Page 9 of Playing It Forward

Which leaves me. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not resentful. Dad was there for me when no one else was. I refuse to abandon him.

And I truly do love living on Smuggler’s Hideaway. I’ve loved it since the first time I travelled over the bridge to the island when I was twelve. I belong here. It’s my home. And I don’t plan to ever leave.

“You don’t have to stay here for me.”

“Who said I’m staying for you?”

He points at me with his fork. “You come here for dinner every Sunday, bring me groceries, and do repairs on the house you think I don’t notice.”

I widen my eyes. “How do I do repairs you don’t notice?”

“Don’t play innocent with me, young woman. I saw you eyeing the shutters and paint when you arrived.”

Busted. I don’t give up. I don’t care how he caught me.

“The house could use a new coat of paint.”

He frowns. “I won’t have you climbing on a ladder painting.”

“Why not? You didn’t seem to mind when I was a teenager.”

“That was before I realized you have balance issues.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t have balance issues.”

“And you didn’t break your arm either.”

“It was a hairline fracture. It doesn’t count.”

“You were in a cast all summer and complained about not being able to swim the entire time. It counts.”

“Whatever,” I mutter. “I wouldn’t paint myself anyway.”

“Hire someone to paint? It’ll cost a fortune.”

I groan. Dad is kind and sweet and always there for me, but he’s also a penny pincher who thinks spending money is a sin.

My phone pings. I quickly read the message and frown. “Sorry. I should get back to the resort.” I love putting events together, but mermaid save me from bridezillas.

He shoos me away. “Go ahead. I’ll clean up.”

I kiss his cheek. “I’ll see you Wednesday for your doctor appointment.”

“I can drive to my doctor appointment by myself.”

I fist my hands on my hips. “And will you ask your doctor follow-up questions? Will you ask what the side effects of any medicine she prescribes are?”

“You get dizzy one time,” he mutters. It’s his way of giving in without admitting it.

“See you Wednesday.”

I hurry away before he can complain again. He gave in. I’m winning. It’s time to go.

Chapter 4

I was supposed to warm up my shoulder, not my obsession.

Nolan