Page 101 of Meet Me in Ivy Falls

‘Yes.’

‘And you still ran for mayor?’

‘At first I didn’t want to, but—’

‘Mom talked you into it.’

Again, another sad nod.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I thought with my finance background I could whip the town into shape. Unfortunately, I let your mother down there too.’ He turned his gaze away like he hated to admit defeat.

‘No, you didn’t. You’ve tried,’ I said.

‘There is one good thing about that dang contest.’

‘What is that?’

‘Your producer, Lauren. She asked me to talk to the store owners. To ask permission for the film crew to shoot all the storefronts and outdoor signs as part of what she called “The Open” for your show. She thinks it’ll create interest. Bring people here out of curiosity.’

That explained her need for an introduction.

‘If there even is a show.’ I let out a rough exhale and moved back to the chair in front of his desk.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Manny and I want it to happen but the timing is tight. She’s given us five weeks to make the repairs. We have ten days left and there’s still so much to do. I don’t know if we’ll make it.’

There was a tick in his cheek I didn’t understand. Was there another problem with the town? Before I could plunge down that spiral he said, ‘I should have told you this a while ago, but there are no words to express how beautiful you’ve made that house, Torran.’

I held on to his praise like it was a precious gift. They were words I’d wanted to hear for so long but believed would never come.

‘How do you know what it looked like? You’ve only seen it in total ruin.’

‘Not true. In late June, when you and Manny were out doing errands, I talked one of the workers into letting me inside.’ His shiny eyes stayed pinned on me. ‘The hardwood floors. The refurbished staircase. As I walked around, I saw all the small nods to your mother. The antique chandelier in the entry. How you’d painted her favorite shade of robin’s-egg blue in one of the upstairs bedrooms.’

His eyes shuttered closed.

‘For years she went on about how talented you were. How you had a knack for seeing beauty under all the rubble. I wasn’t willing to accept any of it, until it hit me what a gift you have for restoration.’

‘Thank you.’ I took a thick gulp, unsure how to handle this new, kinder side of my father.

‘What about Beck? Is he helping with the repairs – considering it was his sister who was involved?’

‘His sister is very sick, Dad. She didn’t mean to cause us any harm.’

‘Yes.’ His voice went softer. ‘Sadly I’d heard that via town gossip. Is he getting her the care she needs?’

‘He’s taking her to a facility out of state. He’s helping with the financial side of things, but once the house is done, he’s selling it.’

‘How do you feel about that? I know you two were getting close again.’

He had the decency not to blush even though I was sure the memory of the two of us kissing in the bathroom was seared into his frontal lobe.

‘I had a long talk with Tessa about it. She’s helped me see that he’s worth fighting for so I’m not giving up on him. He means too much to me.’

He smiled. ‘I’d expect nothing less from you.’