“He didn’t look the same.”
Andy frowned. “He had a beard when he lived with us.”
That wasn’t the only difference. Scotty had lost a lot of weight. Whether it was from the stress of coming to terms with the person he’d become or simply by choice, she didn’t know.
Charlie’s tongue caught a drip as it slid down the side of his cone. “He didn’t get mad once. Do you think he’s been practicing his breathing exercises?”
Andy bit into the top of his ice cream. “He was on his best behavior because Ethan was there.”
Andrea hoped he’d changed for the better, but she was also suspicious of how he’d acted. Maybe, no matter what Scotty did, she would always feel the same way. “Your dad was sorry for the way he treated us. Sometimes, you have to accept the apology and move on with your life.”
“Even if it’s not true?” Andy asked.
“I think it was true. Did you understand why he’d acted the way he did?”
Charlie scrunched up his nose. “Just ’cos his mom and dad hurt him, it doesn’t mean you’re allowed to be mean to other people. Pastor John said that’s being a bully.”
Andrea nodded. “What your dad did was wrong. He knows that now.” She really wanted to believe it was true, especially after Ethan told her Scotty had a new partner and a baby on the way.
Andy looked at her with sad eyes. “Are you still upset with Dad?”
When they’d walked into Ethan’s office, an overwhelming flood of emotion had hit her. For a moment, she forgot who she was and where they were. All she could focus on were her ex-husband’s dark brown eyes and unsmiling mouth. And then her gaze had dropped to his fists. And she’d cried.
“I’m not upset anymore. I feel sorry for him.”
Andy’s eyes widened. “You do?”
“Because of the way he treated us, your dad isn’t part of our lives. He’s missed out on lots of wonderful things we’ve done together.”
“Like going skiing with Ethan and Diana,” Charlie said excitedly. “And taking their dogs for walks around the lake.”
“And writing a book,” Andy added. With one bite, he crunched through the last of his cone.
“Don’t forget about our art classes and the flower arranging class we did with Paris. Mom loved the Christmas wreaths we made.”
Andrea licked her ice cream. “I did. They were fantastic.”
“We’ve done lots of cool things,” Andy said.
Charlie wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “We met David, too. He knows how to do lots of stuff.”
“I wish he stayed here all the time.”
Andy’s comment surprised Andrea. Unlike Charlie, he’d been suspicious of David from the first time they’d met. She didn’t know what had changed his mind, but she was glad he enjoyed his company.
She looked at her watch. If they were quick, they could visit the boys’ second favorite place in Sapphire Bay. “Who wants to go to The Christmas Shop?”
Charlie jumped in the air. “Me!”
With Andy giving an enthusiastic nod, Andrea picked up her bag. “It looks as though it’s a unanimous decision. Let’s go.”
The boys raced ahead, eager to get to the truck. Today’s emotional roller-coaster had hit them hard. By filling the rest of the afternoon with things they liked, it might reduce the stress of seeing their dad. And, if she was lucky, it would help them realize how far they’d come.
Driving under The Christmas Tree Farm sign always gave Andrea goose bumps. Open year-round, it was the only place in Sapphire Bay where she felt truly at peace. There was something about hearing Christmas carols and seeing so many wonderful gifts that made her heart happy.
Charlie pressed his nose against the side window. “Where are all the people?”
Usually when they came here, the parking lot was full. “It’s nearly time for the shop to close and it’s Tuesday. It’s much busier at the weekends.”
