Liv smiled, thinking of Evan. “I can’t explain it, but when he’s near me, I feel more at ease than anytime in my life. And he’s willing to come back to Adair like I want. He said he doesn’t care about Chicago or his career; he just wants to be with me. Have a family, make a life.”

Her father rubbed his chin. “I can’t make this decision for you, Olive Oyl.”

“What would Mom tell me to do?”

Her father gave a fleeting smile. “She’d probably tell you to go for the boy who wants to be part of your story, not just you being part of his.”

The grunt of a snore interrupted her thoughts. Her father’s head drooped to his chest.

Cindy popped her head in. “Tommy’s playing with the dogs. The staff said they could watch him for a few while we talk to the director.”

Liv softly removed her hand from her father’s and stood. She kissed him on his head. “Let’s get this over with.”

CHAPTER 22

The director of Twilight Meadows smiled at Liv and gestured for her to take a seat. Dennis Chang wore khakis and a Mister Rogers sweater. His desk was paperless, the office spotless, the domain of a perfectionist. Cindy didn’t say anything, just plopped down in the seat next to Liv’s.

“Mrs. Pine, thank you for meeting with me.”

“Call me Liv,” she said, trying to build rapport. If she couldn’t convince this man to let her father remain at the home, it would be a disaster.

“Liv,” Chang said. He took a breath. “I’m sorry to meet under these circumstances.”

Liv nodded. She didn’t recall any Asian families back when she was in school. Nebraska wasn’t a cultural melting pot. But Adair was more diverse than most areas. Adair Irrigation attracted people from all over the country, luring executives with high pay and a cheap cost of living, the promise of an idyllic Mayberry existence for their kids. Even after moving away, the company was a mainstay in the Pines’ lives—Evan’s main client at his accounting firm was Adair Irrigation. Her father’s best friend from high school had been a vice president and had stuck by Evan even after he’d transferred to the Chicago office.

“I really hope we can work something out,” Liv said. “My father was a pillar of this community. He raised a family here, like his father. He worked at the plant for forty years, coached high school football. And he’s a kind, sweet man. He just—”