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“I see Alison told you…” He paused. “What did she tell you?” He wasn’t about to get into more trouble by saying too much.
“She told me everything. That your entire marriage was a fake.”
“It wasn't fake. We were married. You were there. A licensed minister performed the ceremony.”
“You're telling me that my daughter lied. That the two of you didn’t agree to exchange a child for money.” She almost spat the last word. “And now that the baby is here, you’re getting divorced.”
“She didn't lie. That's all true.” There might be a way for him to get Estelle back on his side. “And if she told you that marriage was her idea, that’s true too. Initially, I didn't want to get married…to be married, but that changed. I don't want a divorce. I want to make this real.”
“You do?” She studied him.
“Yes.” He could see where Alison got her intelligence. Estelle was no fool. “I want to make this work. I want a real marriage with your daughter. I want a family.”
“Do you love her?”
His throat tightened, but he forced himself to admit the truth that he’d been avoiding for months, maybe longer. “Yes. I do.”
“Have you told her?”
“She won't believe me. Not right now.”
“No.” Estelle frowned. “I suppose she won't. She's a bit stubborn.”
“A bit is an understatement,” he muttered.
“From what I’ve seen, you’re no better.”
“True.” One side of his mouth lifted in a grin.
“You need to work on that. I don’t want my daughter hurt.”
“I will. I am.” He shrugged. “I’m trying.”
“You truly love her? All of her. Her constant chatter. Her stubbornness. Her determination…to the point of obsession sometimes.”
“I do.” He sighed. “Sometimes she drives me mad, but I love her. Everything about her.”
“Then I’ll help you.” Estelle’s face softened for a moment before she said, “But you’d better not hurt her.”
“I won't. I swear. Never.”
“Oh, you will…off and on.” She waved her hand dismissively. “But I mean really hurt her like cheat on her.”
“That I won’t do. I can be an arrogant ass”—he cleared his throat when her eyes narrowed—“jerk, but I’ve never been a cheater. Ever. When I make a commitment, I stick with it.”
“Then you’re going to need to go home and pack a bag.”
“A bag? What kind of bag and for what?”
“An overnight bag. Actually, make it a bag with a few weeks’ worth of clothes.”
“Why? I’m not leaving.”
“No. You’ll be staying at my house.”
“Your house?” He had not seen that coming.
“Yes. I’d never tell my daughter that she isn’t welcome at her childhood home, but that doesn't mean I can’t invite her husband to stay.”
