“Seems to me you were older with a ready made family, and your mate saw that as a plus.”
“Yeah, that’s what Valerie said. She call you and tell you that while I was coming over here?” Maverik asked suspiciously.
Daniel laughed. “No, she did not call me. But she’s right, and so am I. At one time a description of you sounded a lot like you just described this woman Ronan is saying is his mate.”
“Maybe she just wants him to take care of her and hers.”
“Maybe. But most likely not. Women who’ve been through hell in their lives, don’t want anybody to do for them. They want to do for themselves. It’s a matter of pride. A matter of if I do it myself, nobody can take it from me ever again. They don’t want to be taken care of. They want to make their own way, for them and their babies.”
“I can see that. I can. I mean, I got daughters, too. I can’t imagine either one of them just sitting back and allowing a male to take care of them. They want their own achievements, their own independence.”
“Yep,” Daniel said.
“I just don’t want to see him walk away after he’s worked so hard for his dreams,” Maverik said.
“That I absolutely understand.”
Maverik nodded. “Flip side of that is I’m worried that she’ll reject him, because he’s younger and inexperienced in everything except school.”
“My advice to you is that you go meet this woman. Don’t make accusations, don’t question her or her motives. Just kind of meet her, see what kind of person she is. You might really like her.”
“I do like her! I know her, or at least know of her. I just don’t know enough.” Maverik leaned forward staring right into Daniel’s eyes. “But you know her. You could feel her out. Tell me what you think honestly, you know?”
“I know her?” Daniel asked, sitting back in his chair. “How do you know I know her?”
“Because I met her through you. Her name’s Giada. She’s working over at the shelter. Her and her kids living in one of the tiny houses there.”
“Giada? Giada our receptionist, Giada?” Daniel asked.
“That’s the one.”
Daniel looked away for a second as he gathered his thoughts, then looked back at Maverik. “Are you out of your mind?”
“What?” Maverik asked defensively.
“Giada is one of the most honest, strongest, hard-working, independent women I’ve ever met. Where do you get off thinking she’s not good enough for Ronan?!” Daniel sat there wearing a confused expression as he considered all the questions running through his head. “When did Ronan even get the chance to figure out she’s his mate? She’s twenty-nine, Maverik. And she barely looks like she’s his age. Hell, when I first met her I thought she was only twenty because she looks so young. He’s twenty-five. The fuck you mean she’s old? You make it sound like she’s fifty and he’s half her age. And who the hell cares if she’s got kids? Her kids are great!”
“Hey!” Maverik said, jumping to his feet as he held his hands out in front of himself, palms toward Daniel. “Hey, hey, hey! I’m not attacking her personally! I’m just concerned for my son’s future because he’s talking stupid! Finding your mate doesn’t mean you completely change course.”
Daniel remained seated, scrubbing his hand down his face before he focused on Maverik again. “Your assumptions about Giada are all wrong. I don’t know the details about her past, but I will tell you that the little bit I do know, she’s dealt with more shit in her life than any female should have to. And she’s still breathing, and so are her kids. She’s smart, and determined, and there’s not a lazy bone in that woman’s body. Her kids are polite and well-mannered, despite living in a homeless encampment,in a tent, surrounded by drunks and addicts, who were in much worse shape than they were. She not only managed to keep herself safe and alive, she kept her boys safe and alive. If Ronan was independently wealthy she’d probably reject him right out the gate. She’s had enough of controlling entitled men. She’s not hard, Maverik, she’s a survivor. She’s had to be. You’d think that you of all people would be impressed by that, not worried by it.”
“I ain’t said she’s a bad person. I met her. I know she’s not. But I can’t help but be worried. He just ain’t ready for all that.”
Daniel sat there, wanting to say so much, but knowing nothing he said would make Maverik understand the person Giada was until he saw it for himself. “You need to spend a little time with her. You’re on the schedule to volunteer at the shelter this week. Make it a point to be around her. Make yourself available in the office. Talk to her. You just don’t realize how important she’s become to the shelter. She’s a very valuable employee. The funny thing about all this is, that if Ronan makes his intentions known, she’ll probably be afraid that he’ll want her to step back from all she’s achieved and refuse him based just on that.”
“Maybe neither one is ready for this,” Maverik said.
“Nobody but them knows. But I can tell you one thing…” Daniel said.
Maverik waited, his eyes locked on Daniel’s.
“You raised Ronan. The one thing none of your kids is ever, is unprepared. Your kids are not only smart — they’re street-smart, too. There’s not a one of them who can’t take care of themselves and everybody around them if the situation calls for it. You’ve got strong, smart, capable kids with integrity and drive. Don’t underestimate Ronan just because he’s the youngest and hasn’t made his mark yet.”
Maverik nodded slowly.
“And don’t count this girl out just because she’s had to survive. Ronan could do a lot worse than her.”
Chapter 3
