CHAPTER 2
As he rode from the forests of Wisconsin, Nate thought about what Sam said. You're the only person who isn't seeing that you did the best you ever could for Cassie. For someone to say such a thing, not only they must know you – which Sam did no question – but also must have been seeing some progress that missed you're eyes – Nate's eyes. But what was that progress?
In a few hours he was in Chicago and decided that he would rent a motel room here before he continued on. It was getting late and he had grown tired. Of course, the water he had was long gone and some of his money too.
Nate found a cheap motel and after paying for the fee went straight to his room. Nate locked the door and dropped his bag leaving his bike outside in the parking lot. Chained, of course. This is Chicago after all. As he lay there, Nate's thoughts went to Cassie. Of course he knew that Cassie had a son. Nate's Grandson – Kevin. Just a few months old but Nate had never been able to see him. Just never got around to it.
Nate could think of several excuses for not but the truth was the failure feeling and he felt ashamed to see her. It didn't seem that long ago that Nate was just telling Cassie about his adventures on their holiday home. She was just a teenager at the time. She's older than you and Sam when you started all this. Elena.
Maybe Nate didn't fail Elena. Nate was thinking about it. It wasn't his idea to buy Jamison's business all those years ago but it was his idea to get a normal steady work and Jamison just happened to be the right guy for it. Nate hadn't heard from him in a long time. He took his phone out and texted Sam about finding Jamison and seeing what he is up to. Sam replied he will.
Nate still remembered their first meeting in Indonesia. She had chastised him for defiling his ancestor's remains and Nate, as usual, replied that you can't defile a body that didn't exist. Elena had to put up with so much crap from Nathan and she always stood beside him. She never left him, even when he did. Nate left Elena so many times that he was starting to think that she will certainly return the favour sometime. But she never did.
Nate woke up early the next day and continued on his journey through the fields of Ohio. Nate picked up the pace through Pennsylvania and he had managed to keep in relatively decent shape to handle this one crazy crusade. One crazy last crusade. That was the fuel that kept him going even at his 50s.
As he was nearing New York, his mind wandered off to Cassie once more. Was he a good father to her really? Sam wasn't just kidding or exaggerating? No, that's not Sam's style. Whatever Sam wanted to say, he would bluntly and openly say it. When he didn't want to bring sarcasm into it that is. With things like this though, he never brought sarcasm.
Was Elena a good mother to Cassie? Of course she was. Cassie always spoke well and inspirational whenever her mother was mentioned. There was nothing that Nate can remember Cassie saying about Elena that was bad. Cassie also said that if she has a daughter, she will not only name her Elena but hope she will be just like her. Yes, Elena was definitely a wonderful mother.
Nate always regretted teaching Cassie a lot of things he did. Especially the adventure of treasure hunting. Cassie had even more near death experiences than Nate and he couldn't make sure whether that was something he should be proud of because he had surpassed her or feel bad about teaching her irresponsibility.
Nate realised that he was thinking wrongly of her about being irresponsible. She had taken over Nate and Elena's business of D&F fortunes and made it into a gigantic business where she was a key figure of. That sure is a good sign of being responsible. Cassie also had a family and he will be seeing really soon if they were happy. Maybe that would give Nate the closure he is seeking and finally put all doubt to rest.
Nate lost count of the amount of times he and Elena argued because of Cassie's dangerous adventures. That's why it's still bothering Nate even after all this time. You'll never stop being overprotective, will you? She said several times. Nate didn't know any other alternative. He doesn't regret protecting his daughter because that's what a father should always do. Nate didn't know much about his father. Good riddance. He wouldn't have made much of a difference in his life anyway.
Nobody could ever blame Nate for having doubts as someone once said that the problem with the world was that the foolish people were full of confidence while the smart ones where full of confidence. Nate knew which group he belonged to.