Page 9 of Hearts of Wealth

“But I still feel like I’ve done something wrong...”

“You’ve done nothing wrong,” she insisted. “It’s that woman. She’s done this. I know you guys are trying your hardest to get that girl back, but just remember you have a life to live as well.”

“I know.”

“How is Timothy?”

“He’s not taking it well at all,” I said. “I think partly because he’s so used to being in control. This is grating on his nerves. Plus, he truly loves Paisley. He knows he’s a better option for her.”

“I have faith it will work out,” Amber said.

We talked a bit longer before we hung up. I looked around the house, seeing all the things I needed to get done but finding I didn’t have the energy to do it. With the new project, I was going to be busy for weeks. It was a good time to check in with my dad.

I grabbed my purse and headed to his shop, hoping to find some distraction from my swirling thoughts. And I wanted to share the good news. When I got to the shop, I found my dad hunched over his workbench.

“Hey.” He smiled when he saw me. “What brings you by? More material?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I was just stopping by to tell you I heard back from Henry, the owner of the house.”

“And?”

I grinned. “I got it.”

He chuckled. “Of course you did. When do you start?”

“I’m sending the contractors over tomorrow. I want to get started as soon as possible.”

“Are you feeling any better about the guy?”

I shrugged. “He’s all right. Flirty, but I’m not going to worry about it.”

“If you weren’t so beautiful, you wouldn’t have to worry about these things,” he teased.

“Very funny. Did you eat your lunch?”

“Yes.”

“Da-a-d,” I warned. “You didn’t eat one of those salads I delivered, did you?”

He mumbled something that wasn’t a yes or no.

“Dad, I swear, I’m going to have to be here to make sure you eat the good stuff at every meal.”

“I’m not a rabbit,” he said. “I’m a man. I need more than lettuce.”

“There was ham and turkey,” I told him. “And boiled eggs. You like that stuff.”

“I like ham and turkey in a sandwich,” he corrected. “Bread. Mayo. Cheese.”

“You have to take care of yourself,” I said.

“I take care of myself just fine,” he retorted.

“Let’s go for a walk,” I suggested. “It’s a nice day. Hard telling how many more nice days we’ll have. I heard we’re supposed to have a rough winter.”

“They say that every year.”

“Come on, let’s walk.” I was going to do all I could to keep him healthy.