Page 137 of Charity's Redemption

“Then we’ll make this work no matter what. But just know, I can’t give up my career, I hope you understand that.”

“I do. But why did you make the meeting so public then?”

“To prove to you and him, I was serious about what I said. I forgive you even though you don’t need to ask for it, and I’d never fault you for defending yourself. I want us to be as we were, but without the lies.”

I ran my hand along the plastic paneling on the door, feeling the grooves and bumps press into my fingers. “I can’t be forthcoming with everything, but I’d like to go back to the way things were before.”

“I think that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.” He smiled as he chuckled.

“Thanks, Daddy.” I reached over the console and gave him a hug.

He wrapped his arm around me and patted my shoulder. Sharp pain lanced across my back, where he slapped my stitched wound.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

I shrugged my uninjured shoulder. “Hazards of the job. I’ll be okay.”

“It’s gonna kill me not knowing everything you do, but I think it’ll be worse if I did.”

“I think you’re right.” I laughed, wiping more tears from my eyes.

“Well, I’ve got to get going. Um, where’s your car?”

A burst of laughter escaped me. “Luca is working on different ways of communication. It’s a work in progress.”

My father shook his head with a frown wrinkling his forehead. “I don’t understand.”

“Let’s just say that Luca’s never known the meaning of a gentle touch. So he’s working on it.”

“Did he hurt you?” His frown turned into a shade of red.

“No. He’s never hurt me.” Not physically, anyway.

The tension in his shoulders released, causing them to sag. “Good. Good.”

Tension-filled silence filled the space between us, making it unbearable. “Well, I better go feed the cat. Thanks for the ride, Dad. I’m glad we finally got to talk about this.”

“Me too, cupcake. I’ll see you at the BBQ.”

I groaned as he brought up the one thing I dreaded experiencing. “Mom will be there?”

“Yes.”

“You know she’s the one who intro—”

He held up his hand, cutting off what I needed to say, and shook his head. “I know, Charity. But she was doing it to help him. She never would've guessed it’d turn out the way it did.”

“I’ll never forgive her.”

“I’m sure, one day, you’ll find it in your heart to give her a second chance just as I have you.”

His words of wisdom chipped away at my mending heart. How could I be so callous and blatantly unforgiving when he had no reason to forgive me?

“I’m sure you’re right.”

He was wrong, though. I’d just never bring up the subject again.

“Love you, cupcake. It’ll all work out in the end. You’ll see.”

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