Page 21 of Forever Fascinating

“A ‘friend’doesn’t make my daughter look like she’s just been given a massive slice of cheesecake with caramel on top.”

“Ohhh… now that is my absolute favorite and you know it,” she laughed, smiling at her dad. “Can I have that on my birthday, Daddy?”

“Of course, baby.”

Jana was smiling at her father, listening to him talk about how happy they were for her brother, how her mother had fussed all morning long on her hair and making sure her dress was just right… and was touched to hear her father’s words.

“You know,” her father began, his voice wistful. “I never thought your sweet mama would give me the time of day… and then she was just there. I thought for sure she was talking to someone else, but it was me. We had nothing in common, nothing that could explain the feeling inside of me when I looked at her…”

Jana looked up at her father, smiling, as tears stung her eyes. She’d heard this story about how they met during on campus during college a million times, but this was the first time it felt almost surreal hearing it.

“She was smiling at me – and I felt like my entire world shifted the first time she looked into my eyes,” her father smiled, lost in the thought. “I was such a bum, barely getting by in my classes, and always fooling around… and she made me want to be a better man.”

“Mom thinks the sun rises and sets on you, Daddy,” she smiled.

“I feel the same,” her father said gruffly. “Don’t let your brother annoy you. That’s why I came to cut in, because I see that same look in your eyes, young lady.”

Jana faltered.

“Take your time, get to know the person who fascinates you, and let things happen slowly, over time,” her father coached softly, smiling tenderly at her. “Become friends first, because you’ll need that friendship eventually when things aren’t always so wonderful, magical, or new.”

“Did Jace put you up to this?”

“No,” he smiled. “Your Mama did – and here comes your young man.”

She caught her breath and smiled at her father nervously.

“Take your time, baby,” he repeated, leaning forward to kiss her on the forehead. “I love you, my sweet girl.”

“I love you too, Daddy,” she whispered. “Do you have a pen?”

Her father tugged one out of his shirt pocket – and handed her a business card, winking at her.

Jana felt so much love for her father right now, realizing he understood and was supporting her. This guy she liked would be leaving again soon just like her brother, and she wanted to hear from him again…

“May I cut in, Mr. Sorensen?” Matthew asked gently, glancing at Jana, who was busy writing her information down quickly, her hands trembling as her father watched.

“Just a second,” Jana urged softly, writing down her email address just below her phone number. She clicked the pen closed, tucked it in her father’s shirt, and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“You betcha,” her father smiled, stepping back. “Nice to meet you, Matthew.”

“And you, sir,” Matthew replied openly, reaching out to shake his hand again. Her father clasped it, shook it again, and then jerked Matthew forward, leaning into him, and whispering loud enough for Jana to hear it.

“That’s my baby girl, young man…”

“I understand, sir.”

“Just making sure that you do,” her father smiled, patting him on the shoulder. “Again, very nice to meet you. Enjoy your dance. I think I’ll see if my wife wants to indulge an old man for a spin around the floor, again.”

Her father walked off and Matthew stepped forward.

“Just a second,” Jana began, boldly reaching forward and slipping the business card with her information on the back into his shirt pocket, patting it for good measure, before she put her hands on his shoulders.

“For later…” she winked at him. “No murder evidence.”

Matthew smiled at her.

CHAPTER6

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