said, nodding to the open barn door, where Kate's Jeep was visible.
Reid expelled a deep sigh of relief inspired by multiple events as he accompanied her father out to greet the women.
Kate saw them coming toward her together and looked at him with questions in her gorgeous blue eyes.
He kissed her and took note of her pale complexion. ”You look tired, darlin'.”
”I am.”
”Feeling okay?”
”I was a little dizzy earlier, but I'm good now.”
”You haven't been dizzy before.”
”Who's dizzy?” Jack asked.
”Kate is,” Reid replied, never taking his eyes off her.
”How come?” Jack asked.
”Why did I think I could keep this a secret?” Kate moaned.
”Keep what a secret?” Jack asked, looking to the others for info.
She turned to face her father. ”Dad, you're going to be a grandfather in June.”
Jack looked like he'd been hit by a stun gun. ”Oh. Wow. A grandfather.” He glanced at Reid, who wondered if their fragile accord would be undone by this news.
”Are you going to faint, Jack?” Clare asked her ex-husband, her voice laced with humor.
”I don't think so, but thanks for asking.” He reached for Kate, who stepped into his arms. Jack closed his eyes as he hugged his daughter. ”Congratulations, honey. You'll be a wonderful mother.”
”Thank you, Dad.” Kate had tears streaming down her face, and her hair was covered in snow by the time her dad let her go.
Reid slipped an arm around her shoulders. ”Let's get you inside and out of the cold.”
Kate's arm encircled his waist and she leaned her head on his shoulder. Jack stayed back to help Clare and the girls with some bags they had in the car.
”Did I see you two coming out of the stables together?” Kate asked.
”You did.”
”And?”
”And I think it's all going to be fine, darlin'. Your daddy and I have come to an understanding of sorts.”
”Is that right?”
”It is.”
”When will I hear about this understanding of yours?”
He helped her out of her coat and hung it next to his in the mudroom. ”As soon as he sees fit to tell you.”
”Is this some sort of guy thing?”
Reid propelled Kate through the kitchen and into their room, closing the door behind them. ”I can understand how you might think so, but he specifically asked if he could be the one to share the details of our understanding with you. Since our agreement is rather, shall we say, fragile, I intend to respect his wishes.”
”You do know I have ways of torturing information out of you.”
”Which is why I was afraid to tell you there was information to be had.”
A fit of laughter overtook her as she fell onto the bed.
Delighted by her amus.e.m.e.nt, he stretched out next to her, propping his head on his upturned hand. ”Have mercy on me, will you, please?”
Kate reached for his free hand and linked their fingers. ”He took the news about the baby well.”
”I noticed that. I take it you told your mom and Maggie, too.”