Page 88 of An Engagement for Erica

“Well,” she said. “Why would you ask that?”

“Because how you get along is more important than anything. Remember that. You’re not someone to let anyone in your life that you don’t feel is worthy. He’s not some bum that is going to live off of you and your success. He’s got a company to run and a stressful job. But when you are together, how you spend that time is more important than it all.”

Her jaw dropped.

She’d never in a million years expected that kind of advice from her father.

The man that everyone thought was emotionless.

At least that was what her mother always said.

They learned their mother was dramatic and demanding though.

“That’s a good thing to remember,” she said. “I wish I knew that years ago with other men I’ve dated.”

“It’s not that hard to think about,” her father said dryly. “I’m not one to ask for details and don’t need to know them. I want to know if you’re happy. If you’re healthy. If you get along well when you’ve got time to be together.”

She might have felt her eyes dampen. “All of those things,” she said. “He’s a great guy. You know he’s the one that I was with when I passed out.”

“That’s right,” her father said. “He’s seen you at your worst and he’s still interested in you. Again, more important than anyone seeing you at your best. The best is short lived. The worst lasts much longer. How you get through that is better.”

“Why didn’t I know you were this smart?” she asked.

Her father let out something that sounded like a laugh. Since he wasn’t one to laugh much, she wasn’t positive without seeing his face.

“Your brother and sister get it all from me. You too, but that goes without saying. We’ll keep that to ourselves.”

The fact he included Harmony in that was so sweet. “We do get it from you.”

“Have you told your mother yet?” her father asked.

“My next call,” she said. “Then I’m going to see Theo and Daisy.”

“I can’t believe they are going to be the last ones to know,” her father said.

“I wanted to tell them in person,” she said. “I have to call you and Mom. Harmony has known. Tucker bought a house a few down from us recently. So Harmony has met him too. I met Tucker’s mother yesterday. She flew in to spend some time with TC while he recovers.”

“Moving faster than I thought,” her father said.

“I’m not sure about that,” she said. “It’s more the situation we are in.”

“Good point. And the fact that his mother is still close with her father-in-law after a divorce says a lot.”

“There is more going on,” she said. “But now isn’t the time.”

Or the place. It wasn’t even something she felt she could or should say, but her mother would likely be on the hunt for all sorts of juicy information on Tucker once she found out the news.

She was going to let her mother have her fun too and not be bothered by it.

Tucker wasn’t his father.

He’d never be that man.

“You’ll tell me when you think I need to know,” her father said. “And I’ll let you share the news with your mother now. I don’t even have to meet Tucker, but I would like to see him the next time I’m in town in a capacity other than a patient’s family member.”

“Definitely,” she said.

She hung up with her father and called her mother next.

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