Falling for the Single Dad by Lisa Carter Read Free Book Online Page B

thing.”
    Caroline’s lips twitched. “I’ll just bet you have.”
    Back in the day, Lindi, Caroline and Amelia had often moaned about how Honey could wind their father around her infant pinkie. Not to mention the Honey Effect, as Mom once called it, upon the entire male population of baby sister’s kindergarten class.
    Caroline and Amelia exchanged amused looks. And for the first time, she felt a stirring of hope and the small beginnings of the sisterly camaraderie they’d shared. Until she threw everything away.
    But enough with the regrets. The past was the past. Her sisters were offering her forgiveness and a way to move beyond the hurt.
    â€œI’m sorry I missed your prom and graduations.” Caroline rubbed one hand against the bracelets. “Your weddings and the babies, too.”
    â€œYou’re here now.” Amelia grasped Caroline’s chin between her thumb and forefinger. “You and Daddy need to make amends for both your sakes.”
    Her blue-green eyes, so like their father’s, bored into Caroline. “And perhaps one day, when you’ve had time to get to know us again, you’ll feel safe enough to trust us with the why of your leaving.”
    â€œI know I have a funny way of showing it, but I love you two,” Caroline whispered. “My leaving was meant to save you from worse pain.”
    Honey wrapped her arms around Caroline. “That’s almost exactly what Sawyer said to me once when I told him how you left without an explanation.”
    Amelia draped her arm across Caroline’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re home.”
    For the first time in over a decade, instead of feeling trapped, Caroline felt rooted and restored.
    Honey patted Caroline’s arm. “I left Sawyer in charge of finishing dinner. That cowboy of mine has many wonderful qualities, but cooking isn’t one of them. If you don’t relish my corn pudding burned to a crisp, we’d best be heading home.”
    â€œBurning dinner won’t improve dear Dad’s disposition, either,” Amelia noted.
    â€œWhatever you say.” Caroline adjusted the strap of her purse on her arm. “I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
    * * *
    â€œI want to go see Caroline and Turtle Mama.”
    Weston flipped the clam fritter in the frying pan. Maybe if he pretended to be busy, Izzie would let this whole thing with the beautiful aquatic vet go.
    Perched on a kitchen stool in the lightkeeper’s quarters, Izzie kicked the island with her sneakered foot. Bam. Bam. Bam . “Daddy?”
    Bam. Bam. Bam .
    â€œFritters are almost ready, Izz. Can you set the table?”
    Bam. Bam. Bam . He grimaced.
    â€œDaddy...”
    The dull thuds continued. Relentless as a jackhammer, she was going to drive him crazy. Which, he acknowledged, was probably the point in her dogged barrage on the wooden counter. To drive him crazy or make him take her to Wachapreague.
    Bam. Bam. Bam.
    He adjusted the heat on the gas range and wiped his hands on the dish towel slung across his shoulder. “Stop with the drumbeat. I told you Dr. Duer called and said the turtle came through surgery as well as could be expected. We’ll check on the turtle’s status again in the morning. It’s time for dinner.”
    â€œWhy can’t we go see Turtle Mama after dinner?”
    Izzie’s pluck and hardheadedness would be assets in the workforce one day. He took a deep breath. Provided a deeply patient boss interpreted those qualities as persistence and initiative.
    â€œWe can’t go because...” He also reminded himself he was the one with the Coast Guard Academy degree. Surely he could outwit a fourth grader.
    She cocked her head at him.
    â€œBecause...” His rationale slipped like sand between his fingers.
    He glanced out the window and inspiration struck. “Because we have to cordon off the nest of eggs.”
    â€œOh,