Page 122 of Holiday Hopefuls
His office is more like one would expect from a movie set of an attorney's office, instead of from a man with an entire family and who goes home to his corporate wife every day. Bookshelves line the closest wall while the farthest two walls are made completely of glass. A modern buffet sits against the fourth wall, decorative knick-knacks strategically placed for a sense of a warmth I’m not sure Ira Rutherford possesses. Art pieces not found in the downstairs lobby have found homes here, even though not a single family photo graces the walls.
“Have a seat, Oliver.” Ira gestures to the chair opposite his.
If I thought I was nervous before, then this is a whole new level. I’m really glad I skipped breakfast right about now. Sitting down in one of the most uncomfortable chairs I’ve ever had the displeasure of occupying, I force a tight smile onto my face. “Thank you.”
“Why are you here?” No preamble. Got it.
Sitting up as straight as humanly possible, I look Callie’s father right in the eye. “First, I want to personally apologize for everything that’s happened.”
Ira gives nothing away. Nor does he throw me out.
So I keep going. “I stand by my position that Callie deserves better than how she’s been made to feel over the course of her life, intentionally or not. I’m a firm believer that among family is where someone should feel the safest. Supported. Ira, Calloway is the most amazing person I’ve ever met. No matter what has happened in the past, know that you raised a truly incredible and strong human being. And she fully deserves to feel those things. Please don’t misunderstand—I’m not saying our methods were right, but I’m not sorry her feelings were brought to your family’s attention.”
Ira’s hands rest on one another, elbows pushing into the chair’s armrests. So many of his features resemble my love’s that it’s a little unnerving.
It’s like looking at what Callie could have become if she’d chosen a different path. If she’d given in to the cold, ruthless life of her family name.
“And I am sorry for how you all found out,” I nod.
“Were you two ever going to tell us?”
Swallowing, I work to hide my shock that he actually spoke. And in such a steady tone. “Honestly? I’m not sure. Because here’s the thing—” I shift just enough to reach into my pocket and pull out its occupant, setting it on the desk “—I fell in love with your daughter during this crazy charade. And if I can help make sure she’s treated right by the people she calls family, then I will do anything in my power to make that happen. Including letting you believe it was always real.” Despite the absolute trainwreck happening with my heart at the moment, I manage to keep my voice steady.
Callie’s father looks at the engagement ring peeking out of the open box staring up at him. When his eyes finally reach mine again, that stoic face gives nothing away.
“I’ve spent my life avoiding love. I had a great example set by my parents and I never thought I would find anyone who would measure up so entirely. But then, one day, I went to work, just like every other day. I remember it was a Tuesday, because a family I see every Tuesday at four had canceled due to their little girl being ill that day. I walked out into the front of the office and there stood this beautiful woman trying to make an appointment to see me. Me, of all people. When I offered to see her then, some kind of panic came over her. It was like she couldn’t leave fast enough. But I knew I wasn’t ready for her to go. And when a particularly clumsy client walked in and bumped into her, subsequently spilling the contents of her purse all over the floor, I rushed to help her.” I sigh, rubbing a hand down my face. “I love my parents. Dearly. But they’re ready for grandchildren and they want to see my sister and I happy. My friend and I had joked about this idea that I could spend the holidays helping someone in a similar situation—someone whose family thinks there’s some shortcoming to be fixed in their life. Because that’s how my parents viewed my lifestyle. As a shortcoming. The offer was to ultimately convince that person’s family that any of their perceived shortcomings were the fault of the family itself, rather than that of the person in question.” A humorless chuckle leaves my lips. “It was only ever a joke to me. But my friend actually made a flyer. And when I found it among the contents of Callie’s purse, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
Ira shifts in his chair, leaning forward onto the desk. “When did things change?” he asks, eyes never leaving my face.
I nod, thankful he hasn’t kicked me out of the building yet. Yet. “When we said goodbye after Thanksgiving, that was always supposed to be it. That was all we had agreed to. But the momentI drove away, I missed her. I missed the way she made me laugh, her hot cocoa obsession. Watching her face light up when she talked about work. Every single thing she did was magic.” I can’t help but grin thinking about Calloway Rutherford and how she’s changed my life forever. “When she came to see me after Lillian asked about my plans for the holidays, I jumped at the chance to spend more time with her. Ineededmore time with her. But everything changed on Christmas Eve. That was when we both fully realized that things had changed. And now that I have Callie in my life, I don’t plan on ever letting her go.”
Ira stares hard at the ring that Ian and Blythe helped me pick out yesterday afternoon.
After my sister was done yelling at me for feeling like Callie and I had to lie to her.
“You’ve only known each other a month,” he says. Voice neutral, the man gives nothing away. “Why on earth would you think this relationship can make it in the long run?”
Leaning back in my chair, I smile at Callie’s father. “Because it runs in my family.”
“Excuse me?”
I chuckle. “My parents. They were set up on a blind date by mutual friends and had their own whirlwind romance.”
Ira appears extremely unimpressed. “So? That happens all the time.” He taps a particularly thick folder laying on his desk. “Here’s an example of that. I don’t normally take on divorce cases, but this one is exceptionally messy.” The man smirks at the silent question from my raised brows. “What can I say? I like a challenge. But both were born into wealthy families and were introduced by friends. They let passion overtake them and eloped after three weeks. Never even took the time to sign pre-nups. But they just knew everything would work out. One’s a workaholic and the other started to feel neglected. One issue led to another and so on until finally, the marriage fell apart.” Heshrugs. “Now, they’re both hurting. Their families are suffering. And all because they threw caution to the wind.”
Nodding, I pull my ankle over my knee. “Mr. Rutherford, Callie and I aren’t throwing caution to the wind. And we’re not eloping. At least, not unless that’s what she wants. I’d give her the biggest wedding she can plan or take her to the most secluded beach, if that’s her choice. But Callie and I aren’t like those poor people that folder represents. We didn’t meet one crazy night and fall in love. We bonded over events that put us at our most vulnerable. We saw the best and the worst of one another very quickly.” Picking up the ring box, I look at the piece waiting to be placed on my love’s finger. “I spend my days listening to those seeking help in their situations. In a way, that folder on your desk represents those I end up failing. But Callie … ” Determined eyes lift back to Ira Rutherford. “I will never fail her. I’ll work until my hands bleed and I breathe my final breath. I’ll stand by her side until she sends me away, and even then, I’ll beg to keep a place at her feet by the grace of her mercy. There will never be another for me. Failing Calloway will never be an option. I love her and I wholeheartedly plan to marry her.”
I make a mental note to never play poker with Ira as he continues sizing me up from the power side of that massive desk. Just for the sake of not falling out of my chair from nerves, I count the seconds of the world’s strangest stare-off. I make it to seventy-four before Ira blinks.
Sitting back in his chair, Ira juts out his lower lip, nodding slowly. “I don’t love this.”
“I understand.” And I truly do.
“Your candor, though. That’s something I don’t often see. Not in my position and not with the prestige that comes with our family name,” he says. “Everyone always wants something from us. Wants to take advantage of the empire I’ve worked so hard to build for my family.”
“I can’t imagine how hard that must be,” I admit. “You never know who you can trust.”
He nods. “You’re right.” Callie’s father regards me carefully. “What do you think?” The words are louder than he’s spoken thus far, eliciting a frown from me.
