My parents flew out this morning. It was great to spend time with them. It was even better to see how well they get along with Saylor; Dad is just as smitten as Gramps and me. Mom is beside herself having another girl around. She made sure to pull me aside and tell me so before they left. She gushed about how sweet she is, even more so than the first time they met, and how happy she is for us. I felt a swell of pride hearing her say that. The first time they met, Saylor was still timid, not letting people get close. This time her walls were down and she was open to them, charming them just like she did me—does me, every damn day.
Even though Dad had said he expected it, I was still leery of telling them that I wasn’t coming back to the brewery. They took it rather well, and we even talked about the potential of merging the two corporations. “It’s all going to be yours one day, regardless,” Dad had said. Gramps even seemed open to the idea when we ran it past him. Everything seems to be falling into place.
Things are even looking up for Jake and Molly. They got the news today that they can start cleaning up the house and start the repairs. Apparently, the damage was minimal, so repairs shouldn’t take that long. Cleanup is the worst of it. Saylor texted me earlier, telling me that’s where she would be when I got home tonight. It’s Monday, and with the new winter hours, the Corner Pocket is closed, which works out, giving them the chance to get started right away. Once I got her message, I wrapped up what I needed to at the office and headed home. I jog up the steps to say hi to Gramps before I change clothes and head over to help with cleanup. I hear his voice coming from his office, so I slow. I’m just about to knock when I hear him talking about me.
“You let me deal with my grandson. My plan is working flawlessly. He’s falling for her and her him. We might not need this divorce after all,” he says.
What the fuck is he talking about?
“How much longer can you stall? I’d say a few weeks and they won’t care whether it goes through or not. I’ll just tell them there’s a delay with the county filing the papers. It’ll work, trust me,” he tells whoever it is he’s talking to. My guess is his attorney.
Anger floods through my veins. He’s been lying to us. What I don’t understand is why. Why would he go through so much trouble to keep us married? In fact, I expected the opposite. I expected screaming and yelling that I didn’t have a prenup.
When I hear him hang up the phone, I step into the doorway. “Mind telling me what the hell that was about?” I ask him, trying hard to keep my anger in check.
“Rhett, I didn’t realize you were home.”
“I gathered that. Talk. Now,” I say, stepping into the room and bracing my hands on the back of the chair that sits in front of his desk. I’m barely containing my anger.
“I was just trying to help,” he says. “I knew you liked her.”
“I more than like her. I love her. That doesn’t change the fact that you’ve been lying to us.”
“Not exactly lying, maybe just delaying things a little. The papers you signed were legit. I just advised Frank to stall on filing them.”
“Why in the hell would you do that?”
“I’ve seen the way the two of you look at each other. I could see it was more than you were willing to admit. I just gave you the chance to stay together a little longer.”
“Bullshit. Of course it was more. I fucking love her, Gramps. Not just a crush or a quick fuck.” He cringes. “I love her with everything in me. Hell fucking yes, I want to marry her. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life by her side, but I want to give her the choice to do so, preferably while she’s sober.”
“You’re already married. I don’t see—” I cut him off.
“Because we want a divorce. We decide our future, and being married is not what we want!” I scream at him. Taking a few deep breaths, I gain my composure. “Look,” I say, this time keeping my voice calm. “I want to give her the world. I want her to know that she has the choice. Her parents were taken from her, and she was moved from home to home without a choice. When Elaine fostered her, again it was a good home, but it wasn’t her choice. I want her to have the option to choose me, to choose if we get married and where and when. I want to give her everything.”
He nods. “I’m sorry. I just wanted you to be happy, and selfishly, I was hoping you would want to stay.”
“I talked to you about that, you knew what I wanted.”
“Not until last week. I’m a lonely old man who misses his grandson. I had hopes of bringing Saylor into our family and showering her with love and giving her the family she’s always wanted.”
“I want that too, Gramps, more than anything, but I want her to choose that.”
“I shouldn’t have meddled. I’m sorry. I’ll call Frank back and tell him to move forward with the divorce.”
“Thank you. I love you, old man.”
“Love you too.”
I point to the phone, and he laughs. I wait until he’s on the phone and hear him tell Frank to move forward. Once he ends the call, I nod my approval and rush to my room. I need to change and get over to Jake’s and help them clean up. Then take my girl out to dinner before getting lost in her in our bed. I’ll never be able to think of it as anything but ours after the last couple of nights. Saylor changed me, changed my life, and I want to do that for her. I want her to feel strong, loved, and wanted, just like she said. That’s now my mission in life. That and marrying her for love, and making our own family. I rush out the door with a smile on my face, needing to see her.