ON WEDNESDAY, EMMA MET HER DAD FOR LUNCH AT Applebee’s.
“My treat,” she told him as they slipped into the booth.
“I think I can still afford to buy my daughter lunch.”
“I don’t care. This is my treat.”
He chuckled. “Okay. I can tell when it’s useless to argue with you.”
“Good.” She opened the menu, then looked at him again. “How’s the job hunt going?”
“Not great. I thought I’d have something by now. I don’t feel old, but that’s how a lot of employers look at me. Maybe they’re unsure if I can handle the physical labor after so many years behind a desk.”
“You’re not old. One look at you and they can see that.”
He patted the back of one of her hands against the table. “Thanks, honey. Remind me of that on my next birthday.”
“It’s so stupid. It isn’t like you don’t have a ton of experience. You had your own successful construction company, and even after you sold it, you were out helping on the In Step job sites all the time. Somebody’s gotta see the value of that.”
“Maybe I should take you with me on my next interview.”
“Maybe you should.” She nodded her head for emphasis.
It hurt her heart to see him looking defeated. That went so against his nature. No matter what the circumstances, he’d always held on to hope. He was the first one to lend a helping hand to a neighbor or a brother in Christ. He was the guy who came up with a million ideas when a problem needed solving. And when all else failed, he was a great one for making people laugh.
Now he looked like he might not ever laugh again.
They spent a short while looking over the menu and were ready when the waitress arrived. They both ordered their favorites. Comfort food and lots of it. She would need to walk an extra mile or two on her regular evening stroll.
After the waitress left their table, her dad said, “How’s Hayley?”
Emma wished he hadn’t asked. Talking about her sister wasn’t likely to lighten his mood.
“I’ve left her a couple of messages,” he added, “but she hasn’t returned my calls.”
“She’s still pretty upset about losing the baby.”
“She blames me for that.”
She murmured something meant to sound like a denial, even though she knew he was right. Hayley did blame their dad. For the miscarriage, for the reporters, for the gossip, for it all.
“Yes, Emma, she does blame me.”
“Well, if she does, she’ll get over it. Give her some time. She’ll come around. You’ll see.”
He lowered his gaze to his water glass that he turned slowly with his fingertips. His voice lowered. “Things aren’t good between your mother and me either.”
“Oh, Dad. I’m sorry.”
“Well . . .”He drew in a breath as he sat straighter, his shoulders back and head up. “I didn’t agree to meet you for lunch so I could depress you. Let’s talk about something else, shall we? Didn’t I hear something about Jason bringing home a puppy?”
Emma loved her dad. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to lift his spirits. If talking about the puppy Jason had given her for Mother’s Day would help, then that was what she would do.
For hours if necessary.