Page 55 of Hearts of Wealth

“You won’t need to kick my ass,” I assured him.

“Then you have my blessing.”

“Thank you, John,” I said sincerely, grateful for his understanding. “That means a lot to me.”

“Is that why you brought me the sandwich?” he asked. “Were you buttering me up?”

“Not at all,” I said.

He looked at me.

“Maybe a little.” I grinned.

John leaned back, studying me for a moment before speaking again. “So when do you plan on popping the question?”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject. “Well, that’s the thing. I want to do it soon, but I need your help.”

John arched an eyebrow in curiosity. “My help? What for? Shoot, kid, I’m not sure how they do things in your circles, but usually the parents don’t need to be involved in every step.”

I liked his good humor. “Not quite.”

“Then what did you have in mind?”

I took a deep breath. “I want you to be there when I propose,” I said, meeting his gaze squarely. “I want you to share in that moment with us.”

A flicker of surprise crossed John’s face, followed by a thoughtful expression. “Well, I suppose I could do that,” he said slowly, considering my request.

“I want to do it in the Hamptons,” I said, carefully broaching the subject. “I’ve already asked Catherine to go. She’s hesitant, but she wants to go.”

“Won’t she suspect something if I suddenly show up in the Hamptons?” he asked. “I’m not exactly the kind of guy that keeps a summer house.”

“You’ll go with us,” I said. “We’ll say it’s so she can keep an eye on you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Why do I think I’m being played?”

“You’re not,” I assured him.

“Fine. I guess if you’re going to drag me to some lavish beach house, how can I say no?”

“I need your help keeping things quiet until the big moment. Can I count on you?”

John chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Yes, you can.”

With John’s support, I knew that my plans to propose to Catherine were one step closer to becoming a reality. And for that, I was grateful beyond words. John would grow to like me eventually. For him, actions spoke louder than words. I planned on spending every day of the rest of my life proving to him and Catherine that I loved her.

“I’d better get out of here,” I said. “I don’t want to get busted. I’ll take the evidence with me.”

I collected the trash and left the house. With John’s approval, it was time to talk to Paisley. Her opinion was just as important as John’s. I didn’t want her to think she was going to get pushed out after Catherine and I got married. If I was lucky, there would be kids. I didn’t want Paisley to feel like she wasn’t as important or as loved as my and Catherine’s children. Paisley needed to know I loved her like she was mine and she would always be important to me.

“Paisley?” I said, knocking on her door before stepping inside. She looked up from her book, a bright smile lighting up her face as she saw me.

“Hey, Dad!” she exclaimed, setting her book aside and sitting up eagerly. “What’s up?”

I loved that I was Dad again. I sat down on the edge of her bed. “I need to talk to you about something important,” I began, my voice more serious than usual.

Paisley’s expression fell. She shook her head. “No. Don’t you dare tell me I’m going back to boarding school.”

“Not that,” I assured her.