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He loved Harper with everything he had, even with all her obvious flaws, and he wanted the best for her. And it was obvious he loved me and wanted the best for me, too. I got the feeling he was a bit more protective of me than Harper, but I didn’t think it was out of him picking favorites—despite what Harper might think.
I was literally cut out of his life before he ever even knew I was born. He’d suspected I was alive all this time but had no proof to confirm or deny that suspicion. Now that I was back in his life, it made sense that he would feel overly protective. Especially with the threats that still lingered out there.
It was nice to be cared about so much, even if it brought on a lot of unresolved, conflicted emotions.
Putting the day behind me, I stripped down to my underwear and climbed in bed. I didn’t really get a workout in, so I didn’t care to take another shower. All I wanted to do was sleep.
Unfortunately for me, sleep was hard to come by.
CHAPTER TWELVE
TEMPERANCE
Church was never my thing. I understood why other people went, but I didn’t enjoy it much. Seemed like a waste of time to me. You could read the Bible anywhere. Pray anywhere. My dad loved to go, though, so I enjoyed going with him. It was one thing we could do together that he always made time for. Even if it wasn’t my thing, I’d gladly take that time to spend with him.
It had been a couple of weeks since we’d gone. We typically went twice a month, but sometimes Dad would be able to make time for a third Sunday. With his work schedule it was kind of hard sometimes.
We arrived early, and Pastor Montgomery was busy setting up at the back of the church. Dad was always the quiet type, and he didn’t like to be noticed, so his favorite spot was always toward the back. I took after him in that regard, so I didn’t mind it at all.
It would take another thirty minutes for everyone to pile in, so I took out my phone and started playing on it.
“Really?” Dad said.
I looked over at him and smiled. “Oh, hush. There’s still like thirty minutes. It’s not like I’m going to be sitting here watching porn or anything.”
He looked at me incredulously and shook his head, but a smile spread across his lips. “You’re terrible, you know that?”
I shrugged. “I try.”
“Have you thought any more about colleges? Is there anything you have your heart set on?”
I scrolled through Facebook, killing time. College was something I’d thought a lot about, but nothing really sounded good. I thought about nursing, but I wasn’t sure if I was the type. I’d thought about art. Some kind of design school maybe. That was crazy expensive, though. There was a school about an hour south of us, but it was over thirty grand a year. It was ridiculous. Well, tousit was ridiculous.
Unfortunately, community college would probably be the way to go for me. Not that it was a bad thing. I just wanted more than a small-town Indiana life. I wanted to travel and be successful. I didn’t want fame of any kind, but I did want to find success in whatever I did.
“I still don’t know,” I said. “I have so many options. I might go to a local school and do all my pre-reqs while figuring things out. At least that way, everything will transfer, and they’ll be out of the way when I do decide on a major.”
“That’s smart. I’m proud of you, you know that?”
I looked into his eyes, and they almost sparkled as he looked back at me. There was a proud smile on his face, and I knew he meant every word.
“Thanks, Dad,” I said. I wrapped my arms around his arm and laid my head on his shoulder.
He picked up a Bible and started to read, so I unlocked my phone. It buzzed as soon as I opened Facebook again. My brows furrowed as I read the name on the banner at the top.
“Did your mom text you?” Dad asked. “Is that normal? Do you guys talk?”
I looked up at him with obvious confusion. “No. I haven’t talked to her for six months. Weird.”
Turning back to my phone, I opened the message.
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Mom:
Don’t worry, baby. I’ll be there. I promise.
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