Page 103 of Love Overboard
“Now don’t cry. I’m not going anywhere just yet. I still want to see your life jam-packed with joy, and you won’t have true happiness until you make peace with the people you love.”
Lacey tugged her hand away and shoved the stool back. “Can’t you give it a rest? You refuse to quit your matchmaking schemes even when you’re lying on a hospital bed? Jon and I aren’t a priority right now.”
“I wasn’t talking about Jon.”
Lacey’s brow furrowed. “Then who—”
“I meant you and your father.”
She raised her chin. “What makes you assume—”
“I’ve lived on this earth a long time and witnessed a great many things.” Emily traced the woven fabric on her blanket. “I noticed your father was a … disappointment to you.”
“Disappointment?” Lacey grabbed a tissue from the bedside table. “That’s putting it generously. He drained the life out of my mother with his laziness and self-centered refusal to be responsible for anything or anybody—even himself. I’m amazed he didn’t ask her to spoon-feed him. He only got off the couch to eat, sleep, or poop.” She wadded the tissue in a ball and flung it across the room. “My logical side tells me Jon is nothing like my father. He’s smart, hardworking, honest.” She half smiled, half snorted. “Except for the whole ‘lying about his family’ thing.”
“A stupid decision.” Emily nodded. “I told him to tell you sooner. Men never listen.”
Lacey laughed a little too hard. Her stomach vibrated with the force. It rocked her body and shook the tears from wells buried deep inside her core. She covered her face and bent forward. Emily’s hand settled on her back. With the tenderness of a grandmother, she patted Lacey like a baby while she cried.
“Let it out,” Emily said. “It’s been a rough week.”
“I kn—” Lacey sucked in a breath and tried again. “I know Jon isn’t my father. But my insides feel—gray—and pulled apart—like dryer lint.” She sobbed. “It took all the guts I had to let him in—and h-he didn’t even tell me his real name.”
“He was going to.” Emily tapped a steady beat against Lacey’s spine. “Jon planned to reveal everything when he proposed.”
Lacey’s head shot up. “Is that what he told you?” She scrubbed at the tears. “How was that supposed to work? Will you marry me? Oh, and by the way, your last name won’t actually be King.”
“Men struggle, dear.” Emily stopped patting and drew her blanket higher. “That’s why they need us.”
“So you think I should forget everything and forgive him?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve finally given up on us.”
“Not in a million years. But you have to forgive the first man in your life before you can let anyone else in.”
“Who?”
“The first man in every little girl’s life.” Emily raised her eyebrows.
Understanding dawned. Lacey’s jaw hardened, and she sat straight on the stool. Not a tear remained. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”
Emily reached for her, but Lacey stayed out of touching distance.
“Forgive your father.” Emily’s fingers splayed on the blanket. “Then you’ll be able to forgive Jon and accept him for who he really is.”
“My father hasn’t asked for forgiveness.” Lacey crossed her arms. “Not once. It never even occurred to him. Nothing is his fault.”
“You can grant someone forgiveness without them asking for it.”
“Why should I?”
“The Bible says God forgave us when we didn’t deserve it, and we should do the same with others. Have you prayed about any of this?”
Her arms grew tighter. “I’ve been really busy lately.”
Emily took her measure. “Do you think perhaps you avoid talking to the heavenly Father because you have such a difficult relationship with your earthly one?”
