"That was not how I thought it would go," I admit.
Matt reaches for me, pulling me into his chest, "It's going to be okay, baby girl. He just needs time."
"I'm a grown woman. What time does he need? He's never cared about my boyfriends before."
"I'm nothing like them." He growls out and I can't help but smile at the possessiveness in his voice. "Remember though, I'm twenty years older than you, and your dad's best friend, he's trying to come to terms with it."
Lifting my head off of Matt's chest, I say, "I should go talk with him."
"No, you stay here. I'll go talk with him. He needs to hear how much I love you from me."
Chapter fourteen
Matt
Every cell in my body is revolting with every step I take leaving Elsie behind. Ever since Louis showed up at my cabin, I haven't been able to let Elsie out of my sight, at least not for long. I walk through the house searching for Phil, finally finding him in his office.
I knock on the door to let him know that I am here before stepping inside, before I'm even able to sit down, Phil bites out, "I have nothing to say to you. Leave."
Instead of listening, I sit down in the chair across from him, crossing my arms on my chest, when I softly reply, "I can't do that, Phil. Elsie is hurting right now, feeling rejected by you. It's my job to make sure she's never hurting."
"How could you? Elsie is my daughter." He grits out.
"I didn't plan for this, I've kept my distance from her no matter how I've felt about her, out of respect for you. But you knowElsie, she knocked down every wall I've ever tried to put between us."
That makes him smile. "Elsie is a force. Especially when she wants something."
"That she is," I say, I also can't keep the smile off of my face. Probably the same smile I get every time I look at her, because all I feel is my heart expanding in my chest. Something I wasn't sure it could do before now.
"Matt, I'm not sure I like this. You’re too old for her." Phil admits, placing the pen in his hand down, leaning back in his chair.
"I get it. But all I can tell you is that I love her, and will give her anything that she wants," I tell him.
"That right there is the only reason that I'm not reaching for my gun at the moment."
"Seriously though, Phil, you'll never have to worry about anything from me when it comes to her."
"Matt, she was almost taken from me, you better keep your word. I'm not sure I'll be able to hold back if she gets hurt, whether that's physically or emotionally."
Nodding. "I understand. But know, I don't plan on hurting her. In fact, the reason I came back here first was to ask you for her hand in marriage."
"You want to ask her to marry you?"
"I do. She's it for me. The best part," I say, pulling out a small box from my pocket. Opening it up, I show Phil the ring that I have for Elsie. "I'm not sure when I'm going to ask her, but I know that I want her to be my wife."
"Wow!" he says, letting out a huge breath, while running his hands through his hair. "I didn't expect this, but if you promise to take care of her, I guess I couldn't think of a better man for her."
Phil then narrows his eyes at me, "But if you hurt her--"
Before he can finish his threat, the door slams open and Elsie bursts in with tears in her eyes, looking at me. "You want me to be your wife?" she sobs out.
Standing up from the chair, I walk over to her, pulling her in my chest. "Of course I want you to be my wife. You mean everything to me. This was not the way I thought it would go--" I trail off, before dropping to one knee.
When I first thought about proposing, I had planned to take her to a restaurant, then outside and ask her under the stars. But looking up at her, I know this is actually the best way, here in the home she grew up in, in front of her dad.
Gathering her hands in one of my mine, I begin, "Elsie. You were the unexpected force that came into my life, knocking every wall down. When I would build another one, you would climb over it. I've never wanted to be with anyone, like I have with you. When I think about the future, you are the only person I see. Baby girl, would you give me the honor of being my wife?"
She looks at me with tears in her eyes, she exclaims, "Yes! Yes!"
