Page 188

that’s what you wanted. If you want this building instead of a

house, then I’m happy to do that for you.”

“But that’s too much.” Emily had no idea that her parents

had bought her brothers their homes. Were they truly rich

enough that they could just do that? Pay for a house upfront?

And they’d already done it twice? She knew she had so much

more to learn. She knew nothing about managing properties or

about money. “I’ll need your help,” she said, and offered her

dad a true smile for the first time in as long as she could

remember. “Both of you.”

“You have it,” Peter said. “I’m sorry if you thought I was

trying to ruin your life. I wa

sn’t. I was just trying to keep you

safe. I didn’t want that girl to use you for your money. To have

that leverage over you. I didn’t want her to hurt you.”

“She would never do that.”

“I can see that now. If this is what you want, if she’s who

you want, then we won’t stop you. If you’re sure. You know

her better than we do.”

“But I’m sure that will change,” Sandra volunteered. “We

want it to change.”

Emily was stunned. “You mean, you’re not against her?”

“No,” her parents said together.

“But she didn’t grow up like I did. You know what her

background is. You’re not—that’s not embarrassing for you?”

“Why should it be?” Peter surprised Emily all over again.

“But you tried to—”

“I was concerned that because of her background and

because she needed money for her store, that she was using

you to get it. It was a snap judgment and one I’m not proud of,