My mother was back in bed, probably totally mentally exhausted, just as I was. I needed to check in on her before I went over to Noah’s to thank him for standing up for me. When he’d reached for my hand under the table, I’d grabbed it like a lifeline.

Mom sat up in her bed when she noticed me at the doorway. “I’m so sorry I never told you about the divorce settlement. He assured me he wouldn’t come after that money.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said, rubbing her legs.

“Even if he takes half, there’s still plenty for your schooling. It will be tight, but we can manage. Promise me you won’t let this stop you.”

I nodded. “I have to rethink things. Maybe I’ll take out some loans.”

Her eyes flitted back and forth as she seemed to search for a solution. “I have lots of jewelry from your grandmother. I’ll sell it.”

“I just can’t believe he’s putting us in this position. I never thought he’d do something like this.”

“Your father has always been a selfish man. I’ve tried not to badmouth him too much over the years or taint your view of him…but this doesn’t really surprise me at all.”

“His actions have always proven his selfishness,” I said. “I’d forgiven him for abandoning us. I’m not sure I can forgive him for this, though. It’s one thing to not give us anything. It’s another to take from us.”

“I’m so sorry, honey.”

Picking some lint off her bedspread, I asked, “How long did Noah stay after I went upstairs?”

“He left right after you went to your room.”

I couldn’t blame him. I’d left him alone in the middle of a shit storm.

“I can’t believe how he stood up to Dad.”

“He’s very fond of you.”

“I need to go thank him.”

“Bring him the dessert we never ate. It’s the least we can do.”

I’d love to give him more than that tonight.***Carrying the chocolate cake, I walked carefully over to the boathouse.

As I approached, a flicker of a flame caught my eye; Noah was on the porch smoking a cigar.

When he spotted me, he stood. “Are you okay?”

“I am. Sit. I’m just gonna grab two forks so we can have some cake.” I entered his kitchen and grabbed the utensils.

When I returned, he said, “It’s a no-plates-needed kind of night, huh?”

“Yes.” I spoke with my mouth full. “Have some. Don’t make me feel like a pig.”

“Fine. You twisted my arm.” Noah dug in. “Did he leave?”

“I guess he left shortly after you did. He went back to Massachusetts.”

“Good.”

I stuck my fork in the cake. “Thank you for standing up for me.”

“Please tell me what he pulled isn’t going to deter you.”

“No. It won’t. I don’t care what I have to do. I’ll make it work.”

He stopped eating for a moment. “I hope you don’t take offense to this, but I wanted to kill your father tonight.”

I sighed. “I can relate.” Looking up at the starry sky, I said, “You know, Opal used to ask me how I could forgive him so easily for leaving us. I never could come up with an answer that pleased her. But the truth was, for me, it wasn’t that complicated. He’s my father, and therefore I’ve always loved him—maybe when I shouldn’t have. All I ever wanted was his love and support. He never gave us anything but the bare minimum required by law. That didn’t matter to me, because I just craved his attention. It’s not the money, you know? It’s the message that his wanting to take it sends. It’s the realization that I don’t mean as much to him as I thought I did.” A tear fell from my eye.

Noah reached out and wiped it with his thumb. “He’s a fool. You deserve so much better than that. He doesn’t even know you. That much was clear to me.”

“Well, I never really let him in.”

“Don’t make excuses for him. It’s not your fault. He’s the parent. You’re the child. It’s his responsibility to make you feel safe and loved, and he’s doing a damn shitty job. He doesn’t realize how lucky he is to have you. My father would’ve killed to have a daughter like you.”

I rubbed my eyes and smiled. “Really?”

“Yeah. He ended up with two cruddy sons, but he always wanted a little girl.”

“He can adopt me.” I laughed. “Nah. Then I’d have an awkward crush on my stepbrother. That would be weird.”

He closed his eyes for a moment.

“I’m kidding,” I said. I wasn’t.

Noah dipped his finger in the chocolate frosting and dabbed it on the tip of my nose.

Once again, a point in time with him had become my happiest moment of the day.CHAPTER TWELVE* * *NOAHI was becoming more cognizant of the fact that my time at the lake was limited. The property was officially on the market, and today the very first potential buyers were taking a tour.