Page 44 of Country Road Romance

Of course he wasn’t going to show how annoyed he was to anyone, least of all Joyce, who genuinely seemed to enjoy having him in the house. The last thing he wanted to do was annoy or upset the parents of the man that he was trying to court.

Is that really what I’m doing?He thought.Am I courting Jared? Also, who the hell says “court?”

He looked at Jared, but the openness that Charlie had seen in his face just a few minutes before had been replaced by his usual rather ironic expression.

Jared, I’m going to figure you out if it’s the last thing I do,he thought.

He didn’t get to think about it much more, however, because as soon as they were back to the house they were enveloped once more in the casual warmth of the Russell family. As Joyce hadsaid, however, everyone was getting to leave but, as Charlie knew quite well, a West Virginia goodbye could take averylong time.

Finally, there was just Hannah left and, as she pulled Charlie into a hug, she whispered in his ear.

“I’m really glad you’re here, Charlie,” she said. “Jared’s a special guy, but I think you’ll be good for each other. Just be warned. There’s probably going to be a time when he’s going to try to push you away. That’s just what he does. It doesn’t mean that he doesn’t care about you. It just means that he’s afraid of getting hurt and is willing to do whatever he needs to do to make sure that doesn’t happen. Don’t let it discourage you.”

Before he could say anything she went on. “Also, Remember what I told you. If you break his heart, I’ll end you.” Then she was gone, giving her farewells to Jared and his parents.

Just as she left, Doug was suddenly there, giving him his friendliest dad smile.

Something’s up,he thought.

“Charlie, would you come into my study for a minute?” he asked.

Suddenly his happiness evaporated. He couldn’t imagine whatthiswas going to be, but he couldn’t very well say no, though, could he?

Doug led him down the hall and, after casting a look back at Jared sending a silent plea for help–a look that Jared somehow managed to ignore–he accompanied Doug inside.

It looked exactly like he’d expected. There were bookshelves on each wall, though only a couple of them held books, with the others occupied by model ships. There was a large polished desk in the middle of the room, with a chair both behind and in front of it. Doug took the one behind and, with a gesture, indicated that Charlie should take the other one.

Charlie couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a meeting with the high school principal.

“I suppose you’re wondering why I’ve asked you in here.” He held the solemn look on his face for a split second more, and then he burst into a laugh.

“You should see the look on your face,” he said. “You almost look like you’re facing the electric chair.”

Charlie smiled sheepishly.

“In my defense, it’s not every day that the father of the man that you’re interested in calls you into his study.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth he knew that he’d said more than he intended to.

Oh no,he thought.Oh no no no no no.

Doug, however, looked completely unphased by this. In fact, he looked like this was exactly what he’d been waiting to hear.

“I was wondering when one of you would actually say it out loud,” he said. “I know people your generation seem to think that Baby Boomers live on another planet and another time, but we dated, too, and I remember having that same look on my face when I was interested in Joyce.”

At this exact moment Charlie was the one who felt like he was on a different planet.

“Um…I guess that’s a good thing, right?” he asked. “Better to be open and honest about this rather than hiding it?”

What is wrong with me?He thought.Why am I blurting all of this out to Jared’s dad of all people?

“I’ve always thought that, too,” Doug said. He folded his hands in front of him on the desk and leaned forward.

“Which is why I’m going to level with you. I know that Jared has feelings for you. And, if you want the absolute truth, I think you’re just the kind of guy that he needs. You help to bring him out of his shell. I haven’t seen him be this happy in a long, long time. I don’t suppose I need to tell you but Jared, well, he struggles with some things, and I’ve always felt kind of lost whenit comes to trying to help him. You, though, you help him just by being there.”

Charlie’s heart was singing at the thought that he might actually be good for Jared. He wanted so badly to get under that prickly mask that he kept putting up around him, and to know that he had Doug’s approval meant a lot.

“I guess what I’m saying is that I’m giving you my blessing to pursue Jared, but,” and here Doug held up a warning finger, “I don’t want you to hurt him. I’m his dad, after all, and I’ve gotta look after his best interests. If you hurt my boy, Charlie Garrett, I wouldn’t want to be you for all the tea in China.”

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