Page 26

M att smoothed his hands down his navy jacket as he walked toward The Lakeside Grill, checking his watch for the fourth time in ten minutes. Stephanie was walking beside him, her heels clicking confidently on the sidewalk.

“Stop fidgeting, Dad,” Stephanie said, adjusting the strap of her purse. “You’d think you were meeting the President instead of having dinner with people you already know.”

“I’ve only met Amy briefly at the clinic,” Matt reminded her. “And this is different. This is...” He paused, searching for the right words. “This matters.”

Stephanie’s expression gentled. “I know it does. And that’s exactly why everything will be fine. When something matters this much to you, it shows.”

The hostess recognized them immediately and led them through the bustling restaurant toward Lynda and Amy.

Several locals nodded greetings, and Matt realized that by tomorrow morning, half of Sapphire Bay would know about this family dinner.

The thought should have made him nervous, but instead, it felt right, as if they were taking a public step forward together.

Lynda stood as they approached, her face brightening with relief and pleasure. She was wearing a burgundy sweater that brought out the color in her eyes, making her look even more beautiful than usual.

“Stephanie, I’m so glad you could join us,” Lynda said, stepping forward to embrace Matt’s daughter. “Amy’s been curious about you ever since she arrived.”

Amy rose from her chair with an easy smile, extending her hand to Stephanie. “Mom told me about the mysterious daughter who helped design the perfect house.”

Stephanie laughed, accepting the handshake warmly. “And you’re the daughter who can find real estate listings faster than a search engine and doesn’t mind your mom moving across two states.”

“Guilty on both counts,” Amy replied, her eyes sparkling with humor that reminded Matt strongly of Lynda.

As they settled into their seats, Matt noticed how naturally the conversation began to flow. The initial stiffness he’d expected between their daughters didn’t materialize.

“So Stephanie,” Amy said as they studied their menus, “Mom mentioned your children are about the same ages as my boys. Do they have any interest in wildlife?”

“Lily wants to examine everything that moves,” Stephanie replied. “Last week, she brought home an injured bird she found and demanded that Grandpa fix it immediately. Ethan’s more cautious, but he’s fascinated by the science behind animal behavior.”

“That sounds exactly like Dylan and Eddie,” Amy said with delight. “Eddie’s only five years old, but he thinks carefully about everything, while Dylan jumps right in and figures things out as he goes.”

Matt relaxed as he watched the two women discover their common ground. Their situations were remarkably similar— both were protective daughters watching their parents navigate new relationships after years of being alone.

“I have to admit,” Amy said as their appetizers arrived, “I was nervous about Mom moving here. Not because of you,” she added quickly, glancing at Matt, “but because she’s been so careful about letting people get close since the divorce.”

“I understand completely,” Stephanie replied. “Dad hasn’t shown interest in anyone since my mom died. When he started mentioning Lynda’s name in every phone call, I knew something significant was happening.”

Matt felt heat rise in his cheeks. “I didn’t mention Lynda in every phone call.”

“Dad, you sent me ten photos of the wolfdog puppies in one day,” Stephanie said dryly. “And somehow Lynda appeared in the background of six of them.”

Lynda laughed, covering her face with her hands. “I’ve been just as obvious. I called Amy three times last week to tell her about Matt’s wood carvings. He made me a beautiful wolf,” Lynda said softly, her eyes meeting his across the table. “It sits on my bedside table.”

The simple admission carried more weight than a grand declaration, and Matt felt something warm settle in his chest.

“Dad’s a wonderful woodcarver,” Stephanie said with genuine pleasure in her voice. “He used to carve all the time when I was growing up. Mom always said his hands were happiest when they were creating something.”

“What was your Mom like?” Amy asked Stephanie.

Stephanie sighed. “She was great. We had a lot of good times together. Mom loved baking. We’d try different recipes and create some amazing food. That changed when she got sick, but she still sent me recipes she found on the Internet.”

