Impulsion (Station 32 #1)(92)

Wyatt lifted a brow, still not comprehending that he had just asked this man to marry Harley and was almost positive that he gave his blessing.

“You see, there is this rumor going around that this big party that is costing a small fortune is not only my birthday, but the day I will announce my greatest accomplishment’s engagement to a fine and upstanding man that will honor my bloodline, my wealth, my everything.”

Wyatt felt himself go rigid but did his best to hide that. Did Harley know that? Was this another reason she didn’t ask him to come? Wyatt counted way past the number three as he told himself to calm down, that she had her reasons, that even if her mother had plotted something, both Harley and Collin had told him that whatever this was between them was ending this weekend.

One of the main things Wyatt promised himself as he flew there was not to spoil whatever Harley had set up with Collin. He knew they had planned to tell the man they had been apart for almost a year, and Garrison knew Harley had been at his farm for over three months. So as far as Wyatt could assume, telling this man he loved his daughter would bring no harm or foul. Now he didn’t know what to think.

Was he expecting him and Collin to go head-to-head over his daughter? Did he want some huge scandal? That blew his mind, too. Harley had fought too hard to avoid such a thing.

“Am I going to announce an engagement?” Garrison asked.

“Harley doesn’t know I’m here.”

“They do say surprises are romantic.”

“Mr. Tatum, I plan to marry your daughter, of that there is no question. But I came here to tell you I loved her, that I would always take care of her. I know you’re unwell, and I didn’t want to lose that opportunity.”

“Which is telling me that you will marry her.”

Wyatt tilted his head to the side.

“You know, I was the one that called your mother the first instant Harley showed interest in the equestrian world.”

Wyatt didn’t know that. All he remembered before Harley was the stress of getting ready for her arrival.

“The first time I saw Harley ride, how it lit her eyes on fire, I knew who I wanted to train her. I just needed Harley to tell me that this was more than a hobby to her.”

“You knew of my family?”

“I knew of your mother’s, the Ellingtons. My mother was a fan of the work your grandmother did with the humane society. I even visited your mother’s farm. She was just a girl the last time I’d seen her before the day I met you for the first time.”

“Passion for all animals comes from both sides of my family.” Wyatt was a Doran to his core, his father made over, but he still respected his mother’s side of the family, what he knew of them. They passed away not long after Ava was born.

“And the Dorans to this day still take on rescue animals, still contribute to the community, at some points in time have even provided for other farms.”

All that he was saying, Wyatt knew, but it was something his family never spoke about in the manner Garrison was using; it was just part of life. Someone needed help, they helped.

Wyatt offered him an agreeing nod.

“My mother’s last will and testament was rich with detail. She had collected pieces from across the world, not to mention the revenue and homes. One piece she was adamant about. The very last conversation I had with her was about this piece.”

Wyatt was starting to think that in old age Garrison had picked up the habit of not tracking a conversation. What was he trying to tell him?

“She wanted this piece to go to a soul that would honor my family bloodline. I had no heir at the time.” Garrison laughed. “I don’t think she ever thought I’d have one. If no heir came from me, or if I found that heir unfit in any way, the piece was go to the Ellingtons’ charity, which turned into the Dorans’ over time.”

Wyatt raised his brow. There was more than one charity that his family oversaw. In fact, every month ten percent of the farm’s profits went into them. It was also the reserve used to help out the struggling farms that Garrison had mentioned.

The idea that there was any connection or relationship between his and Harley’s family, long before they were born, was blowing his mind.

“I love irony. It has always been my marker in life, letting me know that yes, I did make a wise choice.” He pulled a box from his pocket, and when he opened it, Wyatt saw the largest diamond he had ever seen in his life, a canary diamond at that.

“I imagine my mother smiling down on me, on my cleverness, on the fact that there is a good chance that I not only gave this ring to a soul that would honor my bloodline, but also a member of the Doran family. It seems no matter what the circumstance, this ring will be a part of the Dorans. Whether it’s on my daughter’s hand or in your charity’s bank account, I cannot control.”

“You want me to give this to Harley?” Wyatt asked, only because it was hard to hear the man over his thundering heart.

“You asked me to marry my daughter, told me you would love her for the rest of your life. In your non-blunt way, you asked for my blessing. I’m telling you that if you propose tomorrow with this ring and she says yes, you have my blessing.”

“Tomorrow,” Wyatt repeated.

“Of course, you can’t propose tonight. She’s with Collin. You might as well stay here tonight, though. There is supposed to be some lunch with an inner circle before this party tomorrow. It’s best to propose around close friends and family. I fear if you leave, with this insane security something might foul up the way I see this in my mind.”