Page 24 of Hooking Her Up

“I want to play at Aunt Lily’s!”

Lily assures her that the plan hasn’t changed and Sam rushes to greet the first customer when the bakery doorbell dings.

“Grampy?” she asks.

My head jerks up to see my father standing inside my bakery, backlit from the early morning sunlight. Sam runs to hug him, then looks at me with confusion.

Damn. She’s never seen us together and is getting old enough to realize it’s weird. And it is weird, him showing up here after seven years.

He refused to accept Liam, even after my mom secretly contacted me and told me she’d work on him. When I sent the wedding invitations, he booked a cruise to keep her away. My mom and I met as much as we could, and she tried her best to mend the rift in our family. She adores Liam, and even helps decorate whenever we acquire a new house or apartment to rent out. He thinks of her as the mother he never had. But my father never swayed, and Liam and I are a matched set, inseparable. You have to take us both or not at all.

When the kids were born, we agreed it would be cruel to keep them from their grandparents, so my mom picks them up often to spend time together. But always without us.

“Hello,” I say, the same as I would greet any other customer.

“I’d like to place an order,” Dad says stiffly.

Lily looks uncomfortable and hauls the kids out, calling that she’ll see us tonight. I wait until my father comes forward and places a folded sheet of paper on the counter.

“I’d like to order a cake,” he says, clearing his throat. “With this sentiment.”

His face is downcast and I’m so curious I wordlessly open the paper to read his familiar scrawl.

To my daughter and son-in-law.

I gasp, glancing up to see him shifting on his feet, still not meeting my gaze, so I return to reading.

Kayla, it’s time to admit I’ve been wrong. You did just what you set out to do and more. Your success with the bakeries makes me so proud I could burst. Whenever I see one of Liam’s tow trucks or pass one of your Chase Real Estate signs, I can’t help but smile so wide my face hurts.

You and Liam have given me two grandchildren who are the lights of my life. Those lights would only be brighter if you and Liam were a part of it, too. If you’d give me a chance to make things right between us.

I was wrong and I’m so dreadfully sorry.

Your father, if you’ll have me back.

A tear drops onto the note, and I take a moment to blink the rest away before I look up. Dad is finally looking at me, his face still stern, but there’s hope in his eyes. Even love.

“You know I charge by the word?” I say, my voice breaking.

Not quite sure I’m joking, he says. “Whatever it takes.”

“I hope you’re going to order one for mom, too,” I say.

He sighs. “Keeping her from your wedding is one of my biggest regrets in life,” he says.

“There are bigger ones?” I prod.

“Letting you go— no, sorry. Pushing you away. Not having faith in your astounding abilities. For trying to control you.” He stops abruptly, his lip trembling. Is my hard as nails father about to cry?

I hurry around the counter, holding out my arms. “Of course I forgive you.”

His arms go around me somewhat awkwardly. “Thank you,” he says, clearing his throat again.

He steps away, looking around the place. I give him a tour, surprised at how excited he is to see everything. I even invite him and Mom to the birthday barbecue later on this evening and he eagerly accepts, saying he’ll cancel their dinner at the country club.

“Who are you?” I ask.

He knows I’m teasing now but looks crestfallen. “I see what a tyrant I was. It was those amazing babies of yours that did it. I was always so busy when you were little, I never got to see how free and full of curiosity and life you were, probably just like them. I could never try to squash their spirits. I’m sorry again, Kayla.”

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