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After he’d helped her in the car, he took another sensuous kiss from her mouth.
“I’m aware of what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong about me. I’m more human than you know. One more hurdle, then you’re going to find out what it’s like to be loved by a man.”
“Rick? Did I wake you?”
“You know better than that.”
“It’s still early, but this news can’t wait.”
“Then my prayers have been answered.”
“Almost. We’re at the Bismarck airport waiting for a taxi. I’m about to meet Sydney’s parents. Depending on how things go, I’d like her to meet you and Kay. Is your schedule flexible enough for you to drive over from Cannon tomorrow and meet us here for dinner?”
“I’ll fix it so it is.”
“Good. I’ll call you in the morning and let you know the exact time and place.”
“Jarod?”
“Yes?”
“You sound different. The happiness in your voice—” Rick couldn’t go on, he was struggling to stay in control.
Jarod discovered he had to clear his own throat. “Only a happily marrie
d man like you would know how I’m feeling right now.”
The taxi had pulled up to the curb.
“Thanks for being there, Rick.”
He hung up and turned to Sydney who was looking too anxious and frightened on this incredible day of days. “They’ll join us tomorrow evening.”
Taking her arm, he helped her into the back of the cab and shut the door. Sydney gave the driver directions to her parents’ ranch house, then clung to Jarod’s side.
She was trembling again, this time out of pure fear.
As Jarod had learned early in life, for good or bad, the power of family was the greatest force there was. He held her tighter.
Finally she sat up straight. “I—I’d better phone my parents and tell them I’m about to arrive with someone.”
Jarod had wondered when she’d get around to it. It worried him she’d taken this long to find the courage.
“This is wonderful, honey. Your mom was just saying how upset she was that you wouldn’t be here for the holiday. She’s going to be thrilled when she comes back from the store and finds you here.”
“Dad?” Sydney’s voice caught. “Before we hang up you need to know I’m bringing someone with me.”
“One of your girlfriends from the Park?”
She gripped her cell phone tighter. “No. It’s a man.”
Silence greeted her ears before he said, “Well, this is news.”
Oh Dad— If you only knew—
The dynamics in the Taylor household didn’t work the same way they did in some families. Inviting a man home to dinner, let alone to be an overnight guest, meant something of extraordinary significance had happened.
Sydney knew instinctively you didn’t take that final step unless you wanted the family to assume this was the man you were going to marry.
