Chapter 6 - The Long Road Back
Grant did not push Natalie for more than she was willing to give. Over the next three weeks, he rented a sprawling, gated estate in the hill country outside Austin and gave Natalie the keys, offering her complete privacy while he stayed in a guest cottage on the far end of the ten-acre property. He wanted her to feel safe, unburdened, and in complete control of her life.
Every morning, fresh groceries were delivered. A private tutor was hired to help Noah with his advanced reading skills, and a pediatric specialist was brought in to check on Leo’s mild asthma. Grant never showed up unannounced. He only visited when Natalie sent a text message indicating the boys were open to seeing him.
One Saturday afternoon, Grant was sitting on the porch of the guest cottage, reviewing construction blueprints for a new hotel project, when he heard small footsteps crunching on the gravel path. He looked up to see Noah standing there, clutching a brand-new remote-controlled monster truck that Grant had left on the front porch two days earlier.
""The wheel is stuck,"" Noah said bluntly, holding out the toy.
Grant put his blueprints aside immediately. ""Let me see, buddy.""
He pulled a small multi-tool from his pocket, carefully popping off the plastic tire and untangling a thick cluster of dry grass that had jammed the internal gears. Noah watched intently, his eyes darting between the tool and Grant’s hands.
""You like fixing things?"" Noah asked.
""I used to build entire buildings from scratch with your mom,"" Grant said, a nostalgic smile touching his lips. ""Before I became a fool and forgot what mattered.""
""Mommy cried yesterday,"" Noah remarked quietly, sitting down on the wooden step beside Grant.
Grant’s hands paused. ""She did? Why?""
""She was looking at old pictures on her phone. Pictures of you and her on a beach with big hats. She thought I was asleep, but I saw her smiling while she was crying.""
Grant felt a lump form in his throat. He handed the repaired truck back to his son. ""Your mom is the strongest person in the whole world, Noah. Don't ever forget that.""
Noah turned the toy over in his hands, testing the wheel. It spun freely. He looked up at Grant, his dark eyes wide and serious. ""Are you going to go away again?""
The question sliced straight through Grant’s heart. He knelt down on the gravel, taking Noah’s small hand in his own. ""Never. Even if your mom decides she never wants to see me again, I will always be right down the road whenever you or Leo need me. I promise you that on my life.""
May you like
Noah nodded once, seemingly satisfied with the answer. ""Leo wants to race trucks. You have to be the blue one.""
""I'd love nothing more,"" Grant whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he followed his son across the lawn.
