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He cringed. “I already paid a rush fee and had it towed to a shop in Rutlage. Didn’t think there was a chance of you helping me after the tantrum I threw.”

The back door of the house opened, and Mags came through, staring at us, her eyes wide. “Dad? Rhett?”

48

MAGNOLIA

I staredbetween my dad and Rhett, all the air gone from my lungs.

They were both sitting on my dad’s back deck, Eileen lying at my dad’s side, and no one looked like they were going to fight each other.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

They both stood up at the same time and glanced at each other.

Rhett nodded for Dad to go ahead.

Since when did Rhett and my dad have silent conversations?

Dad wrung his hands. “Mags, I’m awful sorry about what I said the other day at Rhett’s place. I lost my temper and didn’t give you credit for the woman you are. I told Rhett that I don’t trust him yet, but I trust you to make the choices that are best for you. I support you. And him, if that’s what you want.”

My eyes stung as he spoke each word. “You mean it?”

He nodded, coming and putting his arms around me. I held on to him, relief making my eyes sting.

I didn’t need to choose between Rhett and my dad, because they were both here for me. I looked up to see Rhett smiling at us, and he tilted his head.Thank you,I mouthed to him.

He nodded.

Dad and I broke apart, and Dad patted my shoulder. “Wanna stay for supper? I can make some extra for you both.”

I glanced at Rhett, and he nodded.

“That would be great, Dad,” I said, my voice raw.

He turned toward Rhett. “You’re staying too, yeah?”

Rhett grinned. “If you’ll have me.”

Dad nodded. “Have you met Eileen yet?” He gestured at his dog.

Rhett stared from my dad to the salt-and-pepper dog standing next to him. “You got a three-legged dog and named her Eileen.”

Dad’s cheeks flushed.

Rhett laughed. “Damn, Gabe, I’ve missed you.”

* * *

We stayedat Dad’s house for the next couple hours, and when it was time to go, Rhett and I walked down the cement path to the street.

He said, “This is a change. Usually I was walking youtothe door wishing the sidewalk would be longer. Guess I’m still wishing it was longer, ‘cause I really don’t wanna go home without you.”

I twined my fingers through his. “Who says you have to?”

He gave me a hopeful smile. “Really?”

We stopped at the end of the sidewalk, and I glanced down before facing him again. “I should have just told you I couldn’t go home with you because I wanted to make things right with my dad.”