Page 96 of Strike Zone

Mom takes my hands in hers and squeezes. “Your dad loves two things more than anything in the world. You and me. That has always been the case with him. Losing business will not faze him. If you want to be with Wyatt, then that’s what you should do.”

“I’m not sure how Wyatt feels about me. I’m not an easy person to love.”

“What are you talking about? Why would you say that?”

“It’s something I’ve always thought. I’m so much like dad and you said he was hard to love. I put two and two together.” I shrug.

“Wren, honey, I fell in love with your father within days of meeting him. He was so smart and steady. He made me feel safe.” She smiles to herself as if she just remembered a private joke between the two of them.

“I lived my life high in the sky. I was like a hot air balloon floating aimlessly until your dad came along and anchored me. If you overheard me saying he was hard to love, it was a comment to a friend in jest or annoyance. He probably abandoned another cup of coffee randomly around the house.” That is something he does often. “Loving him is the easiest thing I've ever done.”

“I always thought…” I shake my head. “I’m glad that is the case for you and Dad. I’m not sure it’s the same for me and Wyatt.”

“Have you told him how you feel about him?”

“No. I’m not sure I could.”

“Sometimes it’s hard to put love into words.”

“It doesn’t matter. My life is in Georgia.”

“Yes, but your heart is in Alabama. You can’t live without your heart, Wren.”

“What do you suggest I do?”

“First we’re going to talk to your dad about this engagement. I don’t know the details of their business arrangement. What I do know is that your father will stand by his family. If this relationship needs to be severed then that's what needs to happen.”

“Okay. And then?” I question.

“That's up to you. You’ll need to figure out what it is that you want and how you plan on getting it. If there's one thing I know about you, it’s that when you decide what you want, you don’t stop until you get it.”

Dad sits in a leather wingback chair behind his large oak desk. For the last hour we have been discussing my future with Daniel, or lack thereof, and his relationship with Mr. Abbott.

I let him know everything Daniel told me about his dad’s intentions to get more involved in our company by marrying me off to his son, the fact he is blackmailing his own child, and potentially threatening Wyatt’s family.

“He responded to my request to come over for a drink and discuss business. He should be here shortly. Remember to stay calm and don’t let him get under your skin. Let him think he has the upper hand. We need to let him talk. Make him believe he is running the show.”

“And if he doesn’t like that we’re calling everything off and severing our relationship with him?”

“Too bad. I’ve always known Fred was ruthless. It’s part of what’s made him good at what he does. I won’t work with a man who thinks he can come after my family, let alone stoop low enough to target his own child to get what he wants.”

“I’m sorry this isn’t working out how you wanted.” I look down at my hands in my lap.

“I’m not. My gut was telling me something was off with him. It has been for a while which is why I haven’t been letting him in on any of my projects. Have you decided what you are going to do after graduation?”

“I’m not sure,” I say. My heart is pulling me in one direction, but the idea feels as unpredictable as the wind. Wyatt hasn’t asked me to stay. I feel like I’m building my future on sand during the high tide.

Dad opens his mouth to say something but decides otherwise. Instead, he clicks around on his computer pulling up the email I sent him last week. With permission from Jack and Faith, I’ve given my dad more details about the farm and the future plans. “Tell me more about the business.”

“Like I mentioned, according to all the legal documents I’ve read, once the land is free and clear, the property will be divided equally between the five children.”

“Will they want to sell their shares at some point?”

“No. They want to expand and build out the land with other businesses. Willow wants a bakery, and Colt has plans for a brewery.”

“I see.” He continues to read over the different business plans I composed with what little direction I had to go on.

Faith asked me if I could put together what I would for any other client that was looking for an investor. Then said, “Tell your dad thank you.” I don’t know if that was her way of asking for help without actually asking or if she knew I was going to ask him to help regardless of a formal request.

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