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Dad’s eyes glint knowingly, and he nods. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.”
I’m about to ask what they need to talk about, but mom gives me a meaningful look, clearly wanting me to let events take their course.
I sit back, wringing my hands in my lap, as Bennet and dad leave the room.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Bennet
“I’m surprised you haven’t hit me,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
Rick grins tightly, as he looks over my yard, his breath frosting in front of him in the late autumn air, hinting at a cold winter. “If I thought I had a chance, I’d floor you right here.”
I snort. “We both know you could. I’ve seen you fight, remember.”
He laughs. “Those MMA sessions overseas. I guess I tried to block them from my memory. Remember how Jenkins used to kick our asses?”
“At the start,” I say, remembering fondly. “But we’re quick learners.”
We pause and watch as a bird lands at the edge of the yard, chirping.
“I need to ask for Rory’s hand in marriage,” I say as the bird takes flight.
Rick nods shortly. “I thought you might. You almost said it back there, didn’t you? That you love her?”
“I do love her, Rick.”
I try to keep my voice calm, trying not to frighten him with the force of the emotions I feel for his daughter. But when I turn to him, I’m shocked to find that he’s smiling broadly, even if it has a shaky disbelieving quality to it.
“This is all so insane,” he says.
“Tell me about it,” I mutter dryly.
“But the craziest part is, I’m happy for you. I’ve been trying to fight it ever since Sam told me what Lorelei had said. I’ve been trying to be angry, because, shit, I’d convinced myself Lorelei had just filled her head with silly ideas. You know how young people are.”
“Rory isn’t like that,” I say softly.
It isn’t my place to educate him about his daughter, but I feel like I have to say something.
“I know,” Rick says. “I see that now. I’ve never seen either of you like this before.”
I wait for him to give me his answer, knowing he’ll get there in his own time, even as I itch to charge into the house and fall to one knee. All my proposal plans seem meaningless now, with the emotion swelling inside of me, making me want to beat my chest and roar from a mountaintop that Rory is mine and always will be.
Finally, he says, “You have my blessing, Bennet. I know you’ll be the best husband she could ever hope for. But it’s going to be damn strange, calling you my son-in-law.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I get that. Maybe just stick to Bennet?”
Rick turns to me, looking me steadily in the eye. “You shouldn’t have gone behind my back…”
“I know, Rick.”
“But weirdly, part of me is glad you did.”
My eyes widen, his words shocking me into silence.
Rick goes on. “If you had told me about almost kissing at her party, I would’ve killed it before it even started. You two never would’ve bonded, and I never would’ve seen that love back there. Because that’s what it is. Love. I tried to ignore it when I arrived. But I can’t, not now. She loves you, Bennet—”
“I hope so.”
Rick shakes his head firmly. “She loves you as much as you love her. When you almost said it back there, you weren’t looking at her. But I was. I’ve never seen her want anything more. Even when she talks about getting a publishing contract, she doesn’t look like that. She loves you. She needs you.”
I let his words bolster me, nodding gruffly. “Then I’m going to ask her.”
“Now?” Rick’s eyebrows shoot up.
“I have to. I can’t wait anymore. I need to let her know how badly I want to be with her, forever. I need her to know as soon as I can. I waited a year. I’m done waiting.”
“I understand.”
Rick offers me his hand, and I smile and reach down, taking it. We shake, and then he pulls me into a hug. I hug him back, quickly, patting him on the back. He pats my back and then we separate, both of us grinning.
“Wish me luck,” I say, walking toward the house.
“You don’t need it.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Rory
Bennet holds my hand tightly, as he leads me down the yard to the very end, standing beneath a tall tree with sprawling leafless branches. It’s beautiful and old looking, reminding me of mine and Bennet’s love, something which transcends time.
When Bennet and dad left, mom and I had a good cry together, happy tears as I thought about what had just happened.
Dad approves. Sure, I can tell it’s going to take him some time to get used to the idea of us. But he approves, and that’s all that matters.
