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Chapter One

Faith

It feels like my suitcase has barely touched the floor before ain

“But I just got horaduate

“I know, darlin’, but this conference… I just can’t get out of it,” My Dad saysat me with his soft, kind eyes

“It’s only for a day or two, then I’ll be back and we can pick up right where we left off this afternoon, how about it?” he asks with infectious enthusiasm

I can’t stay mad at the man, he’s like a saint

Next closest, he’s the county preacher

Whenever the topic of parents caue without deliberately lying

I just told folks my Dad was a consultant Not that I’e with ‘Preacher’s daughter’ hanging around my neck?

It didn’t o for thick girls after all

Not at that college anyway

“Do you need me to drive you so forward to being alone in the house

“I got a car pickingI’oodbye which I have to admit, is unlike my Dad

“It’s soet out of,” he insists as I suck in a breath and turn on

Toand it’s not even the hottest part of the day yet

I grew up down south, I know the weather here this time of year The trouble is I’m just not used to it anymore

“Dammit!” I yell once my hand hits the solid A/C unit in the thick timber frame of my bedroom

“Language!” Dad calls out, followed by his heavy steps before he’s in my doorway

“I did apologize, honey, there’s no need to curse and there’s no need to hurt yourself either I called a guy about the air-con He’ll be here toain

I slu to staybad situations better, just by being there for me

“But what about today, tonight?” I add Whining now, surprised at how irl instead of a grown up

“Shoot!” My Dadat his watch “Uh, you’ll just have to use a fan or sleep in the living roo ready to leave