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“I know. That’s why none of this makes any sense.”
She shook her head. “What about the men from America? Do they know what’s going on? Are you certain they’re here under admirable terms?”
“I am. It’s one thing I think Daddy got right.” And I did mean that, even if I’d pushed the man I already cared about away with both hands. I wasn’t certain who I thought I was protecting. Other than my heart.
“You like these guys. Don’t you?”
Laughing softly, I’d come to accept lying to myself and everyone else was getting old. “I do but it can’t matter. I have Aiden to consider. However, they are good at what they do.”
“Maybe Aiden needs a father figure. Or three. Why not?”
“That makes it complicated.”
“Life is complicated, sis. Can you trust them?” she pushed.
“Yes. More than it appears I can part of my own family.”
“Don’t do that. Maybe Daddy had a reason you’re not aware of. He certainly does care about me and you.”
I don’t know if my father’s ears were burning or what but suddenly, he appeared in the doorway.
“Fuck,” I said under my breath. “I know he cares, Erin. But he’s not thinking clearly.”
“You’re as hardheaded as Mama. Why don’t I come back in a couple hours? I’ll take Aiden but I can’t promise anything about Daddy. And you need to figure out what is best for all of us.”
“What about your hospital shifts?”
“He can stay in daycare at the hospital if necessary, but my shifts are still down. I don’t like this at all.”
I studied the look on his face and sighed. He knew I’d interfered. I could sense it. “I don’t either but that’s sounds fine. I need to leave for the ship in an hour or so. I don’t want to leave but I have no other choice.”
“You have more choices than you’re allowing yourself to accept. Go talk to Daddy. He looks like he wants to kill one of us.”
At that moment, our father walked back into the house, slamming the door behind him.
“Thank you for understanding,” I told her.
“Don’t thank me for anything. I honestly can’t understand any of this. Let those three hunky men take care of you. For once in your life stop trying to be everyone’s shoulder to cry on and hero to come to.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
She grabbed me for a quick hug, acting as if she wanted or needed to say something else. The look of concern on her face was even more evident than when she’d driven up.
I waited until she’d driven off before walking toward the house. I didn’t find my father in the kitchen but in the living room, staring out the window. We had a view of the water but only on sunny days and when you looked in a certain direction. I had a feeling that’s not what he was doing.
“Dad. We need to talk.”
“I guess we do. Mr. Byrne called. He mentioned your… meeting with him.” My dad’s voice was usually full of emotion but on this beautiful morning, his tone was flat.
“I bet he did. When were you going to tell me you’d already agreed to a contract?”
“When you returned from the contract work.”
“That’s not fair, Dad. Do you know who that fucking man is?”
He spun around to face me. “Did you bother to read the contract before tossing it in his face?”
“Yes. I know exactly how much money was in that contract. How could you consider selling to that man? How?” My mind was getting muddled just trying to process all the bits and pieces, the lie my father had told me.
