Blissed (Misfit Brides #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

double-checked her work since Christmas, said he trusted her, but sooner or later, she needed to tell him the truth.
    That she was failing Mom—and him—one more time.
    Another round of titters erupted out in the shop. “I like the sparkly one!” Noah said.
    Nat’s breath caught. She’d let him down too. She started to stand. “I should rescue the customers.”
    “Let the girls watch him a minute.” Dad reached over to push the door mostly closed. His eyes took on a glossy sheen. “Been thinking a lot about the shop lately. ’Bout the future.”
    Natalie’s chest squeezed and her legs gave a shudder. She gripped the seat of the folding chair that served as the desk chair and lowered herself back into it, slowly licking her lips. She’d known this was coming.
    But did it have to come today? “Yeah?”
    “Really become obvious lately I can’t do this forever.” His self-deprecating chuckle boomed louder in Natalie’s ears than it should’ve. “Guess I haven’t been doing it anyway the last few months. Probably longer, but I suppose you’ve figured that out.”
    “Dad—”
    “No, no, it’s the truth. But you’ve impressed me. Made this a whole lot easier, to be honest. Your mother was always proud of both you girls, but she’d be glowing to see what you’ve done since she’s been gone.” His voice cracked. He pulled his glasses off and wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his shirt.
    It was hard enough to breathe past the lump in her throat, but Natalie’s heart was stuck somewhere between swelling and twisting, adding an extra pressure in her chest. 
    She hadn’t done anything near as well as she’d let him think she had. And he had a point. If they were selling, they needed to do it now, while the shop was still worth something.
    How would she keep the Games afloat then? “Dad, it’s okay. I know.”
    “It’s not just the shop.” He was still talking to the floor. “I know it’s not easy on the committee, but you’ve shown them all that you belong here despite your circumstances. I’m proud of you, honey. Real proud of you.”
    He was proud of her for being a fraud. She didn’t fit in on The Aisle. She didn’t fit in with the Knot Fest committee. She pretended she did for him. So he wouldn’t worry over her. So he wouldn’t worry over the Games. So he wouldn’t worry over the boutique.
    Dad drew a shuddery breath. “And that’s why I want you to have the shop.”
    Natalie bolted so straight her neck popped. “I—you— what? ”
    No. No. He wouldn’t be this cruel. He wouldn’t offer her the one thing she couldn’t keep. Not today.
    She’d failed her parents enough already. She wouldn’t run her mother’s boutique into bankruptcy too. Not when they could sell it while it was still worth something.
    He gave her a sideways glance. “After all you’ve done the last few months, I know it’s what your mother would’ve wanted. Fourth generation in the family boutique business. You’ve earned it, honey. Figure it’s about time I get out of your way.”
    The room was shrinking. It was shrinking, and it felt like someone had taken blowtorches to Natalie’s ears. “ Now? ”
    He gave the floor a halfhearted smile. “I know. Should’ve done it months ago. Truth is, I wasn’t ready to face retirement. Thought I’d have your mother here with me when the time came. Everything we thought we’d do—” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. What matters is, the boutique is yours.”
    “But—”
    “Now, don’t worry about Lindsey. I’m heading over to talk to her tomorrow. See who she’d recommend to draw up the paperwork.”
    Worry about Lindsey? Natalie was stuck on the part where Dad thought she could own the shop. His delusions were sweet, but they couldn’t fix Bliss, and they couldn’t magically keep the shop profitable.
    Not as long as Marilyn Elias ran the town. “Dad, listen—”
    “Lindsey’s a logical kind of gal. Got her own thing, doesn’t want the