Page 67 of Parentmoon

I respect the hell out of this kid, who isn’t a kid. He wasn’t afraid to bare his soul to me, telling me how much he loved my daughter, and his fears about being a good enough man for her.

He was perfect. I knew it before I gave my first blessing.

“First, we’d like to say, we accept the house,” Michael says.

Slapping my hand on the countertop, I startle everyone. “Dammit, I’m so happy.”

“But . . .” Keli interjects.

Oh brother.

Michael holds my gaze as he lays out the stipulations. “We’d like a say in all construction. We’d also like to take on some of the mortgage for credit building purposes.”

I’m already shaking my head, but Keli is narrowing her eyes at me when she adds. “And we’d like a year before we move. This gives Michael time to find a new job.”

I’ve offered Keli a position in the family company. It was important to my girl to make her own way, find her own job when she graduated college five years ago. She never wanted anyone to think she worked for me just because I was her daddy, so she took a job in Chicago. I’ve missed her, but she needed to prove to herself she could do it on her own. I’m proud of her for those decisions.

But five years has been a long time, and I want my girl back home, learning the business.

Glancing at Jo, I wonder what she’s thinking. Her head remains bowed, her hands clasped before her. She’s closing off like I’ve seen her do when she speaks about that fucking ex of hers who did a number on her and Michael.

Staring at her, I knew when I made my offer that Jo might feel like she’s losing her son. Him moving to Texas leaves her behind, but I had a plan for that, too. I’d just needed that damn wedding to take place.

I’d needed time.

Now, Jo and I might be the couple whose relationship is irreparable. She sees me as taking her son from her and that was never my intention. I had no intention of leaving her behind.

Still eyeing her, I’m relieved when she lifts her head, offers me a weak smile, and looks away. Those deep brown eyes don’t dance like they do when I kiss her, when I touch her, when I enter her. When she makes me feel like a fucking king because she clings to me, giving me what I want from her both sexually and emotionally. When she melts my heart as she calls me baby. Jo is sweet comfort in a life that’s been full of storms.

“Michael also wants time before he leaves Jo.”

Jo’s head snaps back to Keli and she gives it a small shake. “It’s a really generous gift, and as I just told Michael, you both should take it for what it’s worth and move when you’re ready.”

My girl might be happy about this news but the woman I’ve been wrapped around for nearly a week is not pleased. She knows the value of a house for newlyweds, but the distance is an issue. Along with a hit to his pride, the location was a huge factor in Michael not wanting the gift.

I had a solution for Jo, though. A goddamn masterful plan. Then the wedding didn’t take place, and everything blew up in my face. After Keli’s tears dried, my only concern was getting down here when I learned this is where Jo went.

“Next,” Michael’s strong voice breaks into my thoughts. “We never wanted such a huge wedding.” He glances down at Keli wrapped around his waist and addresses her. “I want Keli to have the wedding of her dreams.”

Keli continues their thoughts by looking at Jo and me. “And the wedding was getting out of hand. Michael and I realized we really only had one priority during the ceremony. We want to be with the two most important people to us.”

A tear slips from Jo’s eye, and I straighten from my spot behind the counter. “Darlin’,” I whisper. Dammit, I don’t want her to cry.

Jo shakes her head and swipes her cheek, offering another weak smile while her eyes don’t leave our grown kids.

“Plus, we always wanted to get married on our hello day,” Michael adds, speaking like the two of them are one person.

“Your what-what?” I strain.

“Our hello day. The day we met.” Keli glances up at Michael, a full watt smile on her face. “Although we met at TCU, and Michael doesn’t remember it.”

“That’s what a few too many beers can do to you,” he teases.

Despite knowing his dad’s history, I don’t have strong concerns about Michael and alcohol. He’s self-aware it could be an issue for him but him having some fun back in college doesn’t scare me.

“Anyway, our hello day is this Thursday,” Keli explains. “Mama said a weekend was traditional, and we could invite more guests and have a bigger party on a weekend, but I really wanted that date for our wedding.”

“We decided it’s our decision and we’re getting married on Thursday,” Michael adds.