Page 150 of Melt For Us, Daddy
“You really want this house?”
Hunger flickered in Ivy’s gaze. “No. It’s too much.”
“That’s not what I asked, little girl. Be honest with Daddy. Do you want this house?”
She watched the struggle play out on Ivy’s face, the struggle between her desire to protect Cordelia’s feelings and the house she clearly wanted. “I do… but not if it’s going to upset you.”
“Oh, baby. I’m not upset. Shocked, maybe, but not upset.” Dragging in a deep breath, she pushed her own ego aside, and focused on what mattered most: Her girl and her boy and their happiness. “And you know I’d do anything to make you happy. But it’s not just us we have to think about. It’s Jacob’s house, too.”
They both looked over, only to find Jacob grinning up at them. “Braden already talked to me, when they first decided to give us the money. He figured it would be easier to talk you into it if I was on board already, and I totally am. You should see this place, Dee. It’s got everything we want, plus like three more bedrooms, so enough room for Hannah and Sarabeth to come and visit. And there’s a hot tub! Seriously, it’s great.”
Shifting her gaze, she narrowed her eyes at Braden. “You went behind my back and talked to my boy without me?”
“Okay, well, in my defense he wasn’t supposed to tell you all that.” Braden tried to look stern, but the effect was ruined by the twitching of his lips. “But yes, I did what I had to do to ensure that your stubborn ass would accept our gift. And I knew you’d never turn it down if you knew your girl and your boy both wanted the house.”
“You’re an asshole, Braden Elliott. But you’re a really fucking thoughtful asshole.”
“I’ll take that as a thank you,” he said, his face splitting into a wide grin.
“Does that mean we’re getting the house?” On her lap, Ivy bounced excitedly, her eyes brimming with hope. “Like for real?”
“For real, babygirl. Merry Christmas, I guess,” Cordelia added with a shaky laugh. “Holy shit, we’re buying a house.”
Another round of cheers went up around the table, accompanied by clinking classes and squeals of congratulations. Amidst it all, Ivy wrapped her arms around Cordelia’s neck and squeezed.
“Thank you, Daddy. I know that wasn’t easy for you.”
“It wasn’t. But making you and our boy happy? Easiest decision ever. I love you, Ivy Mae.”
“I love you, too.”
Rising from his seat, Holden cleared his throat, once again causing everyone around them to fall silent. “Think you three can handle a bit more good news today?”
There was something in his smile that had Cordelia’s heart pounding against her chest, and she instinctively reached for Jacob, gripping his shoulder. “What is it?”
“Jury just came back. Harlan Redding was found guilty on all counts. That son of a bitch will never see the outside of a jail cell again for as long as he lives.” A fierce pride shone in Holden’s gaze. “You did that, Delia. You and your boy and everyone who stood up and spoke out. We nailed his ass to the wall, and it’s all thanks to you.”
For a long moment, she was too stunned to actually speak. The words were there, tangled in her chest, but she couldn’t force them past the tightness in her chest.
“It’s really over?” Jacob’s voice was strained, and when he looked up at her, she saw her own stunned hope reflected in his eyes. “He’s really going to jail? Forever?”
“Yeah, baby.” Tears of pure joy swam in her eyes. “It’s over. He’s going to jail and he’ll never, ever be able to hurt you or your sisters or anyone else again.”
Launching himself at her, Jacob wrapped his arms around her and Ivy, his body shaking with sobs.
Their nightmare was over. But their dreams were just beginning.
