South of Heaven (23 page)

Kendra smiled. “I’m blessed that you’ve come into my life.”

“We are both well blessed by fate,” Lindsey stated. “Would you mind if I cook some dinner while you’re gone after your dad? I’m sure he’ll be starved by the time you get home.”

“That would be great. Thanks.”

†

When they returned to the house, Kendra said, “I think I’m going to take a quick shower before I leave for the airport.”

“Is it okay if I take your Jeep to the store before you go?”

“Go ahead. Do you need some money?”

“No, ma’am, I’ve got this.”

“I’ll see you in a few then.”

Lindsey watched Kendra climb the stairs before picking up the keys and heading for the garage. Lindsey hated missing an opportunity to shower with Kendra, but it was so much easier to carry groceries in the Jeep than on her bike. She wanted to cook a hearty meal to welcome Kevin home, and knew exactly what she needed. The shopping went quickly. She returned home, placed the groceries in the refrigerator, and just as she was finishing, Kendra was walking into the kitchen.

“Are you all set?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll have a hot meal waiting on y’all when you return.”

“Are you going to tell me what to expect?”

“No, ma’am, it will be a surprise. You’ll be home around four thirty, right?”

“If he arrives on time, yes. I’ll call you if there’s any delay.”

Lindsey took her in her arms and kissed her softly. “Be safe, but hurry home to me.”

“I’ll be back as quick as possible.” Kendra plucked the keys from the table and went out the back door.

Lindsey watched her go before brewing a fresh pot of tea and placing it into the refrigerator to chill. She prepared the supplies she needed for the meal and set the table. With plenty of time before she needed to start cooking, she decided to call home and talk with her dad.

She debated about telling her dad about her decision to stay in Florida, and the reason for her decision, but she couldn’t get the words out of her mouth. Instead, they chatted about the storm and made small talk about the season’s catch. When he asked how she was doing, she couldn’t help but smile as she thought about Kendra and their growing relationship. Then her dad dropped a bomb on her.

“Kevin asked me to come down next weekend. I’m going to let your brother take over and come for a visit.”

“That sounds great, Dad. Could I ask you to bring more of my clothes with you?”

“Sure. I’ll pack up what I can and bring it with me.”

“Thanks, Dad. I especially need some jeans and work shirts.”

“Not a problem. Just let me know if there’s anything else.”

“I will, Dad. Thanks, and drive safely.”

Wow, I wonder what Kevin and Dad are cooking up?
She doubted Kendra had any idea her dad was coming to visit either. She drained her glass of tea and returned to the kitchen to begin the meal.

†

Heeding Harvey’s warning about the highway damages from the storm, Kendra decided to head north to pick up the Interstate. She left with plenty time to reach the airport even if it took extra time to get through the tunnel in Mobile. The bright sun beat down on the pavement and she dropped her shades to cover her eyes. The wind blew through her hair as she picked up speed on the nearly vacant highway.
I’ll be lucky if traffic stays this light.

She arrived at the airport early, pulled the Jeep into the parking lot, and walked inside the small terminal. She saw Kevin’s flight would arrive on time.
A miracle.
She grinned and went in search of something to drink.

She watched as air traffic arrived and departed. When they announced Kevin’s flight had arrived, she walked to the baggage claim to wait on him.

Her dad’s face lit up when he saw her and wrapped her in an embrace. “Hey, honey. What happened to your cheek?”

“A little accident during the storm, but it’s healing well.”

“Henry sends his love. He’s doing great at home and his doctors are amazed by his recovery.”

“It’s those strong Drake genes.”

“That must be it.” He grinned and reached for his bag.

“You want me to get that?”

“Nope, I’m still capable of handling a bag.”

Kendra threw up her hands. “Handle away.”

They walked into the bright sunshine. “Hello, humidity.”

“I imagine it was very different in Arizona.”

“It was hot, but it was a dry heat.” He chuckled at using the worn old cliché.

They walked to the Jeep and Kendra placed his bag in the back.

“Where’s Lindsey?”

“She’s at home, cooking a special meal just for you.”

He rubbed his hands in anticipation. “What’s she cooking?”

“I have no clue. She didn’t say, but you can guarantee it will be good.”

He nodded as he buckled his seat belt. “Yep, she’s a good cook.”

“That she is.” Kendra backed the Jeep from the parking spot. “Home, here we come.”

“It’s great to be home. How are you two doing?”

“Things are going great, Dad.” She smiled.

“Perfect.” He leaned back in his seat for the ride home.

†

Lindsey was pulling out a pan of biscuits as she heard the Jeep turn into the driveway. “That’s pretty good timing.” She grinned as she turned back to stir the gravy. A bowl of rice and a platter of pork chops were waiting on the counter.

She watched out the window as Kendra grabbed her dad’s bag from the back of the Jeep and they headed for the back door.

“Something smells delicious,” Kevin said as he stepped inside the door.

“Welcome home. I thought you might be hungry.”

“You figured right. My in-flight peanuts are long gone.”

