After sitting down, Pa looks at me and Juan.
“So, let me guess. Jane is oblivious to what you want?”
I swear Juan will be bald by the time we’re forty with the way he tugs at his hair and runs his hands through it when he’s stressed or frustrated. He looks up while nodding his head.
“Yeah, I mean, Jon and I have gone to lunch with her at least three days a week for the past month. We’ve had great conversations with her since I told her we share and are interested in her. I know Rory has asked her on a date in one of his letters. What gives?”
Throwing his head back and laughing at us, Pa takes a minute to calm down and looks at both of us.
“I thought I raised smarter boys than this. Let me ask you somethin’ and then you need to listen to what I say before you say something.”
We both nod and reply, “Yes, sir.”
“From everything I’ve gathered in talking to sweet Jane and from what ya’ll and your Ma have found out, she hasn’t had many relationships. Thanks to some horrible individuals, she doesn’t see herself as the amazing young lady she is. Have either of you come out and said plainly and simply that you want to date her and have a relationship with her, or have you used your flirting and other tricks that usually get women to fall at your feet?”
Looking at Juan, I realize neither of us have actually said the words or asked the question.
“No, we haven’t said that to her, Pa.”
Chuckling at us again, I can tell we’re in for a bit of a story.
“She reminds me a bit of your ma. Back when I first met your ma and knew within moments that she was the one for me, did I ask her out? Fuck no. I flirted, used bad pickup lines, the works. That woman was oblivious. She and Jane are the kind of woman who has to be hit over the head with a two-by-four to get that someone is interested in them. That’s a sign of a quality woman. You see how much Jane does for her clients. Hell, you looked at her SUV and told her it wasn’t worth fixing, but since you took the time and explained everything to her, she brings you treats weekly. She could probably take on more clients and make more money, but she feels the quality of her work would suffer. She makes sure Ma sits and relaxes while she’s here, even if it means she gets here early before she’s on the clock. That’s a woman with a selfless heart and mind. Your ma was shocked when I finally asked her out and admitted I had been interested in her for a long time.”
“Pa, you flirted with everyone. Hell, you still do. How in the hell was I supposed to realize it and that all those ‘darlin’s’ meant something different when you called me that than they did with everyone else? I’ll tell you boys, I can tell that Jane doesn’t see herself as the beautiful young woman she is. Pa is right. You two are smarter than you’re acting. Ask her. Pa, I’m going back to the family room to catch my show. You get these boys in line. I don’t want them to lose out on my future daughter-in-law or I might have to set her up with one of the other brothers.”
Oh, Ma is playing dirty.
“You heard your ma. Go get the woman who we’ve all already begun to love. Your sisters, Ry, and Ma will have your hides if you don’t make her yours.”
“We’ll get on it tonight, Pa. She might make us wait till Rory is home to go forward, but we’ll be direct and specific.”
“Well, I have it on good authority that she plans to spend the evening home alone, baking treats for the barbecue tomorrow. I insisted she come since I couldn’t count on you two gettin’ her there.”
Fuck, how had we forgotten to ask her to that? Pa is right. We have to be straightforward and work to get her.
“Alright, Pa, we’re gonna head over there and talk to her. See if we can get her to understand what we’re wanting. Thanks for the talk.”
“Son, it’s what I’m here for. One thing you will find out someday is that even if your kids are grown, your job as a parent never stops.”
Juan
Seeing Jane’s reaction to Jon kissing her is one of the hottest things I have ever seen. It makes me feel the need to kiss her myself almost insurmountable, but that thought gets interrupted by a car door slamming shut. A few seconds later, Ry pulls up on his bike.
“Sweetheart, what the hell is going on? Who the fuck would leave you some creepy doll?” Nicky asks as he rushes over to Jane and grabs her in a hug.
“I dunno. I barely talk to anyone but y'all and my clients. Vicky is still out of town and I don’t know anyone who knows me who would think I would like a doll. Fuck, even Mom hasn’t ever given me a doll. What are you doing with Ry? I figure that’s how these two found out.”
I can see her wheels turning, and I’m wondering the same thing.
“We ran into each other over at Sooner or Later. We were both in line and talking when you texted me.”
I can tell by the face Jane is making that she isn’t quite believing that story but will confront Nicky later, I’m sure.
“I really think someone got the wrong address or something. I have no idea why someone would leave me something like that. Can we move it so I can go in and check on Tyger?”
“Baby, wait a second. Let’s look to see if there’s anything underneath it and let us check the house before you go in.”
Waiting for the argument I can see is on the tip of her tongue, color me shocked when she just huffs and nods her head. Looking at Nicky, I can tell he was expecting an argument too, and that just tells me this has her more rattled then she’s letting on.
