Page 7 of The Addendum

“No Gracie or Kylie?” I asked, surprised. “No bride-to-be? Where are my girls?”

He looked at Katy with a wink, bending low to press a kiss to her cheek. She cupped his face, smiling at him. “So handsome. Isn’t he handsome, Richard?”

I sniffed. “If you like that sort, I suppose.”

He elbowed me. “Gracie does. Gracie likes me a lot.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Twice last night.”

“Jesus, TMI, Jaxson. That’s my daughter.”

“Just working on more grandkids for you, Pops.”

I shook my head, ignoring Maddox’s laughter.

“The girls are at home. Kylie had a bit of a fever, so Gracie didn’t want to bring her.”

“Fever? Is she all right?”

“It’s a cold. Someone always has a cold in day care. She has the sniffles.”

I fell into step with him, Maddox and Katy in front of us. “Did you try Children’s Tylenol?”

“Yes, Richard. It helped, and she’ll be fine.”

Katy glanced over her shoulder. “Jaxson is perfectly capable of caring for our granddaughter.”

“I’m just checking.” I lowered my voice. “Cold compresses help with fever too.”

“Thanks, Richard.”

We waited for the limo to do its circle of the airport. A pair of women passed us, eyeing us up as they went by. “Wow,” one muttered. “A father-son combo. I’d do that. What a sandwich they’d make.”

“He’s not my son,” I responded, shocked. “I’m too young to be his father.”

Jaxson nudged me. “Come on, Dad. Stop denying it.”

“He’s married to my daughter! And I’m married,” I called out, insulted. “Happily married. We’re not available to be your sandwich!”

They burst into laughter, and I looked at Katy askance. She was laughing and so was Maddox.

“Rude,” I muttered. “Just rude. I’m not that old.” Then I grabbed Jaxson in a headlock. “And you’re an ass.”

He was laughing too, easily escaping my moves. “Chip off the old block. And at least my bread is fresher.”

And suddenly, I was laughing too.

* * *

It was good to be back in the Port Albany house and among people I considered family. The houses were grouped together on land BAM had purchased, planning to build a resort there. Except Aiden and Bentley couldn’t give it up, having fallen in love with the spot. Even Maddox, the confirmed urban dweller, wasn’t immune to its charms. They accumulated more real estate surrounding the first pieces they had purchased, then built their own complex. What started out as summer getaways turned into a bustling little community. They expanded their investment in the area, revitalizing it, and now ABC Corp ran several businesses around town and in the outlying areas. The winery, the hotel, rental properties—all managed by some of the BAM children, including two of my own. Both Gracie and Heather worked for ABC. A large number of family members lived in the private community. Others, like me, came and went as life dictated, but the place held a special part of my heart.

I smelled the coffee brewing and went downstairs just as the door opened and Gracie stepped in, carrying my granddaughter, Kylie. Despite the Zoom calls and FaceTime, and the frequent visits, she grew and changed so much. Her little face was wreathed in smiles, and she clapped her hands in delight when she saw me, reaching out so I could lift her high, blowing raspberries on her tummy. I loved her little-girl giggles, and I smothered her face in kisses, delighting in her enjoyment. I kissed Gracie, noting how well she looked and grudgingly admitting to myself Jaxson made her happy.

“Hi, Dad.” Gracie beamed, returning my hug fiercely. “It’s so good to see you.”

I kissed her forehead, ruffling her hair the way I had done since she was little. “Hey, baby girl. You look good.”

She grinned. “I know.”

“Where’s your sister?”