“I’ve always known I was adopted,” said Coop softly. “I found out some of the circumstances when I was sixteen.”
Sam and Jason sat at the kitchen table with Coop as he talked. Neither commented, letting him say what he needed to at his own pace.
“Eva gave my mother a letter for me if I ever asked for details. It told me the why, but not the names of my biological parents. I didn’t find out until two weeks after my adoptive parents died.” He took a deep a breath and let it out slowly. “My mother left me a letter. Said she’d leave it up to me whether or not I revealed what it said.”
Sam wanted to reach out and touch him but didn’t for fear she’d break the shell around him.
“My father was Jackson Cooper. They met when she was eighteen.” He tore a corner off the paper napkin on the table. “He was twenty-three; home on leave from the Army. She said it was love at first sight. At the time, I didn’t believe in the possibility.” Love-filled eyes met hers. “Now, I know it is.”
He drew in a deep breath. “They wanted to marry before he left again, but her father refused. Said she was too young, he was too old, just met, etcetera. She was heartbroken, but content to wait until enough time passed, and her father would agree.”
“What happened?” asked Jason.
“Me.” His jaw tightened. “Jackson was thrilled when she told him, and arranged for a weekend pass. They planned to elope.” He shredded the paper napkin as he talked. “Drunk driver took him out before he got there. Eva was devastated.” His voice lowered, pain radiating in every word. “Her father was a minister. He and her mother were pretty fanatical. When they found out, they disowned her. Just like that. Moved away and never spoke to her again.”
“Bastards.” Jason’s single comment said it all.
“Yeah.” His hand shook slightly as he paused for a sip of coffee. “My folks were neighbors, and took her in. They were a little older than Eva, and couldn’t have children…so they made a deal. Moved to Dallas until I was born, then came back here. Eva moved back a little later.”
“I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been for her,” Sam said softly. “For both of them.”
“In her letter, mother said she always wanted me to know about Eva, and why she chose that route.” He paused and took a deep breath. “She didn’t want to do anything to come between me and my adoptive parents so, she settled for being the family friend.”
He shook his head. “When I first found the letter, I was mad as hell. Felt like I’d been lied to by everyone I loved my whole life. Nothing was real.”
“What did you do?” Jason’s quiet question drew Coop’s attention.
“I was a first class asshole. To Eva. My friends. The whole damn world. Joined the Army, and left everything behind. Married your mother, did my stint in the Army and we ended up in Dallas.” His voice dropped as he tore another piece off the shredded napkin. “I came home a time or two but things were strained, and I never stayed long.” He lowered his head. “My biggest regret is I never told her—and you—what I knew, and that I understand why she made her choice.”
This time, Sam didn’t resist the urge to place a comforting hand on his arm. She squeezed gently as the muscles flexed with each clench of his fist.
“After Judy left, I finally got my head out of my ass.” He drew in a deep breath, let it out through pursed lips. “Long story short, I read the letters again. This time, it all made sense. I came home, determined to tell her all of it, and make things right again.”
“Why didn’t you?” Jason’s voice held no censure, only concern.
“Wanted the right moment to tell her. You were so young…I thought I was doing the right thing by waiting. Before I knew it, you were grown.” He looked at Jason, and Sam felt the pain emanating from his gaze. “I’m so sorry, Son. I should have told you both years ago.” He lowered his head. “I did the very thing to you that was done to me.”
Sam swallowed the sob in her throat as Jason reached across the table and took his father’s hand.
“I’ve always felt close to her, Dad. Maybe because I was so young when we moved here, or maybe because she always treated us like family.” He gave a light shrug. “As far as I’m concerned, she’s always been my grandmother.” His eyes, so like Coop’s, conveyed a soft, inner glow as he met his father’s gaze. “It’s just official now.”
He rose and gripped Coop’s shoulder. “We’re lucky, Dad.” He looked at Sam. “We’re both very lucky. I’ll see y’all in the morning.”
Once they were alone, Sam lightly squeezed his arm. “Are you okay?”
“Kind of ironic, don’t you think?”
“What is?”
“A drunk took my family away from me. And a drunk gave my mother back.” He covered her hand with his. “This has been a bitch of a day. Can we go to bed now?”
She started to argue because of Jason, but one look at his stricken face, and the protest died. “Okay.”
Breakfast the next morning was a happier occasion, with both Coop and Jason giving Sam a hard time about her first attempt at making biscuits.
“But you can bake like nobody’s business,” said Coop after one particularly teasing remark.
“Too late to butter me up, mister,” said Sam as she plucked one off the plate for herself. “They’ll have snowmen in hell before I bake you another chocolate cake now.”
“I happen to like your biscuits, Sam,” offered Jason, “they really soak up the gravy.”
She snorted. “So, you’re saying they’re dry?”
He sputtered and even his ears turned red as everyone laughed.
“You know we’re just teasing, right?” said Coop. “You did good.”
“I will admit they are not quite as flaky as Eva’s, but they are tasty, if I do say so myself.” She looked at them in turn. “Since no one else will.”
Before the men could worm out of the hole they dug, she asked Coop, “What did the nurse say when you called this morning?”
“They are going to move her to a regular room for one more day. If nothing changes, she can go home tomorrow afternoon.”
“Great news,” said Jason. “After breakfast, I’m going to sit with her for a while.” Expression serious, he looked at his dad. “I won’t say anything, Dad. I just want her to know I love her, too.”
Sam watched as Coop swallowed hard and nodded.
