Page 127 of To Believe In You
“What you’re doing is no different from letting a good hotel go in. Except your way allows fewer people to enjoy the place and takes your continued involvement. If not for sentimentality, you’d have sold. Jeremy’s offer is the best you’re likely to get.”
She’d hired a local company to oversee the property, so The Captain’s Vista took little continued involvement. And she’d blocked off several weeks during the summer, one for herself, another for Adeline and Erin to join her, another yet to be planned. Dad’s failure to see the difference between memories made in the old house and those created in a big hotel underscored why she wouldn’t take his advice. “I’ve made my choice, but I’m glad you called.”
Matt shot her a questioning look, as if to remind her not to sacrifice honesty—a pillar of their own relationship—even with her father.
“Oh?” Dad must’ve liked what he heard in her tone because his voice brightened.
“You may not like how I manage the estate, but it was Grandma’s choice, and I can’t have you second-guessing me at every turn.” She’d lived too long hoping for his approval, and in recent counseling sessions, she’d been learning about setting boundaries. “I would like our relationship to continue, but we will no longer discuss finances, properties, or the estate. Do you think you can honor that?”
“Your grandfather—”
“—loved Grandma and me very much, and I think he’d be perfectly content to let me find my own way. Can you?”
“If your new boyfriend put you up to this, it’s to get his hands on the family fortune.”
“You’re thinking of my old boyfriend. The new one doesn’t put me up to anything.”
Matt tipped his head in disagreement.
Okay, hehadchallenged her to try a difficult run on the ski slopes last week. The momentary fear had given way to exhilaration as she’d soared down the hill. Thanks to him, she’d begun to suspect she was capable of more than she’d ever known.
“Think about what I’ve said. We can try again in the future.” She disconnected.
Matt let out a low whistle. “Did you just set a boundary? All on your own?”
“Not all on my own.” She’d made the decision based on Matt’s encouragement, not to mention advice from others, counseling, and prayer.
Matt shifted his hand, threading their fingers together. “I’m proud of you.”
And she was proud of him. He’d changed completely from the man she’d known years before. Even since they’d reconnected over the summer, he’d grown, and she suspected he didn’t see how much. He wasn’t afraid of his past anymore. He didn’t refuse himself a seat at the table out of a sense of unworthiness. He didn’t scramble to prove himself.
He simply moved forward in faith, which was exactly what she planned to do.
* * *
Matt had promisedto show his family the tour bus. To hide the surprise—the shiny new dump truck—he parked it so the bus blocked the view of the gift from the office building. Loaded with all the bells and whistles, the truck had taken months to come in. If the dealer had taken three more weeks, he wouldn’t have been able to deliver it before embarking on his first Awestruck tour since returning to the band. But God had mercifully granted this chance at closure.
Matt hopped from the driver’s seat and reached Lina’s door in time to help her down, then held her hand as they circled the bus and started for the building. The noise of the diesel engines—or the massive, black bus out the window—must’ve alerted his family to their arrival. Jade came tearing out and slammed into him with a hug around his waist.
Lina released his hand, allowing him to swing his niece in a circle as the rest of the family caught up—Mom and Dad, followed by Krissy and her husband. Pete was last.
The sky had been overcast all day, but as Matt did introductions between his family and the Awestruck entourage, the sun broke through the haze, adding a yellow glow to the otherwise white and gray landscape.
Jade, on her own feet again, tipped her head back, staring at the sleek, black behemoth.
What had Axel looked like at Jade’s age? He’d missed years, and the pictures Nadia had shared filled in so little. At least the therapist had given the green light to tell Axel about him back in December. Axel hadn’t wanted to talk to him for weeks, but Matt had sent a Christmas gift anyway. A few days later, Axel had called to thank him.
Since then, they’d messaged or spoken every couple of days, and Matt had given him a virtual tour of the bus. The band’s schedule couldn’t take him to Texas soon enough. The day he’d scheduled with his son would go far too quickly, but Matt had prayed about the situation extensively. He’d do his best by his son, and right now, the best he could do seemed to be staying in touch and occasionally visiting.
Jade tilted her head with skepticism. “That doesn’t look like the bus I ride.”
“That’s because we stay on it a lot longer than a trip to school and back. This one’s more like Grandma and Grandpa’s RV.”
“Doesn’t look like that, either.”
Chuckling, Matt led the way to the door. “I’d better just show you.”
From his post in the driver’s seat, Jimmy V, who’d been driving for Awestruck for years, offered a wave as they entered.
