Page 60 of Rigid

“There’s more?”

I handed her the small box. “Here.”

She looked at the blue box, and then straightened the silk ribbon. “What is it?”

“One way to find out.”

She carefully removed the bow, and then stared at the Tiffany & Co insignia for a moment. After looking at me, and then P-Nut, she removed the top and peered inside.

Her eyebrows raised. “Oh. My. God.”

She glanced at me, and reached inside the box. “Is it real?”

“Sure is.”

She lifted the ring from the box. “What…why…oh wow. But. What…”

“I figured if you were going to start dating, you should be wearing a ring that made you look like you were spoken for. It’ll scare off the meek, and save both of us a lot of grief.”

“Holy crap. It’s awesome.”

“Put it on.”

She put the ring on her wedding finger, and then let her hand dangle over the table. The ring did nothing but accentuate her beauty.

“I love it,” she said.

“Looks good as fuck,” P-Nut said. “Classy.”

She shot him a scornful look.

He shrugged. “Just slipped out. Sorry.”

She came around the edge of the table and gave me a hug. “Dad, you’re the best.”

I held her in my arms for some time, clinging to that moment. All I could do was hope that she felt the same way after I broke the news to her about Sandy.

Because having her views of me change would certainly crush me.

NINETEEN

Sandy

Nervous wouldn’t come close to describing how I felt. After a long discussion, Smokey decided I should meet Eddie at dinner before he broke the news to her about everything. I couldn’t say that I disagreed with his logic, but my stomach sure seemed to.

My current state of being was emotional. Period. Everything, as far as I was concerned, was a disaster. Hoping that the night unfolded without me bursting into tears for no reason, I pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine.

Their home, a small ranch, was in one of the nicer areas in town. From the outside, it was apparent that Smokey took meticulous care of it. Every tree, plant, and shrub was perfectly groomed, and although most of the homes didn’t have grass lawns, his did, and it was a luscious green color.

I took a deep breath, opened the car door, and stepped into the driveway.

The front door opened.

I met Smokey’s gaze and couldn’t help but smile. He was dressed in jeans, boots, and a stark white tee-shirt, but no kutte.

“I’m coming,” I said.

He stepped onto the porch and grinned. “You look fantastic.”