Stunned by the emphatic, impassioned speech that was wildly out of character for her quiet stepfather, Stephanie slumped in her chair. “I let the fear get the better of me, and it feels sort of silly now that I finally aired it all out with Grant last night.”

“He was good to you, I hope?”

“Yeah,” Stephanie said softly. “He’s always good to me. It’s been hard, though, you know… To give him everything.”

“You were holding something back, protecting yourself in case it fell apart, right?”

She could hardly be surprised that he understood so well after what he’d endured at the hands of her mother. “Yes.”

“Classic defense mechanism. I know it well.”

“You would, wouldn’t you?”

“Look, we’re both conditioned to expect it all to go to shit because that’s what’s always happened in the past. I’m choosing to believe that’s not going to happen this time with Sarah. You should do the same with Grant. Despite the absolutely amazing thing he did to help me, I’ll admit I wasn’t a hundred percent sold on him for you when I first met him. He seemed kind of… I don’t know… Fancy, I guess. I wondered if a guy like him could be happy with the simple life you need.”

“You never told me any of this.”

“You were ass over teakettle for the guy. Would it have mattered?”

“Yes! It would’ve mattered! You have no idea, do you?”

Charlie’s brows knitted with confusion. “About what?”

“The whole time you were locked up, your voice was in my head. You were always my compass, even when I couldn’t see you any time I wanted to. It would’ve mattered to me that you didn’t think he was right for me.”

“I never said he wasn’t right for you. I said I wasn’t sure at the beginning, but I trusted you to know your own heart, and over time I’ve come to see he’s perfect for you in all the ways that matter most. The two of you… You complement each other.” Charlie took her hand. “He comes from good people. That matters, too.”

“They’re very good people. I love them almost as much as I love him.”

“You need to allow yourself to be happy, honey.”

“I’m learning how to do that.”

“Won’t happen overnight, but we both deserve it, wouldn’t you say?”

“Absolutely.” Feeling suddenly shy, she glanced at him. “You’ll give me away on Labor Day, won’t you?”

“I’d be so very honored. Come here and give your old man a hug.”