WELCOME TO FORT WAYNE. The city’s sign came into focus. “I can’t believe we’re actually here,” he said.
“I know.” Frank let out a long sigh. “It’s been a journey I’ll never forget.”
Trista woke up and looked around. “We’re here?”
Seth nodded.
She leaned forward and peeked at Savannah, who was sound asleep in the front passenger seat. “That girl knows how to sleep.”
Frank glanced over at her. “She’s a teenager. They need their sleep.” He turned right and drove for a mile or so before turning into a subdivision.
“Is this where you live, Frank?”
He smiled. “Yes. And it’s good to be home.” After a few more turns, he pulled into the driveway of a two-story house.
“You have a lovely home, Frank,” Trista told him.
“Thank you. I hope you don’t mind my coming here first. My wife’s probably about to divorce me by now.”
“I seriously doubt that,” Trista said, giving his shoulder a squeeze. “You’re a good man. Women don’t get rid of guys like you easily.”
“It doesn’t look like my bags are on the porch, so maybe I’m safe.”
He put the car into park and popped the trunk. Seth and Trista climbed out and watched as he removed his bag. “You need some help with that?” Seth asked.
“I’ve made it this far. I should be able to manage the rest of the way.” He set his bag down and gave Trista a hug.
“Thank you so much for everything, Frank. I don’t know if I’d have made it here if you hadn’t stopped and picked us up.”
Frank smiled. “It was my pleasure.” He kissed her on the cheek. “You’re a good mom, Trista. Look after that little girl. Try not to be too hard on her. She’s a teenager. It’s her job to give you a hard time and keep you on your toes.”
“She’s definitely good at it. I’m going to miss you.”
Frank looked over at his house and then back at Trista. “No one knows what tomorrow will bring. Besides, this isn’t a very big town. I’m sure our paths will cross again someday. Say goodbye to Savannah for me.”
Trista climbed into the driver’s seat and shut the door, leaving Seth with Frank. “I don’t what to say, Frank. I mean, I don’t know why you stopped and offered me a ride, but I’m glad you did. You saved me.”
Frank shook his head. “Like I said, it’s fate.” He smiled, gave Seth a hug, and headed toward his house.
“Frank!” Savannah shouted. She must’ve awakened when Trista got back in the car. She ran toward Frank and gave him a hug, nearly knocking the bag from his hand. “Thank you so much for helping us out. I’m going to miss you.”
Frank put his free his arm around her. “You’re welcome.” He pulled back and set his bag down, putting both hands on her shoulders. “Can you do something for me though?”
She nodded, the tears in her eyes matching his own. “Your mom loves you very much. And she’s the only mother you will ever get. You guys aren’t always going to get along. But can you always remember to give your mom a hug and tell her that you love her?”
Savannah nodded.
“Even if you guys are arguing, I still want you to remember to do that.”
“I will. I promise.”
Frank gave her another hug and then headed for his front door. Seth watched from beside the car as a woman with short dark hair streaked with strands of gray opened the door. Frank dropped his bag and reached for her. They held each other for several seconds. Seth smiled and turned to Trista, who was watching them, too. She nodded at Frank and his wife and gave Seth a thumbs-up, her smile radiant.
Chapter 30
Trista
Savannah let Seth have the front seat, and Trista was thankful for that. Although their trip had come to an end, she wanted to spend the last few miles by his side.
“Where am I taking you, Mr. Storm?”
“I don’t know. I guess to a hotel.”
She reached over and grabbed his hand. He gave it a squeeze, reminding her that she wasn’t alone in this. She headed downtown, and before long, they came to a series of hotels.
“Since this town doesn’t have a Four Seasons, I guess this’ll be fine,” he said, pointing to a Holiday Inn.
She recognized the sarcasm in his voice and wondered if he did that when he was nervous. “You going to be okay?”
Seth nodded and forced a smile. “What about you?”
“Let’s just say that me and my mom have some catchin’ up to do, but it’s all going to work out. I made some mistakes when I was younger, but I also made something pretty awesome, too.” She peeked in the rearview mirror at Savannah, who gave her a thumbs-up.
