Just never in the things that mattered.
Noah stared hard at his father and tried to reconcile the impossible with reality. “Actually…no. I mean, you never have before.”
“Well, times can change.” Russell lowered his arms, apparently accepting Noah wasn’t coming in for a hug. “Good game, son.”
A myriad of thoughts flung themselves at his brain so fast Noah couldn’t catch any of them. He hadn’t prepped for this.
Not that he could have if he’d known.
“You can’t walk in here and say that.” He clutched his duffel strap, frustration welling in his chest. “You didn’t even come to Grandpa’s funeral.”
“Couldn’t get away. Don’t worry, I lit a candle.” Russell shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. The smile Noah used to believe was genuine still hovered in place like it’d been painted on. “Been busy with the hotels. You know how it is.”
Russell’s rote answer reminded Noah of the response he’d given to old friends in Magnolia Bay over the past several months.Been busy with the inn.
Noah’s chest tightened at the comparison and he backed up a step, swinging his bag across his body so its bulk filled the space between them. He glanced over his shoulder at Elisa, who had frozen in the doorway of the dugout, eyes wide as she watched them. Maybe he should introduce them—scratch that, his dad didn’t deserve to meet her.
But no, she wasn’t staring at his father. She was staring athers, stalking across the field toward them with fists clenched at his side.
The inevitable registered two seconds too late. Isaac charged at Russell, his face and throat as red as the color he was surely seeing. “How dare you show your face here?” He muttered a name Noah couldn’t quite make out but could easily guess.
Russell held up both hands, his ever-ready smile still firmly in place. The one that had gotten him out of or justified so many contentions over Noah’s lifetime. “Hey, I’m just here to see my kid.”
Noah’s stomach tightened.Lies. Had to be. Why now? Why not six months ago for his own father’s funeral? Where was he then? Probably locked in another failing relationship.
Isaac stepped a foot closer. He pointed an inch from Russell’s nose, his own nostrils flared. “Then you’ll have no problem getting on a plane and going back to whatever havoc you came from.”
Russell smirked even as he eased back. “I appreciate the travel tip, but I’ve got unfinished business to attend to here.”
“Oh, there’s plenty of unfinished business, trust me.” Isaac’s chest heaved with each breath. He swung around to face Elisa, his voice brittle. “We’re leaving. I’ll walk you out.”
“I—I’m not ready to leave yet. Noah and I still have some work to do.” Elisa darted a glance at Noah, then hesitantly pulled the clue card from her back pocket.
Oh, no. Noah flinched. “Elisa, I don’t know if this?—”
“Let me guess.” Isaac’s lips thinned as he drew himself to his full height. “That blasted project?”
“It’s not a project, exactly. It’s more like a treasure hunt.” Her words faltered, stammering.
Isaac snorted, his fists still clenched. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You don’t understand.” Clearly flustered, Elisa gestured with the card. A warm breeze stirred the air, raking her hair back from her flushed cheeks. “It’s all part of Mr. Hebert’s will. He included me in his inheritance?—”
“Gilbert Hebert had no business including you in anything.” Isaac’s eyes turned to slits. “You know what? That’s enough. It was one thing for you two to mess around when you were teenagers, but this—” He waved a finger between her and Noah. “This is too much. You know better, Elisa.”
Pain flashed across her face. She kept her chin up, but her lips trembled, fighting back tears. The hand holding the card drooped to her side.
A rush of anger welled inside Noah. It wasn’t remotely fair for Isaac to take his rage out on his daughter. This wasn’t how he’d wanted Isaac to find out about the hunt—especially not with the inn’s inspection still unresolved.
But he couldn’t stand by while the man berated his daughter. He drew a tight breath. “Sir, with all due?—”
“Wait a minute. She’syours?” Russell pointed to Elisa, then at Noah. “And you two…” He leaned his head and laughed. “Man, that’s ironic. Apparently I’ve missed the good stuff.”
“That’s it.” Isaac launched, issuing both a curse and a wild swing toward Russell’s jaw.
Russell ducked, but took Isaac’s second hit on his shoulder as he attempted to sidestep. “Hey!” He shoved him. “Watch it.”
“Dad, no!” Elisa rushed forward.
