“I … I couldn’t sleep, and I don’t know, I just drove here.” I sighed. I was leaving in a week, and finally, he was awake. It was now or never. “Papa, I know sometimes we don’t see eye to eye, but—”

“Ryan came to visit me the other day.”

I stilled. “W-what?”

“At first, I asked him to leave, called the nurses, but then he said you saved him. He said I had to know how. The nurses came to the room to take him out, but I told him to stay. I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted to hear him.”

“What did he say?”

“That you’re an amazing young woman, even more than when you were sixteen.” His voice was weak, but he didn’t stop. “He told me that you stayed by his side while he was working on his motorcycle, and even though you two didn’t talk, your presence was enough to calm him down. He told me about when the storm destroyed the Habitat for Humanity site, and you called in a bunch of people and organized everything to have them help rebuild the homes. Because of that help, the time to fix all the damage was cut to less than half. He also told me you took him to see the guy he injured in the accident, that he’s practically one hundred percent, as if he had never been a paraplegic.” He paused for a long breath. “And Ryan told me that you called John and that you may have gotten him into the circuit again. He said that even though he had hurt you, you had taken the high road and helped him through his problem. That those were characteristics of a decent, kind girl.” One corner of his lips curved up. “I confess it was a nice surprise, to hear how grown-up and kind my daughter became.”

My eyes teared. “Papa …”

“When I remember that day, anger swarms me, but it isn’t only because of what you did, or what Ryan did to you. After a while, that anger grew and turned toward myself. I hated myself for exploding that way, in front of all those people, for slapping you. I’m not sure I would do anything differently, if I could go back in time, because of the way I am, but I do regret it.” He reached over and took my hand. I could feel him trying to squeeze my fingers, but his grip was too light. “I’m sorry, Jessica. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have acted that way, and I should have gone after you when you left and brought you home. Home with your family, who loves you no matter what.”

A tear rolled down my cheek. “I’m sorry too, Papa.”

“It’s okay.” He took another long breath. “I just want you to know I love you and I’m proud of you.”

I stifled a sob. “I love you too.”

He patted my hand and withdrew his arm. “Home with family,” he repeated, closing his eyes.

“Papa?” I asked, worrying about his condition. He didn’t answer, but I could see the slow up and down of his chest and the steady beeping of his heart monitor.

Well, I knew he was sleeping a lot, but still, his outburst had surprised me. I hadn’t expected him to wake up, let alone give me a long speech.

I sank in the chair as a couple of tears fell.

The fact that Ryan had come here and talked to Papa about me boggled my mind. Why would he do that? Did he think he had to repay me for the things I did for him? I had told him it wasn’t out of pity, and it certainly wasn’t because I wanted something in return. I had acted the way I thought was right, the way it made me feel better. Still, I was glad he had come and practically defended my honor. If it wasn’t for his visit, my father might still not have forgiven me, and I wouldn’t feel like a boulder had been lifted from my chest.

I took a deep breath. It was nice, this light, free feeling. The only thing that could make this moment better was if a doctor walked in and told me Papa was miraculously cured.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ryan

I wrapped my tie around my neck and stood in front of the mirror. Black suit, black tie, black shoes, and a white shirt. I didn’t remember the last time I had worn one of these.

I was working at Habitat for Humanity last evening when Luke called me to let me know.

“Paul died this afternoon,” he said.

Pain cut through my chest, not for the man I barely knew, but for his daughter, for his son, and for his wife. I called Jason right away. He answered, but said no more than two or three words. I almost went over to their house last night, but Luke assured me they needed some time on their own.

Finally, I got the tie knot right and closed my suit jacket as a rap came from the door.

“Come in,” I yelled.

Ethan opened the door. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah.” I grabbed my phone and wallet from the kitchen counter and headed to the door with him.

We didn’t speak much as I drove us to the church. The place was packed. Probably the whole town had come to pay their respects to the man who slapped his daughter in public and made her run away. I shook that thought from my head. Yes, I had hated the man, but he was still Jason’s and Jessica’s father, and the fact that sweet, kind Corinne loved him must count for something.

It took a long time, but we reached the front of the church, where the family was gathered. Seated between her children, Corinne looked dazed, as if she had taken something strong to calm her down. Acting like a macho, Jason fought the tears in his eyes, and Jessica clutched her mother’s hand, her glassy eyes fixed on the coffin. Her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and her skin was pale. It was obvious she hadn’t slept the previous night. The three of them probably didn’t.

Ethan and I halted in front of them. Jason stood and we hugged. I patted his back and he patted mine.

“I’m so sorry, man,” I whispered.

He nodded, before stepping back and turning to Ethan. I thought I would pay my respects to Corinne next, but Jessica stood instead.

“She’s out of it,” she said, her voice low.

For half a second, I considered shaking her hand, but then I saw the sad glint in her eyes and lost it. I wound my arm around her waist and pulled her to me. Her arms knotted around my neck as she rested her face on my shoulder. I ran a hand up and down her back as she cried.

“I’m sorry, Jess,” I whispered. “If there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”

She stepped back and wiped her tears. “Thank you.” She kissed my cheek, her soft lips lingering on my skin, and the urge to pull her to me again was almost too hard to contain. I wanted to console her, to support her, to stand there and hold her—if she would allow me.

Then she turned to Ethan and hugged him.

I couldn’t help but notice her arms went loosely around his shoulders, and that she didn’t bury her head in his shoulder or cry. She also didn’t kiss his cheek.

Ethan nudged me and I finally moved. Walking down the side aisle to the back, we saw Luke, Lindsey, and their mother. My sister, Brianna, was with Lindsey. A few pews back, we saw Sophie and Rachel.

Ethan and I found a spot in the back as the ceremony began. I hated these things. They were too gloomy, too sad. And it was so much worse when Jason stood and went to the front to talk about his father. His voice broke several times. I thought maybe Jessica would speak too, but she didn’t. Neither did Corinne. Understandable in her state. A few more people spoke—work colleagues, cousins, and friends.

After the ceremony, we all walked the grounds where the reverend spoke a few more words before lowering the coffin into the ground. That was when Corinne broke down and Jason had to take her in his arms. Jessica looked worried about her mother, but Rachel and Sophie were beside her, holding her up.

If it depended on me, the day would be done, but no. Close friends and family moved from the cemetery to the Hayeses’ house.

When Ethan and I arrived, Corinne was on the couch being checked by a doctor, and Jessica was seated at her mother’s side, talking to the doctor. Across the room, Jason had a glass of whiskey in his hand.