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“It’s nothing. Just a scratch.” His gaze flickers to me.
My mouth is gaping. Who is this woman?
“Thank the good lord you made it out of there with only that. Roger! They’re here!” Mama hollers.
“I’m aware of that.” I hear Daddy a moment before I see him, hobbling out of the kitchen, his leg still trapped by a walking cast. “I’m a little slower than everyone else, in case you forgot.” His eyes fall on me, and his face splits into a smile that Jed insists is reserved for his daughter and his daughter only.
I dive into his chest, squeezing him tight, inhaling his familiar scent: a mixture of hay and Old Spice, with a hint of tobacco from the occasional cigar.
“What is this?” Mama lifts the floral arrangement to inspect its copper vase.
“Henry picked those out for you.” No need to bring Miles into this conversation. It’s the thought that counts.
She tsks. “Well, we already knew he had impeccable taste, given his choice of future wife. This’ll make a fine centerpiece for our celebratory dinner. Thank you, Henry.” She whisks the flowers away.
I shoot a bewildered look at Henry before whispering to my father, “What have you done with Mama?”
Daddy snickers. “I guess she realized this was a battle she wasn’t gonna win and decided to make the best of things. She’s been like this all week long. Why? Would you prefer the other version?”
“No.” I shake my head in emphasis.
“Didn’t think so.” He limps the few steps to close the distance to Henry and holds out his hand. “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise.” Henry accepts the gesture.
My father’s not a giant, but he’s by no means small—a born-and-bred farmer, several generations in, and strong, with a square jaw and broad shoulders. But the tractor accident took its toll on his physique, softening his muscles and hunching his shoulders. Henry’s only ever seen him when he was in a wheelchair. Now the two men stand face-to-face, shaking hands for a few beats too long, as if taking measure of each other on more even footing.
This must be weird for Henry. He’s only nine years younger than his future father-in-law, who was barely out of high school before he married my mother and they had me.
But I guess it could be equally weird for my father, for the same reason.
The only thing they need to care about, though, is that Henry makes me deliriously happy.
After an awkward pause, they break free.
“A gift for you.” Henry holds up the sleekly wrapped box. “A little something for after dinner. A favorite of mine.”
“That’s mighty kind. You didn’t need to do that, but I look forward to it. Thank you.” He nods, more to himself. “Now, let’s get settled in and say hello to the Enderbeys. They’re excited to see you too.”
“Okay, but before we do that …” Aunt May has been my ally when it comes to Henry, but my father has been getting through to Mama more than anyone lately. I drop my voice to a whisper. “This wedding Mama’s busy planning for us? It’s not what we want, and it has to stop.”
His lips purse. “I warned her she was gettin’ ahead of herself, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“We’re getting married in Wolf Cove, Daddy. Where I worked this summer.”
“That’s … not Pennsylvania.”
“I know, but I need you on my side for this.”
He makes a strangled sound. “Can ya at least wait untilafterwe’ve had a nice meal to break the news to her?”
“I’ll try,” I promise. “You know how she can get though.”
He holds up the black box Henry gave him. “Sounds like I’m gonna need this sooner rather than later.”
* * *
Jed peers at the label. “Sang-ee-o-vees?”
