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“It’s not him. Well, not totally. It’s my dad. And your dad, too,” I said.
“I’m confused. My father isn’t alive, so how can he be causing you such stress?” she questioned.
“It’s not me. My dad used to work for your dad a long time ago. Something happened and he quit. Whatever it was, he still hates anyone associated with the Henderson family,” I said.
“Oh. And he found out Colton is a Henderson.” she said. “I’m so sorry. I can only imagine what that was like for you, for Colton, and for your father.”
“It was horrible, Rhonda. Dad screamed at Colton and threw him off the property.”
“What did Colton do?” she asked.
“He…he left. I haven’t seen or heard from him since,” I admitted.
Rhonda hugged me again. “No wonder you’re emotional. The man you love isn’t speaking to you. It must be…hell.”
It is.
“I don’t know what to do. Dad won’t tell me what James did to make him hate all Hendersons. And Colton isn’t speaking to me. I feel like my world is crumbling and there’s nothing I can do but watch it fall apart,” I choked back more tears.
“This is not your fault. And it’s not Colton’s, either. I’m going to say that it probably isn’t your father’s. My father was…a…a horrible person. Even though I never met him, I have heard stories. I’m glad he died before I found my family.”
“But Dad knows James is dead and he still can’t let it go,” I said.
“Have you tried asking him?”
“Many times. I don’t know what else I can do. If I can’t get him to understand that Colton is not James, then I can’t see how Colton and I can ever be together.” I would need to choose between my parents and the man I love. No one should be forced to do that.
“Let me think for a minute,” Rhonda said. “There has to be a way to fix this.”
After a moment, she said, “I know what we need to do.”
“Good. Want to clue me in?” I asked.
“We need your mother’s help. And also Colton’s father’s help,” she said.
“I thought you said he died,” I reminded her.
“No. Not James. He’s the opposite of help. I’m talking about Mr. Marzoni. If we can get your mom and his dad to see that you two love each other and belong together, then I think we can convince your dad to accept Colton, too.”
That sounded like a good plan. “How do you think we’re going to be able to pull that off?”
“We need someone in South Dakota to help us. Got any friends out there?” she asked.
“No, but Colton does. I might be able to persuade his buddy to help us.” Jack had seemed to support our relationship all along, but was he willing to go behind his friend’s back to make this work? There was only one way to find out.
“I’ll call Jack and see if he’ll talk to Mr. Marzoni for me. I just don’t know how we are going to get his dad here without Colton knowing.”
“Only one way to find out. Let’s ask.”
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Jack’s number.
“Hello, this is Detective Morgan.”
“Hi Jack, it’s Annabella and Rhonda, Colton’s sister, on speaker. We wanted to ask you for help.”
“Is this regarding Colton?” he asked.
“Yes. He still hasn’t contacted me and I know he won’t until I get this issue fixed with my dad,” I said.
