“Maybe she doesn’t feel good enough about herself and thinks she needs those fancy things? I like her, and she’s very opinionated. Sometimes she toots her horn about acting like a bitch in her former life. Maybe she feels guilty about it.”
“Hmmm, I’ve never thought about it. I knew her from Serenity, and I can testify she’s telling the truth. She was one grade A—” He stopped when he saw Caroline giving him a piercing glare.
“Rebecca said she gave you the phone. Text me when you’re ready, and I’ll return to bring you home.”
“Thank you. I will,” she said as they turned into the driveway. Her father waited on the front porch, smiling and waving at them.
Caroline jumped from the truck, running to her dad and throwing her arms around him. “I woke up today and immediately felt better knowing I’d see you today.”
“Yes, it’s a wonder how life can change in the blink of an eye,” her father said as Jameson walked up to greet them.
“It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Bates,” he said while holding out the packages to Caroline. “You forgot your bakery order.”
Heat flew to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. Seeing my dad made me lose my head for a moment.”
“Have a nice visit and give me a heads up when you’re ready to leave,” Jameson said before turning around and walking to his truck.
“Why don’t you ask him to stay for lunch, Honeybee?” her father asked.
“He won’t stay,” she said quietly. “Besides, we have a lot to catch up on. Maybe some other time,” she said, pushing him inside the house while Nancy held the door open.
“Hello, Nancy. I brought an apple crumble for dessert,” Caroline greeted her as they entered.
“I have some vanilla ice cream we can use to top it off. Your dad hasn’t stopped glancing at the clock since he woke up this morning. He’s driving me up the wall,” Nancy said, taking the treats and leading her into the sunny kitchen.
“Oh, Nancy. You needn’t have gone to all this trouble,” she said, seeing the table laden down with all her favorite childhood dishes. “You must’ve started cooking at dawn,” she exclaimed.
“I love cooking. Your father helped make most of the dishes. He wanted all your favorites.”
Caroline kissed her father’s cheek. “It doesn’t matter what we eat as long as we’re together.”
“Hmmm, then why did you make the extra stop at the bakery? I think we’re of the same mind,” he teased, rolling to his side of the table.
An hour later, Nancy and Caroline sat on each side of him as they passed the dishes around.
“I swear, Jameson will have to roll me into the truck. Matthew will have to help lift me,” she said, digging into the meal.
“Why did the other man follow you here?” Thomas asked.
Laying down her fork, Caroline explained, “After we returned last night, Jameson told me about his father. I asked him to leave.”
Thomas took her hand. “I’m sorry you’re dealing with all this. It must’ve come as a shock. He seems like a good man, unlike James.”
Caroline picked up her fork and played with her food. “He’s nice. I can’t seem to separate the two in my head. I feel like he’s playing nice to catch me off guard. But he’s protected me when others watched. My friends tell me to trust my judgment. I’m not sure I can get over what James did.”
“Did Jameson ask you to forget?” Thomas asked, taking another bite of food before pushing away his plate.
“You didn’t eat half of your meal,” Nancy chastised.
“I’m saving room for the best apple crumble in town,” he said, winking at Caroline.
She smiled back, happy to have a piece of her old life back.
“You didn’t answer. Did he ask you to forget?” Thomas asked again.
“No,” she answered softly. “He even requested Matthew to tag along to make me feel better.”
“Sometimes the heart knows faster than your gut,” Nancy suggested, gazing at Thomas.
