Second Chance Dad by Roxanne Rustand Page B

evaded a direct answer.
    On the night of his accident, he had railed against God and had cursed himself for his failures when Julia died in his arms despite his futile attempts to save her.
    The guilt had come later, when he’d realized that though he’d loved her with all his heart, he’d always put his career before her.
    Had she even been happy, with a husband who was never home? He’d never been unfaithful with another woman, but he’d cheated her of happiness all the same, and now there was nothing he could do to turn back the clock and give her the love and attention she’d deserved.
    The day of her funeral, he’d sworn that he’d never practice again.
    Until recently, returning in any capacity had been out of the question anyway, given his limited and painful mobility, back pain, and the significant impairment of his dominant hand. Now he wasn’t so sure.
    â€œBut surely you won’t give up medicine altogether.”
    â€œNot exactly.”
    â€œYou could do so much good in this world. You could help people, not just hide away like this.” She glanced at the walls of his cabin—bare, except for the moose head—then turned back to him, and clearly tried to mask her concern. “You must have a mortgage. Expenses. What will you do?”
    â€œI’m thinking.”
    She was worried about his future, afraid he had nothing. Little did she know.
    There was a massive insurance settlement—bloodmoney—sitting in multiple investment accounts under his name. Money that he would never touch for himself.
    He had plans, though, that he wanted to implement in Julia’s memory. And now that others were involved, perhaps those plans would actually come to pass.
    â€œWell, we’re done for today. On another note, Eli wants me to ask you to join us tomorrow evening for a Fourth of July picnic at my grandfather’s house, and for the fireworks afterward. I told him you’d probably be busy, so don’t hesitate to say no.”
    â€œA picnic?”
    â€œAfter I thought about it, I decided to ask all of my clients, since my dad and stepmom are out of town. Only Alberta is able to come thus far.” A hint of a blush climbed up into her cheeks. “Nothing fancy. I’m sure you’re accustomed to much more. Come to think of it, you probably already have other plans.”
    He could barely remember his old life anymore, when the holidays were occasions for family and celebrations, and happiness. “I’d like that.”
    â€œAwesome. Eli will be thrilled.” She gathered her purse and duffel bag and started for the door, then turned. “Almost forgot. Gramps has the little blue house at the south end of Maple. You can’t miss it.”
    â€œWhat time?”
    â€œWe’ll all be downtown for the Fourth of Julyparade in the afternoon, if you want to join us. Otherwise, is six o’clock all right?”
    He nodded.
    â€œThe city council sets off the fireworks out at the fairgrounds, so Gramps’s backyard is actually the best place in town for seeing the fireworks.”
    A parade. Picnic. Family gathering. The stuff of small town life that he’d never expected to experience again. Yet somehow, Sophie was managing to draw him back into the world again.
    And with this offer of such simple pleasures, he felt her filling an even bigger place in his heart.
    He’d begun to think about her too often. To wonder what she might say if he asked her out for something more formal than coffee on a Saturday morning or an estate auction. Their friendship was deepening. But even if she might say yes to a formal date, he knew better than to ask.
    She had her life ahead of her. She deserved someone who could be a good dad for Eli and a loving, devoted husband.
    And spending time with damaged goods like him would be just a waste of her time.
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    He’d been able to drive, before starting physical therapy. It had just