Daddy cleared his throat, a frown beginning to form between his bushy brown eyebrows. “Oh, well, then. That’s…something.”
“Daddy likes football,” I said.
“So does most of Texas,” Maxim replied.
Daddy sat forward, his elbows on his knees. “It’s a hell of a physical sport—”
“Which I also play well,” Maxim said. Somehow, that didn’t seem like a boast. I knew him to be very athletic. His reflexes were impressively fast, and he was well-muscled.
“This is the man you were telling me about, Ida Jane? I mean, I heard what you said, but marriage is an important step, missy.” Mama had recovered her wits, but that was because Maxim had removed the ring from view. He set it back on the fine black velvet mat. I clenched my hands to keep from reaching out to touch it. “I thought you were considering moving in together. Marriage. Wow.”
“We needed the wedding to further deter Dillon, but honestly, I didn’t want to wait,” Maxim said. He sounded so sincere, and I wanted to believe him because that meant falling for Maxim wasn’t such a bad thing.
“I know it’s fast, and I know Ida Jane’s worried about your reaction, but please, let me say that I adore your daughter and will do everything within my power to ensure her continued welfare and happiness.”
I looked over at the screen of my phone as Mama and Daddy exchanged another long look. Mama’s lips pursed and Daddy wore a frown. “I can’t rightly say I like the way you went about this. I’m expected to be asked permission and to give my little girl away.” Daddy wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
“And the Daddy-daughter dance,” Mama said, unhelpfully.
“And that,” Daddy said, dropping his head into his hands. “My baby’s getting married.”
Mama wrapped him in her arms and rocked him. “You better treat her real good, Maxim, and we better be invited out—”
“We’ll be home Sunday evening,” Maxim began.
“And we’ll be there Monday after Ida Jane gets off work. I need to talk to my daughter. In person,” Mama said.
“Of course.” Maxim nodded. “I didn’t have concerned parents. My mother died when I was young and my father, well, he wasn’t one to me or my sister. So, I can’t tell you how relieved I am to know Ida Jane has family who cares about her well-being.”
“And happiness,” Daddy added, dropping his hands to glare at the screen.
“And happiness,” Maxim added. “That’s the next most important thing.”
“Well,” Mama offered a smile, “I guess this means I can leave my Henry home.”
Daddy grunted. “Bring it. If Dillon manages to skulk around—”
“Shh, Jacob. You can’t say that, even if I totally agree with the sentiments.”
“No man gets to hurt my Ida Jane.” He threw Maxim a dark glare.
Mama shook her finger at me. “I’m expecting grandbabies, just the same.”
“Bye, Mama,” I said, fumbling with my phone to turn off the video.
“You always told me you wanted five—”
I sighed with relief when her voice disconnected.
Maxim looked down at me, eyebrow raised. “Five children?”
“I was young when I made that claim. Foolish.”
An expression crossed his face quickly, but I thought it might have been relief. “Of course. Now, give me your father’s number so I can talk to him alone.”
* * *
Maxim
