Free Evermore by Brenda Pandos Page B

continued to pound as his glare deepened. This was impossible. How could I convince him without the song that Ash was my soul mate? I ground my teeth, determined to make him see me as a legitimate suitor. “I don’t think anyone is ready for marriage…”
    “So, then why are you asking to marry my daughter?”
    “Because I love her, sir, and I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy.”
    His eyes tightened. “And how do you plan to do that?”
    “My dad and I are building a cottage next to my parents’ house — where we’ll live, and I’m taking over Jack’s Charters, so I’ll be able to provide whatever Ash needs.”
    Bill’s chin lifted. He looked over my shoulder as if to verify my claim of a cottage. “I see.”
    “And I know you have a gun, but I’m still here asking you.”
    His jaw clenched as if to hold in a laugh. “I do, but… lucky for you, I like you, and there’s no more room on my wall for your head.”
    I choked in a breath.
    He put his hand on my shoulder. “I’m kidding. You’re young, yes.” He let out a long sigh, and I fought interrupting him to defend myself. “But you’ve matured into a fine, responsible man. And even though there was confusion with the mission trip, you took care of my girl like you promised you would. I can see she loves you too, and if I said no, I wouldn’t hear the end of it, from her or my wife.” He smiled. “So, yes. You have our blessing.”
    My legs almost gave way as my throat parched. “Really?”
    “Of course. Now, come inside, Son, before my stomach turns inside out.”
    I wanted to whoop and holler, but I calmly followed him inside.

THIRTEEN – ASH – May 20 – 6:20 p.m.
    At the baby’s wail that lasted long and loud, Tatiana darted off the porch and headed to the houseboat.
    “Tell your mom I’m sorry I can’t stay. We’ll start tomorrow when you get home from school, okay? Get your mother’s credit card.”
    “Okay?” Like that was going to happen. My mother needed to know there was a wedding happening first, then I remembered the bag of gems I’d hidden in my room. Maybe I could exchange that into currency.
    As I watched Tatchi go, a tear gently slid down my cheek. One problem down, a million more to go, and I couldn’t stop crying — dang it!
    Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Fin running up to the house. He disappeared around the corner by the garage. I leaned over the banister to call out and clue him in on the plan, but he disappeared inside. Then I heard my dad’s voice.
    My heart jumped into my throat and I yanked my head back. Was he doing what I thought he was doing? Now? I held my breath and waited for the song, for him to force my dad to agree. But he didn’t. Even after my dad heckled him about having a gun.
    My heart gushed with happiness as I listened to him defend his love for me, that I was his everything.
    Mom opened the front door, startling me.
    “Ash? Dinner’s been ready for fifteen minutes, and… what’s going on now?” She walked over, and I couldn’t stop myself, a hormonal hot mess, from crying more. Then Dad’s blessing of my wedding could be heard clear as day.
    Her mouth opened, then shut as we looked at one another.
    She dipped her head. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be hearing this.”
    I pushed the tears off my cheeks. “I didn’t mean to. I was just talking to Tatchi and….”
    I stopped talking.
    She gave me a sweet smile, then pulled me into a hug. “It’ll be our secret.”
    “Thanks, Mom.” I relished the warmth of her arms, in awe my decisions weren’t making her mad. Was the missing persons scare what she needed to finally support me like a mom should?
    “We should go inside before they do, though.”
    “Oh, right.”
    As we darted inside, I put on my game face and wondered how I’d keep my excitement contained throughout dinner. I was getting married, and all without the song.

    ~|~

    Throughout dinner, I fought to keep from fidgeting and pay