*
Thirty minutes after the DJ played the last song of the evening and everyone had left, Ella was almost finished stacking chairs and breaking down tables. Colton and Hunter were sweeping the floor and her sisters were in the kitchen with her mother, Cameron, Lucy and Megan wrapping up leftover food. They’d sent Hannah home to bed, and Lucas and Landon had left with the young women from the store.
“Another great time,” Lincoln said when he stacked the last of the chairs on top of the cart that held them. “Well done, honey.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“What were they saying about the new product line?”
“Everyone’s abuzz over it,” she said with a smile. “That joke isn’t going to get old for a while.”
“I suppose I deserve that.”
“It’s what you get for being so progressive.”
“I couldn’t help but notice that Gavin left somewhat abruptly, and there was some sort of scuffle between Landon and Ed Sheehan.”
Ella nodded, not surprised that her dad had tuned into the drama. “Ed was the one who told Gavin we wasted our time in Iraq, which led to the bar fight last summer.”
Lincoln’s face tightened with outrage. “I hope Landon fired him.”
“He did.”
“Good. People have a right to their opinions about war and politics and religion, but to say that to someone who lost their brother . . .”
“It’s obscene.”
“On that we agree, my dear.” He put his arms around her. “You’ve gotten involved with a complicated man. A good man. A man I respect. I ache for what he’s lost, but I love you far too much to watch you be hurt by that good, complicated man. I just hope you’re being careful to protect your heart.”
Ella laughed even as she blinked back tears. “I’m not being careful at all. I’m crazy in love with him, and I have been for longer than I can remember.” She wiped away the tears that spilled down her cheeks. The emotional reaction irritated and embarrassed her.
Her dad smiled down at her, his love shining through the way it always did. “You’re our practical child, the one who always thinks before she acts, who plans everything with meticulous attention to detail. Those qualities make you exceptionally reliable and good at what you do for a living, but they aren’t necessarily the skills you need in this situation with Gavin.” He pressed his lips to her forehead.
Comforted by his love and words of wisdom, Ella said, “What skills do I need?”
“Besides patience and fortitude?”
Ella laughed again. “Yes, other than that.”
“I don’t know, honey, but I do know that you’re more than up to whatever challenge he presents. If anyone can lead that boy out of the darkness and back into the light, you can.”
Touched and bolstered by his confidence in her, Ella looked up at him. “You really think so?”
“I know so. Just don’t let him be less than what you deserve. You hear me?”
Ella nodded. “I won’t.”
“Good.” He hugged her again. “Now go on home and get some sleep. I’ll lock up here. You did great tonight, but then you always do.”
“Love you, Dad.”
“Love you, too.”
On the short ride home, Ella thought about what her dad had said about the complicated man she’d fallen in love with. It helped to know he respected Gavin and liked him. That made it easier to tolerate the hurdles they were sure to encounter.
She wanted so badly to go to him, to seek him out. But she couldn’t do that. She’d done that too many times already. Ella had no doubt at all that he cared deeply for her, as deeply as he’d ever cared for any woman. However, she couldn’t keep this relationship going on her own. He had to meet her halfway.