Chapter Thirty-Two
Jessica
I paused when I opened the cupboard that held the plates. “Do you think I should set the table for four or five?”
Mama didn’t even try to hide her scowl. “Hopefully four, but you should double-check, just in case.”
That surprised me. Normally when “the men” were talking, I wasn’t allowed in the room until they were done.
I quietly moved down the hall, hoping to hear some of their conversation before making my presence known.
Alan’s deep voice said, “I’m not going to match or beat Kevin’s offer to buy Jessica if that’s what you’re asking. So why should you let me marry your daughter? Because I will love her and Ruthie and make sure they’re happy.”
I was both appalled that Kevin was trying to buy me, but Alan saying he’d love me and Ruthie made my toes curl.
He continued, “I’m a good guy to have around, and someone you want in your corner.” He paused then added, “You don’t want me as an enemy.”
I heard Kevin ask, “Is that a threat?”
Alan sounded dead calm when he replied, “Just a fact.”
Kevin’s voice got louder, “Ed, can you believe this kid? You snot-nosed little punk, with your ‘I’ll make her happy,’ bullshit. You don’t even share her faith—how are you going to make her happy?”
I heard my dad say, “Kevin, take a seat and calm down,” but Alan remained quiet.
I don’t think Kevin followed my dad’s suggestion—at least about the calm down part, because his voice grew louder. “You’re already screwing her, aren’t you? I bet you just flashed her a smile, and she spread her legs.”
I heard rustling, then a thump against the wall, followed by Alan’s voice, low and menacing. “If you ever disrespect my future wife like that again, you’ll be eating out of a straw for a year. Do you understand?”
Kevin sniveled affirmatively, and I heard more rustling. That’s when I decided to head back to the kitchen. I felt confident telling Mama, “It’s only going to be the four of us.”
And I probably ought to go change my panties before dinner, because holy hell, having my honor defended like that was hot.
****
Alan
Ed wisely didn’t come to Kevin’s defense when I pinned him against the wall by his neck.
After I let go, Kevin looked over at Ed and sputtered, “I wouldn’t marry her now if you paid me. She’s way too damaged goods.”
Yeah, okay, buddy.
After he left with his tail tucked between his legs, I asked Ed, “Is he going to be a problem for you?”
“I’m not sure. My gut tells me as long as I don’t discuss his interest in marrying Jess with anyone, he’ll behave. I think it’ll only be if he feels like his reputation is being threatened that he’ll try to cause problems.”
“That sounds about right with men like Kevin.”
While I was dead serious about making him drink out of a straw for a year, there were other ways of dealing with Kevin. All I needed was an afternoon and an internet connection to make him question all his life choices.
“Why do you want to marry my daughter?”
Finally, he was concerned about my intentions.
“Because I care about her—and Ruthie.”
And I don’t want to see her married off to someone like Kevin.
Of course, I kept that to myself.
“How do I know you’re serious about marrying her?”
I pulled the black velvet box from my front pocket and opened it to show him the two-carat diamond I’d picked out that afternoon—with the help of my mom.
The jeweler said I could exchange it if Jess didn’t like it.
His eyes got big, and he let out a low whistle. “I guess you do care about her. When were you planning on giving her that?”
“I thought after dinner I’d take her out for ice cream and ask her then.”
“And when are you going to marry her?”
“The sooner the better.”
Ed nodded as he stared at the ring. “I think that’s a good idea.”