Page 27 of Mine to Love

“That’s awfully nice to hear, sir. You and Reese are a welcome addition to our extended family. My parents adore both of you.”

Johnny chuckles and brings his glass of whiskey to his lips. “I’m old, but I’m not senile.”

Confusion knots between me brows. “Excuse me?”

“My daughter is a beautiful young lady.”

“I don’t think you’ll find a soul around who would disagree with you.” I sip my scotch and try not to stare at Reese on the dance floor.

“She’s also stubborn, like her mother was.”

“I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I can’t imagine what my father would be like without my mother.”

“It’s every husband and father’s worst nightmare.” Sadness fills Johnny’s eyes until he spots Reese, and then the corner of his mouth turns upward. “If it wasn’t for Reese, I wouldn’t have gone on living.”

I don’t know what to say but saying nothing is better than spitting out the wrong words. Emerson told our family about how Reese lost her mother and sister in a snowmobiling accident when Reese was a freshman in college. It was a heartbreaking story, but until recently, I didn’t feel personally affected by it. Now that Reese means something to me—whether she or I like it—I’m more empathetic to what she and her father have gone through.

I wipe the condensation off my glass with my thumb and follow Johnny’s gaze. Reese rules the middle of the dance floor, throwing her hands above her head and shaking her hips to the music.

“She’s dropped her entire future to take care of me. Put her life on hold for nearly a decade. I only hope she’ll find someone who can take care of her.”

“Reese doesn’t strike me as the type who wants to be taken care of.”

Johnny barks out a loud laugh catching the attention of many people around us, including Reese. She twirls around laughing, catching sight of her father, and then slowing her moves as she notices me.

“You’re spot on with that observation. She doesn’t want to be, but it won’t hurt her any. My girl grew up too young, too fast, and now I’m afraid she won’t take the time to enjoy life.”

“She looks like she’s enjoying it now.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her this happy. It’s for Emerson. That’s how Reese is. She’s happiest when people around her are happy, but I want her to find it for herself as well.”

Johnny turns toward me and winks before finishing off his whiskey. There’s an unsaid statement there. Does he think I’m the one to make her happy? If he only knew how much I piss off Reese.

“Did you know Reese was on a full scholarship at MIT before she dropped out to take care of me?”

“MIT?”

“Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Top math school in New England. Possibly the country. A dad’s allowed to brag. My firecracker of a daughter is a math genius.”

“Really?”

So why is she working a job as a bank teller? It’s a fine job to hold, but not for someone as brilliant as Reese, according to her father and MIT.

“You sound surprised. You’ve seen her work, I’m guessing. Your folks said you bought the credit union?”

Ah. This must be Johnny’s passive aggressive way of pointing out I’m the one responsible for changing her position. “I did, yes.”

Reese squints as her attention darts between her father and me. Cami tugs on her elbow pulling her back to the center of the floor.

“I like seeing her happy.” Johnny taps his fingers on the white linen tablecloth. “But she’s not fulfilled.”

“I can give her a new job.” The words slip from my tongue before I have time to think about it. I’d have to shuffle around positions, but it isn’t anything I haven’t already done. Or better yet, I could offer her a position working at my new company. A project I haven’t even told my family about yet.

“Reese wouldn’t accept a handout, but that’s awfully nice of you to offer.”

“I don’t give handouts, sir. If she’s driven and has the skill, I don’t see why I couldn’t find a different position for her.”

Johnny chuckles. “My girl is stubborn to a fault. If she knew her father was talking to her boss about a promotion, she’d turn it down out of pride.”

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