“Let me drop Dad’s bag in his room and I’ll be back to help.” Kendra stopped to kiss Lindsey before walking away.

Lindsey blushed and Kevin chuckled. “What can I do to help?”

“Um, you can pour some tea,” she managed to say, as she walked past him with the gravy and rice.

Kendra returned to the kitchen and took the platter of pork chops to the table. “Is there anything else we need?”

“Nope, we’re good.”

“Thanks for cooking such a great meal.” Kevin speared a pork chop and passed the platter to Lindsey. “I haven’t had rice and gravy in ages.”

“I think it makes a good combination with the pork chops,” Lindsey replied.

Kendra moaned as she took a bite. “I’ll have to agree with you on that.”

They made small talk during the meal, and when they were all stuffed, Kevin pushed his chair back. “I probably should have talked to you both before now, but I’ve invited Lindsey’s dad, Paul, down for the weekend.”

“Dad told me earlier when I called to check in with him,” Lindsey said.

Kendra looked at Lindsey and then at her dad. “I feel like I’m missing something here.”

Lindsey smiled at her. “That makes two of us.”

“Okay, Dad, spill it. What are you up to?”

“What? I can’t invite an old friend down for a visit?” he protested.

“Of course you can, but that twinkle in your eyes tells me you have an ulterior motive for this particular visit.”

“Well, for starters, I think it’s time for Paul and I to have a Dad to Dad talk about our daughters’ happiness and their choice of life partners. Even an old dog like me can see how much you love one another.”

“Well, I’ll admit that would be an easier conversation to have in person,” Kendra agreed. She looked at Lindsey. “Are you okay with this?”

“It’s a conversation we’ll have to have eventually. I also need to tell him I’m not coming home at the end of summer, so yeah, I’m good with it. Nervous about it, but I’ll deal with my nerves.”

Kevin beamed. “I’m hoping that once he sees the two of you together, it won’t matter to him about your sexuality. All I want is for the two of you to be happy, and you seem to do that for one another pretty well.”

Kendra reached over and covered Lindsey’s hand. “We do, Dad. Thanks for your support.”

Lindsey looked at her with tears welling in her eyes. “I just want both of you to be prepared. Dad won’t take the news well.”

“That’s where I hope my experience will come in handy.” Kevin grinned.

“He may be glad I’ve decided to stay here when he realizes my sexual orientation isn’t just a phase I’m going through.”

“Don’t judge him too harshly yet. He may be upset, but you’re still his daughter and firstborn,” Kevin soothed.

Kendra was silent for a few minutes. “With our late start this week, we probably won’t be in until late Friday.”

“That will give us a chance to catch up on life and maybe break some ice on the relationship issue.”

“I trust that you know what you’re doing.”

Kevin grinned at them. “Let’s clean the kitchen, then have a couple cold ones out on the back porch.”

†

They chatted about their experience of riding out the storm. “It sounds like you did everything just the way I taught you.”

“I did, Dad. There were a few tense moments clearing the narrows in the channel, but after that, I thought all went well.”

He looked at Lindsey. “That was really your first experience riding out a storm?”

“Yes. Dad usually sends me in to care for the house.”

“I’m actually pleased we had this storm,” Kevin said. “It seems to have brought the two of you together.”

“It has,” Kendra agreed. “I think the time alone together was what we needed.”

“Now she’s stuck with me, at least until next year’s red season,” Lindsey replied. “Then you’ll have to deal with me moping around the house until she comes back in.”

“It just so happens I’ve been thinking about that. With the second boat, we can run both until red season starts,” Kevin said.

“Yeah, we should do well on the local runs with two boats,” Kendra agreed.

“I’ve got an idea I’d like to run by you. I’ll have been retired for a year by then, and I can only play so much golf. What would you think of me using the boat for fishing tours during the red season?”

Kendra looked at him and then Lindsey. “Wow, Dad, that’s a great idea.”

“I’ve spent all my life on the water, and I think it’d be fun taking folks out to some of the local fishing spots. It won’t take much to equip the boat, and it’ll give me something productive to do for at least a few months each year.”

“We’ll need to hire you a crew,” Kendra stated.

“Hank has a couple of teenage boys who would be perfect.”

“You really have thought this out?” Kendra asked.

“I had a lot of thinking time while I was in Arizona.”

Kendra looked at Lindsey who wore a huge smile. Lindsey nodded. “I like it. I could go out with you for red season, so we’d be together.”

“Start doing your homework on the license, equipment, and marketing then, Dad.”

†

They retired early to be fresh for the morning ahead of them. Lindsey was snuggled in Kendra’s arms.

“Everything seems to be happening so fast. Are you okay with everything Dad has planned for us?”

“Ask me again when my head stops spinning,” Lindsey replied.

“I’m serious. If we’re moving too fast, just say so.”

“It’s just a lot to take in at once. I agree with his thinking completely, but there is one thing I’m very pleased about.”

“What’s that?”

“That I get to spend every night with you and wake up next to you every morning.”

Kendra chuckled. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Captain Drake.”