Page 23 of May I Kiss the Bride
The rush of words was like standing beneath a cold waterfall, because Viola knew her mother wouldn’t like her answers.
“I have an urgent matter to discuss with you and Father, and I thought it would be better in person.”
Her mother’s brows dipped. “Has something happened to Beth? Or to you? Did my sistermistreatyou?” Her voice went up an octave.
“Nothing like that. I’m perfectly well, and Aunt Beth is managing just fine in my absence. She was managing fine before—we all know why I really went to Wyoming.”
“Well.” Her mother crossed to her and kissed her on the cheek—a kiss that Viola barely felt. “You’re just in time to attend the art gala tonight. It’s black-tie, and your ex-fiancé is still not attending events, so you should be safe from seeing him. It might be good to show your proud face in public, after all.”
“I won’t be attending any galas, Mother.”
“Why not?” Mother’s eyes narrowed. “What is it that must be discussed so urgently? Is there a man in this story? Have you been … compromised?”
The look of horror and fear in her mother’s eyes almost made Viola laugh. The lengths that Sheriff Rey had gone to stop even the mildest of flirting men had quite prevented any “compromising,” as her mother might refer to it.
“No one has been compromised, Mother.” Viola heaved a sigh. “Now, where is Father?”
“In the library.” Mother’s eyes narrowed once again. “I was just about to speak with him. He will certainly be surprised to see you.”
Viola began to walk toward the library, and her mother’s clicking heels caught up.
“What is this all about, Viola? You know your father doesn’t like to be bothered with—”
Viola knocked on the closed library door, then, without waiting for any sort of inquiry, she opened the door and walked in.
The next few moments were filled with surprise on her father’s part and fussing on her mother’s part.
Father rose from his chair behind a large desk and walked around it to clasp both of Viola’s arms. He wore a light gray suit and his shoes were shined to a high polish. His mustache twitched as he looked her over. “You’ve had too much sun, Viola. Sit and drink something. I knew sending you to your mother’s sister’s place was a mistake. We should have sent you to Philadelphia to spend the summer with my brother’s family. It’s farther away, but it’s at least civilized and modern—”
“No, that’s not what this is about,” Viola cut in before her father’s tangent could continue. She stepped away from both ofher parents. “I’ve made a decision about my future, and I’ve returned to San Francisco to begin the inquiries.”
“Inquiries into what?” Father asked, lines creasing his forehead.
“Nursing school.” Viola paused as both of her parents frowned. “I’m twenty-seven and the survivor of a failed engagement. I’ve done things your way my entire life. I don’t want another five or ten years to go by and not find out what I can really accomplish in life. Sitting around and hoping for another man to propose isn’t my idea of fulfillment.”
“You wouldn’t be sitting around,” Mother cut in. “Besides, the wait will be worth it. Marriage is wonderful, and you’ll become a mother with beautiful children.”
“Maybe,” Viola said. “Maybe that will happen, but I’m not going to force it. I’m not going to court a man just because his father is a friend of our family’s. I don’t want a man who looks at me for an inheritance to pad his own pockets. I want to do something that matters. To me and to other people.”
Father folded his arms. “And nursing school is going to bring you such fulfillment?”
Mother covered her mouth and sat on a chair. “You’ve been reading too many articles written by feminists. You’re educated, Viola, and now it’s time you use that education toward creating a marriage and raising a family. Nursing work is for spinsters who have no other options in life. You’re beautiful and still young, and you come from a family of privilege and impeccable reputation.”
“I don’t have anything against the right marriage, and I’ll be happy to have children if the situation presents itself,” Viola said. Her father’s face was reddening, and she knew his outburst was coming soon. “But I’m finished with high society. Whether or not you support me in nursing school won’t change my mind.There are scholarships I can apply for, and most of these schools provide boarding.”
Her father’s mouth opened, then closed.
“Viola, you’ve had a long journey,” her mother said. “Why don’t you rest and then we can all discuss your time in Wyoming when you’re feeling refreshed.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Father cut in, his tone measured. “I don’t need time to think this over, and it’s clear that our daughter has done nothing but make plans without our consent.” His gaze cut to his wife’s, then back to Viola. “If you choose this course of action, Viola, after all we’ve done and provided for you … after all the protection we’ve offered you from this scandal, then you had better pray for a scholarship. Because no daughter of mine whom I’d ever claim will reduce herself to the job market.”
When his fist slammed down onto the desk, Viola jumped.
Her father’s anger was no surprise, yet to be standing here, after so many weeks away, and to hear his decisive words still cut deeply.
“All right, then,” Viola said, her voice a scratch inside her throat. “I won’t trouble you with this anymore. I will write to you of my progress, but don’t feel obligated to write back.” She recited the words she had practiced in her head during the long trip home. Otherwise, she would have melted like a puddle and broken into tears. She’d do that later.
Her eyes stung, and her neck muscles felt strained as she walked out of the library.
