Page 11 of Mack Daddy

“I’m positive. I want to give them this chance, and then we can move on and get married.” She still sounds like she’s dreaming when she says the word. The princess-cut diamond on a simple white gold band sparkles in the morning sunlight as she reaches forward to ring the doorbell of her family home.

A loud chime bellows throughout the house, and Emma cringes beside me as she holds my hand between hers. “I always hated that sound. It was like being inside a church every time it rang.” I can’t disagree with her; that’s what it sounds like.

After a minute, an elderly woman opens the door and offers Emma a warm smile. “Oh, darling, why are you ringing the bell? This is your home.”

“Hi, Sandy, it’s so nice to see you.” Emma lets me go to give the woman a loving embrace. They clearly have a good relationship, and I’m glad she had this woman, at least.

“It’s been a couple of weeks. Your parents have been right mad since you left in that awful storm.” Her gaze strays to me, curiosity in her clever eyes.

“Sandy, this is Mack Maynard.” She pauses. “My fiancé.” Her eyes widen briefly before she claps her hands together.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” I offer a hand, and instead, Sandy pulls me in for a hug.

“You treat her like the gem she is, young man. You hear me?” My grin widens at her warning.

“Yes, ma’am, I plan to.” She blushes before ushering us in.

“Your father is in the den, and Jackie is somewhere causing chaos, I’m sure.”

After leaving us alone, Sandy goes up the opulent marble staircase to the next level, shouting for the woman in question.

“Here goes nothing.” Emma takes my hand, pulling me along behind her until we reach a set of double oak doors. Taking a few deep breaths, she knocks loudly.

“I said not to disturb me!” her father shouts back.

She glances up at me and rolls her eyes before turning the handle and pushing her way inside. “Hello, Father.” The man looks up from his computer screen, surprise in his eyes, quickly followed by anger when he spots me.

“You!” He points as he gets to his feet, coming around the desk. “What the hell are you doing with my daughter?”

“Dad, this is Mack Maynard. Mack, this is my dad, Shaun Williams.” Emma interrupts him, holding up a hand. “Mack and I are getting married this evening, and I would like it if you’d come.” Squeezing her hand for strength, Emma glances at me and offers a little smile.

“Married?” he chokes out. “To him?” Emma nods. “He lied to me!”

“Not technically. I told you I don’t keep track of customers, and I don’t. I told you I didn’t have her number, and I didn’t. Emma didn’t want to speak to you in that moment, and I honored her wishes,” I explain, keeping my cool.

He mulls over my words before inhaling and exhaling a few times. “Emma, what is happening with you lately?”

I watch my future wife fidget as she debates what to say to the man across from her.

“You really don’t know?” Her head tilts quizzically.

“Know what?” Shaun seems to be genuinely in the dark. “What am I supposed to know?”

“Jackie is trying to force me to marry Wyndham,” Emma responds softly, and Shaun’s jaw drops, clearly shocked by the news.

“He’s in his sixties,” he scowls, and his glare deepens as he sees something behind me. “What the hell did you do?”

Turning, we find Jackie standing in the doorway, looking pissed off.

She takes a few steps into the room, staying away from everyone. Arms crossed defensively, she opens her mouth to speak a few times before closing it again and growling in frustration. “Men are interested in her now; it’s time to grow up.” Her defense is ludicrous.

“Men were interested at sixteen,” I seethe. “Those same men were handsy with her as well. And you orchestrated it all. Abusing the authority you had over her and ruining the relationship she thought the two of you had.”

Shaun is aghast with rage as he stares silently at his wife. “You did what to my daughter?”

“I didn’t do anything,” she tries to defend.

“Emma?” Shaun questions, and I see her hesitate until I wrap an arm around her shoulders and hold her close to my body.

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