She threw her head back and laughed at his brother’s rendition of sixteen-year-old Becket.
He scoffed. “You make me sound like an arrogant prick.”
“You kind of were,” Jesse said.
“Are,” Clara corrected with a laugh.
Holden sat next to Clara in a clean shirt he’d found in his car. “Hey. You guys are supposed to be talking him up in front of the in-laws.”
“Not in-laws yet,” Roger said firmly.
The laughter died and a heavy pause followed.
Esther gave an awkward laugh. “Well, this has been just lovely, Pam. Let me start clearing up.”
Becket shook his head and rose. “No. You’re a guest. Sit. Relax.” Sky started to get up, but he stopped her. “You too.”
He kissed the top of her head and took a pile of plates to the kitchen. He’d just set them into the sink when the back door opened. He expected to see someone from his family. They’d all been raised to clean if they hadn’t cooked.
It wasn’t.
Roger Williams stepped into the room, his eyes fixed on Becket, not even a hint of a smile on his face. He set the leftover tray of meat onto the island. “Becket, I was wondering if we could have a quick word.”
“Sure.” He’d answer anything. There was no part of him that would be scared away by this man. He cared about Sky. Hell, he was falling in love with her.
Roger crossed his arms. “As you know, faith is important to me. You not being part of my church is something I was really struggling with.”
“Was?”
The older man cleared his throat. “It appears I’m fighting a losing battle, and at the end of the day, I love my daughter. All I’ve ever wanted is for her to be happy and taken care of. I thought I knew best…but she’s made it pretty clear that I don’t. Will you make her happy and take care of her?”
“I will spend the rest of my life protecting and caring for your daughter, sir. If she lets me.” And he damn well meant it.
Roger’s frown deepened, and he seemed to think about that for a long moment before finally nodding. “Good.”
The door opened behind Roger. Sky glanced between them nervously. “Hey. Is everything okay in here?”
Roger held out a hand and Becket shook it—a silent understanding, hopefully that this tension between them was over.
Roger turned toward his daughter. He placed a kiss on her head. “Everything’s fine, Skylar. I’ll see you both outside.”
When he was gone, Sky gave Becket a questioning look. “Were you just shaking hands with my father?”
Becket stepped forward and gripped her hips. “I think my charm and wit have finally won him over.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Really?”
“You sound surprised.”
“No…well, yes. But not because you’re not charming or witty. I just thought he’d never come around.”
He lowered his mouth to hover over hers. “You worry too much.”
“I think I worry just the right amount, considering everything we have going on.”
“Let me worry for the both of us.”
“Becket—”
