Page 102 of Happily Ever After

They held hands and he bowed his head, his voice steady and warm. “Thank you, Lord, for this food, for this home, and for the chance to sit together this morning,” he said. “And thank you for second chances. Give us the patience to use them well. Amen.”

“Amen,” Essie said.

Sophie echoed it quietly.

They began to eat. Sophie took small bites at first, like she wanted to be sure the food would stay down. She moved on to larger ones after that. Frank poured syrup generously and slid the bacon plate closer to himself with a grin Essie knew well.

For a few minutes, they talked about nothing important. The gorgeous warm weather. Maple’s enthusiasm for squirrels. The way the bulb under the built-in microwave was flickering and probably needed replacing.

Then Frank leaned back in his chair, wiped his mouth with his napkin, and smiled at Essie and Sophie. “So,” he said, “Italy.”

Sophie looked up, seemingly curious. “Yeah?”

Frank chuckled. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been so tired in my life. Meetings all day, inspections that ran long, and your brother, who thought espresso after dinner was a perfectly reasonable idea. Not for me, I can tell you that much.”

Essie smiled. She’d heard some of this already last night, but she liked listening to it again. And hearing Frank’s voice in the house after not hearing it for so long was a very good thing.

“The mills are impressive,” Frank went on. “They’re old but they’ve got great bones. Chad’s really handling things well. He’s doing serious work. I’m proud of him.”

Sophie nodded. “He always liked knowing how things worked.”

“He still does,” Frank said. “And the food is incredible.” He shook his head. “But I don’t care how good the pasta is, there’s something to be said for bacon and pancakes.”

Essie reached for her coffee, warmth spreading through her as she watched them talk. Sophie wasn’t withdrawn with her father around. And while she might not have been totally relaxed, at least she was engaged. That alone felt like progress.

Frank glanced at Essie and smiled, then turned back to Sophie. “Essie and I are so happy you’re here with us. And thanks for setting the table.”

“Thanks,” Sophie said. She shifted in her chair, her fork hovering over her plate. “I, um…I actually have something I need to say.”

The air around Essie seemed to get heavier. She set her mug down carefully, trying to prepare herself for whatever bombshell Sophie was about to drop now.

Frank’s expression softened. “Okay,” he said. “We’re listening.”

Sophie swallowed and stared at her plate for a moment, then looked up. “I’m dropping the lawsuits,” she said. “I’m sorry I haven’t done it already but…I’ve had a lot going on.”

Essie exhaled but didn’t speak. She didn’t trust herself to. Instead, she folded her hands in her lap and waited. She thanked God for taking care of that matter.

Frank didn’t interrupt either. He simply nodded once. “Thank you.”

Sophie blinked, clearly not expecting that reaction. “You’re…not going to yell at me?”

“For dropping the suits? No,” Frank said gently. “I’m relieved.”

Sophie exhaled. “So am I. I know they were making everything worse. It was an awful thing to do and I understand that now.” Her voice wobbled. “Ryan made me believe I was protecting myself. I know now he just wanted money.”

Essie felt a tightness in her chest ease.

Sophie went on. “Again, I’m sorry. For all of it. I should’ve handled things differently. I should’ve talked to you instead of…attacking. And while Ryan pushed me to do it, I should have been able to think for myself.”

Frank reached across the table and rested his hand near Sophie’s. “Thank you for saying that.”

Sophie nodded, blinking fast. “There’s more.”

Essie’s breath caught, but she kept her face neutral.

“I’m scared,” Sophie said. “About the baby. And about Ryan.”

Frank’s jaw tightened at the name, but his voice stayed calm. “What about him?”