Richard Washington came down off the porch and opened the passenger-side door for Jasmine. She had to admit he looked well. He’d been shaving his head since he started losing his hair and his shaved head always reminded her of a smooth chocolate Milk Dud. His dark complexion radiated good health even though he had to monitor his blood pressure.
“Welcome to North Carolina, baby girl.”
Jasmine rested her hands on his shoulders as he tightened his hands at her waist. She knew by his expression that he knew her waistline had expanded. Her feet touched the ground, and she leaned closer to him. “Don’t say anything, Daddy.”
When she extended her hand to Cameron, the sun reflected off the diamond on her finger, drawing Richard’s gaze to linger there. “This is your call, Jasmine.”
She looped her arm through Cameron’s. “Daddy, I’d like you to meet my fiancé, Cameron Singleton. Cameron, this is my father, Richard Washington.”
Cameron shook the proffered hand, smiling. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Jasmine told me there’s a golf course nearby.”
Richard vigorously pumped his daughter’s intended’s hand. “The pleasure is mine, son. This comes as a complete surprise to me, because my daughter hadn’t mentioned she was planning to get married.”
“It surprised me, too, when I proposed to her. But once the words were out I had to go through with it.”
Richard smiled. “I like a man who doesn’t go back on his word. Do you golf, Cameron?”
“My clubs are in the back of the truck.”
“Say no more. Y’all come in the house and relax. Your mama’s busy getting the guest room ready.”
Jasmine hesitated. “I forgot to tell you we won’t be staying here. Cameron and I checked into the Doubletree a couple of miles back.”
Richard gave her pointed look. “You’re going to have to take that up with your mother.”
* * *
Cameron rested a hand at the small of Jasmine’s back as they climbed the porch steps and into the newly built home that was an exact replica of the others along the street in the gated retirement community. Once the guard in the gatehouse raised the barrier to allow them to drive through, the first thing he’d noticed was the absence of noise, which reminded him the age requirement for someone living there was fifty-five and older. Vehicles were parked in driveways, and he noticed several bicycles on porches as he drove past.
A petite woman with a salt-and-pepper bob walked into the living room, her eyes filling with tears when she saw Jasmine. Cameron averted his gaze as mother and daughter had their tearful reunion.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Marta said accusingly. Jasmine kissed her mother’s cheek. “You didn’t wait for me to tell you.”
Marta held her at arms’ length. “You forget I’m a nurse. All I had to do was look at your face and I know you’re pregnant.”
“Aren’t you happy you’re going to be a grandmother?”
“Of course I’m happy. I’m just upset you didn’t tell me sooner.” She stared at Jasmine’s engagement ring. She narrowed her eyes at Cameron. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your young man?”
Taking long strides, Cameron leaned over and kissed Jasmine’s mother’s cheek. “I’m Cameron Singleton. I see where Jasmine gets her incredible beauty,” he said without a hint of guile. The woman’s natural beauty hadn’t faded with age.
Marta lowered her eyes, blushing. “Thank you. I’m Marta.”
He kissed her again on the other cheek. “I’m honored.”
“I fixed up the guestroom for you. I wasn’t certain what time you would get here, so dinner’s not quite ready. Meanwhile you can bring in your bags.”
“They’ve already checked into a hotel,” Richard told his wife. “Cameron brought his clubs, and we’re scheduled to golf tomorrow morning, so he’ll be joining us.”
“And I’m going to chill out here while you guys golf,” Jasmine announced.
“Are you feeling all right?” Marta asked Jasmine.
“Other than fatigue and an occasional bout of nausea, I’m real good.”
Marta took Jasmine’s hand. “Come and sit down. You two must be exhausted from all that driving.”
“I’ll bring you something cool to drink,” Richard offered. “I don’t keep hard liquor in the house because I have to monitor my blood pressure and Marta is a borderline diabetic. We’re trying to live and eat clean.” He beckoned to Cameron. “Come and help me carry the glasses so I don’t have to make two trips.”
