Page 69 of Mine to Love
“Good for Dad.” Gabriel nodded.
This was not what she expected from her little brother.
“Mommy was so mean to Dad. She called him stupid. I don’t know why. He was always so smart.” Gabriel smiled. “But he could never beat me at chess. I was too good, even for him.”
Miles chuckled. “You are a wizard when it comes to that game, that’s for sure.”
“Anyway. I saw Dad. I got to speak with him and while I can’t forgive him for leaving us, I don’t have the right to make that decision for you.” She reached out and took her brother’s hand. “He’s in Lighthouse Cove and I know he’d like to see you. That is if you want to see him.”
“You’d let me?” Gabriel blinked.
“It’s not for me to decide,” she said.
“What do you think I should do? I mean, he left us alone. He left you to take care of me. I know you’ve always said you never minded, but I also know you don’t like him much for doing that.” Gabriel rubbed his hands on his shirt.
“Our father has made a lot of mistakes. Some of them were to protect us from our mother. And others were because after he left, he felt like he couldn’t come back.” She squeezed her brother’s hand. “I’m not going to stand in the way of you getting to know Dad again, if that’s what you want.”
“Miles?” Gabriel turned his head. “What’s your feeling on this?”
“Buddy, my opinion doesn’t matter,” Miles said.
“It does to him.” Liberty glared.
“Okay.” Miles let out a long breath. “If you want to see your dad, then you should. My only advice would be to leave the past where it belongs and start fresh.” He lifted his gaze. “That goes for both of you.”
“I want to see my dad.” Gabriel stood. “I’ll go get dressed.” Gabriel raced toward the stairs.
“I guess I better call my father and tell him we’re coming.” Liberty picked up her cell and tapped her dad’s number.
Straight to voicemail.
“Maybe he’s in the shower,” Miles said. “Call the B and B. Melinda will patch you through to his room.”
Liberty found the number and Melinda answered on the second ring.
“Hi. This is Liberty Blue. I’m trying to reach my father. Harvey Blue.” Liberty’s heart hammered in her chest.
“I’m sorry, but he checked out a half hour ago. I think he was headed to the airport.”
Miles was on his feet. “He came by private jet. I’ll get my mom to stop him. Let’s go.”
“She can do that?”
“She’s the chief of police. At least for two more weeks. She can do anything she wants, within reason.” Miles moved to the bottom of the stairs. “Hurry up, Gabriel. We have to roll, now.”
“You really are my knight in shining armor.”
Miles laughed. “I’m just a grease monkey who has family in high places.”
Liberty’s heart beat so fast it caught in her throat as they pulled into the private airport twenty-five miles from Lighthouse Cove. Her father’s plane, which still had the words,Liberty Gabrielproudly displayed on the side, was parked not far from the runway.
“Well, that’s a bold statement.” Miles took her hand and kissed it. “He never forgot.”
“I still want to hate him,” she mumbled. “Those are just letters on metal.”
“That mean something when said out loud.” He kissed her hand before glancing over his shoulder. “Are you ready?”
“What do I say?” Gabriel asked.
