Page 94 of The Addendum

She sighed. “Yes. She came to see me the other night. I thought we’d bond over our dislike of Ashley, but she defended her. Told me I was being the troublemaker, not Ashley. She said Ashley was a great person and I needed to get my head out of my ass and stop being so selfish.”

I had no idea my daughters had been fighting.

“Sounds unpleasant.”

“It got heated. I called her disloyal, and she called me a bitch. We were practically spitting in each other’s faces before Jaxson stepped in.”

“What did he do?”

“He told Heather if she called me a name again, he’d have to ask her to leave. She told him he was an overprotective windbag who needed to shut up and stay out of it.”

I tried not to smile, but I couldn’t help it. “I don’t imagine Jaxson liked that.”

“No. He was shocked. Then she said he was worse than you and she didn’t mean it as a compliment. I told her to get out.”

“Please tell me she stayed and you made up.”

“We will.”

“Don’t let my past pull you and your sister apart. You need to make up. That’s an order.”

She lifted one eyebrow. “Pulling rank again, Dad?”

“Yes.” I took her hand. “Gracie, Heather knows Ashley already—they were on the way to becoming good friends. She liked her before she knew there was a family connection. Luc adores her. Despite our hostile meetings, I think she is incredibly intelligent and independent. What happened isn’t her fault either. She didn’t ask to be born.”

“I know.” She swallowed. “What do you want me to do, Dad?”

“I’m not asking you to throw her a welcome to the family party. I’m asking you to keep an open mind. To stop being mad and talk to me. Talk to your mother. Maybe one day talk to Ashley. She will never replace you in my eyes or your siblings. But she doesn’t have to be the enemy either.” I sighed. “She’s angry with me too. I don’t know if there will ever come a time she wants to be involved with us as a family. If she’ll ever be comfortable around me, accept me as her father. Or if she’ll always treat me as the enemy.”

“She’s lucky to have you as her dad.”

I smiled sadly at her words. “She doesn’t think so. She hates me for the truth as she believes it. I can’t fight a dead woman. I can’t change the past. I only hope once she gets over her anger, we can move forward.” I squeezed her fingers. “I think she’d discover she has the best siblings in the world.”

“And the best dad.”

“You think so, Gracie?”

“I’m sorry,” she offered. “I can’t excuse my behavior, but I’m sorry, Dad.”

“So, you’re not mad anymore?”

“No. I need to work through my feelings about Ashley, but I’m not mad.” She paused. “I’m sorry about what I said to you, Daddy. I didn’t mean it.”

I lifted her hand and kissed it. “Forgiven. Just promise me you’ll come over again. Spend time with us.”

“Yes.”

“And make up with Heather.”

“I’ll go see her now.”

“I’ll save you the trouble.” Heather’s voice came from behind me. She stood on the rocky shore, looking at us, her hands jammed into the pockets of her jacket. She looked sad and worried.

“I’m sorry, Gracie,” she said.

Gracie pushed off the rock and hurried to her sister. She flung her arms around Heather, and the two of them began to talk in low voices. I stood and brushed off my jeans and walked to them. I pressed a kiss to each of their heads.

“You talk then come to the house. Mom will have coffee, and we can all just fucking relax for a while, okay?”