My temper flared. “What?!” I attempted to march down the steps to demand they leave, but my father caught my arm.
“What are you doing, Cassidy? This is a generous offer. Your car won’t make it to the state line.”
“Then, how are we going to get there?”
“Adam arranged flights for you and Finn.”
“What?” I spat out. “No. We can’t accept it.”
“Because of Dominic?”
“Yes!”
“Do you think he would want you driving across the country in that car?With your son?”
I swallowed back tears as I stared at my rusty old car with the tied down trunk. Dad was right. It was careless.
Dad’s arm warmed my shoulders. “It’s okay to accept help once in a while. It took me a long time to learn that after your mom passed.”
I never thought I was anything like my father until that moment. When my mother died, he wouldn’t accept any support, and I was left to pick up the pieces. I had to care for my sister because there was no one else. I made her meals, took her to school—everything my father was too drunk to do. His pride got in the way of our well-being, and perhaps mine was getting in the way of Finn’s.
Dad squeezed my shoulder. “He’s very remorseful.”
My eyes bulged as I stepped back. “You spoke to him?”
“He called late last night to talk.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “Dad…”
“Look, I don’t agree with what his family’s company did, but it’s clear as day that he cares deeply for you, Cass.”
“He’s the reason I’m in this mess, Dad.”
“So, let him pull you out. He’s desperate to fix things, and I know just how that feels.”
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I’ll accept his help with the move, but once I’m back in LA, that’s it. I need to move on with my life.”
“Very well.” My father peered down at me with welling eyes. “I’m so proud of you, Cass,” he said, choking up as he wrapped his arms around me. “You have no idea how grateful I am that you’ve given me a second chance.”
“Oh, Dad.” I hugged him tight, pressing my ear to his beating heart. “We all have flaws. It’s what we do once we recognize them that counts.”
After a long overdue embrace, we silently observed the movers fill their truck with our belongings and hoist my little car onto a tow truck.
“So, when’s our flight?”
“Adam said a car will collect you in a couple of days.” Dad poured the remains of his coffee into his mouth. “Which is perfect because Amy and Reed are driving up tomorrow, and I know they’d love to see you before you go.”
I winced. I was hoping to be gone before their next visit.
“Amy told me you’ve been avoiding her.”
I sighed. “I didn’t want to cause any problems between her and Josie. You know how close they are. I don’t want her to feel like she has to take sides.”
“Amy’s got a good head on her shoulders, thanks to you. She can handle it.”
“I suspect she already knows what’s happened.” She’d been calling every day since I returned. “Even if Josie hasn’t told her.”
“Well, we’ll find out tomorrow. It will be lovely to have both my girls home again.”