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“I’ll keep things as they are for now,” Hannah said. “You can make that decision when you see him again next week. If you’re up for it, you can talk to him when you come back for Christmas.”

“I’m still not sure that’s going to happen. I wanted to talk to you about that. I have one more test on Monday before the doctors will say whether I’m stable enough to travel. If my numbers look good, they’ll agree to let me go. I just hope I can make all the arrangements in time to be there to hear the children sing on Tuesday night.”

“Don’t worry about the arrangements. We have that covered.”

Morgan blinked. “How?”

“Don’t forget, my sister happens to be married to a pilot whose father owns an aviation business. Holly talked to her father-in-law this morning, and he said he would be delighted to fly down to Salt Lake City and bring you home for Christmas, whenever you’re free to leave.”

Fresh tears spilled down Morgan’s cheeks. “I don’t understand how I was lucky enough to land in Shelter Springs. Why is everyone here working so hard to take care of me and my children?”

“Maybe we’re the lucky ones,” Hannah said softly. “Sometimes the greatest gift is being able to help someone who needs it.”

“I fully intend to be on the other side of that equation someday.”

“You will be,” Hannah assured her. Her smile quickly slid away. “I’m really sorry I had to give you one more thing to worry about right now, when you need to be focusing on your health. If you don’t want to see your father and you don’t want the children to have contact with him, I’ll tell him now and he can leave town before you come back.”

“What do you think I should do?”

“That’s your decision to make,” Hannah said carefully. “But from an outsider’s perspective, I think you need all the support you can find right now. If you can find it in your heart to make peace with him, I believe it would be good for Riley and Carter. It’s obvious they adore your father, and he loves all of you deeply.”

“I never doubted that he loves us. That was never in question.”

“Keep in mind, he did respect your wishes. It would have been much easier for him to approach the children on their way home from school to find out what was happening and where you were. He didn’t do that. Instead he stayed in a hotel trying to gather information on his own without involving them. That has to count for something, doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” Morgan said quietly. “I suppose it does.”

She was silent, lost in thought. “I need more time,” she finally said. “I’m not prepared to tell you to send him away. Not yet, anyway.”

“That’s fair. Take all the time you need.”

Hannah rose from her chair. “Now, enough heavy talk. Let’s get to the fun part. I’ll take my laptop into the other room so you can talk to your children. I know they can’t wait to see you.”

“Yes, please.” Morgan’s face brightened for the first time during their conversation.

As Hannah headed for the door, her mind was still turning over everything Morgan had shared.

She was beginning to get a clearer picture of what had happened between Morgan and her father. The well-intentioned but misguided attempts to protect each other, the hurt feelings, the stubborn pride on both sides. But knowing the problem and knowing how to fix it were two entirely different things.

Some wounds took time to heal, and some relationships required careful, patient work to rebuild. All she could do was be there for her friend and hope that somehow this holiday season might offer the beginning of that healing.

Chapter 33

“This looks amazing, son. Almost makes me want to move right back in.”

The admiration in Stanley’s voice sent a glow of satisfaction through Wes. All those long hours of sanding, painting and renovating had been worth it to see that happy light in his grandfather’s eyes.

“I’m glad you like it. I hope the little I’ve done will add to the value of the home.”

“I’m sure it will,” Stanley said. “You’ve done a wonderful job.”

His grandfather’s weathered hand traced the wood of the old mantel he had installed himself, years ago.

“I especially love this gas fireplace instead of that awful drafty old one that left ash all over everything.”

Wes smiled, remembering the satisfaction of completing that project with his contractor friend’s help. “I think it makes the whole room feel different. Cozy and inviting.”

“Your grandmother would have adored this.” Stanley’s voice grew soft, tinged with the sadness always there when he talked about his late wife.