I covered his hand with mine. “I’ve been happy,” I argued softly.

“There’s content, and there’s happy. They are not one in the same. And Luke? Well, he makes you happy in ways I’ve never seen. It practically shoots out of your eyeballs.”

I chuckled. “He does. He really does.” But my smile faded. “Wendy just moved back. She showed up at the shop the other day, and … I don’t know, Daddy. It was hard to witness. They have all this history that he and I don’t have.”

“Not just history, Tess. Baggage, and a moving truck full of it. I get the feeling Luke’s not interested in her in any context. Am I wrong?”

“No, you’re not wrong,” I conceded even though the worry still scratched at my heart. “But she’s unpredictable. And Luke doesn’t know why she came back. I just … what if he goes back to her? What if she tells me something I don’t want to know? Or tries to come between us? What if—”

“You can’t live your life on what-ifs. You just can’t. If I’d known I’d lose my legs, I don’t know how I would have been brave. If your mother had known what would happen to her, she would have lived her entire life in fear, trying to figure out how to fight it. She wouldn’t have lived, Tess. And neither can you, not if you devote yourself to your fear.” He paused, turning his hand under mine to thread our fingers together. “Let me give you a little fatherly advice. Have faith. In yourself and your ability to adapt, to shift if something comes your way. In Luke, to be honest and to care for your heart. Has he ever given you a reason for anything less?”

“No.”

“Then that’s that, Pigeon. I know telling you not to worry is like telling a giraffe to stop having spots, but just remind yourself to have faith. You’re already equipped to handle whatever life throws at you. Don’t waste your time planning for a disaster that might not ever come.”

I sighed, venting the pressure in my chest. “All right, Daddy.”

He smiled, squeezing my hand before letting it go. “Now, go get to your list. I know you’re already checking things off in your head.”

“You know me well,” I said, kissing his head. "Text me if you need me,” I called over my shoulder as I headed for the door, knowing full well he wouldn’t.

“You got it,” he called back.

And then I was bounding down the stairs, full as I’d ever been on faith.

LUKE

We hadn’t stopped moving for six hours.

Not as we moved from project to project, Ivy working her ass off in the back to keep up with orders while Tess and I made our way around the store. We’d hung up a few of the vertical succulent crates, built out frames for our next installation. Ate cold pizza in rounds—Tess ate as she directed me, and I ate as she fiddled with the floral wall, checking the water levels, pulling and replacing what needed freshening up.