Page 98 of Always a Bridesmaid
“What do you want?” Ford asked.
“Is that any way to greet your dear old dad?”
Ford glanced over his shoulder, which was a mistake. Not only did it provide the opportunity for Dad to charge inside, it implied he wasn’t alone.
“You got company?” Dad asked, confirming Ford had been busted.
“Yeah. Take a seat and give me a second.”
Ford padded into the kitchen, but all he found were empty plates. He hustled down the hall to his bedroom, where Violet was pulling on her jeans.
“I’m sorry about this,” Ford said.
“About what?”
“You’re about to meet my dad. I wish I could better prepare you, but…” He sighed. “I’m not even sure that’s possible.”
Angel that she was, Violet wrapped her arms around his waist. “I can handle it. Especially now that I have pants on.”
“Shame, that. But if it’ll help…” He kissed her forehead, soaking in her scent and the way her embrace soothed his rankled nerves.
While he could linger forever, it’d be better to get this whole awkward meeting over with. He took her hand and led her to the living room.
Under other circumstances, the shock on his father’s face might be comical.
Ford cleared his throat. “Dad, this is Violet. Violet, my father, Jimmy McGuire.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said, smoothing a hand down her sleep-tangled hair.
After a beat, Dad found his manners, stood, and extended a hand. “Uh, you, too. You look familiar. You’re a Hurst, aren’t you?”
“I go by Abrams, but Mayor Hurst is my biological father.”
Dad nodded. His eyes narrowed as he studied the two of them, and Ford wrapped a protective arm around Violet’s shoulders.
“Looks like I interrupted somethin’, so I’ll get right to it. Gunner and I are headed to the hills and need to borrow your four-wheeler. Mine’s still having clutch issues.”
“Sure,” Ford said.
“Might need some help loading it.”
“I should head to the bakery anyway,” Violet said. “I warned Maisy that I’d be late, but I don’t want to leave her hanging.” She gave Ford a quick peck. “Oh, and don’t forget the planning meeting tonight at six.”
“Shit, I totally spaced on that. Lexi would’ve killed me.”
“In other words,I’msavingyounow.”
In more than one way.
Violet patted his chest. “Can you pick up a bottle of rosé on your way over? That way Lexi feels appreciated. Plus, Priscilla and Lucia probably don’t drink beer or whiskey, and as you already know, I’m in that same boat, too.
“Pratsch or Château La Cardonne—Endless Crush by Inman is my favorite. Not sure they’d have that in this tiny town, since it’s on the pricey end and only a limited number of bottles were made.” Violet tapped a finger to her lips. “I’m sure you won’t remember those off the top of your head anyway, so I’ll text you.”
Reluctantly, Ford escorted her to the door.
As soon as she’d left, Dad said, “Mayor Hurst’s daughter? Really? You sure can pick ’em.” Bitterness pinched his features. “And did I hear the wordwedding? I taught you better than to get caught up in one of those.”
“Addie and Tucker’s wedding. It’s weekend after next.” If Dad thought he was going to discuss Violet or dive into the subject of love, he was sorely mistaken. “Come on. That four-wheeler isn’t going to load itself.”
