“Um . . .” I stop and frown.
“We do get news out here, you know.” Each sentence comes with added bite to his tone.
“I . . . um . . .”
Where the fuck are my words? And then it dawns on me. They might not have been here to greet us, but it’s obvious they don’t miss a thing.
This whole charade is a test, except I don’t think Ruby realizes either. She’s always genuinely believed they don’t give a shit.
“So it would seem,” I reply, eventually. “Didn’t think to inform Ruby?”
He ignores me. Instead, he wipes the oil off his hands before tossing the cloth on a nearby bench. “Tell me, do you love my daughter?”
“Yes, sir?—”
“Why?”
It’s the easiest question. “Because she’s determined, funny, and stubborn. She has a huge, generous heart. She loves fiercely. She’s kind to animals. And she’s beautiful,” I add.
He nods. “Determined. Gets that from me, you know. Ever since she was a little girl, I wasdeterminedshe was destined for better things.”
My jaw clenches as I take in his words. I’m not fully understanding what he’s trying to say because what sort of fucked-up parenting is this?
“You said yourself, Ruby’s stubborn with a big heart. If she thought she needed to stay here to help her mom and me on the farm, she would have. Instead, she’s doing what she loves . . .” He nods at me. “And traveling the world at the same time. That was quite the win you had the other day, boring-ass game, though. You played better in Gloucester.”
I’m astounded. Literally astounded, and fucking mad—I don’t even smile when he pronounces itGLOW-sester.If I’m not mistaken, he’s followed Ruby’s career since she left here and never bothered telling her. He’s watched our matches enough he can critique them.
“She taught herself, you know, on a couple of the farm horses here. She used to sneak out early in the morning before school and all weekend. If I ever wanted to find her, she’d be in the fields setting up obstacles. I couldn’t let her grow up here with talent like that?—”
“Ruby’s gone through her whole life thinking you don’t give a shit about her.”
He shakes his head. “She knows better than that.”
“No, she fucking doesn’t. And it’s fucked up you’d let her think that,” I snarl. I’m so angry, I should have left the combine engine switched on. “Your daughter is smart, funny, beautiful. It’s a privilege to have her in your life, and you’ve fucking wasted twenty-five years?—”
“I like you.” He grins at me.
“What?”
“I like you.”
“The feeling isn’t fucking mutual,” I grunt as he swings an arm around my shoulder. “You’d better tell Ruby now, or we’re leaving.”
“C’mon, let’s get a beer.” He chuckles.
Shrugging his arm off me, I walk side by side, seething with each step. As soon as we’re in sight of the house, Ruby comes running out of the front door, like she was watching out for us. From the look on her face, it’s clear she knows they know.
“Hi, Daddy,” she says, stopping in front of him.
Today’s full of surprises because just like her mum, he pulls her into a hug and drops a kiss on her head. “I’m proud of you, honey. You did good. Just in case you didn’t know that already.”
She steps back, frowning. She looks at me, then back at her dad. “Are you okay?”
“I’m dandy. Just enjoyed visiting with my new son-in-law.” He slaps me so hard on the back, I jerk forward.
Ruby groans, her eyes flicking to me again. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, it was spur of the moment . . . but we want to talk to you and Mom about a real wedding.”
Her father doesn’t see the pleading look she shoots my way, and if he hears the panic in her voice, he doesn’t give anything away. I have to hold in a smile because I’m still trying to be pissed at him.
