Page 154 of Forbidden Harmony

“Oh, right, of course!” Clark pumped hishand a couple more times. “Real nice to meet you then. Addie hasn’t stopped talkingabout you since we got home. Have a seat. Did you try some of Belinda’s gingercookies? They’re delicious.”

Preacher sat down again as Clark sat nextto Belinda. She pushed the cookies closer to Preacher. “Try one, Preacher.”

He took a cookie and bit into it. “Thankyou.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled at herhusband. “Did you get Daniel settled?”

“Yes. He’s in bed and on his side with abucket beside the bed. I’ll check on him again in a few minutes. Thanks for bringinghim home, Preacher.”

“You’re welcome,” Preacher said.

“Do you prefer to be called Simon orPreacher?” Belinda said.

“Either is fine,” Preacher said.

“So, we were just talking about Addie and howupset she was that she and Preacher weren’t seeing each other anymore,” Belindasaid to Clark.

“She is pretty upset,” Clark said. “Shedidn’t cry that much when she told us that dirty dink Harrison had cheated onher.”

“She showed us the tattoo you did for her,”Belinda said. “It’s so pretty. Why, I’m thinking I might book an appointmentwith you to get a tattoo. Maybe a heart with mine and Clark’s initials insideof it.”

“Uh, sure, call the shop and we’ll book youin,” Preacher said.

“I just might do that,” Belinda said beforesqueezing Clark’s hand. “How’s that cookie?”

“It’s delicious,” Preacher said.

“Addison is an amazing baker and cook, justlike her mother,” Clark said. “A man never goes hungry when they’re around. Isn’tthat right, honey?

“Yes,” Belinda said. “She’s a fantasticcook. Much better than me.” She hesitated before smiling at Preacher. “Irealize this isn’t any of our business, but would you consider giving heranother chance?”

Preacher choked on his bite of cookie. Belindastood and pounded him on the back as Clark poured a glass of water and handedit to him. He coughed and coughed some more before drinking some of the water.

“Are you all right, dear?” Belinda said.

“Yes,” he croaked out.

She and Clark sat down again and stared athim expectantly. “Well, what do you think? Would you consider giving ourAddie another chance? She really is the most marvelous girl,” Belinda said.

“She obviously didn’t tell you I’m anex-convict,” he said and then winced. Fuck, he sounded like an asshole, but itwas better that her parents knew now than later.

“Oh, she did,” Clark said.

There was a moment of silence beforeBelinda said, “Addie has many wonderful qualities, Preacher. She’s the sweetestand kindest girl you’ll ever meet. She’s also creative and sensitive andamazing with children. Kids love her. She’s ridiculously good at her job, youknow.”

“She is,” Clark said. “She’s a fantasticteacher. You really should consider rethinking your decision not to date her.”

“You want a man like me with your daughter?”Preacher said.

He was in the Twilight Zone. He had tobe. There was no other explanation for it.

“We want a man who’s loyal and good toher. You looked after her when she was sick, you gave her your car to use, youjust gave her brother a ride home when he was too drunk to drive,” Clark said.

“I’m not a good guy,” Preacher said.

“Nonsense,” Belinda said. “Addison adoresyou and has nothing but good things to say about you. That dirty dink Harrisonaside, our girl has very good instincts about people and we trust her. She saysyou’re a good man, that you take care of her, and that she loves you. That’sall we want for our girl. Someone to be good to her and treat her the way she deserves.”

He swallowed hard. “I screwed up withher. She won’t want to be with me now.”

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