Page 41 of The Contractor & the Entrepreneur

“It’s the card game version of the board game. You can play it with only two people; that’s why I thought of it.”

“I’ve never played the card game or the board game.”

Rhett didn’t know what to say to that. He and his family had played games all the time growing up.

“It’s kind of fun.” He lifted his shoulders and knew he was not ‘selling himself’ very well, as his brother Easton would say. “Or we could go for ice cream.”

Would that fall flat after last night?

She smiled. “I’d like to try your card game.”

“Okay.”

He retrieved the cards from the game closet, and they sat at the table. She was at least close to him as she sat at one end and he sat right next to her. He dealt the cards and they started playing. Sloan was bright and caught on quick, especially for never having played the regular Monopoly.

She was a trash talker, reminding him of his brothers. They laughed and teased based on who was winning at any given moment. The game could swing in favor of one participant quick, so they both got jabs in and laughed a lot. Maybe his card game inspiration wasn’t too bad.

Sloan was relaxed and happy. She was more enthralling to him by the moment.

After five games, she gave a sigh and said, “I love picturing you playing card games with all your brothers. You must’ve had the best childhood.”

“We did,” he admitted, wondering if that was a hot button for her.

“Did your parents”—she drew two cards and looked at her hand—“spend time with you as well?”

“Yes. We all helped Mama as best we could, probably drove her crazy doing a ‘half-butt’ job, but she was patient with us and she made work, playtime, reading, and gospel learning fun.”

She looked wistful. He wondered if she’d talk about her mom. “What about your father?”

“Papa’s great. Quiet, solid, protective, patient. He tried to take us with him to do chores as much as possible, give Mama a break.”

“That was very thoughtful of him.” She paused and then asked, “Did your parents come to all your football games?”

“Yeah.” He smiled thinking about it. “Sometimes they’d have to drive hours for a game, but they never missed. Mama was the team mama. Everybody loved her.”

“Baking cookies for all the boys?”

“Oh, for sure. And she had this huge bag of medicine, athletic tape, extra mouth guards, electrolytes—you name it, that bag had it. She took better care of the team than the athletic trainer did.”

“I’d like to meet her.” Her gaze looked almost apprehensive.

“She’d love to meet you.” His heart took flight. If she wanted to meet his mama, she must be serious about dating him.

She didn’t respond to that. She played three cards and gestured to him.

He drew two cards and quickly laid a couple down to build up his sets, then set his cards down. “What were your parents like?”

She drew two cards, not looking at him. “My dad is in charge of everything and everyone and my mom … she was his beautiful arm candy and his puppet.” Her eyes flashed as she looked up at him and set her cards on the table face down. “That’s why I’ve vowed to never be in a man’s control.”

Rhett’s eyes widened. Was that how she thought marriage went? One partner controlling the other?

Her gaze was challenging. Rhett chose his words carefully. “I’m sorry your dad controlled your mom. I don’t know how it works for other people, but with my parents and my brothers and their wives, they are equal partners. They support each other and unselfishly do a lot for each other because of how much they love and appreciate their spouse.” He stopped, wondering if he’d just made the situation worse and wondering if Sloan would even want to try a relationship. Was he falling for a woman who wasn’t willing to try and work together? Whoinstinctively believed every man was some control freak because that was how she’d grown up?

“Sounds like a Disneyland answer,” she murmured. “Picture perfect.”

His eyes widened. His family wasn’t picture perfect, but they put the Savior and family first. Love, patience, humor, faith, and unselfishness got them through the hard and good days.

Before he could riddle out how to respond, she stood and said, “I’d better go. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

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