“Yes, actually.” She walked to the sink and washed her hands.
Her father kept dogging her every step. “This isn’t like you Ardy. You always think with your head. “
“Maybe that was the problem. What did that ever get me, but stuck in the same place with no real plans for the future and no love interest?” She dried her hands on a dishtowel and moved to take out ground beef for the spaghetti she planned to make. Slicing open the plastic, she placed the meat in a frying pan on the stove.
“What is that supposed to mean…Ardy Colleen?”
She threw away the garbage and turned to face him. “It means I never branched out, or tried anything new. I love you and I love our family. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. You must know that.”
“Of course, I do. It’s my fault you’re here now. I never should have agreed to it.” Paddy shook his head.
The guilt in his voice made her heart ache. It had to feel like a noose slowly strangling him. She moved closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m glad you did. It forced me to take a hard look at myself and decide what I want for myself. You don’t have to feel guilty. I don’t blame you for anything. It’s not the start of a downfall.”
“You expect me to believe you want to stay here shackled to some hard ass biker?”
“I’m not shackled, will you stop saying that?” She shook her head, walked across the room, grabbed a pot, filled it with water, then set it on the stove to boil.
“The hell you aren’t! Looking at you playing house wife for them, practically ignoring me.”
“I’m not Da, but the kids still have to eat and Jonah will probably be home soon as well. I have duties that still need tending too.”
“Jonah? You’re using his given name now? Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This is worse than I thought.” Paddy clucked his tongue.
“I think you’d like him if you gave him a chance Dad. He isn’t the man you think he is.”
“Oh, I know better than you what kind of man he is. You might have blinders on now. What about when they come off and you’re in too deep to get out? I’d never be able to live with myself if I didn’t put a stop to this. Whatever he wants us to pay; I’ll find a way to come up with it. Even if it means selling the bar.”
“Da, stop.” She held up her hand. “Our debt is paid. I chose to stay.”
“No.” he shook his head. “I refuse to believe that.”
“Haven’t I always been the type to know my own mind?”
“Yes, which is why I don’t understand you right now.” Paddy shook his head and sank down into the closest chair.
“Da, what’s so confusing? I’m happy here. I love Jonah and the kids. This?” She circled her finger in the air. “Makes me happy.”
“How am I supposed to look at the monster who stole you away and be happy about it? He took you from me by force. Do you know how hard that was to let happen? I’ve never felt so helpless in my life. You’re my first born. I look to you to help me. Maybe too much. I forgot you still needed looking after. That’s something I have to live with for the rest of my life.”
“Not if you see it as the blessing it is. We’re happy together. I never would’ve found this back in Denton. I would’ve spent the rest of my life working at the bar, helping others find their own happiness while I remained in the background. An envious shadow who watched life happen to everyone else, but her. That’s not the life you wanted for me, is it?”
“Were you really so unhappy?”
“No, Daddy. I wasn’t. I was just…numb.” She shrugged. “Jonah makes me feel alive. I know it’s a dangerous life. But tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. Please be happy for me? That’s what I need more than anything from you and Mom. The others will follow your example.”
“I don’t know if I can do that darling. It doesn’t seem right to me. I’m not convinced you’re not doing this to protect me. “
Ardy cursed her penchant for self-sacrifice. “Before you form an opinion, can you at least see us interact?” Being at odds with her family didn’t sit well with her. Uprooting and moving away from them had been bad enough. I can’t believe my mom sent him down here like some sort of bounty hunter, hell bent on bringing me back. “Da. You drove all the way here, what’s a few days spent with us?”
“Us.” He scowled.
The sound of a lock turning drew Ardy’s attention to the door. “Just let me get him caught up.” She dashed out the kitchen before her father could protest.
“Daddy!” Rocket and Harley jumped off the couch, beating her to their father. Dangling off each leg, they looked up and grinned.
“You missed me, huh?” Demon said.
“We need to talk,” Ardy whispered.