Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Traffic was light since their flight arrived later in the evening, so we were back in Port Albany quickly. I helped carry in their suitcases, setting them down in the living room.
“You tired?” I asked Heather.
She lifted one eyebrow at me—a trick she’d perfected from her mother. “Dad, you pick us up instead of Luc, Mom isn’t with you, and you don’t think I know something’s going on?” She searched my eyes, suddenly anxious. “Is Mom okay?”
“She’s fine. She’ll come over if you want.”
Reed flung himself on the sofa. “Man, home feels good. Spill, Richard. When Luc called to say you were coming to get us not him, I figured something was cooking. He refused to say, but I know him.”
I had texted Luc twice since the meeting at Halton’s. Once to check in on Ashley, hoping he could tell me more than what Halton had to tell me, which was nothing, and then again to tell him I would pick up Heather and Reed. Neither text got much of a response other than short replies.
She is okay. She’ll be in touch when and if she is ready, Richard. Give her time.
Then to the second one. No problem. I’ll let Reed know.
I still had no idea what was going on in Ashley’s head or how she was feeling. Part of me was comforted knowing how loyal Luc was to her, while another part of me wanted more information. It was exhausting.
Heather joined him on the sofa, and they linked hands. I sat across from them, both hating the risk of upsetting Heather, while also simply wanting this over so the chips could fall where they may.
“So, I have some news.”
“We figured that, Dad. What’s going on? You look…worn.”
Keeping eye contact with my daughter, I told her the shortened version of the story. Her gaze widened several times, but she never interrupted me. Reed leaned forward, his interest apparent, looking both incredulous and surprised.
“Ashley is my—our—half sister?” Heather repeated. “Luc’s Ashley?”
“Yes.”
“Holy shit,” Reed breathed.
Heather was silent for a moment, and I braced myself.
“Is Mom all right?”
I wasn’t surprised her first question was about Katy. She and her mom shared a special bond, much the same as Gracie’s and mine. “Your mom is fine. Amazing. She’s been my rock. She’ll come over, or you can go see her.”
“How does Ashley feel about this?”
I lifted one shoulder. “She’s upset and confused.”
“Because she thinks you ignored her.”
“Yes.”
“You’d never do that, Daddy.”
I smiled at her defense. I loved the way she still referred to me as Daddy after all these years. “Not the man you know.”
She shook her head. “Even the man you were. You would have helped at least.”
“I like to think so, but I didn’t know.”
“You would have. Mom brought out the good in you, but it was obviously there. You would have done something.”
Her assessment of my character warmed my heart, and I relaxed a little. “Thanks, sweetheart.”
Heather frowned. “She must want a relationship or something. Why else start anything? She could have figured out you were her father and left it. She never had to see you again if she hated you so much.”
“You’re forgetting her relationship with Luc, babe,” Reed said gently. “She’d run into your dad a lot. She couldn’t keep it a secret.”
“Right.” She chewed her lip, looking thoughtful. “So, maybe she’ll come around?”
“I hope so. I would like to think she would at least accept the friendship of her half-siblings. Form some sort of relationship with them.”
Heather nodded. “I liked her a lot. She thought it was cool I was so close to my family. She’ll figure it out.” Then she frowned. “How is Gracie handling this?”
“Um, not well.”
“She’s upset?”
“Furious.”
“But it’s not your fault, Daddy.”
I scrubbed my face. “She’s, ah, emotional.”
“Because of being pregnant?”
“Oh, you already know?” I hadn’t wanted to share Gracie’s news for her.
Heather nodded. “She told me before the wedding.”
“Okay. Yes, the pregnancy is making her more emotional than normal. It hit her hard, and we argued. I was still pretty upset when I told her, and she picked up that vibe from me. I’m giving her some time, and then we’ll hopefully clear the air.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“I’m sure she’ll have lots to say,” I said with a sad smile. My two eldest girls were close and good friends. If Gracie listened to anyone, it might be Heather.
She leaned forward and grasped my hand. “She’ll calm down.”
I could only nod.
“Can I get in touch with Ashley?”
“I don’t see why not. You’re in a unique situation, in that you were already building a relationship with her. You were friends. I was hoping that would be a starting point for her,” I admitted. “But don’t push the family aspect. Just be her friend.” I held up my hand in warning. “She might not respond at first.”