Mia closed her eyes in frustration, but managed to school her face into an obedient smile before she turned towards her father.
"Coming, Papa," She called back to him.
"I hope I didn't get you into trouble," Ford fretted under his breath, but Mia brushed him off without responding.
Even if he did get her into trouble, she could handle it… she hoped.
Her father stood gazing up the next level of stairs, his eyes seemingly intentionally averted from where Mia had been lingering with Ford. His attempted nonchalance irked her, but she masked her feelings behind a tight smile.
"Yes, Papa?" She asked gently.
"While there's still a little bit of light left, I thought you and I might scout ahead a shelf or two, to see how the horses might handle things tomorrow," He explained. "A couple of the shelves were a bit of a jump today, and knowing a bit of what we're in for will smooth things a bit, don't you think?"
Parents have a difficult job, and always do it imperfectly. Some more imperfectly than others. Some way worse than others. But, most mean well and are genuinely trying their best.