Page 29 of His Cabin Obsession

“It’s sure to be a shock,” I say, trying to think reasonably. “He might need some time to get used to the idea.”

“He might try to keep us apart,” Olivia admits. “I don’t want to worry you, but… I don’t think he’ll be open to the idea at all, not at first.”

I feel a surge of possessiveness, squeezing my arms tighter around Olivia. If anyone tries to take her away from me, they might find themselves on the wrong end of my fist – father or not.

“I won’t let that happen,” I tell her. “If he objects, you’ll just come away with me instead of going home.”

Olivia is mine. She’s not going anywhere – and besides, her father’s house won’t be her home for long.

“Maybe that’s the best option,” Olivia agrees. She relaxes a little against me. She must be reassured to know that I will fight for her. “But you should let me do the talking, at least until it gets to that point.”

“I will,” I say, pressing a kiss against the top of her head. “But I won’t let him take you away. If it comes to that, I’ll fight for you. I mean it. No matter who tries to come between us, I won’t let them stand a chance.”

I just hope that my first meeting with my father-in-law doesn’t come to blows – even if I’m willing to go that far for her.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Oliva

I stand nervously looking down the road away from the cabin, trying to remember how to breathe. My chest feels tight with nerves, and I haven’t been able to sit down since I woke up this morning.

How can I possibly relax, knowing that Dad is on his way to pick me up? I had different expectations for this moment when I set off. I thought that I might be sad to leave, either because I was having a great time or because I hadn’t achieved what I wanted to. I thought I might even be happy to see Dad, if I got homesick or the week felt like it stretched on too long. But I never thought I would be so nervous that I almost want to throw up.

It seems to take hours for the car to come, but when I do finally hear the faint sound of an engine, I immediately wish we had more time. I press a desperate kiss to Aaron’s lips – he stands next to me, all of our luggage neatly arranged despite the fact that his car came an hour ago – and then stand apart from him, waiting to see my Dad.

The familiar car appears from between the trees and is parked in front of us in a very short time – too short. Now he’s here and it all feels too fast, and I want to hang on to being alone with Aaron just a little bit longer, but it’s all too late.

“Hey, Olive!” Dad calls as he gets out of the car, using my old nickname. He frowns a little behind his sunglasses to see the other car, and Aaron beside it. “Sorry, am I late? You look like you’re waiting to move in.”

I take the opportunity to dive in before Aaron can answer. “Uh, no, Dad. Actually, Aaron’s been staying here as well.”

Dad looks between us, not comprehending. “I thought this was a private retreat?” he asks.

“It was,” I say. I bite my lip. How to sum up all the amazing things that have happened this week? I go for the simplest possible explanation. “There was a mix-up at the booking office. We ended up both renting the same cabin for the week. In the end, we decided we would both stay, and they refunded my money, so I actually got to stay here for free.”

Dad looks simultaneously disturbed and happy at the clean version of our history. “Well, I suppose it’s good they gave you the money back. But, you both had to stay together? In that little cabin?”

“It turned out for the best,” I say. “Actually, I had a really great time.”

“Well, alright.” Dad moves to start picking up my bags. “Anyway, I suppose we’d better get moving. You can tell me all about it in the car.”

“Actually,” I cut in, holding up a hand to stop him. “There’s more to tell you. The thing is…”

“What is that?” Dad interrupts. He’s staring at my hand.

The hand with the engagement ring.

“Um, it’s an engagement ring,” I say, only able to state the obvious dumbly at the moment.

The frown is back on Dad’s face. I can see him looking back and forth between me, the ring, and Aaron. “And what’s it doing on your finger?” he asks.

“Well,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “You see, the thing is, I had a really good week. And Aaron proposed.”

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