Perfectly Ms. Matched(60)
But he really missed Jo. And Ryan.
Maybe he’d check in with is lawyer and see if there’d been any progress getting his son back.
Jo, gently poaching eggs in her parents’ kitchen, stiffened when heavy footsteps crossed the hardwood floor behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she said, “Hey, Dad. Your plane got in pretty late last night, huh?”
She’d run this first meeting with her father through her head all morning but hadn’t figured out quite how to act with him. Angry, sad, disappointed? She hadn’t decided, so she’d have to wing it.
“Yeah, about eleven.” He pulled out a chair, sat at the table in the nook, and powered up his tablet to read the news. “Mom said you went to bed early last night. Everything okay?”
Was everything okay? No, it wasn’t okay. She’d just found out things about him she hated knowing.
She turned to face him. “I’m still kind of processing what Mom told me last night.” And where was her mom? And Shelby? It was after ten. She’d counted on them being here too. To make things less awkward. She and her father had never been chatty with each other.
Dad laid down his tablet and met her gaze. “Mom said I owe you an apology about the loan thing. And for what happened with Juliette all those years ago. And that I need to try harder to stop comparing you and Juliette. So I’m sorry, Joann.”
She’d never heard her father apologize for anything. Clearly, her mom instructed him to do it, but she’d be graceful about it. “Thank you.” The next part of what she’d planned to say wasn’t going to be easy. He might say no, but she’d vowed to try. “I was wondering if you’d like to come to the café this afternoon. While we’re closed, so I can show you what really goes on behind the scenes. And I’d really like you to see the plans for the expansion. I think you’ll be impressed with the design Chad came up with. I am.”
She held her breath as she waited for his response. He’d never shown any interest in her café.
“I need some coffee. Your mother and I stayed up late talking last night.” He stood and crossed the kitchen to pour himself a cup from the pot she’d just made for him. After he took a sip, he turned and leaned against the counter. “I’m trying very hard to see your little restaurant venture from your perspective. But I worry, because so many restaurants fail. Then where will you be? A PT can always find a job to support themselves.”
He hadn’t answered her question, but he’d opened a door. “You’re right, many restaurants do fail. But the ones who understand their market and their customer and who tailor their menu to those needs, do quite well. It’s why I chose to serve just the downtown breakfast and lunch crowd. I get to do what I love most. Bake. It never feels like a job for me. It also leaves me some time to have a life. It’s a win-win for a person like me, Dad.”
He rubbed his forehead as he stared into his coffee cup. “I suppose I should give you the chance to prove that. So yes. I’d like to meet you this afternoon.”
Jo crossed the kitchen and wrapped her dad up in a hug, startling him. “I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
He patted her back awkwardly. “I’ve never been disappointed in you, Joann. I’ve just questioned some of your choices. Maybe I was wrong to do that. I look forward to seeing your plans.”
“Thank you.” The doorbell rang, so Jo released her dad. “That’s probably Shelby. Now I can start the hollandaise. It’s about time, I’m starving!”
With hope in her heart that her dad would finally come around, Jo jogged to the front door and opened it. Shelby stood on the other side, looking pale. Jo reached out and tugged her inside. “Are you okay?”
Shelby shrugged out of her coat and hung it in the closet. “Morning sickness sucks. I would’ve stayed in bed, but I know we need to talk.”
“Thank you for making the effort. But I can’t fight with a sick person. Let’s see if you can keep your breakfast down, and then we’ll see.” Jo wrapped her arm around Shelby’s shoulders and led her into the kitchen, recalling her many bad mornings when she’d been pregnant. “Do you want some hot chocolate and soda crackers first?”
“That sounds perfect. But—” She took off running toward the bathroom. Good thing they’d grown up neighbors so Shelby knew where everything was. The delay might have been unfortunate otherwise.
Later, after everyone finished breakfast, except for Shelby, who stuck to her cocoa and crackers, Jo started the cleanup. She’d filled the dishwasher first, and then the sink with hot soapy water for the pans. Shelby appeared at her side with a towel to dry. Her color was back to normal.