18. Nate #2
She clears her throat, still not meeting my gaze, and nods. “Yes. That’s what I want.”
Something about her tone has me snapping my mouth shut before I can say anything else.
My eyes narrow as I search her face for the reason my words stung so badly. I scratch the back of my head. “Okay. If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do. I’m sorry for pushing.”
She shakes her head, and her eyes dart to the clock on the stove. “You’d better get going, or you’ll be late for your shift.”
I check the time, nod, and release a long breath.
I straighten up and turn toward Lucy, pausing as I realize I’m not sure what to do now.
She’s technically my fiancée, but I’m pretty sure she’s upset with me right now.
So, I definitely shouldn’t kiss her. Should I hug her? Shake her hand? Pat her shoulder?
I promised her yesterday that I wouldn’t touch her without her permission, so those options all feel like the wrong answer.
Instead, I stare at her for a long moment, then nod and cross the kitchen to the foyer as I call over my shoulder, “See you in the morning, Luce.”
When I climb into my SUV and start the engine, I set my head in my hand and sigh. What have I gotten myself into?
Standing on the little stoop outside Henry Burke’s office, which is connected to their house, I frown. He’s not expecting me, but his office is technically open to the public. So, do I knock or just walk in?
I’m saved from deciding as the door swings inward, and Henry stands in the doorway with his wiry black brows raised. “Nate, good morning.” He frowns. “Did we have an appointment today?”
I shake my head, rolling my shoulders against the nerves building in my chest. How on earth am I going to convince him that Lucy and I are in love? “No, sir. I was wondering if you had a moment to talk.”
He blinks and nods. “Sure.” He stands back and invites me into the office with a tilt of his head. “Come in. I was going out to check the mail, but it can wait.”
I step inside, begging my racing heart to slow down, and he waves me to a chair in front of his desk. He leans against the edge of the desk as I take my seat.
His deep blue eyes meet mine with thinly veiled concern filling them. “Is everything okay?”
I nod, discreetly wiping my sweaty palms on my uniform pants. “Yes, sir. Everything is fine, great even.”
His eyes narrow as he nods slowly. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
I draw a deep breath and offer one more short and silent prayer for guidance. “Lucy, actually.” I clear my throat and shift in my seat. “We’ve been spending a lot more time together lately, and,” I blow a chuckle and shake my head, “well, I guess I’ve finally realized how incredible she is.”
I meet his gaze, trying not to be intimidated by this man whom I’ve looked up to all my life. He smirks in the proud way fathers do when someone compliments their kids. “I’d have to agree, but I’m a little biased.”
I draw a deep breath and release it slowly.
“There’s something special about Lucy. She and Quinn have really bonded over the last few weeks—all three of us have.
It has made me realize that life would be so much sweeter with Lucy in it.
” I pull in another deep breath and hold it. “I’d like to marry her.”
His brows rise, and his gaze drifts somewhere over my head as his eyes go out of focus.
I blow out the breath I’ve been holding and continue, “I know this isn’t the conventional way a relationship should progress.
But I think our case is a little unconventional to start with.
I’m sure there aren’t many people out there who can say they have photos with their spouses in their baby albums.” His eyes dart back to mine, and I swallow.
“I know how important it is to her to have your blessing. So, I’m here to ask if you would allow me the privilege of marrying your daughter. ”
He crosses his arms and releases a long breath as he stares at his shoes. “You’re right, this is unconventional. I have questions.”
My heart thuds faster in my chest, but I nod. “I’ll do my best to answer them.”
He fixes his deep blue gaze on me, and I feel sweat dampening my lower back. “What do you think it takes to build a successful marriage?”
I blink and twine my fingers together to keep from fidgeting. “Based on the examples of strong marriages I’ve grown up with, I’d say it takes dedication, commitment, sacrifice, common goals, and a big dose of laughter.”
The corner of his mouth twitches, and he nods slowly. “And what would you say is the husband’s role in marriage?”
“I’d say it’s primarily protection, provision, and spiritual leadership.”
“And the wife’s role?”
I barely resist the urge to scratch the back of my head.
I haven’t heard a sermon on the wife’s role in marriage in a while.
My mind wanders back to Lucy and the ways she’s already contributing to my life.
“A wife takes an empty house and turns it into a home. She supports without demeaning. She cares for and nurtures the family. And she strives to do it all for God’s glory. ”
He purses his lips as his eyes roam my face. “Do you believe the two of you can fill those roles and build a successful marriage together?”
I nod, confident that Lucy and I could be an incredible team. “Yes, sir. I do.”
“Nate, I’ve known you for as long as you’ve existed on this planet. I’ve watched you grow into a kind, respectable man. And I’m proud to say that I will have the unique experience of holding an infant the day he was born and calling him ‘son-in-law’ twenty-eight years later.”
He holds his hand out for me to shake, and I smile, breathing a sigh of relief as I stand and shake his hand. “Thank you, sir. I promise I’ll take good care of her.”
He nods. “I know you will, or I wouldn’t be shaking your hand right now.”
A loud sniffling sound drifts into the room from the hallway, and Henry smirks, shaking his head. “You can come in now, Joanne.”
The pocket door to the hallway that connects his office to the rest of the house slides open, and Joanne Burke emerges, dabbing her eyes with a dish towel.
She drapes the towel over her shoulder and crosses the room with her arms open and aimed at me.
“Oh, Nate. You are the sweetest.” She wraps me up in a back-breaking hug.
She leans back and swats my shoulder with a playful smile on her face, cheeks still tear-stained.
“I always knew the two of you would end up together. Didn’t I, Henry? ”
Henry chuckles and nods. “I do think I’ve heard you say that a time or two.”
She rolls her eyes and shoves his arm. “Oh, this is so exciting. Have you talked to your parents yet?”
I raise my brows and blow out a puff of air. “No, not yet.”
She purses her lips, and her shoulders deflate. “Well, boo. I was hoping I could call your mom and start talking about some wedding plans.”
I smirk. “I’ll talk to them tonight. Dad’s back from his latest haul, so I can go over there when Mom gets home from the bakery.”
Henry raises his brows at Joanne. “Do you think you can keep it from her until then?”
She blows a long, disappointed breath. “I suppose I’ll have to, won’t I?”
I chuckle and shake my head as Henry teases Joanne, and she swats him with the dish towel over her shoulder. Somehow, I managed to convince the Burkes that Lucy and I are in love. Now we just have to convince the rest of Willow Bend.