Trista pulled in front of the entrance to the hotel and put the car in park. She dreaded saying goodbye to him. They all got out, and Seth removed his bag and guitar case from the trunk and set them on the ground. Trista noticed the picture of Faith taped to the case. “She sure is beautiful.”
“Thanks. I guess I made something pretty awesome, too.”
“You did.”
Savannah gave Seth a hug. “Am I going to see you again?”
Trista looked away to hide the tears welling in her eyes. It had been a long time since she’d seen Savannah actually like someone she cared about.
“I’m sure we’ll see each other again.” He returned the hug.
“Good, because no one’s going to believe that I got to hang out with you.”
“Savannah!”
“Just kiddin’” She flashed a playful smile.
He picked up his bag. “You take care of your mom, okay?”
“I will.”
Trista picked up his guitar case. “I’ll help you inside.”
They walked into the lobby, and Trista immediately felt the contrast. This hotel was lovely, but it didn’t hold a candle to the warm and rustic welcome they had received at Cupid’s Corner. “Not exactly Cupid’s Corner,” Seth said, as if reading her mind.
“No.” She set down his guitar case, and he dropped his bag. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
He shrugged and looked at the clock on the wall. “Twelve hours from now, I’ll have my answer.”
She placed a comforting hand on Seth’s arm. “You’re going to be great. I know it.”
“Thank you. And thank you for giving me a ride. And for puttin’ up with my bad attitude.”
“I heard you famous musicians were a bunch of high-maintenance prima donnas.”
Seth smiled. “I hope I wasn’t too much trouble.”
She leaned in closer. Seth met her halfway and pressed his lips to hers, holding her face in his hands. She cried then, and he wiped away her tears while he held her.
The door to the hotel opened, sending a cool breeze crashing into them. They pulled away from each other. She cleared her throat. “I should probably be going. Savannah’s waiting, and we’re in the way of other people arriving.”
“Yeah, and I should probably get checked in.” He picked up his bag.
Trista let go of his hand. A lump formed in the back of her throat as she headed out. “Wait!” Seth called from behind her. She turned back, and he was there, scooping her into his arms and kissing her with a passion she hadn’t known existed until he had come into her life.
“Sorry. I just had to do that.” He lowered her to the ground. She took his hand and used her index finger to trace a heart into his palm. “I thought you only did that with your daughter.”
She smiled and closed his fingers shut. “Until now, Seth Storm.”
Chapter 31
Seth
February 16th
The alarm sounded at 7:00 a.m. Seth was already awake. Sleep had eluded him all night. He had known he would have a hard time falling asleep, but he had assumed that thoughts about the trial would have kept him awake. Instead, scenes from his past played over and over in his mind. Faith. Lexi. His father’s death. Their farmhouse. The plane crash. Lexi smiling as she handed him the golden guitar pick and telling him, “Don’t give up on your dreams.”
So many mistakes. Too many mistakes. Did one truly get a second chance after all he had done? Did he even deserve one?
He stood up and headed for the shower. His legs were shaky though, and they gave out after just a few steps. He fell to his knees. Tears flowed from his eyes in an endless stream of pain, coating his cheeks before falling to the floor. He clasped his hands, brought them to his forehead, and did the one thing he hadn’t done in years. He prayed. He asked God for forgiveness and promised to be the best father he could be if given the chance.
He opened his eyes and saw the picture of Faith on his guitar case. It’s time, he told himself. Go. Get her back.
He showered quickly, wanting to get out of that hotel room and closer to his daughter. He had made a promise, and only a judge could stop him from keeping it this time.
*****
Seth entered the lobby a little before nine o’clock. Simon was meeting him there to go over a few details of the trial before taking him to the courthouse. It didn’t take Seth long to spot the short, bald man in a gray suit. He was busy at the check-in counter talking to an employee. “Simon?”
The man turned and smiled. “Seth. I haven’t seen you in what? Ten years or more?”
“That’s about right.” Seth held out his hand, but Simon ignored it, moving in for a hug and nearly squeezing the oxygen from his body. Seth straightened his dress shirt and checked the slacks he had spent nearly twenty minutes trying to iron.
“Not a day goes by when I don’t think about your father. He loved you so much.”
