Daddy’s Home

It’s midnight when I hear a car pull up outside the house. I climb onto my window seat and watch as my dad struggles to get his suitcase out of the back of the car.

I have to go to greet him because I want to see his response when he finds out he’s got the small storage room with the single bed.

It will pain him to stay in there, and I predict that by tomorrow he will be checking into the nearest five-star hotel.

“Ella,” he smiles as I creep down the stairs. “How are you holding up, honey?” he asks as he takes me in his arms.

“You know, holding up,” I reply. “How was the flight?”

“Yeah,” he nods as he pulls away from me. “It was weird coming back here, but it was fine. I forgot what a long-arse flight it is.”

“I bet. Is it strange coming here, to Frankie’s?”

“Yeah,” he replies as he looks around the place. “It looks different. Is this your handiwork?”

I nod, and I’m so glad Frankie got to enjoy it. “Yeah, and the guys helped with the bathroom that had been leaking for God knows how long.”

He stares at me blankly, and I wonder if he’s even listening to me.

“Proud of you, El,” he suddenly says as he smiles warmly at me and pulls me back in for another hug.

This hug is more heartfelt; he squeezes me like he is releasing something, like all the tension built up inside him is finally coming out.

“Man, I feel all emotional seeing you here,” he sniffs as he pulls away from me again. “My baby girl being home.”

“I really like it here, Dad.”

“I knew you would. Your mum loved this place.”

“Why did you never talk about this place?”

“El,” he says as he shifts awkwardly, “it was hard, you know. I was a twenty-something guy with a baby girl to look after.”

“But there was so much support here for you.”

He shakes his head. “There were also too many memories. I couldn’t handle it, and I needed to be strong for you. I had you to look after.”

“I know,” I reply.

I don’t want to beat him down as soon as he’s arrived. He looks exhausted, and although I have been mad at him for staying in London until his meetings were done, there’s nothing we can do about it now.

“El, I did want to talk to you about this guy—Tobias, is it?”

“Dad,” I mumble as I start to head up the stairs. “I’m not doing this right now.”

“Well, you can’t just leave him high and dry when you go home. That’s gonna be worse on the poor guy.”

“Dad! Let me show you where you’re sleeping, I need to go to bed.”

He huffs as he follows me up the stairs.

The next morning, I wake while Dad sleeps in. I start my usual routine and play some Taylor Swift as I run. I’m starting to get into this country music—granted, Taylor is more pop-country, but she’s got swagger.

I slow my pace as I pass the barn where Tobias had been building. The door is slightly open, so I let myself in and remove my earbuds.

The coffin is still on the table, partially built. The scrap of paper by it shows Tobias’s workings out and measurements.

I suddenly can’t stop my tears as I look at the coffin. I don’t know how Tobias is managing with it, but I know he would do anything that Frankie asked, even if it meant he was struggling.

That’s just the man he is—a good, caring man who people rely on.

Antony said Frankie wants to be buried on the land; it’s something they are looking into. I can’t deal with these kinds of conversations, so I have distanced myself from these decisions.

I can’t bring myself to accept that in as little as a couple of weeks, Frankie won’t be here anymore.

As I step out of the barn, I see Tobias and Tanner.

“Hey, Ella. What are you up to?” Tanner shouts.

“Nothing,” I reply shyly. “I was just seeing how things were coming on.” I can’t even say the word.

Tobias smiles. “It’s coming on,” he says. He knows exactly what I’m talking about.

“Well,” Tanner sighs, “I’m going to the stable.” He pats Tobias on the back and nods to me as he heads in the direction of the stable.

“I saw the car at your place. Is your dad here?” he asks.

I don’t know why it feels so awkward between us. “Yeah, he got in last night. We’re heading up to the hospital soon.”

“Dad wants to invite the two of you around tonight for food and drinks.”

“Sounds good. Will you be there?” I ask.

He nods and finally smiles at me.

“Good,” I say. “I guess I’ll see you tonight, then.”

“See you later, princess,” he mumbles as I start to walk away.

I don’t think anything prepared my dad for how poorly Frankie looks. I notice that he has deteriorated in the one day I haven’t seen him, and it’s like a reality check.

I can’t even think about the fact that he will die. How can anyone come around to news like that?

Frankie talks openly about it, and I have to dissociate from the conversation to stop myself from bursting into tears every time I’m there.

“Have you met young Tobias yet?” Frankie asks my dad.

My dad shakes his head. His face turns harsh at the name, and I hope he doesn’t start anything with Tobias tonight.

“Well, there’s no need to stress, Dad. We’re not even together now.”

“No, you two are made for each other,” Frankie protests.

“Okay, old man, don’t encourage her. I want her to come back to England with me when…”

“Yes, wait until I kick the bucket first,” Frankie laughs. “But don’t do it for your dad, Isobella. Tobias is a good man, and granted, I wasn’t so sure at first. I knew his past with women, but with you he’s different. It’s clear that it’s genuine love.”

“All right, Frank,” my dad protests. “Leave it out, will you? She wants to travel, see things, get a career. Things like that come so much harder when you’re lumbered with a ranch in Nashville.”

“Excuse me, you two, I am here, and I’ll do what I want to do. You, Frankie, get some rest and we’ll be back tomorrow.”

Dad looks nervous as we walk up to Antony’s. I suppose it’s been over twenty years since he was last here, and it must be bringing back a lot of memories for him. Antony is on the porch standing, waiting.

“Hello there,” he waves.

I run up to him and give him a big hug. He’s so welcoming and warm.

“When are you going to become my daughter-in-law?” he chuckles, and Dad’s face hardens.

“Michael,” he adds as he stretches his hand out to my dad.

Dad has changed a lot since he was last here, and even though Antony was around when he lived here, he won’t recognize the man Dad is today. He has come a long way from the young, cowboy-hat-wearing man he was.

Despite my dad’s suit-wearing, city-man exterior, the family quickly welcomes him. Everyone is here other than Tobias, and I can see my dad awaiting the appearance of the man who stole my heart.

I’m sitting with Dawn and Marla when he makes his grand entrance. He looks like he has made an effort in his dark Levi’s and white V-neck T-shirt.

“Sorry I’m late,” he says as his dad questions where he’s been.

“Dad, he’s been in the barn all day,” Tanner says.

Antony knows exactly what that means and immediately gets off his back.

“You must be Tobias,” Dad says as he stands head-to-head with him.

“Toby is fine,” he replies as he shakes my dad’s outstretched hand. It’s a firm, lingering handshake.

I watch with anticipation as they grip while staring into each other’s eyes.

“Nice to finally meet the man who stole my daughter’s heart,” he says.

I cringe. What the fuck’s he playing at? He knows we’re not together.

It’s all a bit awkward, but Travis comes to the rescue when he announces the food he’s been grilling is ready. Dawn has set out some gorgeous things in the kitchen to accompany it.

Dad makes his excuses early. He said he has to call Gemma, his new wife-to-be, and also has some work emails to deal with. I stay on and help Dawn clear away.

“Can I walk you back?” Tobias asks as I start to get my coat on.

I nod and say my goodbyes.

It’s so dark outside. The moon that normally lights up the path is hidden behind the clouds, and I link my arm in Tobias’s so I don’t stumble.

We are talking about Frankie as we get close to Tobias’s house.

“Would you like a drink?” he asks.

I know I’m treading a dangerous path, but I miss him so much and I have watched him all night, imagining my body being close to his.