“While that may be true, you were the one who put the final nail in the coffin. I told her no to Bucker and now you told her yes to Bucker. Not only that, if I don’t marry you, I’m going to look like a piece of shit to her. She adores you, hangs off every one of your words. If I say no to that, how will that make me look?”
English was right and I knew it. I’d backed her into a corner on purpose, which was the worst thing to do. When the opportunity presented itself, I’d jumped, without looking at it from her perspective.
“I’m so sorry. Not being a parent, I didn’t think about it like that. But you are absolutely right. How can I correct things?”
“You can’t! That’s the problem. Once you say something to her, she never forgets it.”
“What if I take care of Bucker? Would that help?”
“No, because my grandparents have offered to do the same. The problem still exists and she’ll want to bring that dog home and will pester me to death on a daily basis.”
Damn, I really had caused a huge predicament. “Is there any way at all you can think of for me to make this right?”
“Oof. Now I’m getting a migraine.” She massaged her temples.
I pointed to the space between my legs. “Come sit here and let me do that.” Her squint told me she didn’t trust me. “I promise I won’t bite and I am a decent massager.”
“I think the correct word is masseur.”
Finally, she gave in and sat down. I went to work on her tense muscles. “Damn, you’re as tight as a drum.”
“Thanks to you,” she sassed back.
“Shit, I’m sorry. Guess I’m not used to kids and the ramifications of bad ideas.”
“Just be quiet and keep working there.”
After about five minutes, Beck walked in.
“What’s going on?”
“Thanks to you and doofus behind me, I’m getting a migraine.”
I offered up a sheepish look.
“What happened?”
“He told Easton she could get a dog and we were getting married.”
Beck roared with laughter.
“Dad, it’s not funny. You know how persistent she is.”
“Why do you think I’m laughing?”
I wouldn’t interrupt this conversation for anything. My fingers kept up their work as the two of them went at it.
“Why did you even bring up marrying Tristian without consulting me?”
“I planned on it, but your mother and I were so worried about you with the Stuart situation we thought it best to talk to him.”
“Over my head?”
“No! Yes! I’m sorry, munch, it just sort of happened. I got an earful from your mom and I get you’re angry. But I did it for a good reason.”
“Dad, this isn’t the eighteen hundreds and I can’t be bartered to the first man who comes along. I’m not a fucking horse.”
The first man, huh? Why hadn’t she dated anyone?
“English, you have spent the last six years of your life dedicated to raising your daughter. While that’s very admirable, it’s been at the expense of your own life. We’ve offered countless times to help, to babysit, and so on, in order for you to have a life, but you refuse. Tristian is a good man and we felt he would make a great husband and father for the two of you.”
I was compelled to say, “Thank you, sir. I’m honored you feel that way. And just so you are aware, I have asked English to marry me.”
Beck nodded. “I gathered that from what she said.”
English stood up, shoving my hands away. “This isn’t about the two of you deciding what’s right for me. It should be a mutual decision between Tristian and me. But the way this has turned out is nothing more than a shit show.” Then she rose to her feet and stormed out.
What should I do now? The answer came from her father.
“Tristian, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. English is the most rational person I know. Give her some time to work all this out. I’m positive she’ll come around.”
“I think you should know the other half of the equation.”
“I don’t understand.”
With dread, I filled him in on the situation with my father’s will and the family business. It wouldn’t be fair not to. After what had happened with English and Easton, at least I could be honest with him about things. When I was done explaining, he did what I least expected. He laughed.
“Oh, God. Of all things, this.” The man was literally bent over, slapping his leg. “Wait until her mother hears. She’ll love it.”
I was more baffled than ever.
Before I had time to think, he bellowed, “Sheridan, get in here. Wait until you hear this!”
Moments later, Sheridan ran in asking, “What’s going on?”
“Tell her, Tristian, and spare no details.”
Puzzled, I filled her in on what happened, including the information about the marriage proposal and contract.
“Dear God, this is priceless.” They gazed at each other and both cracked up.
“Would either of you care to tell me what’s going on?” This behavior was quite strange. One would think telling a parent they offered their daughter a marriage contract would upset them, but they thought it was hilarious.
Beck was the one who spoke. “Well, it goes something like this. About twenty-one years ago, English’s biological mother decided to make a play for custody. My attorney strongly advised me that getting married would help my case substantially. I was a lot like English then. By that, I mean I dedicated my life to raising her. So marriage was an outlandish idea as I didn’t know anyone to date, much less marry. That was until a gorgeous blonde became her first-grade teacher. I asked Sheridan to marry me much the same way you did English. If it didn’t work, we could divorce when English reached the age of twelve. I don’t have to tell you that never was an issue for us.” They gazed at each other and it was obvious they loved each other deeply.
Was that even a remote possibility for English and me? I guessed I didn’t have to worry about that because right now she hated me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
English
My feet chewed up the sidewalk until I arrived at Banana and Geepa’s house. They, too, lived only a couple of blocks away. I was going to give them a piece of my mind and then explain how my parents were selling me off to Tristian.
When I walked into the foyer, I heard them in the kitchen, so I headed toward their voices. Banana saw me first and came to hug me, only I stopped her.
“I can’t believe you two. You’ve conspired against me and told Easton she could get a Bucker.”
Banana was the first one to laugh, followed by Geepa.
“Can I remind you of something?” she asked.
“What?”
“Do you remember when you begged for Boonior and your father refused? Geepa was the one who caved and we took care of that puppy for you until he was trained. We thought we’d do you the same favor. You loved that dog. Can you deny it?”
I crumbled like a cookie. Boonior had been my companion for as long as I could remember and when he’d died, a piece of me had died too. I’d cried for weeks—no, months. Every time I thought of him, I’d sob. Nothing had cheered me up until the cloud of grief lifted. I broke down in tears just thinking about it.