Off Limits(62)

“We'll settle that at some point,” Dane laughed, looking over at her.

We got Daddy settled, and Dane gave me a look that I'd become familiar with over the past few days. “I think Dane and I will take a walk on the back forty,” I said, getting up off the couch. “We won’t be gone long.”

“Okay,” he said, leaning back and getting comfortable. “But when you two get back, I'd like to talk with you both about some things I've been thinking about during my time in the hospital.”

Dane and I left, heading out the back of the house. While Dane had been living with us for over a week, we hadn't spent a lot of time together alone. I'd needed my time to recover, after all. I’d spent a lot of time with my own thoughts, although I'd also talked with a counselor as well, something I figured I'd continue for a while longer at least. Now, though, I felt like life was finally getting back to normal. “So what's on your mind?”

Dane just shook his head and took my hand, walking with me through the back yard. We reached the point where the manicured lawn gave way to the natural grass and kept going. “How do you feel now that your dad is home?” Dane asked. “I know you've been looking forward to it.”

“I have,” I said excitedly, “but I know you've been worried. It's one thing to stay in a man's house with his daughter when there's plenty of room, and Brittany told me this morning she appreciates how much of a gentleman you've been. I have, too, by the way. But now that Daddy's home, you're worried.”

“I still have enough saved for that apartment I was looking at before,” Dane admitted, “but not much else. I kind of feel like I'm back where I was a few months ago. Although I do have one thing that’s better than any job or home.”

“What's that?” I asked, pausing. We were close to one of my favorite sites on the property, a field that in summer was filled with wildflowers. Even in the light breeze of the day, I could smell it, but you did have to be very careful about the fire ants. They liked that field too.

“I have you,” Dane said. “And in all honesty, I don't ever want to let you go.”

“I love you too,” I answered. “I know we haven’t been together long, but everything seems so right.”

“Good,” Dane said, taking my hand. “Because I was kind of hoping—after we go back, that we could tell your father that I asked you to marry me, and that you said yes.”

“Is that what you call a proposal?” I asked, trying hard to hide my joy.

“I love you,” Dane said simply, pulling me into his arms. “During my time in prison, I’ve learned if you want something, you’d better not waste any time. If you want it, go get it. Now, I’m not saying we go get married tomorrow. We can give it some time, but the heart wants what the heart wants.”

It was my turn to wrap my arms around Dane, pulling him down for a deep kiss in the summer sunshine. “Is that a yes?”

“Oh, that is certainly a yes,” I said. “But we really should get Daddy's blessing first. You know, me being traditional and all.”



* * *



When we got back a half hour later, Daddy saw it first, probably from the look in my eye. “You know, I hoped you would’ve waited until after I said what I had to say.”

“Sorry, Mr. Rawlings,” Dane said. “I just couldn't let a good thing go.”

He sat up, and with the help of Monica, struggled to his feet. “I didn't expect you to move this quickly. So I take it you said yes?”

“Yes, Daddy,” I said, pausing while Brittany clapped in joy, “but we also wanted to have your blessing.”

He came over and looked Dane in his eye. Sizing him up, Daddy stood nearly eye to eye with him, pausing before looking at me, a small smile on his face. “You know, for so long, it was just you and me. Then I found Brittany, and I knew the day would come that you would also want to find someone of your own. I have to say, this isn’t how I expected it would be, but I love you, baby girl.”

“I love you too, Daddy,” I said, taking Dane's hand. “I always will.”

“Which is why I have to say, in response to your request for my blessing . . . no.” Daddy turned and made his way back over to his chair, sitting down carefully.

“What?” I cried, tears in my eyes. “Why?”

He grinned and laughed, unable to contain his humor. “Oh, I got you, didn't I?”

I blinked, stunned. “What?”

I looked at him, anger replacing my hurt. “You joke?”

Daddy held up his hands defensively. “Now, Abby, I'm sorry, it was just a quick one. I’d be happy to give you both my blessing . . . when you've earned it. In that, I’m being serious.”

“And how would I do that?” Dane asked, his voice heavy with threat and repressed anger. “Haven't I done enough?”

“Oh, you’ve done enough to prove you're a good man, and that you care for my daughter. Of course you have,” Daddy said, smiling. “But I've always been a father who has thought the world of my daughter, and to be honest, while I’m perfectly willing to accept that she won't be marrying a society boy, I do expect her husband to have a job. So, before I give you my blessing, there are a few things you need to do. First, you're going to have to enroll in college.”