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Sydney had no idea these were his feelings.
“The last thing I want to do is take her away from her family and people she’s known for a lifetime. What I’d really like to do is buy some property around here and build a house for us.”
“You’re kidding—”
His head swerved toward her. There was fire in his eye.
“You’re not kidding—” she muttered in shock.
“Not at all.”
“But how would you earn a living?”
“I’ve got it all planned…”
CHAPTER SIX
SYDNEY SHOOK her head. “You’re not making sense.”
“If my counseling project doesn’t work out, I have another plan. About five years ago I purchased a tract of land for the parish and rallied some of the men so we could grow garlic bulbs. From the revenue produced, we were able to build a new gym for the youth center.”
“Garlic you say?” her father interjected, reminding Sydney her parents were still in the room. Obviously Jarod had captured his interest.
“Yes. The hearty kind to withstand the low winter temperatures here. It was an experiment that became successful.”
“I didn’t know that,” Sydney broke in.
The corner of Jarod’s sensual mouth lifted in a subtle smile that turned her heart over. “There are a lot of things we don’t know about each other, but we will. And one thing is certain, taking you away from your parents won’t make any of us happy. I’m living proof that an ugly, estranged family situation can result in devastating consequences.”
“That’s very true,” her mother concurred, but it sounded too self-righteous to Sydney’s ears.
Oh, Mom. Why can’t you unbend?
He turned to them again. “Because I was a priest, there’s every chance that someone is going to recognize me and either remain friends, or as you suggested, turn their back on me. But that could happen anywhere since I’m not about to lie concerning my activities after college.
“Being a priest represented the happiest time in my life. As I found out after meeting Sydney, there’s only one thing more to add to that happiness. It’s marriage and children to the woman I love.
“I haven’t left the Church. There will be times when I go to worship just as you go to your church to do the same thing. Whether Sydney accompanies me or not is strictly her choice. If and when children come to our marriage, I want them to attend church. It doesn’t matter which one.
“In my years of counseling couples, I’ve learned that two parents who take their children to the same church provide a solid base that builds confidence and security. Sydney and I will have to agree on that. If she wants to raise her children in your local church I’ll attend with her, and still go to my own privately.
“But in order to get our marriage off to the very best start, I was hoping we could be married in your home, surrounded by your extended family and friends.”
It’ll never happen, Jarod. Not in a hundred years.
“I’ll invite my family of course, but it’s anyone’s guess if they’ll come.”
“Why is that?” her mother asked after exchanging a silent glance with Sydney’s father.
“Because my becoming a priest was something they couldn’t comprehend or condone any more than you do. My mother still sends me a card on birthdays and at Christmas. My brother and sister phone occasionally.”
Sydney slid off the couch. “What about your father?”
“I write my parents every month, but he’s never written back. I haven’t heard from him in ten years.”
A pained cry poured from Sydney’s throat. “That’s horrible.”
Shadows darkened his eyes. “It’s been my reality. But I don’t want it to be yours.”
