I liked this. It was fun and kitschy, and I enjoyed spending time with Chloe and Judge.
And I could use the distraction from all that was in my head.
At present, the fact my sister, who I might not be close to, but she was still my sister, was marrying a total loser the next day.
We got halfway to the stairs when my father showed in the foyer.
Okay, at the present present, my mind was on my dad.
I hadn’t seen him since he’d walked away from us the morning before.
My step faltered, and I stopped.
Rix’s did the same, and his hand in mine squeezed.
“Morning, Dad,” I greeted.
“Good morning, Alex,” he replied, then he looked up at my side. “Rix.”
“Ned,” Rix grunted.
Dad interpreted that correctly that he wasn’t Rix’s favorite person right then, but he was Dad. He had Bernhard-Sharp blood in him. He got what he wanted, and not much fazed him.
“Can I steal Alex for a while?” Dad asked Rix.
Why he did that, I didn’t know, since Rix didn’t set my schedule for me.
Rix informed him of that. “Not me you gotta ask. Though, we got less than two hours before Judge and Chloe are swinging by to pick us up. We got a full day planned.”
Dad looked to me. “I can’t promise to make this quick, darling. I can promise it’s important.”
Rix’s hand squeezed mine harder.
But this had to happen, and one of the myriad awesome things about Chloe and Judge was that they’d get it if we had to be late because of it.
“Okay,” I said to Dad and looked up to Rix, saying it quieter, “Okay.”
He studied my face.
And with another squeeze of my hand, he let me go, bent down to touch his mouth to mine, and then muttered, “Slicker.”
I nodded, took off my damp rain slicker and handed it to Rix.
I didn’t know if it was to communicate something to Dad or me (or both) that Rix didn’t move from his spot as he watched us walk to the hall that led to such rooms as Dad’s study and the library.
I just knew he didn’t move a muscle until we were out of sight.
I thought for sure Dad would take me to his study.
He didn’t.
He took me to the library, to the two armchairs with ottomans that sat at angles to each other and were positioned to face the room from the far corner.
Chairs where I’d spent a lot of time growing up, because if I couldn’t be out in the city doing something to escape my life, I was going to be in a book, escaping my life.
And that was where I was.
Before I sat, I noticed the Degas that used to be in my bedroom but now was on the wall hanging over the chair I’d always favored.
I knew it was there, but something about that caught my attention just then.
Maybe because I’d mentioned it to Rix.
Maybe because I was having this sit down with Dad after an emotional few days.
I hadn’t decided by the time I’d taken that chair, Dad sat beside me and asked, “Judge Oakley is in town?”
“Yes, he and Chloe arrived yesterday.”
I didn’t add to that, like sharing with him our friends came all the way across the country because they thought we needed moral support.
I left it there.
“That’s lovely for you,” Dad remarked.
“Yes,” I agreed.
He pulled in breath through his nose.
“I like him,” he declared. “Rix. He’s good. Solid. I didn’t know what I’d get, him being handicapped.”
So Dad did know Rix had lost his legs.
“It isn’t handicapped, Dad. He lives with a disability.”
“Right,” Dad murmured. “I meant no offense.”
“Now, you know,” I stated.
Dad gave me a curt nod. “My point is, he’s impressive. And not just with that.”
“I know,” I agreed.
“He suits you. You make a good couple. You’re both highly attractive. You have a great deal in common. In other words, Alexandra, you have my blessing. And obviously, so does he. I’d like a chat with him. I’d like to meet his family. But we’ll discuss your budget for the wedding and the plans you’re making. Obviously, I’d like it to be here. Though, my assumption is, that won’t happen.”
Though currently it was “unofficial,” I now knew it was going to happen and how many children we were going to have, even though neither of us had said the words “I love you.”
I didn’t have an issue with this. Rix and I hadn’t done things normally from the beginning.
Why start now?
“No, it won’t.”
Another nod, less curt, more understanding. “Perhaps, after the honeymoon, you can come home for a small reception with family friends.”
“I’ll talk to Rix about it,” I murmured.
“A small one, Alex,” he said quietly. “And I mean friends like Jamie.”
“It’s likely Jamie will come out to Arizona for the actual event,” I pointed out.
“What I’m trying to say is, people who I respect. Who mean something to me. To you. To this family. Not one hundred and fifty people you nor I know very well sitting for a brunch wearing hats. I wouldn’t put you through that. But I’m proud of my daughter. She’s accomplished and part of that is to be intelligent enough to find a good, decent man who knows his own mind, has his own ambitions and looks after my girl.”