Although Seth and his dad had had their disagreements, mostly about Seth’s career path or lack thereof, he knew that his father had loved him very much. “He thought highly of you, Simon.”
“We go way back, your father and I.” They stood there for a moment or two in silence before Simon pulled a file from his briefcase. “Seth, I’m going to give it to you straight. We’ve got our work cut out for us. Your actions after your wife died are fair game for them to use against you. Everything from the day you were found with…” He paused and looked at Seth. “We’ll get to that later. I took a look at the temporary custody that was granted to Lexi’s parents.”
“And?”
“These people have a lot of money, Seth. Not that the court would grant them permanent custody based on that, but they have shown that they’ve raised two children, they have a nice home, and they’ve maintained their willingness to take care of Faith and every need she’ll ever have. They’ve enrolled her at Canterbury, one of the best elementary schools in the area, and they’ve taken it one step further.”
Seth hadn’t liked the update so far, but the pause in Simon’s briefing left him even more uncomfortable. “What is it, Simon?”
Simon sighed and turned back toward the file. “They had Faith see a child psychiatrist.”
“Why would they do that?”
“To establish how well she’s adjusted to living with them.”
“And is she happy?”
Without blinking, Simon said, “Yes, she’s very happy.”
Seth walked over to a row of chairs against the wall of the lobby and sat down. She was happy. Her happiness was something he had hoped for, of course, but until now, he didn’t realize how that might affect his chances of getting her back.
Simon took a seat next to him. “Are you okay?”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “She’s happy with them.” He looked at Simon. “Will she be happy with me?”
Simon placed a hand Seth’s shoulder. “Your dad and I shared a lot of life’s moments together. I was there the day your mother left your father and you. You were about five years old, and your father had the exact same look on his face that you do now. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I know one thing. If you are half the man your father was, then there will be no better place on this earth for your daughter than with you.”
“I hope the judge thinks so, too. I guess it’s time to find out.”
Chapter 32
Seth
Simon pulled into a small parking lot across the street from the city’s courthouse. He turned off the car and let out a deep breath before turning to Seth. “You ready?”
Seth nodded. In the few years of touring, traveling from one city to the next, and performing in front of thousands of strangers, he had never been more nervous than he was now. And although Simon was with him, his lawyer and long-time family friend, he had also never felt more alone than he did now.
He got out of the car and then slid his guitar from the back seat. “Now I’m ready.”
Simon stared at the case. “I don’t know if they’re going to let you take that inside.”
“I have to.”
“What are you planning to do with it?”
“I made a promise to my little girl. And no matter how things turn out in there,” he said, nodding at the courthouse. “I’m not breakin’ my promise, Simon.”
Seth headed toward the courthouse with Simon in tow. His heart pounded in his chest, and he felt nauseated. The tall building was intimidating. Seth felt smaller and smaller the closer he got to the large gray building with stairs leading to giant pillars and over-sized doors. Before entering, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, wanting to stop time and speed it up all at the same time.
When he opened his eyes, he saw someone he never expected to see here. A warmth ran through his body, lifting him from the anxiety that had been swallowing him. Trista.
Disbelieving, he closed his eyes and opened them again. But she was still there, a questioning look in her eyes. Their eyes locked, and he answered back with a smile. She ran over to Seth, and he wrapped his arms around her. “What are you doin’ here?”
“I just wanted you to know that you’re not alone.”
Seth watched as Trista’s hair blew wildly in the wind. He reached for her hand, rubbing her cold fingers. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Oh, I have an idea. I know this pretty incredible guy who helped me out when I needed him. And although I haven’t known him long, I know him well enough to know that he’s a keeper.”
“We’ve got to go,” Simon said, coming up behind them.
“Let me know what happens,” Trista told Seth.
“Thank you,” he said, kissing her fingers and hugging her again.
He and Simon walked through the large wooden doors and out onto the marbled floor which led to a walk-through metal detector and x-ray machine.
A large man dressed in a security uniform stood in front of them. A paunchy man sat behind the x-ray machine. Simon emptied his pockets into a tray that he passed through the x-ray machine before walking through the metal detectors. “Hey, Gibbs, how’s the wife?”