“You remind me of me.” He gave Leo a side-eyed glance. “Mostly.”
Scoffing, Leo folded his arms and stared at the building he could probably draw from memory. “What do you want?”
Jerris was quiet for a moment. Then he sighed and stared at the building before them. “Kat has always been a fighter. She’s known what she’s wanted from the moment she could talk.” He let out a sad chuckle. “But sometimes when she was little, she’d insist she wanted something only to realize too late she was wrong.” He turned his head toward the building as if to study it. “Kat never wanted to be wrong. She’d dig her heels in the dirt and swear that she’d made the right choice.” A sad smile formed on his lips. “I never wanted to pass that trait onto her.”
“I’m sorry sir, but I fail to understand what this is about,” Leo hedged. “Kat?—”
“Made a mistake.” Jerris glanced at Leo again, his eyes beseeching as if he wanted Leo to read his mind. When Leo didn’t speak, he sighed. “Imade a mistake.” His shoulders hunched and for the first time since Leo had met the man, he looked beaten down. “She’s not happy, son.”
Son?
“She hides it well, but lately I’ve seen the cracks. She’s miserable. This isn’t the life she wants to lead. It might have been her dream before…” He frowned. “Before her mother passed. Before she went to Montana.” His eyes flicked to Leo again. “Before you.”
The ache in Leo’s chest throbbed. Jerris wasn’t actually saying what Leo thought he was saying, right? He straightened upright, staring at the man openly, not daring to hope and yet unable to stop it.
Jerris rolled his lower lip between his teeth then nodded firmly—more to himself than anyone else. “I’m not going to force her to do anything. I’m not going to manipulate the conversation I plan on having with her tonight. But I will point out what I’ve noticed. And I will give her the opportunity to carve her own path.” His eyes hardened. “That being said, if she chooses to stay even though we both know she’d be miserable doing so, you will need to leave.”
Leo’s words remained stuck in his throat. What was he supposed to say?
“I mean it. If Kat decides to follow through with the arrangement we’ve made with Charles Weitz Jr., you will pack your things and never come back to this bench.”
“Sir—”
“I’m not against filing a restraining order. I’ve got friends in high places and?—”
“It’s a deal, sir,” Leo murmured. He nodded. “It’s a deal.” His heart thundered for a completely different reason. Kat was being given free rein to choose her future. She didn’t have to conform to her father’s recommendations out of fear she’d hurt him or anger him. All she had to do was look into her heart and follow the path that would make her the happiest.
He prayed it would be him.
Tatum Jerris let his eyes drift over Leo’s form. Amusement flashed in his eyes. “You’re going to need something nicer to wear tonight.”
Leo looked at his wet clothes. The jeans, the jacket, his boots. “They’re soaked, but they’re?—”
Jerris pulled out a card from his wallet. “I have a guy just down the street who can fit you for a suit in a couple of hours. Tell him I sent you.”
Pushing the card away, Leo shook his head. “With all due respect?—”
“With all due respect, son, the restaurant I’m taking Kat to this evening has a dress code. Now, I have nothing against your career choice or the clothes you wear. On the contrary, I have more respect for you than you will ever fully comprehend. And part of that respect comes from knowing the kind of man my daughter fell in love with wouldn’t get hung up on wearing a suit when the opportunity calls for it.”
Leo snapped his mouth shut. His eyes bounced to the card when Jerris held it out between two fingers. “And what do I do with this when I’m done?”
Leave it with Jameson at the shop. He’ll be sure to get it back to me.” With that, Jerris rose to his feet. “I’ll have my driver pick you up this evening at six sharp. That should give me enough time to speak to my daughter.” He paused then, hesitating only briefly before making up his mind and clapping Leo on the back. “You’re a good man.”
“You don’t even know me,” Leo argued.
“I know my daughter. And if these past weeks have taught me anything, it’s how much she cares for you.” He gave Leo a parting smile then left, taking his umbrella with him.
“Hey, Princess,”Leo rasped.
Kat looked beautiful. But then she always did. She was wearing her usual business attire. Heels, a form fitted skirt, and a blouse that accentuated her curves. She would have looked just as beautiful in those jeans and boots she’d tromped through Rocky Ridge with, though.
Kat’s eyes were red-rimmed and her skin was splotchy with color. She blinked several times before she rose to her feet to face him.
Leo was only partly aware that her father had also risen to his feet. When he came to stop beside him, he grinned. “You clean up well, Mr. Chambers.” He held out his hand and Leo took it, shaking it firmly. “Take care of my daughter, son.”
“Of course, sir.” He watched Jerris walk away for only a moment before turning his eyes to Kat. Her expression was full of so many emotions he couldn’t read them all. There was happiness. Uncertainty. Longing? Or was that wishful thinking.
Her lower lip trembled as she took a step toward him.
