12
Scarlet
Sitting in the backseat of a black SUV, I stared up at the Georgian plantation-style home. Home wasn't the right word. It was more of a mansion. It was even bigger than the home I'd grown up in, but it had a similar look.
The two-story mansion had an impressive balcony stretching across a third of the home, held up by large white columns. The reddish-orange brick was accented with ivory painted wood casings and two staircases that led up to the double wooden doors. I'd driven the extremely long driveway through rolling acres of lawn and shaded groves to finally arrive at a circular parking area in front of the house.
Taking a big breath, I turned away from the house and stared straight ahead out the windshield, wringing my hands together.
Rush reached over and pried my hands apart, holding my hands in his and turning me toward him. "Hey, you doing okay?"
Looking at Rush's face helped to calm my nerves. I was grateful he'd agreed to come with me.
I'd finally had the courage a few weeks ago to answer the phone when my dad called. The conversation had been awkward and forced, but when he'd asked if I'd thought any more about visiting him during my winter break, I'd told him I had and that I'd come, but only if my boyfriend could come with me. He and my mother never spoke, so I hadn't been worried about him telling her.
He'd instantly agreed and paid for the tickets, sending me the info an hour later.
Rush and I had talked about it before I'd talked to my dad, and he'd been more than happy to join me, as long as he could spend Christmas with his family. We'd decided to leave two days after Christmas so he wouldn't have to miss any Christmas activities that his family did the week leading up to the holiday.
I'd spent the time with my mom and Ian, but the tension between Ian and me was still noticeable. Ian had tried to smooth things over between us, but I'd refused to let it go. If he was determined to keep his stupid rule, I was determined to let him know that our relationship wouldn’t change for the better until he did.
Since the night at the Wolf's Den a month ago, Rush and I had been spending even more time together. We continued to be extra careful in public, and for the most part it had been working well. We both still hated having to act like we were single, but we made up for it when we were alone.
We'd had several talks about my dad and his new family, and eventually I'd decided that I wanted to see my dad and meet my half-brother, even if the thought of actually coming had made me feel sick.
And now here I was, back in Georgia sitting in some random SUV my dad scheduled to pick us up, about to knock on the door. My stomach was uneasy, my breath was unsteady, and my palms were sweaty.
"I'm scared," I whispered.
He reached up and brushed a curl from my face. "Understandable."
I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes, needing to feel his warmth and strength.
His hand cupped my cheek. "You've got this. You've made it this far, and I'll be here if you need me."
Opening my eyes, I smiled up at him. "Thank you." I leaned over and gave him a short kiss.
Taking one more big breath, I said, "Let's do this."
We walked hand in hand up one set of stairs, and I pushed the button for the doorbell. The door swung open, and there stood a man in a black suit with gray hair.
My mouth dropped open in surprise. "Dalton!" I threw my arms around him, having had no idea my dad had kept the same butler we'd had my entire life.
He wrapped his arms around me, hugging me as tightly as I was him. "Miss Scarlet. It's so good to see you again."
We released each other, and I hurried to swipe at my eyes. He had been a constant in my life for so long, and I hadn't realized how much I had missed him.
"You've grown into the most beautiful woman, just like I knew you always would." He smiled at me and then turned toward Rush. "And who is your friend?"
"Oh, yes, sorry," I said. "This is my boyfriend, Mr. Rush Monroe."
They both reached out and shook each other's hands.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Monroe. I'm Dalton, the family butler," Dalton said, introducing himself. "If you need anything during your stay, please let me know."
"Thank you, and it's nice to meet you as well," Rush replied.
Turning back to me, Dalton said, "Your father is waiting for you in the living room. Please follow me."
