I didn’t want this to get out of control because, despite his progress, my dad’s health was still a concern for my mom, sister, and me.
“I see. I’ve been waiting for this.”
“You have?”
“Yes, ever since I saw that video. I knew that boy would get to you, Mara. He does not mean you any good. Do you know the real reason that I suggested you go away?”
“Sure. You wanted me to stay away from Lake because you feared that I would do what I’m doing now.”
“That was only part of it. I worried that you might never realize your potential and earn the belief in yourself that you deserve to have. I didn’t want you to settle. Yes, I wanted you to marry and become a good wife with a family and a husband you respected and loved.”
“Therein lies the problem, Dad. I don’t love Russell. And I respect him as a person...but not as a husband. He doesn’t even dare to stand up to his father for what he believes in.”
“Your move to New York was to allow you to learn about the business world. It wasn’t my suggestion alone that you go. It was mine and your mother’s. She wanted you to live out from under our control and learn about yourself as a woman and as a person. I was the one that approached you with it, but the decision was dual. If you’d stayed behind here in Sunset Harbor, you wouldn’t have gained the valuable business expertise you have. I doubt that you would be skilled enough to run a company, even with me teaching you. Mara, you’re a passionate woman like your mother. And in time, you would’ve gained what you needed, but I’m uncertain your focus would’ve been where it needed to be. I wanted Sheffield Tech to be the most important thing in your life. And for that, I was wrong.”
“You were?”
His words shocked me. I somehow suspected that my mother was behind the New York idea, too, but I’d been too hurt by Lake even to bother asking my mother about it. However, there was no way that she would have stood idly by and allowed that to take place without her having some say so with my father.
“Yes, I was wrong. Not about you needing to get away to learn all that you have. I’ve watched you over these last few months, and I’m impressed. But I was wrong about you needing to make this your sole focus. Your mother was right, though. Your time away from us has taught you strength, and valuable lessons about yourself, which is why I suspect you’re here to visit me today.”
“Yes, Dad. I’m not marrying Russell. We went away and discussed it for a weekend, and we’re on the same page about it. At first, we weren’t, but he understood that I need someone to love me, and he can’t give that to me. Now, I know that you initially wanted me to marry to assume control of the company. And there once was a time that I would have fought with my last breath to have it, whether or not I married Russell. And I was prepared to do just that from the moment that I realized I love Lake.”
“You love Lake?” he repeated, pulling his hand down his face.
“Yes.”
“That’s always been my greatest fear. I don’t want you to be the woman that Mrs. Chambers is. You’re too bright for that. Mr. Chambers ruined a compassionate, giving, and kind woman. Once she married him, she became selfish and all about appearances. I don’t think she ever gave those kids the love and nurturing they needed. It was one nanny after another, taking care of them and then boarding schools for a while. I’m scared he’ll do the same thing to you that his father did to his mother.”
“Dad, you don’t have to worry about that. You and mom did a magnificent job raising me to become the woman that I am. I hold strong to those values, and I know who I am. No one can take that away from me, and I don’t want you to worry about that. I will become no one’s pampered anything. Lake understands and respects that. He probably loves me more for that reason alone.”
“So then, why are you giving up your chance at Sheffield Tech?”
“Because I’m going into business for myself, Dad.”
Gripping the arms of his chair, he leaned forward slightly.
“You’re doing what?”
“I’m opening fashion boutiques and e-commerce sites for upscale clothing.”
My father’s astonished face slowly transformed into a smirk and then a chuckle until he blossomed into full-scale laughter.
I wasn’t sure if I should find his reaction offensive or not. If I were honest, I’d have to say this entire conversation wasn’t going how I expected.
I’d come in here at the end of the workday expecting to fight a battle that frankly might leave my father and me on opposite sides of a war, shooting scud missiles at one another. But I would do what was necessary.
I had learned a lot from being with Lake. One of the primary things was learning to stand for what I believed in and standing up for myself. Tension, uncertainty, resentment, and fear tainted my return to Sunset Harbor. But I now knew I held the keys to make the future I wanted.
“Dad?”
“I’m sorry,” he said, wiping his eyes. “It’s just that...your mom wins again. I love that woman, but I can’t win for losing with her. Well, I guess I won once she gave her heart to me.”
“I don’t understand, Dad,” I said, still confused and growing impatient for an explanation.
“Your mom said that once you found your way, you would realize that your dreams were right here at home. The man of your dreams and the career of your dreams. She said that fashion was in your blood and
