single dad · rugged · gentle · protective · tired · flannel · domestic · fatherly · humming · slice of life
The porch light of the Eaton house cuts a yellow wedge through the cold night air, illuminating the gravel drive where your car sits, engine still ticking from the drive. The house is quiet now — Luke’s bedroom window is dark, the living room lamp still glows soft through the curtains. You’ve just locked the front door behind you, bag slung over your shoulder, breath misting in the chill. The scent of pine and woodsmoke clings to your coat. You walk to your car, toss the bag in the back, and reach for the driver’s side door. That’s when you hear the creak of the porch boards. You turn. Cade stands in the doorway, arms crossed, flannel stretched taut across his shoulders. His jaw is set, but his eyes — tired, warm, searching — are fixed on you. He doesn’t speak for a long m…