“He didn’t take off when the going got tough. That’s more than I can say for my dad.”

“Do you have much of a relationship with him now?”

Sophie lifted a shoulder. “We meet for coffee now and then. Things are stilted and awkward—you probably noticed at the wedding.”

“I saw there was tension between Seth and him, but Jenna seems to have forgiven him.”

“She was always a Daddy’s girl. It’s more complicated with Seth. He was disappointed and angry when Dad left. He knows a real man doesn’t abandon his wife when she’s down.”

“For better or for worse.”

“Dad was selfish, and he hasn’t really changed. He still doesn’t take responsibility for what he did—just offers excuses. And until that changes, I don’t think Seth will let him back into his life.”

“Forgiveness is one thing; trust is another.”

“Yes, and his adding a new girlfriend to the mix hasn’t exactly helped. I’ve forgiven Dad, and I’ll continue the relationship, but my expectations are realistic.”

“What does he think of your opening a bookshop? Surely he knows it was your mom’s dream.”

“I think he’s happy for me, but we don’t really talk about Mom or her connection to the store. I find it’s best if we steer clear of touchy topics for the time being. Maybe someday we can have something more real, but for now we’re just trying to find our footing again.”

“Fair enough.” Aiden sent up a prayer for Sophie and her family. They’d been through so much, and he wanted nothing more than a happy ending for Sophie.

chapter twenty-three

Sophie was touching up the paint in the back room when someone entered the store. Aiden had stepped out a few minutes ago to pick up supplies from the hardware store.

“Forget something?” she called.

“Sophie?”

She frowned at the unexpected voice. “Dad?”

“It’s me.”

She set down her brush, gathered her crutches, and hobbled into the front room. Sure enough, there was her father, hands in his pockets, scanning the room appreciatively.

“Dad . . . Is everything okay?”

His face fell when he saw her crutches. “Honey, what happened to you?”

She gave a self-deprecating smile. “I fell off a ladder. It’s just a sprain. Is everything all right back home?” Surely if something had happened to Seth or Jenna she would’ve been the first to hear.

“Sure, sure. I wanted to see how you were doing, so I decided to drive over and find out for myself.”

“Dad, it’s a three-hour drive. And aren’t you supposed to be at work right now?”

“I’m on midnights this week.” He paced the room, inspecting the paint job. “This place is really coming along. When’s your grand opening?”

“Tuesday, Lord willing.”

“Next Tuesday?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“How are you getting anything done on those crutches?”