that beret and all.”

      “Mom, he’s not our little Bradley. Things might not go through. If they do, it may be too l—”

      Lela placed a gentle finger to Amber’s lips. “It’s never too late when God is in the equation. So does this soldier happen to be attractive?”

      “You sound like Celia.” Amber fanned herself with a stack of napkins and stood. “Yes. He’s what I would consider attractive.”

      “Is he a Christian?” Lela motioned Amber down.

      Amber sat. “His faith seems genuine.”

      “Are you interested?” Lela refilled Amber’s tea.

      Glass to her mouth, Amber let the sweet liquid linger on her tongue. No one made sun tea better than her mom. “In friendship.”

      “That’s a good foundation.” Lela smiled behind her glass.

      “Don’t count on it going anywhere.” Amber swirled the ice in her glass. “Is this sugar?”

      “Sweetener. Why just friendship if you were the only one at the school that day with whom he flirted?” Lela’s eyes twinkled with wisdom and motherly mischief.

      The glass in Amber’s hand clunked down a smidgen too hard. “I’m going to throttle Celia.”

      “Oh, spare her life another day. She only told me a little. Plus, we have a Cupid conspiracy.” Lela winked.

      “Is nothing in my life private from you two?”

      “Of course not, dear. What’s the fun in that?”

      Off the stool now, Amber placed her glass on the tray. “On that note, I’m out of here. Give Daddy hugs for me.”

      Lela stood, peering at her watch. “Why don’t you wait five minutes and he’ll be home? I’m sure he’d love his hugs directly from you.”

      “I used to be the family peacemaker. Now it’s you.”

      “I prefer the term moderator. Your dad regrets not being there for you all those years. If life provided second chances, his choices would be different. So would mine. We were young and kids don’t come with instructions in the box.”

      Amber laughed.

      “I regret putting you in the middle. You should have had a carefree childhood, not being a full-time ambassador working peace negotiations between the two people supposed to be taking care of you instead of arguing.”

      Amber shrugged. “You were like a single mom with Dad gone all the time. Which is precisely why I want my future adoptive children to have a dad with a stationary job.”

      She expected her mother to comment, but Lela stood silent. The kind of silent which usually meant she didn’t agree with Amber, but wanted to let her figure it out on her own.

      Her father pulled up. She met him ascending the porch steps.

      “You leaving already?” He set his briefcase down.

      “I have to get to the market before it closes. Psych’s out of tuna and freaking out.”

      He laughed. After visiting several moments, he walked Amber to her car and opened the door for her. He leaned in for a hug. Amber hated that she patted him awkwardly.

      “Be careful. Deer are moving. Hunting weekend has them spooked,” he said as she got in her car. He pushed her door closed. Then he rested his hand on the glass a moment, as though cupping her chin through the transparent barrier the way he used to when she was little before they’d drifted apart emotionally.

      Halfway back to town, Amber rolled her window down.

      “Deer aren’t the only things wigging out, Lord. Not only am I learning how to relate to Dad, Cupid’s henchmen are moving in for the kill where Joel’s concerned. I don’t know whether to flee or fling up a white flag. I’m glad You know what You’re doing, because, though I’m not one to let feelings lead me around by a leash, I sure don’t feel ready for this new season, whatever it brings.”