Page 5 of Don't Fall for a Grump

When I look back at Dad, he’s gazing at me with one eyebrow cocked. “What do you think of her?”

“Of who?” I reply, pretending not to know who he’s talking about.

“Daisy the cow,” he says flippantly, “who do you think I mean?”

I couldn’t help but smile

“Oh, you can smile,” he declares. “I thought you might have left your sense of humor in the city.”

“One needs to find something humorous in order to smile, Father,” I reply sarcastically.

There was a beat of silence, before he widened his eyes and looked at me. “Well?”

I sigh. I suppose I have to answer the darn question and get it over with.

“I’m not going to lie. I’m a bit surprised. When you told me you’d hired a housekeeper, I imagined—”

“Some old woman with sensible shoes?”

It was like he could read my mind. I shrug and nod. “Exactly.”

“In my older years, son, there’s no law that says I cannot enjoy a nice view now and again. And whether you’re willing to admit it or not, Bree is easy on the eye. She’s also a pretty hard worker.”

“I’m happy for you. Truly. Now, how about some lunch?”

I don’t even wait for him to reply, before rushing over to the larder. As I browse the shelves, I find myself thinking back on what he said. Bree was most definitely easy on the eye. But so what? Lots of beautiful women were. Claire was. But beauty doesn’t amount to anything if they are a cheating liar, does it?

You need to stay away, Jackson. All women are the same. They’ll use you when they need to, and break your heart and throw you away when they’re done. Cheating liars, the lot of them.

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