The Romance Game: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Love, Laughs & Mystery in Coco Key Book 3) by Ellie Hall

Author:Ellie Hall [Hall, Ellie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Harley

CHAPTER 13

The next day, after another mega family breakfast and playtime, I help my dad unpack his truck, still full of my things.

“I appreciate you doing this for me.”

“You’re my baby, you know that? I didn’t approve of that Troy guy, but Ryan is a-okay in my book. He’ll do right by you, darling, if you give him a chance.”

“You remember that we were rotten to each other?”

“There couldn’t be that much fire without something keeping it lit, darling.”

I giggle. “Dad.”

“I knew you liked him before you did. I reckon you were the last one to realize it. Many parents say they want to see their kids happy. You understand that now. But as your father, I want to see you secure. And I don’t just mean with money. I mean in a relationship, family, a home, and with the way you spend your time.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I give him a side hug.

The guy came late to the hug game, but as a single father of three girls, there was no avoiding it. Whatever rough edges he had, we shaved them down, just enough so that he’s no longer bitter about our mother leaving. He’s quick to tell us that he got the better deal. I suppose I did too when it comes to Luke.

He squints at the sky. “I wish I’d paid more attention to how Eddie was doing after we lost Martina. For me, when your mother took off, I was like a cat in a bag. Didn’t readily occur to me how busted up he’d be. But in a way, I’m glad he was, because it brought us all back together.”

“A blessing in disguise.”

“So many blessings, darling.” Dad winks at me.

“It’s hard to believe Harper and Heather’s husbands are game to move onto the island. They work in the online world and can be remote. Plus, I think the Plundering Pelican brings out the kid in everyone.”

Dad takes another box from the bed of the Ford. “Which has always amused me because real pirates aren’t exactly kid-friendly.”

Ryan’s story about Chip’s will drifts into my mind.

“What I want to know is how are y’all going to fit into this house. It was already loaded back in the day with your aunt and uncle, Brando, and the four of us. Add nine more and that’s not just a full house, it’s packed to the gills.”

We both laugh.

Then I remember Ryan offering me a place at the rental. “Dad, don’t finish unloading just yet. Unless you need the truck this afternoon.”

“I’m ashore for the rest of the week, then I head back to ‘Bama.”

“I’ll miss you. Luke will too.”

“I’ll be back before you know it. In the meantime, y’all have your hands full, and I’m hoping that when I get back, it’ll be to the sound of wedding bells.”

I give my daddy another big hug then find Luke with his auntie and cousin. After lunch, we head to town where I told Ryan I’d meet him.

He stands squarely in front of the Sip & Scoop building, hands hammocked behind his head, and his back facing us.

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