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“I wanted to speak to you in person, man to man,” Knox said in a calm tone.
Her dad scoffed. “A man doesn’t live recklessly. He takes his responsibilities seriously. And you’re not that man, Mr. Prosper. I might not be able to tell you what to do, or my daughter for that matter, but that’s not going to stop me from still trying.”
Knox ran a hand over his face. “I know I hurt your family,” he said. “I didn’t know the extent until recently, and for that, I’m even more sorry.”
Jana could see the surprise in her dad’s eyes, even though he didn’t react outwardly.
“Jana told me what you agreed to do yesterday about canceling the grant,” Knox continued. “And for that, I’m grateful. I don’t work at Prosperity Ranch right now, but I hope to in the future. Things between me and my family have been on shaky ground for a while, but I’m working hard to repair it.”
Her dad’s brows furrowed. “How does your ex-wife feel about you being back at the ranch?”
Knox didn’t answer for a moment, and the tension in the room seemed to heat up. “I haven’t discussed that with Macie directly, but I’ve spoken to my brother—”
“You mean your ex-wife’s husband,” her dad cut in. “Ha, what a mess.”
“Dad,” Jana cut in next.
He shot her a glare, and she glared right back.
“As I was saying,” Knox said, “Holt and I haven’t always seen eye to eye on things, and that will probably never change, but we both agree that family comes first. That’s our end goal. So what happens at Prosperity Ranch is very much my business, and when I retire from rodeo, I’ll figure out a way to contribute and grow the ranch’s profitability.”
Her dad leaned forward. “You telling me you’re quitting rodeo?”
“Not yet, but it’s not a lifelong career, as you know.”
Lines creased her dad’s forehead. “What about your other responsibilities?”
“Which?”
“Your kid,” her dad said, the hardness back in his tone. “Seems like you think nothing of knocking up girls, then dumping them. It’s a despicable pattern—no better than a dog’s life.”
Jana covered her mouth.
“What happened with Jana and I was a mistake,” Knox said. “Not because we were together, but because we let others do the talking for us. I believed false information and let that make my decisions for me. I want you to know, sir, that Jana was never a mistake. If she’d become pregnant, then I wouldn’t have turned my back on her, or any kid of ours.”
Her dad’s jaw worked, and Jana’s stomach felt like it was about to turn inside out.
“You might be sorry now, Prosper,” her dad said. “But that doesn’t make life all roses and daisies. You’re still a lowlife.”
Jana’s eyes stung with tears, and she had no idea how Knox could sit there and take her dad’s harsh words.
Knox had gone very still, and when he next spoke, it was devoid of any emotion. “You have every right to your own opinion, and I hope to prove you wrong someday.”
“I’m not just talking about my daughter,” her dad said. “You married that Macie woman and then skipped out on her, too. In my opinion, Prosperity Ranch would be better off without the likes of you. Moral character goes a long, long way in my book.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Knox said, a bite in his tone. “And I’m glad it took Natalie to call you out on your own cut corners, so we can all keep our moral characters in line.”
Jana had never seen her dad’s face so red.
“You stay out of my business!” he said in a seething tone. “Stay out of my family, and anything with the Harris name on it!”
Knox stood, and Jana felt sick. He was going to leave. She knew it. Walk out of this house, and right out of her life.
Her dad rose to his feet, too, and if this wasn’t so upsetting, it might be comical. Her dad had put on the pounds over the years, and Knox looked like he was strong enough to wrestle a bear to the ground—or a bull.
“I love your daughter, sir,” Knox said. “I always have. Life took a hard detour for me, and those are regrets I will always have to live with. But if she chooses to be in a relationship with me, then I can promise you and your wife that Jana will always be my priority. She will always come first, no matter what. And I’ll treat her like the amazing and talented woman she is.”
Tears fell down Jana’s cheeks, and she couldn’t take a full breath.
Without waiting for her dad’s reply, Knox turned to her and held out a hand. “Ready, sweetheart?”
Jana felt a rush of emotion swell in her chest. She wiped at her tears, then placed her hand in his. Knox smiled and drew her to her feet.
She faced her dad, and said, “Dad, you’re wrong about Knox. Dead wrong. And I hope that you’ll forgive me and Knox someday. Anger and bitterness is no way to live your life, and I’m speaking from experience.”
Her dad looked down at the ground, not meeting her gaze.
Together, Jana and Knox walked out of the door, hand in hand. Jana hoped her dad would find a way to look beyond past mistakes and stop using them to hurt others. But for now, she had to give him space. If he came around, good. If not, she’d have a new family.
