He reached across and touched her cheek as he turned onto the gravel road and the gates of Camp Crowley came into view. She sighed in the seat next to him, and he stopped the truck and put it in park.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to go,” he said. He was done encouraging her to do things she hated. She’d gone to this camp for three years. She’d given it a try. If she wanted to skip it, that was okay with him.

“It’s fine, Dad, really,” she said with what he knew was forced enthusiasm. “I’m looking forward to seeing my friends. I guess I’m just nervous.”

“You sure?”

“Yes,” she said with exasperation. “Come on, I’m going to be late for check-in.”

Wes drove through the camp gates and parked next to the other cars in the lot. Parents hugged their kids and collected their overnight bags. Most kids looked eager to hurry off and join their friends, and most of the parents looked just as eager to see them go after the long summer.

Climbing out, he waved to several parents he recognized, then turned to Marissa. “You got everything?”

“Yes, Dad.”

Now was the hard part. “Electronics?” he said, holding out a hand for her phone.

She kissed it, then handed it to him. “I’ll see you and Sarah on Friday?”

He nodded. His heart was still full at the thought. She liked Sarah enough to invite her to parents’ day, and Sarah had agreed to come. The way she’d fallen so perfectly into their lives still surprised him, but it made sense. Sarah offered both of them so much, and Wes only hoped he could give her everything she deserved.

He hugged Marissa tight. “Have a great time at camp. See you on Friday.” He stood there and waved as she dragged her duffel bag toward the check-in desk.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was up with his daughter.

…

Hanging the last of the blown-glass bulbs in the guest rooms, Sarah stood watching the sun reflect off the various colors. They were the perfect addition to the rooms, and now whoever bought the inn, she’d feel as though there was still a part of her in it. A part of Mr. Harrison, too. It felt right somehow to honor her grandmother’s first love in this small way.

“I hope I’m making you proud, Grandma,” she said.

Her cell chimed with a new email notification, and her heart raced seeing the subject line from her boss. The last few days, she’d completely forgotten about work. With the new revised proposal approved by Gail, she’d let herself relax until the pitch. Spending time with Wes and Marissa, she’d barely given it a second thought.