As their main courses arrived, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. Amy shared stories about her boys’ latest schemes, while Stephanie recounted Lily’s most recent negotiations for extended privileges. Matt and Lynda laughed at the similarities between their grandchildren’s personalities.

“Eddie built a Lego hospital after I told him about the wildlife center,” Amy said, spearing a piece of salmon. “Complete with different sections for different types of animals.”

“Lily announced she’s going to be a veterinarian like her grandfather,” Stephanie added. “She’s already started a notebook where she records observations about every animal she encounters.”

“Your grandchildren sound lovely,” Lynda said warmly.

“Actually,” Stephanie said, exchanging a glance with Amy, “I was thinking about bringing them for a visit in a few weeks. Maybe all the children could meet?”

Matt blinked in surprise. In a short space of time, they’d gone from introducing their daughters to each other, to having a family get-together in Sapphire Bay.

“That would be wonderful,” Amy said enthusiastically. “The boys have been asking when they can see the wolfdog puppies in person instead of just in photos.”

Stephanie grinned at Matt and Lynda. “With all four grandchildren together, you’ll have your hands full at the animal shelter.”

Matt looked at Lynda. She returned his bemused glance with one of her own. Their daughters weren’t just tolerating this blending of families; they were actively encouraging it.

After their main course, they enjoyed hot apple crumble with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

“Do you know what strikes me?” Amy said to her mom and Matt. “You complement each other beautifully. Mom becomes more adventurous around you, Matt. And from what Stephanie’s said, you seem different when you’re with her, Matt.”

Stephanie nodded in agreement. “It’s true. Dad’s been more like his old self but somehow better.”

Lynda’s hand found Matt’s under the table, her fingers intertwining with his. The simple touch grounded him, and made the moment feel both surreal and perfectly real.

“I think,” Stephanie continued, “that we should try to make this a regular thing. I know it’s not easy flying to Montana with a family, but if we plan ahead, you might be able to buy cheaper tickets. The kids could get to know each other, and we could all...”

“Build something together,” Amy finished with a smile.

Stephanie nodded. “Exactly. Not that we want to add any pressure onto your relationship or anything,” Stephanie said to Matt and Lynda. “But it’d be nice to catch up regularly.”

Lynda looked at Amy and Stephanie. “Are you sure you haven’t met each other before? You’re more alike than I imagined.”

Amy laughed. “That’s Mom’s way of saying we’re bossy.”

Stephanie waved away Amy’s comment. “Don’t worry. Dad says the same thing about me.” With a grin at Lynda, Stephanie scooped a mound of ice cream onto her spoon. “Tell us about the house you saw. Dad said you were going to make an offer, Lynda.”

After hearing about the house, they got ready to leave the restaurant.

As he helped Lynda put on her jacket, Matt watched Stephanie and Amy exchange phone numbers and make plans to coordinate their children’s visit.

The ease with which they’d accepted each other, the genuine warmth in their interactions, gave him hope he hadn’t dared to feel.

Outside the restaurant, under the glow of the streetlights, Amy surprised him by pulling him into a brief hug.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For making my mother smile again. For helping her remember who she is beneath the weight of what happened with Dad.”

Matt nodded. “And thank you for welcoming me into your life,” he replied, meaning every word.

After he’d said goodbye to Lynda and Amy, he walked to his truck with Stephanie beside him.

“That went better than I hoped,” she said softly.

“Better than I dreamed,” Matt agreed, watching Lynda and Amy walk ahead of them, their heads bent together in quiet conversation.

“Dad?” Stephanie touched his arm, making him stop and look at her. “I like Lynda. I like them both. And Mom would like them too.”

The unexpected mention of Maria brought tears to Matt’s eyes. “I think she would, too,” he managed to say.

Standing in the parking lot, watching Lynda laugh at something Amy whispered to her, Matt felt the last of his reservations dissolve. This wasn’t just about him and Lynda anymore. It was about building something larger—a family that honored the past while embracing the future.

And that future felt not just possible but inevitable.