“It’s okay, Dad. She knows now I intend to be my own person.”

“Yes, I heard about the conversation you had with her recently. She didn’t take kindly to it. I thought she was better but after yesterday, I’m not so sure. I love your mother and I know you do, too. She means well, Bethie.”

“I know, Dad.” He rarely used the pet name he had for her.

“We had a long talk after we got back to the hotel and I felt I needed to add my voice to yours. I let her know she was out of line with the way she questioned Sam and that I was disappointed in her.”

“It didn’t go well, did it?”

He shook his head. “Your mother is convinced you’re making a huge mistake loving Sam.”

“You don’t agree with that, though, right?”

“Don’t have a crystal ball, but from what I saw, you two looked like a fine couple to me.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“As far as I’m concerned, and I told you mother this, she should get on her knees and thank God you found a hardworking, capable man like Sam. Her thinking is messed up. What’s important to her should be at the bottom of the list. And I told her so. After I gave her a few other things to think about,” he said, pausing as if to gauge her reaction, “I left the hotel and I spent the night elsewhere.”

Shocked, Beth’s mouth sagged open and she found herself speechless. “Dad!” This was completely out of character for her father. He wasn’t the type of man to make such a dramatic statement.

“Where did you go?” No wonder he looked like he’d slept in his clothes. He probably had and that was why he hadn’t shaved.

“I found another hotel down the street. Not exactly the Ritz, but it served the purpose. I had peace and quiet and I didn’t need to listen to your mother’s endless chatter about you making a terrible mistake.”

“Did Mom know where you were?”

“No. I’m finished talking to her. Before I left I said it was high time she made up with her sister and that the only person she’d hurt was herself; being angry all these years over something that happened when she was young was ridiculous. I told her that if anyone had messed up their life it was her.”

Beth could hardly believe her father. This was probably the sincerest, most heartfelt conversation her father had had with her mother in years. She was about to say something more when her phone rang. She was tempted to ignore it until she recognized the number. Automatically her eyes shot to her father.

“It’s Mom,” she told him. “Should I answer it?”

He looked as undecided as she was. It rang a third time before her father reluctantly nodded. “Go ahead.”

Beth grabbed it off the coffee table and accepted the call. “Hello?”

“Beth, it’s Mom.” Ellie didn’t sound right. If she didn’t know better, Beth would think she had a bad cold or had been weeping.

“Yes, Mom.”

Ellie sucked in a sob.

“Mom, are you all right?” Beth felt she had to ask. “Do you need anything?”

“Yes, but that’s not the reason I called.”

“Okay.” Beth made eye contact with her father and shrugged. She was fairly certain he was able to hear both sides of the conversation.

“This isn’t easy for me, Beth.” Ellie took a moment to compose herself. “First off, I believe I did a brilliant job raising you. I sacrificed my entire life to take care of you in every way I knew.”

Her father crossed his arms.

“But that’s not the reason I called. I … want to apologize to Sam, but I don’t know his phone number, and so I’m asking you to let him know.”

Phillip arched his brows and then gave her a thumbs-up sign. He looked rather pleased with himself.

“What would you like me to tell Sam?” Beth asked her mother.

Her mother sucked in a deep breath. “Just that I’m sorry. I was rude and arrogant. Those are the words your father used, and after giving it some thought I realize he’s right.”

“You don’t like Sam,” Beth said, pushing the limits, unwilling to accept a token apology on his behalf.

“I don’t know him well enough yet. I hope you’ll both give me the opportunity to correct his impression of me so that I’ll have a chance to do that. All I can say is that if you love him, then there must be more to Sam than meets the eye.”

“There is, far more than you know.”

“I figured so.”

This was huge.

Gigantic.

Bigger than big.

Her mother making this kind of concession went beyond words. Looking over at her father, Beth could see that he was equally impressed.

“There’s something else you should know,” her mother continued.

“Okay,” Beth said, eager to hear more.

“I had lunch with Sunshine.”

“Did she call you or did you call her?” It would be easy enough to see her aunt reaching out with an olive branch.

“I called her. We talked and it was good for us both.”

“That’s wonderful, Mom.” Beth felt tears of gratitude gathering in her own eyes.

“We ate at the hotel and then she suggested a massage. No wait, I suggested a massage and she knew just the person. I felt worlds better afterwards … or I did until I returned to the hotel room.”

“Did something happen at the hotel?” Beth asked.

“Yes,” her mother said on the tail end of a hiccupping sob. “Your father wasn’t here. Sunshine felt sure he would have returned by now and he hasn’t and I don’t know where he is,” she blurted out all at once.

“You don’t know where Dad is?” Beth played innocent.

“No … I haven’t seen him since last evening after we returned from dinner. He was angry with me and then he left and I thought, I hoped it would all blow over.”

“Oh Mom, I’m so sorry.”

“But he’s still not back and I don’t know what to think. He’s never done anything like this before. Oh Beth, I don’t know what I would do. I love him so much and I’m worried sick.”

Maintaining eye contact with her father, Beth said, “I’m sure Dad will be back to the hotel soon. Don’t worry and don’t lose hope. Dad loves you.”

“I love him more than I ever realized,” her mother continued.

Her father widened his eyes.

“Please don’t worry,” Beth said.

“I love you, Beth,” her mother said, a bit less weepy now.

“I know you do,” she assured her. “And I love you.”

“I might have been misguided, but everything I did was because I wanted the very best for you.”

“I know. Now listen, Mom, you need to relax. I’m sure Dad will return within the hour.” She looked to her father who nodded, his eyes warm and a bit misty. “And when he gets back, the two of you can talk again,” Beth added. “You’ll be able to square things with him and you can make a fresh start.”

Her mother released a tiny sob.

“Call me if you need me, okay?”

“Okay,” her mother agreed. “Thank you, love.”

“You’re welcome, Mom.”

Beth disconnected and set the phone aside. “It sounds like Mom took your words to heart.”

Her father seemed ten times better than when he’d first arrived. The light was back in his eyes. He looked as if he’d been informed he had the winning numbers in the lottery. What Beth recognized in her father was hope.

“I better get back to the hotel,” he said.

“Let me drive you.”

“No, no.” His refusal was automatic. “I’ll get a cab. I don’t want to take a chance of your mother knowing I was with you and overheard your conversation.”

Beth smiled. “You devil,” she teased.

Her father laughed and hugged her. “Love you, kiddo.”

“I know you do, Dad. Love you back.”

He kissed her forehead. Beth contacted a cab company and gave them her address and ten minutes later her father was on his way.