Page 20 of The Hidden Daughter (The Lost Daughters #7)

‘I’m embarrassed to admit it, but it’s true,’ he said.

‘I’ve spent years questioning myself, wishing I’d handled things differently, but you were a young woman determined to forge your own way in the world, and that scared me.

’ Her father shook his head, sadness bracketing his face.

‘My greatest fear was losing you, and yet look what I managed to do.’

‘Why didn’t you reach out? Why has it taken me coming home for you to tell me all this?’ she asked, trying to stay calm even as her temper flared. ‘We’ve missed out on years, Dad. All this time we could have had a relationship, and even when I came home for Mum’s funeral…’

The silence stretched between them. ‘I couldn’t understand why you came,’ he said. ‘After what she did to us, the way she broke up our family, the pain she caused, the way she left us. I couldn’t come to terms with how you forgave her.’

‘Dad, you should have just asked me, because I never forgave her. I hated her for what she did to us, but she was still my mother. Who would I have been if I didn’t come back?

If I didn’t attend her funeral? I was worried I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t, and I didn’t want to take that chance. ’

Her father stood then, and she pretended she didn’t notice the way his voice had choked up or the tears she’d seen shining in his eyes. ‘I think we might need the rest of the bottle,’ he said, gruffly. ‘For a man not used to talking about his emotions, this is turning into quite the evening.’

Charlotte laughed despite it all, and then so did he, and when he returned with the bottle she stood and gave him a hug.

It was awkward and more of a pat on the back, neither of them really knowing what to do, but it still felt like a step in the right direction.

She decided not to confront her dad about the years after her mother had left, about how she still felt as if she’d lost the father she’d loved then, too; that conversation could wait for another day.

Bringing it up now wasn’t going to change anything, but trying to enjoy his company might change everything.

‘Should we catch up on the last few years?’ her father asked her. ‘I hear a little from your grandmother about where you are and what you’re doing, but it’d be nice to hear it from you.’

Charlotte settled into her chair, her eye landing on a photo of her with her brother from their teenage years, his arm protectively around her. He would love seeing me here, knowing that I’d finally come back to the house.

She turned to her dad, and this time, her smile came easily. ‘Where should I start?’

The next afternoon, as Charlotte waited in the lobby of the hotel for Harrison, she felt lighter somehow, and she knew that her reconciliation with her father was the reason.

There were parts of their evening that had felt uncomfortable, but there were also parts that had felt more than nice, so she was chalking it up as a win.

And her grandmother’s face when she’d told her the news over coffee that morning had made it all worth it.

‘There she is.’

Harrison’s voice made her turn, and the moment she saw him walking towards her, she realised how much she’d been looking forward to seeing him.

He was dressed in what appeared to be a similar outfit to the other day—perhaps his uniform—of dark jeans, a black T-shirt this time and slightly scuffed boots, but this time he also had a coat over his shoulders.

‘Where are you taking me?’ he asked.

Charlotte stepped forwards and kissed his cheek, inhaling the faint citrus scent of his cologne.

‘We’re exploring as much as we can in the time we have,’ she said. ‘First, we’re going to have a quick lunch, and then we’re driving to T?nsberg. It’s Norway’s oldest town, and you’ll be able to admire the views on the way as we drive south.’

‘Will I finally be seeing a fjord?’ he asked.

‘You will,’ she said. ‘I promise that you’ll enjoy the scenery, too.’

They fell into step side by side, with Harrison only breaking their stride when he opened the main heavy glass door for her.

‘So tell me, have you thought any more about Daniel’s offer?’

She laughed. ‘I thought you’d at least wait until we’d ordered lunch before asking.’

‘If I’m honest, Daniel found out I was meeting you, and he’s expecting me to pass on some insider knowledge.’

‘Well, in that case, you can tell him that his offer was very generous, and that I sent it to my lawyer,’ she said.

‘I’m tempted by it, truly I am, but I need another day to think it over.

If the offer was in London, I’d have said yes already, but there’s more than just the restaurant to consider here. ’

Harrison nodded, and she could tell he understood.

‘But, and it’s a big but,’ she said, glancing over at him. ‘I followed your advice and went to see my father.’

‘And?’

‘It was the best thing I could have done, and I have you to thank,’ Charlotte told him. ‘I’d become so consumed by the past when it came to reconciling, but it was worth it. So, thank you.’

‘You’re very welcome.’

She pointed to her rental car across the street and when they were both seated, she turned to him. ‘So, what did you do yesterday while I was consumed by family matters? Were you in meetings all day?’

‘Ahh, not as such. I actually had some personal matters to attend to.’

‘All okay?’ she asked, frowning at the look on his face. He suddenly looked as if all the colour had drained from his cheeks, and she hoped that he was feeling all right.

‘It will be, and exploring today is just what I need to take my mind off things.’

‘Then let’s go,’ she said, pulling out into the traffic, not about to make him uncomfortable by asking further questions. ‘My favourite little café isn’t far from here, and then once we’ve eaten we can head farther afield.’

‘Tell me, how’s it going with your great-grandmother? Have you discovered any more family secrets?’ Harrison asked.

‘I think we have more questions than answers, but she’s still talking, so that’s what matters.

’ Charlotte quickly looked over at him and found that he was watching her, which made her grip the steering wheel and focus her eyes on the road.

She hadn’t thought about being in such a small space with him, or about keeping the conversation going for the 100 kilometres or so it would take them to get to their destination. ‘Are you close to your family?’

‘Yes,’ he said, without hesitation. ‘We’re very close, but my sisters are busy raising families, so it tends to be a very hectic gathering when we all get together.’

‘They haven’t been tempted to visit you here?’

‘No, but I actually have friends arriving tomorrow, Luke and Louisa,’ he said. ‘They fly in tomorrow afternoon.’

Charlotte couldn’t resist the urge to glance at him again. ‘How long are they here for?’

‘Just a few days for our annual get-together. I’m looking forward to seeing them.’

‘Why don’t you let me cook for you all while they’re here? Unless you already have plans, that is?’ Charlotte asked. ‘I want to work in the kitchen one more time, to try out the mains I’m planning. When I accept…’ She stopped talking, realising her error one word too late.

‘You’re going to accept the position?’

Charlotte groaned. ‘I didn’t mean that to slip out, but I am seriously considering it, especially given the shorter initial term.

And if I do, I want to have a sample menu to show Daniel.

I want him to know how much thought I’ve put into this, and I want to hit the ground running when it comes to recruiting the very best chefs to work with me.

I’m even thinking of doing a special tasting for some influential locals, to show them what they can expect when visiting the hotel. ’

‘You’ve put a lot of thought into this already,’ Harrison said. ‘I’m impressed.’

‘Well, just don’t tell Daniel yet, because I still have to think about it and see what my lawyer says about the contract. But invite your friends, spend time sampling the food and giving me feedback, and if it goes well, fingers crossed I’ll be able to accept.’

Harrison’s eyes met hers once she’d pulled into the car park near the café.

‘Deal,’ he said. ‘But be warned, my friends can be a lot. And they drink wine like it’s their last night on earth.’

‘I promise I can handle them,’ she said, feeling a familiar warmth between them, which diffused as soon as Harrison opened his door. It was almost as if the moment he felt it, he quickly put distance between them, although she was certain she was just imagining it.

‘Okay, a quick bite to eat and a coffee to go, then we’re on the road again.’