AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She told me,” Mr. Jackson continued. “She’s too terrified to admit it to herself, but in a slight moment of weakness, she confessed to me.”
Mr. Jackson stood and walked around his desk, sitting on the corner, facing Hammer.
“Now,” he paused. “I know you’re good for her, better for her than anyone else I could imagine, but you know Charlie.”
Hammer chuckled. “Stubborn as ever.”
“Yes,” Mr. Jackson said, smiling. “And fiercely independent.”
Mr. Jackson sighed and looked around the room. “She hates the idea of an average life, being cooped up in a house with a husband and children. You need to show her you can offer her more than that.”
“I absolutely can!” Hammer exclaimed, standing. “I just …” He paused and scoffed, shaking his head. “She never gave me a chance. She never …” His voice trailed off as he rubbed the back of his head.
“Tell her,” her father said firmly.
“Is she home?” Hammer asked nervously.
Mr. Jackson shook his head and walked back to his desk, rummaging through his drawers and pulling out a stack of papers. He handed one to Hammer, who took it suspiciously.
“She’s on a job in the Yinnendel countryside,” Mr. Jackson stated. “She’s working for the government now, a high-end field agent.”
Hammer smiled. “I knew she could do it.” Hammer glanced at Mr. Jackson, who was beaming with happiness.
“Go to her,” Mr. Jackson encouraged Hammer. “Tell her how you feel, that you don’t want to trap her.”
Hammer threw his arms by his side. “She’s not going to see the ring as anything but a trap, sir.”
“She won’t,” Mr. Jackson paused. “If you do it the right way.”
“And what does that look like?” Hammer crossed his arms defensively.
“Tell her it’s not to bind her to you legally. It’s not a symbol of entrapment. It’s a sign of dedication from you to her. A promise to support, love, and accompany her for the rest of your lives. It’s reassurance, not a ball and chain.”
Hammer nodded and looked at the paper again. Mr. Jackson approached him and held out his hand.
“You have my blessing, son,” Mr. Jackson stated with a grin.
Hammer grinned slightly and shook Mr. Jackson’s hand before exiting the office, looking back at Mr. Jackson, who was beaming with happiness as he sat at his desk.
Hammer grinned and left the office, heading to the field he had escaped from before. He memorized the coordinates on the walk and created a flight pattern that would lead him to her. He removed his clothes and shifted, bellowing as he emerged in dragon form. He grabbed his bag of clothes and looked to the sky, then he took off and turned east, soaring over the forest.
The air was colder in the countryside, away from the heat of the city lights and traffic. He scanned the small town of Yinnendel from the air and grinned, aiming to land on the outskirts.
He flapped his wings as he landed on the outer border of the village. He turned to face a guard and felt the determination burst through him as he shifted to human form and put on his clothes.
He approached the guard and nodded respectfully to him. The guard kept his stance strong, unwavering to Hammer’s politeness.
“I need to get into the village,” Hammer stated firmly.
“Identification?” the guard demanded more than requested.
“I don’t have any,” Hammer said with an aggravated exhale. “There is a girl here. Her name is Charlie Jackson, and I …”
“No entry without identification or a request of visitation from a resident.”
Hammer sighed and turned around, running his fingers through his hair. Killing the guard was an option, but if Charlie found out he was murdering guards, his proposal would surely be for nothing.
“Can you at least tell her I’m here then?” Hammer begged, facing the guard.
