Free Wishing on the Water (Water Series Book 1) by Elizabeth York

you?”
    “ I’m good Candy cane. I miss seeing your face around here.” My dad’s reply tugged at my heart.
    “ Dad, I am coming into town for work. We will be in town for a week. Do you want to go to dinner with me Saturday night?”
    “ For your birthday? Of course, but wouldn’t you rather spend the time with your friends?” My dad had no idea what had transpired to make me leave, and obviously no one had allowed him to hear it through the grape vine.
    “ No dad, I was thinking you and me grabbing something from Gray’s Papaya or the Cafeteria.”
    “ I’m in, I love both places and would love to see you. How is California?” My dad asked, trying to keep the conversation from dying out.
    “ It’s good. Surprisingly cold, but good. How is the house?” I responded, wondering if he was taking care of himself.
    “ It’s good. Last month Jaxson came over with his friends and put on a new roof for me. Then this morning he was out here shoveling the driveway because we got some snow.”
    “ Jax, has been helping you?” I tried to keep the shock out of my voice as I asked.
    “ Jax has come by every afternoon since my fall.” My dad replied.
    “ What fall?” I exclaimed
    “ I was trying to put up the Christmas lights and fell off the ladder. I got a bump on the head and a sore bottom, but considering the alternative, I got away easy.”
    My heart shattered. I hadn’t called to check on him in months. I never gave him my new number to call me. He could have died and had no way to tell me. I thought cutting my New York life out was the way to go, but now I felt like a horrid daughter. I would have to make sure I said thank you to Jax.
    We wrapped up the conversation as Andrew arrived and started putting the bags in the cab. I shut everything off in the house and locked it up. I took a deep breath and climbed into the cab.
     

     
     
    The airport had a two hour delay, due to snow in New York. We sat at the coffee shop and waited, as time ticked by so slowly. I couldn’t shake the bad daughter feeling I was having. I wanted to thank Jax as well for stepping up, but I was scared of what he would say to me. I did sneak out of his house and run three thousand miles away from him and everyone I knew. I was a coward!
     
    Andrew was waiting in line to get us coffee, so I utilized my time alone by calling my voice-mail and plugging in Jax’s number.
     
    “ Thank you for taking care of my dad.”
     
    I left the message and hung up my phone. I watched as an elderly couple sitting across from me were sharing a coffee and muffin. They were waiting for their kid’s flight and looked as though they couldn’t afford to buy each a cup of coffee.
    I was drawn to them and watched, as the love they had overflowed and made up for the fact that they didn’t have money. I stood up and cut in front of Andrew in line, as he went to the register. I ordered two blueberry muffins and two coffees. Then I took them to the older couple.
    “ You nice folks look like you could use a little liquid energy and a snack,” I stated, as I sat their coffees down in front of them and then the muffins.
    “ Thank you dear.” The woman nearly had tears in her eyes. “What’s your name?”
    “ My name is Candice. What are your names?” I asked, enthralled with them for some unknown reason.
    “ I am Helen and he’s Henry.”
    My face fell when I heard the name, Henry. It wasn’t as common as one would think. The first person who came to mind was Chase, as that was his middle name.
    “ It was nice to meet you.” I responded, and went to get up. Gently, the lady put her hand on mine.
    “ Excuse me for saying, but you look sad. What’s ailing you, dear?” Helen asked, and I didn’t know why but I wanted to tell her.
    “ My fiancé died, and then I turned my back on my best friend. My stomach is really angry with me about it all right now.” I replied in a rush.
    “ You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Death affects people