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Brea’s father was silent for so long One-Mile started to sweat. But he forced himself to remain still, regulate his breathing, mute his panic, and meet the man’s direct gaze.
“I know nothing about you, your character, your family, or your faith. How can you expect me to simply hand over my only daughter, whom I love with all my heart, to a stranger?”
One-Mile had thought about this. “I could answer in one of two ways. Strictly being matter of fact? I’m here as a favor to you. I’ll do or say whatever it takes to make Brea my wife. I will never stop, never tire, and never give up. I want a life with love and laughter, compassion, and a reason to come home after what often feels like war. Brea wants that, too. With me. If you make her choose…not to be harsh, but you won’t win. So I’m here apologizing and willing to get down on one knee to ask for her hand. Mostly for her sake. But for yours, too.”
The preacher didn’t like that answer. “And if I refuse, would you take her from me?”
“Do you want her to deny what’s in her heart so she doesn’t leave you?”
His face tightened. “Don’t manipulate me.”
One-Mile held up his hands. “I’m just being honest. The other way of looking at this is, I want to pay you my respects. You’ve raised a remarkable woman. I admire and love Brea with my whole heart. As the man who wants to share her life, it’s my responsibility to ensure she has whatever she needs or desires.” He withdrew his phone, opened to his photos, and set the device in her father’s hands. “I own my home in Lafayette outright. The next ten pictures encompass the exterior and interior. She can redecorate however she wants.”
The man flipped through the pictures with vague consideration but said nothing.
“The next two pictures are screenshots of my bank balance and investment portfolio.”
Reverend Bell kept flipping, his brows rising when he scanned the images that proved his seven-figure worth. “You’ve clearly saved.”
“Virtually everything. I inherited some, and I’ve invested well.”
“She doesn’t care about money.”
One-Mile knew that. “She’s never even asked how much money I have, and I’ve never mentioned it. But I’m offering you proof that I can take care of her for your peace of mind.”
“Materially, you can far better than I have.”
And that obviously didn’t hold much weight with the good preacher. “I also understand Brea well enough to grasp that she values harmony. Cutter and I will have to bury the hatchet. He’s pissed at me for breaking protocol on a mission because I sensed a trap and I was right. But I’ll apologize, swallow my pride, and be the bigger man because I know what he means to her.”
Brea’s father nodded, his expression slightly less guarded. “A great deal. He always has.”
“That brings me to you. If we can’t get along, she’ll never be happy. That’s not something I can live with. So what do you need from me to make sure there’s no wedge between us? Name it. If it’s within my power, it’s yours.”
“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to walk away and let her find someone else?”
“Who does that benefit? Not me. Not Brea. Definitely not our son—”
“Son?” He pressed his lips together. “I didn’t even know she was having a boy.”
That tore Brea’s dad apart, and One-Mile softened. “She wanted to tell me first. We’re thrilled. I hope you can be, too.”
The man sighed. “My grandson will need a positive male role model growing up.”
“My son will need me.” Despite having no one to emulate, One-Mile would do his absolute fucking best to be a good dad. “If you think past your anger, my leaving wouldn’t benefit you in the long run, either. If you managed to guilt Brea into cutting me loose, she’d eventually resent you for it.”
Reverend Bell exhaled deeply and closed his eyes in defeat. “I know.”
At least he was man enough to admit it. “We’d like to start our lives together, sir.”
“Jasper.”
That was a good sign, right? “Jasper, the only thing keeping us apart now is you.”
The man said nothing, but his face told One-Mile he saw the ugly truth for himself. “I’ll bet you’re a real bastard at work.”
He smiled. “So I’m told.”
“If someone had lined up a thousand men and told me that my daughter’s chosen mate was among them, you’re the last one I would have picked.”
“If it’s any consolation, she took me completely by surprise, too.” Since he was finally getting somewhere, One-Mile inched forward on the sofa. “I know we’re not off to a good start. But you and I want the same thing: a happy Brea. Will you work with me?”
Before Jasper could answer, the door crashed open, and Brea ran in, her long brown waves tumbling around her. On autopilot, One-Mile stood. Like every other time he set eyes on her, his heart thumped. But today, emotion clogged his throat. She was almost his. And she looked so beautiful he couldn’t stop staring.
