Page 294 of Devil’s Disciples

I drew a long breath and spit out the entire sentence as I exhaled. “I want to ask Abby to marry me, and I don’t want to do it without talking to you about it first.”

He pressed his clenched fist into his open palm and rested his chin on top of his hands. “Marry her, huh?”

He took it better than I imagined he would. Relieved that he didn’t give argument, I continued spewing my thoughts. “Yes, Sir. I mean, yes, George. Yes, I want to marry her.”

“Why do you want to marry her?”

“Because I love her.”

“A man doesn’t marry every woman he falls in love with.” He raised both brows. “What makes her special?”

“Everything about her is special.”

“You want to marry her because of everything about her?”

“I want to marry her because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with her. It’s hard to explain, but I know it. Every day. Forever. I can’t imagine life any other way. And, if I know that, truly know it, asking her to marry me is the only way to express to her how I feel. We can wait as long as she wants to get married, but I want to put a ring on her finger. I want to make that commitment to her.”

He looked over his shoulder.

“Lawson!” he yelled. “Turn around the sign and lock the door. We’re closed of the rest of the night.”

“Closed?” Lawson asked.

“Closed,” George said.

“Aye-aye, Top,” Lawson said.

George faced me. “You’re sure about this?”

“Right now? Sitting here? I’m worried about leaving her at home. I want to take care of her. Hell, she’s not even sick, she just feels crappy. And, I can’t think of leaving her alone.” I laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

He pursed his lips and studied me for a few seconds. “So, you’re asking my permission?”

“Kind of. She says she has two fathers, you and her dad. I’m asking you first, and then I’m going to ask you if you know how to get ahold of him.”

He grinned. “She said that?”

“Said what?”

“That she has two dads?”

“She’s said it more than once.”

“I’m glad she looks at me like a dad, because I look at her as a daughter.” He exhaled a heavy breath and looked me in the eyes. “I can’t imagine her being with anyone but you, Porter. I remember the day she came in here telling me she loved you. I was pretty damned happy for both of you. Her wedding day will be a day that I’ll cherish for ever and ever, I can tell you that much. She’s like the daughter I’ll never have. If you’re seeking my blessing, you’ve got it. I’m convinced this can’t be anything but right. ”

“She thinks the world of you,” I said.

“You need help with money for the ring?” he asked.

“Appreciate it, but I’ve got it covered.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“What are your thoughts about kids?” he asked.

I laughed. “Three months ago, I couldn’t imagine a life with kids in it. Now? Hell, it’s always on my mind. I want to have kids with her and give our children the family life that I never had a chance of having. A mother and a father, both at home, both taking part in everything. I lay in bed at night and think about it.”