“It’s obvious the timing sucked.”
“Yeah, well, it did, but such is life. Stuff doesn’t always work out the way you want.”
“…I heard about the investigation. I was worried about you.”
Coop assumed as much. “So you ditched classes to come home a week early?”
“Only one class, and yeah, that’s why.”
“I appreciate your concern, Jay, but I’m fine. This ain’t my first rodeo.”
“I know.” Jason looked up and met his father’s gaze. “She seems really nice.” He rubbed his palms on his thighs. “Sam, I mean. She seems nice.”
“She is.”
“I saw y’all walking around the square yesterday. You looked happy.” He paused. “I’ve never seen you like that…I’m really glad you found someone.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go sending out invitations yet. We barely know each other.”
“But you do like her, right?”
Coop wiped his face with a towel and turned to face his son. “Yeah. I like her.”
“And she’s going to be around for a while, right?”
“Looks like it.” Coop leaned against the sink, arms folded over his chest. “Out with it, Jason.”
The young man stood and paced around the small room. “I promised I’d finish school before I made any major decisions about my life.”
“And?”
“I graduate in December.”
“I know.”
“I have a job offer in Houston with a big graphics design company.”
Coop’s heart skipped a beat. He knew this day would come, but wasn’t ready for it. Not yet. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes. And no.” Jason sat down, clasped and unclasped his hands.
“What’s holding you back?”
He blew out a long breath, then looked at his father. “I want to get married.”
Of all the things Coop thought he might say, marriage was the one thing he never considered, though he should have. Laurie Hammonds and Jason were childhood sweethearts. They graduated high school together and attended the same college. “Laurie?”
“I love her, Dad. Have since the sixth grade. She wanted to get married last summer, but I couldn’t do it.”
“Why not?”
His voice dropped. “I couldn’t leave you alone.”
How many ways can one person screw up their life?
Sam sat on the edge of the bed, her knee bouncing up and down as she anticipated seeing Coop and his son at breakfast. Oh God. I crawled up his body like a cat! And Jason saw it. How can I face them?
She huffed and stood, rubbing sweaty palms on jean-clad thighs. “Suck it up, Buttercup. Putting it off won’t make it easier.” It took two attempts to get her feet moving forward, resigned to whatever catastrophe awaited.
The sudden jingle of her phone provided a welcomed distraction as she entered the kitchen. She pulled it from her hip pocket, and cradled it against her shoulder as she filled a cup with coffee. “Hello.”
Barbara’s cheerful voice always put Sam in a cheerful mood. “Hey there. Got your message. Congratulations! Told you it was perfect for you.”
“I’m thrilled about the prospect.”
“Still want your truck this weekend?”
“If you’re sure I’m not imposing. I know it’s asking a lot.”
“It’s no bother at all.”
“Thanks, BJ. You’re the bestest best friend ever, you know that, right?” She paused to sip her coffee as her friend laid out plans for the weekend. “Thanks, BJ. I owe you big time. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“BJ?” Coop’s words were muffled by the huge bite of buttered biscuit he popped in his mouth.
