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Ivy’s eyes are doubtful. “I’m not sure I can promise you that.”
That settles deep within me. “I need to go into the office for a bit.”
Ivy looks up at me curiously. “On Christmas Eve?”
“There’s something I need to take care of.”
Andthat’sthe truth.
***
With a heavy heart, I knock on the door of Owen Reynolds townhouse. I pray that he will hear me out.
Cynthia answers the door. The mortified look on her face says it all. It’s going to be a tough crowd. “Mr. Embry, how can I help you?” she asks as she glances worriedly behind her.
I hand her the bottle of wine I brought as a gift. “Cynthia, please call me George. I think we’re beyond that level of formality.”
She nods as she lets me in. “Well, George, how can I help you?”
“You can help me figure out how to make this right.”
“I’m not a miracle worker,” she says as she leads me back to the den where Owen is sitting. “I’m a good cheerleader, though.” Cynthia gives me a conspiratorial wink. “I’m on your side. You being here tells me all I need to know.”
Owen looks up as I enter. “I’m on vacation. Work is not allowed in my house right now. I don’t care if you are the CEO.”
Well, that isn’t the start I was hoping for. “I need to talk to you about Ivy.”
He returns his gaze to the newspaper he was reading. “There isn’t anything to talk about. She made her choice. You. Why aren’t you with her right now?”
I take a seat in the chair opposite him. “Because she is so depressed that she won’t even consider celebrating Christmas without you. She is truly sorry, Mr. Reynolds.”
He looks up at me, his brow furrowing. “Why are you calling me that?”
“Because, at this moment, I am not the CEO of Advent Bank. I am simply the man who loves your niece…daughter. I am here begging for you to reconsider your feelings and give Ivy the chance to explain.”
Owen lowers his newspaper, staring at me directly. “George, what am I supposed to do? She lied to me. She disrespected me. I’ve put a roof over her head all of these years, treated her like my own daughter. Still, she doesthis.”
“Daughters make mistakes, too,” I point out. “Are you saying you would not forgive your own daughter?”
Owen shifts his eyes away from mine. “It isn’t that simple.”
“It isn’t that hard, either,” I point out.
“You need to leave,” Owen grumbles as he returns to his newspaper. “There’s nothing to discuss. Merry Christmas.”
I look from him to Cynthia. “Come have Christmas dinner with us tomorrow. We’ll start at noon. You’re invited. Please don’t let Ivy down. This has been such a special time for us. All we have ever wanted to do was share it with you, but we felt it was best to wait until we were sure where things were going. It was all so new. I’m invested now. I’m dug in. There’s no more waiting for me. I want for Ivy and me to begin our lives together right now.” Pausing, I take a deep breath. “Please celebrate this with us. We can’t be fully happy if you are not a part of it.”
Owen’s expression is hard to read. “Have a Merry Christmas, George. I wish you the best.”
That’s my signal. I turn to leave, and Cynthia walks me out. “I’ll try and talk to him, George.”
I give her a rueful smile. “I doubt it will do any good. I stopped believing in Santa Claus a long time ago.”
