Keeping Guard by Sandra Owens

Author:Sandra Owens [Owens, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-03-14T17:46:31+00:00

* * *

“Tell me why this Noah guy isn’t here when I specifically invited him.”

Peyton set her fork down. “He’s not here because I told him he didn’t have to come. He’s not a boyfriend you have to vet.”

“A man I don’t know is living with my daughter and I shouldn’t be concerned?”

“You’ve never been concerned before.” About anything to do with her life. “Why start now?” She didn’t want to argue with her father, but his lack of interest in her had always hurt. What had changed?

“Eat your dinner.”

Anger burned through her, and she took several deep breaths to calm down. Why wouldn’t he talk to her, treat her like a daughter he loved? But he didn’t love her, did he? She was only an obligation, and she supposed she should be thankful he’d given her a home when her mother decided being a mother wasn’t for her. He didn’t have to, and she’d never gone without food, clothing, and a roof over her head. She was grateful, truly, but she’d give all that up for a father who loved her.

Now he was possibly dying, and she’d hoped that would bring them closer. Since he obviously wasn’t going to make an effort to fix whatever was broken between them, it was up to her. So, she’d let go of the anger and disappointment and the little girl wanting his approval. She’d pretend that none of that mattered, and she’d be the daughter he needed to get through what all was coming at him. She’d make sure he lived so that just maybe the day would come when he’d tell her what was lacking in her that he couldn’t love her, and then she could fix herself.

Instead of coming back with a snarky retort, she dutifully picked up her fork. “This is good,” she said of the manicotti.

“It was your favorite as a child.”

Yeah, it was, and that he’d made it for her tonight made her want to hug him, but he’d never liked shows of affection. “It’s been a while since you’ve made it for me. Thanks, Dad.”

He gave her a rare smile. “There’s enough for you to take a container home. Maybe that man you won’t talk about would like some.”

She laughed. “Maybe so.” Leaning across the table, she put her hand on her father’s. “I don’t want you to die. I don’t care how hard you try to push me away, I’m going to be in your face over this. I’ll be at your doctor’s appointment on Monday, and I’ll be there for your treatments. I’ve never been sure you loved me, but I love you, so deal with it.”

“You think I don’t love you?”

Her heart tripled its beat. This was a moment of truth between them, and she knew, just knew, that the answers to all her questions were within her reach. All she had to do was say the right thing. What was the right thing? The truth. If that didn’t heal the rift between them, nothing would.

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