Page 76 of Make-Believe Match

Kelly disappeared up the stairs and I set my shopping bags by the front door before following Devlin’s dad, whose first name was George, back to the kitchen.

“Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to a chair at the large round kitchen table. “Do you like cream and sugar?”

“Yes, please.”

He brought me a steaming mug along with a carton of half and half and a sugar bowl. While I doctored my coffee, he sat across from me and closed the newspaper he’d been looking at. Then he picked up a mug that said World’s Best Grandpa on it. “Have a good time today?” he asked.

“A wonderful time.” I sipped my coffee. “Cherry Tree Harbor is lovely.”

“It is. Perfect place to raise a family.” He laughed. “Not that I’m pressuring you about it. Honestly, I’m just glad Devlin found someone he was willing to settle down with. He’s always been so focused on his career. So driven. Even in high school, he never slowed down. As soon as he reached one goal, it was on to the next.”

“He’s very good at what he does,” I said. “And I’m so grateful to have his help with Snowberry. I don’t know what I’d have done without him.”

“He’s a good egg,” said the proud dad. “All my kids are good eggs. Got big hearts, like their mom had. Some of them just like to keep those hearts hidden. Tucked away where nobody can see how big they are.”

I smiled, wrapping my hands around the warm mug.

“Did Devlin tell you about the time and money he donates to that organization for kids who lost parents?”

“Camp Lemonade.” I nodded. “Yes.”

“Did he tell you that he’s been saving up money to build a second camp location?”

I set the mug down with a thump. “No.”

“I told him I’d help with the construction if he needed it.”

Right away, I heard Devlin’s words in my head.I have some money set aside.I swallowed hard. “I didn’t know about that. I guess we’re still learning things about each other.”

“That’s all right. That’s part of the fun, isn’t it? Unraveling someone’s mysteries, peeling away those protective layers.” He sipped his coffee. “I wasn’t sure Devlin would ever slow down enough to let someone get that close. You must have really stolen his heart.”

Guilt squeezed my insides. “I guess.”

“Well, I couldn’t be happier.” He got up from the table. “Come on. I have something for you.”

With dread pounding in my chest, I rose to my feet and followed him into a first-floor bedroom. It was tidy and masculine, a little old-fashioned. Oak dresser and headboard, faded wallpaper, a patchwork quilt across the foot of the neatly made bed. He went over to the dresser and opened a wooden box on its top while I lingered close to the doorway. My eyes were drawn to a photo of a beautiful sapphire-eyed woman on his nightstand—I knew right away it was Devlin’s mother. Not only had Devlin inherited her eyes, but also her full-lipped smile.

“Here we are.” George closed the box and turned to me. “I want you to have these.” He uncurled his fist, and on his palm was a beautiful pair of pearl drop earrings. “They belonged to my wife, Devlin’s mom. I gave them to her on our tenth anniversary. I hope you and Devlin will be as happy on your tenth anniversary as we were on ours.”

“Oh.” My throat closed up, and I put both hands on my chest. “I couldn’t possibly accept such a precious gift. You should keep those.”

“And do what with them? Let them collect dust in a box?”

“Mabel will want them,” I said quickly.

“Mabel has other pieces.”

“Maybe one of the other boys—”

“They have plenty to choose from. I spoiled my wife as often as I could, not that I could afford the real fancy expensive stuff. But the gifts were always given from the heart.” He smiled. “It will make me happy to see you wear them. I know it would make her happy too.”

Oh, God.My throat ached. The truth was a goose egg I couldn’t swallow. “Mr. Buckley—”

“Dad,” he corrected.

“Dad.” My voice cracked. “I’m—I’m not sure I deserve this.”

“Nonsense. Try them on.” He stood there with those earrings on his palm like a platter. “Please?”