Page 27 of First Moon

“That’s a good friend.”

“Yep,” I said.

“Long-term relationships—that’s a good sign. I guess.”

This man wasn’t going to give me an inch.

“The boys in my band are also family,” I said. “We’ve been through the highs and lows together. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for any of them.”

“I know I may not seem like much, given my background and all. But I’ll take good care of Ivy. She’s precious to me. I’ll always treat her as such. That said, she doesn’t need me. She’s a superstar with a voice of an angel and a career she’s managed very well. We’re equals. Equals who complement each other very well. I’d really like your blessing, sir.”

Gus set his empty beer bottle on the long workbench. “You asking for my permission is kind of old fashioned, isn’t it? She’s not really mine to give away. At least that’s what my wife tells me.”

“Ivy would say that too, but she wouldn’t really mean it. She wants your approval. What you and her mother and brothers think is important to her. It matters an awful lot to me too.”

“You’re brave, I’ll give you that,” Gus said, chuckling.

“No, sir, I’m not. But loving Ivy with all my heart’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done. She’s my home now. I didn’t know it was a person. All this time I thought it was something that looks like this.” I gestured toward the house. “But it’s not the house but the people in it that makes it a home.”

Gus studied me for a long moment. “She may look like a big star now, but I remember the little girl with big blue eyes who thought she was dumb. When the kids made fun of her or a teacher dismissed her as nothing, I understood why someone could murder another human. You ever make her feel small, son, and you’ll have to answer to me.”

“With all due respect, that would be impossible for me to do. Not when I admire her the way I do. She’s the smartest, most gifted person I’ve ever known. Then you combine all of that with her kind heart, her zest for life, that naturally bubbly personality—I’m a goner. I didn’t see it coming, but the moment I met her I knew. Can’t imagine it’ll ever be different.”

“You might be surprised. Twenty years from now, you’ll love her more than you do today. That’s the way it was—and continues to be—for me. With every day that passes, June shows me more and more the kind of woman she is.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “That mean I have your permission?”

“Again, not mine to give, but I appreciate you coming out here with me.” He looked directly at me. “Let me tell you something, young man, don’t you ever be ashamed of your raising. Your mother did a fine job, even though it probably felt impossible to keep going from time to time. You wear your background as a badge of honor, you hear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You have a ring?” Gus asked.

I reached into the pocket of my jeans where I’d stashed the solitaire engagement ring in a velvet pouch so no one would notice. I took it out and showed it to Gus. “She told me she didn’t want anything gaudy.” Madeleine had helped me choose it, guiding me toward a princess cut with a halo. Apparently, my pretty girl loved the halo look.

He held the ring between his thumb and forefinger, squinting at it for a moment. “She’ll like it.”

“Madeleine helped.”

“She’s a smart cookie. And she understands Ivy. Sees how extraordinary she is.”

“That’s true. As do I.”

“When do you plan to ask her?” Gus asked.

“Tomorrow afternoon. Madeleine told me there’s a spot on the creek on your property that’s her favorite place in the world.”

“Sycamore Bend. That’s a good choice. June can help put together a picnic basket.”

“She won’t mind?”

Gus smiled, slow and easy, as if the test were over. “Son, she’s been praying for Ivy’s love to show his face since our baby girl was twenty years old. We weren’t sure she’d ever find someone who could keep up with her.”

“I’ll do my best, sir.”

“And you know with Ivy comes the rest of her family. Welcome to the zoo we call the James Family. You’re one of us now.”

We shook hands. “Thank you.”