“Got my merit badge in camping,” he said proudly. “So I actually do know a thing or two about the outdoors.”
“But not enough to have a tent.” Her question was a gentle tease, and her father responded in kind.
“On your mother’s watch? Never.” He hesitated, turning his glasses around and around in his hand. “I ran into George Voit at the club last week. He told me what a fine concept the outdoor education program is. He sounded excited that the foundation is in business with you.”
His last words were stiff, and although he’d probably meant it as a compliment, they heated Faith’s blood.
“Oh, so George Voit says what I’m doing is important, and you suddenly think it’s worth talking to me about?” She shot to her feet.
Her father stood too, thick gray brows slamming together to meet over his nose. He drew a breath to fire back, starting the fight she’d halfway been expecting when she walked in here. But after a moment he deflated.
“I guess so.” He leaned forward to rest his hands on his desk. “I guess that’s a good point.”
She dropped into the chair like a sack of potatoes. Her dad had just admitted that she wasright?
He sat too, sighing heavily as he did. “I was so disappointed that you didn’t want to come work at Fox Industries. And that was selfish of me.” He gazed at her levelly. “I’m still disappointed, but I won’t apologize for being pleased when the most powerful CEO in town tells me what a good job you’ve done.” He pointed at her, some of his fire returning. “I do wish you were doing somethingforprofit. But this nonprofit business seems to be important too. Sort of like Boy Scouts were for me.”
His words left her speechless. She hadn’t expected praise from him. Not today and maybe not ever.
“Thanks,” she said, her throat tight. Maybe it didn’t matter why her father had finally accepted her calling. Maybe it was just important that hehad?
Their gazes locked, and they slowly exchanged smiles. Apparently they were able to survive a conversation if they both kept their tempers in check for long enough to do it. Wild.
Her father leaned back in his chair. “And then there’s Leo Morales.”
The name hit her like an electrical prod. “What about him?”
“Voit says he’s an outstanding addition to the foundation. Moving them in new directions. Bringing energy to the whole group.” He shook his head. “And after everything we did to keep you away from that boy.”
“That man.” He’d shocked her so much by bringing that up that she responded on autopilot. Yet his tone wasn’t malicious, just regretful. She pressed her hands flat against the tops of her thighs and asked the question that had dogged her for twelve years. “Why did you hate him so much?”
“We never hated him.”
Her mother’s voice came from behind her, and Faith whipped around to see Betsy standing in the doorway. “But we saw the way you used to look at him.”
“How did I look at him?” She whispered the question, almost afraid of the answer.
“Like he was your whole world.” Betsy smoothed a hand over her bob as she crossed the room to sit in the chair across from her. “We were terrified that you’d get pregnant or that you’d put off college. That because you loved him, we’d lose you.”
“And then we lost you anyway,” her father said gruffly.
She sucked in a deep breath, trying to control the tears burning behind her eyes. She’d been so young and so angry. So unwilling to listen to anybody. Her parents. Leo. All those people who’d cared about her.
“You didn’t lose me,” she managed. “I’m here now.”
Her mother pressed her lips together, and the room was silent for a moment before her father spoke.
“I’m so sorry. I’ve been sorry every day since then.” His lips curved down, deepening the grooves on either side of his mouth. “I shouldn’t have interfered. You were right to be furious.”
They were good words. Words she didn’t know how much she’d needed to hear until right now. They couldn’t undo years of anger and separation, but they were a good start.
And she supposed she ought to own up to her part in all of it too.
“I’m sorry I wouldn’t listen to your apology until now.” It didn’t seem like enough, but it drew a smile to her father’s face.
“Would you… like to have dinner with us tonight?” her mom asked. “I’m making a roast and potatoes.”
Faith sniffled. Her mom was offering to serve carbs? How could she say no?
