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“Hi, this is Shanda’s mother, Paula. You don’t know me, but I wanted to—”
“Did something happen to Shanda? Is she okay?” he asked in fear that she’d been injured. It’d explain why he hadn’t heard back from her.
“She’s fine.”
Thank God.He couldn’t handle it if something happened to her. “Good. Is there something I can do for you, Mrs. Morris?”
“Yes. You can call me Paula and you can come to dinner tonight.”
He looked at the clock and it was already after five. Driving from Boston at rush hour wasn’t an easy or fast drive. “Paula, I’d love to but I don’t live close by.”
“I’m aware of that. We were thinking maybe eight. I know it’s late so if that time is inconvenient we can do it another time,” Paula said.
“That time is perfect. If you don’t mind, all I need is your address,” Kenneth said. He jotted it down, and then asked, “Is there anything you would like me to bring?”
“Just your appetite. We look forward to meeting you tonight,” Paula said before ending the call.
Shanda said she would get him back. He didn’t think it was going to be this quick, but at least he was going to get to see her tonight. That’s all that mattered to him.
As Kenneth expected, the traffic was fucking horrendous. Not only was it rush hour, but there was a rollover on the Pike and road construction on Route 95. He arrived on time, but barely. When he pulled up the long driveway, he was surprised not to see Shanda’s van parked there already. Should he call and check on her? Maybe her parents had picked her up and he’d be the one driving her home.
It didn’t matter, because the screen door on the porch opened and a woman stepped out waving for him to come inside. He shut off the car and did as she asked.
“I’m glad you found it. I was getting worried,” Paula said.
He wasn’t late, yet he was cutting it close. “Traffic was heavier than I anticipated. Has Shanda arrived already?”
Paula smiled and said, “No. She wasn’t invited. We wanted to speak to you alone.”
Fuck. Not the night he’d expected. Maybe the one he deserved. No matter how dinner went, it had to be better than at his parents’ house. Once inside, he was greeted by her father, who shook his hand.
“I’m Roger, Shanda’s dad. I’m glad you agreed to come and talk to us.” Paula snickered and Roger asked, “Paula, you did tell him why he’s here, right?” Paula shook her head and Roger glared at her. “We’ll talk about this later.”
Kenneth didn’t want them to argue on his behalf. Whether he was here to get his ass chewed out for hurting their daughter, or just to explain what his intentions were, Kenneth wasn’t going anywhere.
“I would’ve come no matter what. I know how much Shanda means to you both. It’s time I tell you what she means to me,” he said.
Roger raised a brow and said, “Kenneth Heart right?” He nodded and said, “I think we’ll let you start the conversation and we’ll do the listening.”
Paula added, “We can do all that over dinner. I have a roasted chicken and potatoes that are going to get cold.”
As they sat and ate, Kenneth knew Roger was waiting for him to start. He just didn’t know where that should be. Without speaking to Shanda, there was so much he didn’t know.
“As you know, I’ve been seeing your daughter lately. She’s an…amazing woman. I believe we have a lot in common. Unfortunately, there are also things that we don’t share.”
“Like what exactly?” Roger asked.
“I’m from a family that is…focused solely on business.”
“Solely? What about family and children?” Roger asked.
“I don’t have either.” Yet.
“And do you love my daughter?” he asked.
That was the one thing he had no answer for. And even if he did, it would be Shanda who heard it first. “Our relationship is still in the early stages, but I do care very much about her.” That was honest and from his heart. But Kenneth knew it was more than just care.
Paula said, “I do have a question. You seemed shocked that Shanda wasn’t here. Why is that? Didn’t you tell her you were coming?”
