Page 101 of Before You Can Blink
She had a point there. To me, Aspen was perfect, and apparently, Mac thought so too.
Daisy let out a light laugh. “You should have seen him today, playing Santa. He really played into it. And the way he handled little Skylar Hanford, who had a meltdown because there were too many loud noises?” A hand went to her chest. “He was so patient, giving her personal attention in a way that wasn’t overwhelming. He dropped that big body of his into a tiny chair made for a toddler and colored with her so she wouldn’t feel left out. You can tell he has a good heart, Jett. Our girl did good.”
I blew out a heavy breath. “Yeah, I’m just gonna miss her, is all.”
She twisted in my lap. “Who’s to say this doesn’t mean we won’t see her more than we do now? They’ll have the freedom and funds to travel in a way we never did. Family’s important to Aspen. This town is too. She hides it well, but I can see the longing in her eyes. If she has the resources, I can’t imagine she won’t try to come home as often as she’s able.”
I gently guided Daisy’s head back to rest on my chest as emotion clogged my throat. “I sure hope you’re right.”
“Jett, do you have a minute?”
My head whipped around at the sound of Mac’s voice at the entrance to the barn as I worked to tack up Trigger.
“Can it wait? I’ve gotta run a perimeter check before I take you kids to the airport.”
Twisting his hands, Mac shook his head. “No, sir, it can’t.”
My eyebrows rose. If he was calling me sir, this was serious.
Clearing my throat, I gave Trigger a pat to the hindquarters, silently telling him to hang tight while I dealt with my daughter’s boyfriend—that’s what he truly was now; there was no pretending anymore.
I propped one shoulder against the stall door and folded both arms over my chest. “What can I do for you, son?”
“I—uh—” His dark brown eyes shifted around the space before his body shook with the force of his exhale. “I was wondering if I might be able to work here?”
This boy was so loaded he could buy this ranch a hundred times over and still not run out of money, so his request didn’t make any sense.
“Don’t you have school to get back to?” Even though he was a few years older than her, he was in the same Master of Architecture program with Aspen, and they were set to graduate this spring.
“I’ll be withdrawing from the program, since I’ve decided not to return to Los Angeles.”
“You’re quittin’?” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice.
Mac hung his head. “I know how this must look.”
“And how’s that?”
His eyes slid shut, and a pained expression crossed his face. “Like if I can’t stick with something I’ve poured years into, how can you trust that I’ll be able to commit to your daughter?” Lashes lifted, allowing his gaze to lock with mine. “But I need you to know that’s not it at all.”
Taking a deep breath, he explained, “It took getting away from the city to realize that it’s slowly suffocating me. Taking my place in the family business will change me in ways I won’t be able to come back from, in ways that would make me a terrible partner to Aspen.” He swallowed, and his voice grew thick. “I can’t do that to her.”
“What about Aspen? She dropping out of school too?” I arched an eyebrow.
Eyes bulging, Mac shouted, “No! Of course not!”
“So, she’s going back and you’re staying here? How’s that gonna work?” I was putting the screws to him because I needed to be sure he’d thought this through.
He tugged on the back of his neck. “I’m hoping it will only be a temporary separation, but that’s up to her.”
“You’ve lost me, son.”
“Well, you see, I’ve rented out a storefront on Main Street. Aspen’s dream is to recreate the rustic small-town feel of Rust Canyon in suburban housing developments.”
“Is that so?” It was news to me, but Mac’s knowledge of her career ambitions showcased a level of trust between this man and my daughter.
His chin dipped in confirmation. “It’s my hope that she might want to use the space as a headquarters for her business. Somewhere to bring clients and show them the reality of her vision.”
Was I dreaming?
