Lakeside Sweethearts. Lisa Jordan

cabin.”

      “He moved out?”

      Ian shrugged. “He didn’t come home last night.”

      “So that’s why he didn’t come today?” She stood and moved next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Ian. What does Pete have against Agape House?”

      “He had a rough childhood with alcoholic parents. He used to preach to us about the dangers of alcohol. After Zoe’s arrest, Dad hasn’t been the same. He resigned from the city council, stepped down from the church board and holes up in his office. He refuses to visit her in prison.”

      “But she’s his daughter.”

      He rolled up his pant legs and dropped his feet in the water. He sucked in a breath at the shock of cold against his warm feet. “Try telling him that. He’s acting like a jerk. Mom’s upset. Griff keeps asking questions we can’t answer.”

      “What does your mama want to do?”

      “Keep her marriage together and bring her daughter home. Dad’s demanding the impossible.”

      “Well, we need to talk some sense into him.” Red slipped off her sandals and sat next to him, dipping her toes in the water.

      “We?” He loved the way she teamed with him, but this was his family’s problem. She had her own issues to work out.

      “I have a stake in this now, too, you know.” She bumped her shoulder against his.

      Right, the cottage.

      The sunlight dripped across the top of her head, catching the ginger glints in her hair and shading her face. She appeared to be sixteen instead of thirty-six.

      His thoughts drifted back a couple of decades and remembered their almost daily talks on the docks. Seemed that no matter what the problem was, they could work it out sitting here with their feet in the water. If only things could be resolved as simply now.

      He reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers, squeezing gently. “This is not your problem, Red.”

      She lifted their joined hands and kissed his knuckles before releasing her fingers. “Your daddy will come around.”

      He loved the feel of her lips against his skin. He’d take the knuckle kiss for now, but one of these days he hoped for the chance to feel her lips on his. And not in the name of friendship either.

      “How about if I pay Pete a visit and see if I can talk to him?”

      He scowled at her. The woman didn’t listen. “No, Red. You’re not fighting my battles.”

      “Don’t be a fool, Ian.” She dipped her hand in the water and flicked his face. “Maybe Pete just needed to be reminded about the power of second chances.”

      Ian jerked as the icy drops landed on his hot skin. He wiped his eyes with the hem of his shirt. “How can restoring my family be pulling us apart?”

      Agnes lifted her feet out of the water and stood. She brushed off the back of her dress, then reached for her sandals. “Like you said yesterday—sometimes it takes peeling away the layers to find the promise for the future.”