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“When my mom was alive, we’d take trips to Ocean City, but afterward, not so much. Dad was just trying to keep his head above water.”
“You helped raise your sisters, right?” Kendall asked, leaning forward to hear her answer.
“That’s right.” Sophie turned slightly to face her.
“Is that what your dad expected?” Kendall asked carefully.
Kendall was just curious, so I didn’t chide her for prying. Besides, I wanted to know, too. When we were teens, I hadn’t thought too much about her circumstances, other than to remind her she needed to take care of herself, too.
“After my mom’s funeral, Dad came into my room, and he said something I’ll never forget.”
Kendall leaned in even closer because Sophie was talking softly.
“He said we’re in this together. He couldn’t replace her or hope to ever be her, but he was going to be the best father he could be.”
Tenderness flooded my chest. “That’s amazing, but not surprising. Your father—Travis—gives great advice.”
A smile curved over Sophie’s lips. “He does.”
“You didn’t mind taking care of them?” Kendall asked.
Sophie shifted in her seat to address her. “I love my sisters, and I love my dad. I felt bad that I had my mother for so much longer than them. I didn’t want them to feel neglected.”
I reached over and interlaced my fingers with hers. Sophie was amazing, caring, and sweet. Selfless and hardworking.
“It must have been nice having so many sisters.” She’d said the same before, and I worried I’d failed her in some way.
“A blessing and a curse. Sometimes I wanted to go to a Friday night football game with my friends, but they needed me. Nora was only four when my mother died.”
My heart contracted in my chest. Sophie had been through so much. She’d lost her mother at a young age and then me.
I didn’t want to hurt her even as I sensed it was inevitable. I couldn’t control Melanie’s actions. That’s why I needed something for custody, because this constant worrying about what would happen was driving me crazy. Kendall needed stability. I needed peace of mind.
“Would you want a sister now?” I don’t know why I asked. She would be at least ten years older than any potential siblings.
Melanie had never talked about settling down with someone else or having more kids. I always sensed that Kendall was it for her.
Kendall’s eyes instantly brightened. “I’d love that.”
That was surprising. I figured she’d want a sibling close in age to her so she could play with them. Had we failed her in some way that neither Melanie nor I had more kids? I hadn’t wanted to settle down while I was still in the military. I hadn’t met anyone, and in the back of my mind, Sophie was always there. The standard I held everyone else up to.
“You’d be the best big sister,” Sophie said to her while I sorted through my feelings.
Sophie would be the best mother. The thought hit me without any forethought. She was so good with Kendall and fit into our family seamlessly.
Kendall smiled softly.
I hoped Kendall would give her a chance. I squeezed Sophie’s hand, and she smiled at me.
We’d make a good team. I wanted to be the best father I could be. To make up for the years I was absent. I thought it would be a disservice to date someone so soon, but now, I could see that we could work. That Sophie was good for Kendall and for me.
I parked on the street, and we walked to Giovanni’s, feeling more like a family with each passing minute. Inside, we were assaulted by the smell of mozzarella and marinara with the underlying scent of freshly baked garlic bread.
“I love Giovanni’s,” Sophie murmured as we walked in.
“You’re going to love it,” I said to Kendall.
“I can’t believe your father never brought you here. This place is a staple. You haven’t come home until you’ve eaten here.”
