Seaside Reunion by Irene Hannon

say that? I still love Mark.”
    “And you always will. That doesn’t mean you can’t love someone else, too.”
    The microwave pinged, giving Lindsey a few seconds to try and regroup as her father retrieved his coffee.
    “You’re feeling guilty about being disloyal to Mark, aren’t you?”
    She stifled a sigh. How had they gotten into this conversation, anyway?
    “Dad…” She leaned toward him, tightening her grip on her mug as he sat. “I haven’t seen Nate in twenty-five years. He’ll be gone in a week or two. It’s a moot point.”
    “No, it’s not. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, long before Nate came back to town. You’re too young to spend the rest of your life alone, Lindy. You should be sharing a house with a husband, not a father. Raising a family. Living. Loving. Mark was a wonderful man. One of the most unselfish people I ever met. And because he was unselfish, I know he wouldn’t want you to waste your life grieving. So for the past year, I’ve been asking the good Lord to bring a new man into your life. Then along comes Nate. Your old friend. Seems more than coincidence to me.”
    Lindsey stared at him. “You’ve been praying that I find a new man?”
    “It’s a father’s job, especially when a mother’s not there to do it.”
    For a long moment, she studied him. “You never remarried after Mom died.”
    He picked up his mug. “I was a lot older than you are. And I wasn’t alone. I had a wonderful daughter to love.”
    “I’m not alone, either. I have a wonderful father.”
    “Thank you for that.” He lifted his mug in salute. “But it’s not enough. And if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit that.”
    Lindsey took a sip of her cooling tea, the liquid as tepid as her heart had been until Nate had walked back into her life and awakened all sorts of dormant—and troublesome—emotions.
    “I do get lonely sometimes.” No harm admitting that much. “And I still miss Mark every single day.” Especially when she awakened in the predawn hours and recalled how he used to pull her close in a warm, sleepy embrace for a few minutes before he left for an early shift. She’d always hated how his side of the bed cooled after he left.
    Now it was always cold. And empty.
    Like her heart.
    “That’s natural, honey. But so is wanting to have someone to love.”
    She set her mug down and pushed it aside. “Even if I was interested in Nate—and I’m not saying I am—he’s a combat reporter, Dad. That’s a high-risk profession.”
    “Doesn’t mean he’ll always be in a war zone.”
    “Maybe not. But from what he’s told me, he’s been in a lot of other dangerous places, too.” She folded her hands on the table. “No, thanks. Been there, done that.”
    “Life is all about risk, Lindy. You can’t let fear get in the way of living. Matter of fact, as I recall, you used to preach that to Nate. ‘Take a chance, or be scaredy-pants.’ That’s what you used to tell him.”
    Lindsey furrowed her brow. “Did I really say that?”
    “Yep. Has a catchy ring. I guess that’s why it stuck with me.”
    She shrugged. “I’ve learned a thing or two since then. It’s more prudent to be cautious.”
    “No arguments there. Not since this broken hip cramped my style.” He drained his mug and pushed himself to his feet, using the table for leverage. “But I haven’t given up gardening. I’m just a little more careful about where I step. Same’s true with love. And now I’m done playing Dr. Phil for the day.” He gestured to her empty mug. “Want some more tea?”
    “I’m finished, thanks.” When he reached for it, she touched his hand. “And thanks for the advice. I’ll think about what you said.”
    “Good enough. And I’ll keep praying. Join me if you want to.” With a wink, he moved back to the sink.
    She watched him, a rush of affection tightening her throat. He never gave up on his quest to help restore her faith. And thanks to his pushing and