“That’s the part you won’t believe.” He held Sadie’s gaze for a drawn-out moment. “It’s mydad.”
Sadie frowned. “What?That can’t be right. What would your dad be doing with an engagement ring?”
“The ring’s not for an actual proposal—it’s for my mom and dad’s anniversary, which is—”
“Tomorrow!” Sadie’s face lit with pleasure. “They were telling me at the wedding.”
“My dad never got my mom an engagement ring. I guess he decided to surprise her for their thirty-fifth.”
Sadie gave a wistful smile. “Oh, that’s so sweet.”
“We should take it to him now though. He called Michael this afternoon and found out the ring was missing. He’s probably about to tear his hair out. He’ll be at the shop for another hour or so, and we’d better catch him before he goes home.”
“Oh, I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see the look on his face. I’ll run and get the book.”
“Meet me at the truck.”
Though Sam would’ve loved a shower, he didn’t take time for one. Sadie met him at the truck a minute later and they headed toward the shop. Afternoon traffic had picked up, so the trip was taking a little longer than usual.
Sadie fairly vibrated with excitement as she clenched the book in her lap. “I can’t believe it belongs to your dad.”
“I couldn’t believe it when Michael rattled off Dad’s number.”
“And it ended up in my library. How in the world? Are we almost there?”
He tossed her a grin. “We’re five minutes closer than the last time you asked.”
“I can’t help it. We’ve waited so long and your poor dad is probably—Oh! We’re here.”
He pulled into the gravel lot at the back where the extra trailers were parked. “Good, it looks like we caught him alone. Mom sometimes comes in to work on the books.”
Sadie tucked the book in her purse as Sam came around to help her out. As they walked toward the back of the building, he took her hand.
She surveyed the old brick building, formerly a hardware store. “So this is where you work. It’s bigger than I expected.”
“We hope to eventually rent and sell lawn-care equipment. Although Dad says he doesn’t have the energy for that. He wants Tag and me to handle the expansion.” He pulled open the door and ushered her inside. The familiar smells of gasoline and motor oil filled his nostrils.
They found his dad in the front, pacing the small lobby. Since he’d hurt his back last year, he spent more time in the office answering calls and pushing papers than he did mowing lawns.
Dad glanced over at their arrival. “Sam, Sadie. This is a nice surprise.”
They greeted him, and his dad offered them coffee.
“Don’t do it,” Sam muttered to Sadie. “It was brewed hours ago and it wasn’t that great fresh.”
Dad scowled at him. “I was going to make her fresh.”
“Thank you, Mr.Ford, but I don’t need any more caffeine at the moment.”
“Well, okay.” Dad put his hands on his hips. “What brings you by? You have a problem on a job, Son?”
“No, Dad, everything’s fine. Can we sit and chat for a minute?”
“Sure.” His dad took a seat in the lobby, and Sam and Sadie sat opposite him.
Sam glanced at Sadie, who was about to levitate off her chair. He nudged her. “Why don’t you tell my dad why we’re here.”
“We found your book!”
