“He did”—Gabriel glared at Jack—“did he?”
Faith beamed while nodding her head. I blushed bright red. Jack appeared uncomfortable, with his hands in his pockets, looking completely guilty.
“We should talk,” Jack expressed.
My father sighed. “Faith, dear, why don’t you run along inside, and I’ll be in soon.”
“Okay!” Faith beamed and held up her pizza crust. “You can have a slice of pizza too. Mr. Timber got some delivered to Mommy as an apology for being a jerk.”
“Faith!” I hissed.
“No, kiddo. You’re right,” Jack grumbled, with the tip of his boot drawing a line in the snow. “I’ve been a jerk, and I’m sorry about everything.”
“I know, Mr. Timber. I forgive you.” Faith flashed Jack a small smile and ran inside.
“Oh, boy, do I need to watch what I say around her.” I laughed nervously and gazed at my dad. “Kids say the darndest things. Don’t they?”
“Children reveal the truth,” my father claimed as he glanced between me and Jack. “Unlike the two of you, who tried to hide your relationship.”
“There’s nothing between us, Dad.” I walked toward my father with my hands out in front of me. “I swear. Whatever there was is over.”
“Bullshit,”Jack hissed.
“Don’t listen to him, Dad, he’s delusional.” I shook my head.
“I’m in love.” Jack stared intensely straight at my father. “With your daughter.”
Jack fell to his knees in front of my dad right on the property line, but he didn’t cross it. He didn’t break any rule I’d laid out for him. But he wouldn’t back down either, and my heart yearned for him.
Gabriel sighed. “Jesus Christ, Jack.”
“No, listen, Gabe, please. I want to be with Noelle because I love her so damn much. Yes, I hurt her, and it was fucking wrong, but I’ll never break her heart again.” Jack held his hands together, his eyes full of regret, and he gazed at me. “She means everything to me, and I’ll do anything for her.”
“Even staying away from her?” Gabriel asked.
“Believe me, I tried that. I pushed Elle away when I didn’t want to, but the feelings I have for your daughter are far too strong. She has a fucking goddamn chokehold on me, and I can’t let her go.” Jack clenched my dad’s housecoat. “Please, I’m begging you to let me be with her, and I promise to always put her first. To love her, cherish her and her daughter too. Faith means everything to me because she’s a piece of her mother, and I’ve grown to love your beautiful granddaughter too.”
I couldn’t breathe while Jack expressed his confession of love for me to my father while he groveled down on his knees. He meant every word. Jack Timber wanted to be part of my family.
“Get up.” Gabriel huffed and grabbed Jack by the collar of his shirt. “Enough.”
My father’s reaction shocked me, and I exhaled, but a tear slipped out. I brushed the wetness away with the back of my hand before Jack could notice his words had touched me. He had crawled back under my skin, but in a good way. Not in a mean, insufferable one.
Jack had wet pant legs from the knees down, but he didn’t appear to care. He put his hands back together, and I gathered more begging was to come. He wouldn’t give up on me, and I wasn’t sure if he ever would.
“I want to be with Elle, Gabe.” Jack locked eyes on me. “Forever.”
Wow, Jack sure knew how to fucking grovel. The whole breathing thing had gone straight out the window. Again.
“It’s not me you have to convince now, my friend.” Gabriel sighed as he winked at me and whispered in Jack’s ear, “It’s my little girl.”
I narrowed my eyes in confusion. “But Daddy, you said—”
“I know what I said, but I was wrong, Noelle. Love is love. Age doesn’t matter, and Jack adores you, sweetheart.” My dad shrugged and came over to me. “I never should’ve interfered. You bring out the best in Jack, and he loves Faith too.”
I shook my head and trembled. “I’m scared, Dad. I don’t want to get hurt.”
My father turned to Jack.
