Incredulous, Jack inhaled deeply, detecting the faintest whiff of almond extract—his mother’s secret ingredient. He’d assumed she didn’t bake anymore. Wasn’t that why she’d hired the private chef with a flair for French pastries?
He tried to refocus on Kat’s words from the other night, remembering why he was there.
Love is generous. It chooses to see the good in people.
There were times it felt like he’d need a magnifying glass to find the good in his father. But he also knew years of holding a grudge could cloud a person’s perspective.
“I’m starting my New Year’s resolution a few weeks early,” he said, mustering up his nerve. “It’s a new trend calledtalking about your feelings.”
Rich’s eyes widened.
“I still haven’t worked out all the kinks, but I’ll give it my best shot.” Jack drew in a fortifying breath, squaring his shoulders. “Ever since your business took off, it seemed like the success changed you—changedus, as a family. But the real kicker was when you offered Ashley the job in New York. That crushed me, Dad.” His throat tightened, but he forced himself to push through the discomfort. “It may seem foolish to ask after all these years, but I have to know… why’d you do it? The real, honest answer. Why’d you offer her the job?”
For several minutes, Rich didn’t respond. And when he finally met Jack’s gaze, his eyes were filled with sorrow. “Because I knew she’d take it.”
Silence stretched between them.
“I don’t understand.”
Rich sighed, deep and pained. “I offered her the job because I knew she’d never stay in Poppy Creek. Not long term, anyway. And if you’d married her like you’d planned, it would’ve hurt a whole lot more when she walked away.”
Jack winced, wounded by his father’s words as though they’d been an actual blow to the gut. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“Would you have listened to me if I had?”
As Jack pondered his father’s question, uneasiness settled in the pit of his stomach because he honestly wasn’t sure.
“Look, son. I have my share of regrets,” Rich admitted with some effort. “I may have stepped in when I shouldn’t have. And it would be a lie to tell you that my pride and disappointment didn’t play into my decision.”
Jack’s spirits fell at his father’s admission, and it took every ounce of strength to stay positive.Look for the good….
“You may not believe this,” Rich continued, his voice hoarse, “but you’re still my son, and I love you. My greatest regret is losing you and letting my arrogance prevent me from fixing my mistakes. Having you here last night made me realize how wrong I’ve been. And how much time I’ve thrown away.”
Jack stared, dumbfounded. He’d never heard his dad apologize. Or speak so freely about his feelings.
“Tell me what I can do to make it right.”
Jack hesitated. He’d waited most of his life to hear his father say those words. And during the countless times he’d played out the conversation in his mind, he’d had plenty to say in return.
But now, standing before the man who’d caused him so much pain, Jack had no desire to lash out. Or make his father grovel. “I’m sorry I’ve been so stubborn. We should’ve had this conversation years ago.”
“What changed?” Rich asked. “Or let me guess… a certain beguiling redhead with pipes like Judy Garland?”
Jack grinned. “Something like that.”
“This time,” Rich said with an air of humility. “I’ll simplytellyou my advice. Don’t let this one get away.”
“I don’t plan on it.”
* * *
The entire drive back to Hope Hideaway, Kat thought of Jack. She wanted to call and ask if he’d spoken with his father and if he wanted to talk about it. But she wasn’t sure what to say when he inevitably asked about her return.
She didn’t have a plan.
Kat knew two things: She needed to look through Helena’s hope chest—a task she’d been avoiding since her mother passed away. And she needed to help Fern find a way to save the shelter.
Penny, bless her heart, had offered the tiny nest egg she and Colt had been saving to buy a house. But Kat couldn’t accept. She had to believe God would provide another way—a miracle, as Fern put it.
