Loving Her (Mitchell Family #9)(72)

I looked over at my dad, who put down the camera and wondered what I was stalling for. I folded the piece of paper and decided to wing it.

“Before I came out here today to give this speech, my dad pulled me to the side and told me to picture all of you naked, so excuse me for the moment of silence.”

More people began to laugh and my dad winked.

“Look, whether you leave here today and get knocked up, or knock someone up, whether you go to college, or rob a liquor store, it’s your decisions that will guide you to who you become. Make the right choices the first time and if you don’t, learn from your mistakes. Follow your heart and be true to yourself. You’ve already accomplished something great by receiving your diploma today. Keep up the good work and good luck.”

Before I could even finish, the crowd of students began flipping their caps into the air, celebrating that high school was officially over.

I left the stage heading over to the person closest to me. My dad put his camera in his pocket and pulled me into his arms. “That wasn’t the speech you’ve been practicing for the past month.”

I laughed. “I decided to just wing that shit.”

He laughed with me. “You did great, Iz.” My dad reached inside of my gown and pulled the chain that was hanging around my neck. He looked so taken back by what he saw. “I didn’t know you still had this.”

I looked down at the necklace that he’d given me when I was a little girl. I’d had to get a new chain for it to fit my neck, but I’d never gotten rid of something so special to me. “Dad, don’t get all emotional on me today. I don’t want my makeup to run.”

He hugged me anyway. “I’m the happiest father alive, right now.”

I smiled and looked up into his tear-filled eyes. “I love you, dad, but if my boyfriend sees you, he’s going to think you’re a softy.”

My dad wiped his eyes and put on a tough face. I spotted the rest of the clan heading in our direction. He kissed the top of my head. “I’ll still kick that boys ass, crying or not.”

I gave him a funny look and shoved him gently. “You do know I’m going away to college with him. What are you going to do this fall?”

“Go to college with you, of course.”

“Dad.”

“Ok, fine. If you break up with him now, I won’t have to break his legs before August. The choice is yours.”

I put my hands on my hips, knowing there was no reasoning when it came to my dad and my boyfriend. In his eyes, no man would ever be good enough for me. I loved him for that. “I will call you every day and come home on the weekends.”

My poor dad had the worst time accepting that I was grown up. If he had his choice, he’d lock me in a tower and throw away the key, just so I couldn’t leave the farm. “I’m going to miss you, Iz. You’re always going to be my little girl, no matter how old you are.”

I hugged him again and whispered in his ear right before the family was upon us. “And you’ll always be my daddy.”



The End.





Thank you for being a part of The Mitchell Family Series.

Colt, Savanna, Ty, Miranda, Conner and Amy thank you so much for being a part of their wonderful family.

Coming in 2014

A Mitchell/Healy Series, featuring a book for all of the cousins grown up.

Noah

Isabella

Christian

Jake

Jax

Cammie

Addison

Callie

Cassie

Josh

Thank you again.

Love-Jennifer Foor





Enjoy a sample of one of my fav’s books.

Michelle Valentine

Rock the Beat





It Will Rain

Two Weeks Prior…



For some strange reason there are socially acceptable jokes made all the time about women being late for dates, but there aren’t any for guys. Take my boyfriend, Jackson Cruze, for example. He has a face like Channing Tatum, a body that David Beckham would be envious over, and the time management skills of a well-trained baboon. The guy couldn’t be on time if it saves his life.

I check my watch again and sigh. Surely he wouldn’t forget to pick me up tonight? We’ve had this date planned for our two-year anniversary for some time now. He’s not that big of a jerk, is he?

I pull out my cell and call my best friend, Max, while I wait. Like clockwork, he answers on the second ring and I ask, “Where are you?”

Max laughs into the phone while the sounds of a wild party fill in behind him. “I’m at Paulo’s. Why aren’t you here? This is the biggest end of summer bash I’ve ever seen. You’ve got to get your ass over here.”

Paulo’s has the best Mexican food, drinks and DJs this side of the border. It’s one of my most favorite places to hang out with my friends, and it sounds a whole lot better than waiting on my date who’s already over an hour late.

I pick at my nails. “I can’t. I’m waiting on Jackson. It’s our anniversary.”

“Um, Holly, Jackson’s here.”

My nostrils flare and my brow crinkles. “What?! Why is he there? He’s supposed to be here.” This makes no sense.

“I’m not sure, baby girl, but by the looks of him, he’s been here for a while.”