One White Lie: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book One by Jeannette Winters Page B

just the right thing, and without even knowing it, Lena found herself doing what she said she was not in any way going to do, under any circumstances. Nicholas’s high-pitched laughter echoed through the house. Looks like you haven’t lost your touch, Mom.
    Sitting back again, now more relaxed, she turned to her father again. “I’m glad we came this weekend. Nicholas is enjoying it.”
    “We love having him here and you, too. It has been too long.” Before she could stop him he went right down the guilt-trip path she had avoided the past two days. “I know things were difficult between you and your mother at first, but you have to forgive her for what she said. She may not have handled it correctly, but neither did you.” He patted her hand as he spoke. “You might think you are doing the right thing now, but a boy needs a man around to show him certain things.”
    Like how to leave the toilet seat up? No, thank you. “Dad, I . . . we . . . are doing fine. I can do this. Many women raise children alone now. Having a father is a plus but no longer a requirement.”
    His face looked shocked. “So having me in your life wasn’t all that important to you?”
    Oh shit. Will I ever learn not to put my foot in my mouth? Wrapping her arms around her father, she said not only the words he needed to hear but the ones that reflected what was in her heart. “Dad, you are, and always have been, the most important man in my life.”
    He hugged her gently then pulled away to look into her eyes. “I know, pumpkin. But I am talking about Nicholas. I remember taking you and your brothers out deep-sea fishing early in the morning while your mother stayed home, baking cookies for your school parties. We would spend hours out there. Do you think it was all about fishing for me?”
    Lena sat there quietly. She hadn’t given it much thought. Those were special times they’d spent together, but until he mentioned it, she had thought of it as him with his boys and having to take the one girl with them to ruin it. She always had felt in the way. Was I wrong?
    “It was because I wanted to spend time with you. To watch your eyes light up when you recalled your big catch of the day was better than any fishing trips with my buddies. You might not be ready for him to be in Nicholas’s life right now, but don’t close that door for good. Things change, people change. He might not be ready now to be a father, but if he chooses to one day, don’t shut him out in revenge for his actions from the past. It will only be Nicholas who suffers later.”
    Was it getting easier to hear the same lecture or had the message changed over the years? She had to admit, this one pulled at her heartstrings, where the other times she only got pissed off.
    “Lena, one of these days, you are going to find yourself a fine young man who is going to take my place.” When Lena opened her mouth to correct him, he put his finger up and stopped her. “Whoever this man is who hurt you like he did, you have to let it go. If you don’t you will never have room in that big heart of yours for Mr. Right. He’s out there waiting for you. You just have to let him in.” Her father let out a soft chuckle. “Besides, I have a wedding fund set aside for you, and if you don’t use it, I might have to take a trip around the world with your mother, and you know how much I hate to fly.”
    He and Mom weren’t only a team, but their lives had been much richer because of their sacrifices. Lena knew her father would never use that money for a trip around the world. It had always been family first. Is he right? Is refusing to let go of my anger with Brice holding me back, not allowing me to move forward?
    Her focus had only been on her son. Yes, she was lonely, but dating again scared the hell out of her. Lena had thought about joining a love-match site and had done searches on them a few times. It wasn’t for her. Not that she didn’t believe people could find love