Page 25 of Harvest of Love
“What’s going on? Is everything okay? Why does Dustin know before we do?” Mom fires off questions in rapid succession as I shoot my brother a glare. He glares right back, which only makes me roll my eyes.
I love my family, but my brothers think just because I’m a woman, I need special treatment—like I’m made of porcelain.
“Mom, everything is fine,” I say, walking toward the couch where she’s seated. Dad joins her, and I perch on the arm beside them.
“I really was hoping to talk to Mom and Dad alone, because this hardly warrants a family summit. But since Mr. Ex-Marine here decided to shout it to the rooftops, I guess I’m just going to say it.”
I scan the room. Every set of eyes is on me, waiting. Heat spreads through my chest, climbing up my neck.
With one last deep breath, I say, “I’m dating Manny.”
Silence. You could hear a pin drop. Everyone stares, either stunned or waiting for more. I hold back, needing some kind of feedback before I add that he's joining us today.
“Who’s Manny? Should we know?” a very confused Derek asks, glancing at his wife. She shrugs, just as lost as he is.
“Oh, Daisy,” Mom starts, worrying her lip. “Do you think this is smart?” Her eyes brim with concern.
“Mom, why wouldn’t it be? He’s a great man.” My voice wavers, and I hate it. Manny deserves to be praised, not defended in a shaky whisper.
“I don’t know, Daisy. Isn’t he a little too old for you?”
The frown that tightens my face is so sharp it might become permanent.
“Old? How old do you think he is, Mom? I’m thirty. A man in his early forties hardly qualifies as old to me.”
Derek snorts, and it’s almost comical the way everyone turns to look at him—like no one else sees the joke in what I just said.
“What?” he asks, hands raised in mock surrender. “I think Daisy has a point. It’s not like she’s a spring chicken.”
I throw a pillow at him, which only makes him laugh harder.
“Anyway,” I say, determined to end this conversation before it spirals. I don’t want my family thinking I’m seeking their approval. “The reason I wanted to bring this up is because I invited him to spend Thanksgiving with us—since his son is in Miami with his mom.”
The moment I mention Tommy, the air thickens. I don’t like it one bit. Manny and Tommy are phenomenal, and I won’t let anyone tell me otherwise.
“Ah, so that’s why Mom is worried,” Dustin says. Mom nods beside him, Dad’s arm tightening protectively around her shoulders.
My eyes sting with unshed tears. “How can you all be so quick to judge without knowing him? Knowingthem?”
Just then, the doorbell rings, and my heart somersaults.
“We’re about to figure that out,” Derek declares as Dad rises from the couch and heads for the door.
“Hello. Happy Thanksgiving,” Manny says, his warm voice carrying into the room before I can even get there.
Despite the tension in the air, I smile. Dad’s stoic expression has me holding my breath, but then he shakes Manny’s hand and nods in appreciation as Manny hands him a bottle of scotch.
“Hey,” I greet Manny as I make my way toward him. The way his eyes light up behind those sexy glasses sends butterflies dancing through my belly.
“Let me introduce you,” I say as he presses a kiss to my cheek— so effortlessly classy. “This is my dad, Ron.”
Manny chuckles and shakes his head. “Of course. Where are my manners? Nice to meet you, Mr. Hart. I’m Manny Gutierrez.”
Dad clasps his hand again, firm and steady. “Nice to meet you. Welcome to our home.”
Manny nods, and I pull him toward the living room where everyone is still gathered.
“Manny, this is my mom, Merryl.”
