“Is that a yes?” Rex scraped out the question, afraid to release the breath he held.
“The first time I met you back in Charleston, I knew you were a man of high character. You remained by Monica’s side with steadfast dedication. You looked at her like I still look at my Jane. We wondered for weeks what was keeping the two of you apart, and we were quite happy when she left here to find you.” Ron pressed a palm against Rex’s shoulder. “This past week has only cemented my opinion of the man you are. We always knew Monica would settle down once she found the right man and not a minute before. Even a blind man could see the love she holds for you. So yes, son, I would be honored to welcome you into our family as Monica’s husband, providing she says yes, which I don’t think will be a problem.”
“Thank you, sir, I promise you she will always be loved and cared for.”
“If I thought anything less, I would have chased you off.” Ron crossed his arms.
“You mentioned an errand. What did you have in mind?”
“This may seem unconventional, but I would like you to join me in picking out her ring. I come from a very close-knit family and we do most things together. I’d like us to be close to this family also and although we’ll be living twelve-hundred miles away, I don’t want you to ever feel like you’ve lost your daughter to me.”
If Rex hadn’t already won over Ron, he had now. Approval shown bright on his face. “You’re a very wise man Rex Fontenot. Let’s stop for lunch first, my treat to celebrate the upcoming nuptials.”
“Only if you allow me to treat.”
“Then I’ll drive.”
He shook hands with his future father-in-law. “It’s a deal.”
“Have you heard the story of how I proposed to Mrs. Hughes?” When Rex nodded no, Ron launched into the story. The conversation continued all through lunch and even as they searched multiple jewelry stores. Ron continued sharing stories about the courtship of his wife and their early days of marriage. Rex suspected he was attempting to ease his nerves as they shopped for the perfect ring. Regardless, he enjoyed hearing the stories of his soon-to-be in-laws.
By the fourth jewelry store, discouragement took over. Maybe he was too picky, but nothing stood out to him. Monica wouldn’t want an extravagant and fancy ring, but he wanted to give her the best. As they were leaving the store a display in the corner caught his eye. He walked over and looked at the center ring. “Come see. I think I finally found it.”
Ron hurried over from a different display case. “That center ring is the one you saw isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s perfect.”
“She will love it.”
The sales associate walked over to the case, pulled out the ring in question. It was a simple, clear diamond solitaire set in a platinum band with two smaller diamonds on the inlay of the setting. Understated elegance is how the lady described it.
“I’ll take it.” Rex withdrew his credit card. All those long hours he’d worked to save money were worth every penny to share his life with Monica.
Chapter Twenty
Rex dropped his phone on the table and frowned. “Mclean can’t extend my time off. A case we’ve been working on opened wide, and I have to be at work on Monday as planned.”
“The call was eleventh hour wishful thinking. We knew you had to leave, but I appreciate you asking again.” Monica tried to be cheerful. Her heart was torn between duty to her family and returning with Rex. “Just a few weeks and we’ll be together again. We’ve spent months apart. We’ve got this.”
“You’re right. I won’t be home much until we’re done with the case, and you’ll be so busy with Emily, the time will fly by.”
“I’ll have to fight everyone else for time with Emily.” An adoring smile tugged at Monica’s mouth. “She already has everyone wrapped around her little pinky finger. The doctor’s said she will be released tomorrow at some point. Too bad you won’t be here for that.”
Rex sighed. “I wish I could be. Who would have thought that tiny baby could work her way into my heart so quickly? I can’t wait for Lacey’s little one to arrive. I was happy for them all along, but after spending time with Emily, now I’m really excited.”
“The guys at work will tease you mercilessly if they uncover your newfound weakness for babies and spoiling them.”
He shrugged. “Oh well. There are worse things to be teased about. Besides, you should have seen how gaga they went over Donnelly’s baby when his wife dropped by one day. They were all mush.”
“Did they go out and buy her the frilliest pink outfit they could find afterward?”
“Emily needed something to remember her future uncle by and that outfit called her name,” Rex claimed in mock defense, but his huge grin gave away how besotted he was with the little girl.
Monica glanced sadly at the clock on the wall. “We should probably leave soon. There shouldn’t be much traffic on a Saturday, but this time of year people often drive slower to enjoy the scenic view.”
“I’ll put the bags in the car and come back in to tell your parents goodbye.” He gathered his belongings and carried them out. When he was done loading them, Ron and Jane were waiting on the porch.
Her mom gave him a big hug and tucked a small plastic bag in his hand. “I made you some cookies to eat on your flight.”
