Page 120 of No More Secrets

“Well, then your father is never going to let me navigate again since we took a very wrong turn and ended up here.”

Carter nudged Summer forward until she hurried down the steps and met her mother for the hug she didn’t know she had been missing.

“I can’t believe you’re here!”

Her mom released her and reached for Carter. “It’s so nice to finally meet you in person, Carter,” she said, wrapping her slim arms around his shoulder.

“I get the feeling you two have been scheming behind my back,” Summer accused.

“The three of us actually,” a booming voice interjected.

“Hi, Dad.” Summer took a tentative step toward the man in the moose sweater.

He opened his arms to her and she flew into them. “There’s my girl,” he said in a voice choked with emotion.

Still larger than life, Phil Lentz seemed softer somehow. The lines of his face were cut a little deeper, his hair a little wispier.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Summer said again, this time sniffling.

Her father set her on her feet. He extended a hand to Carter. “Carter. Thanks for having us.”

Carter shook his hand. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad you could make it.”

Summer slipped out of her dad’s grasp and threw her arms around Carter’s waist. “Thank you,” she whispered against his shirt. His arms came around her and she felt his mouth on the top of her head. Wrapped in the arms of the man she loved, she missed the teary smile her mother shot her father.

“I love seeing you so happy,” Carter whispered in her ear. “I’d give anything in my power to see you smile like this.”

“You’ve already given me everything. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life evening the score.”