My surprise must have shown on my face because my mother's eyes softened. "You love her, don't you?" she asked gently.
I nodded. "Yes, I do, although I didn't realize how much I loved Jade before now," I replied.
"Go after her. Make sure that she knows how much you love her and where she belongs in your life," Mother ordered.
"Yes, Ma'am," I said with a smile.
As I drove back to town, I thought about how much my life had changed.
Robin was the best thing that had ever happened to me. He had changed who I was, how I looked at the world and even my identity in just a short time. I wasn't only Michael Fletcher, billionaire CEO, but also "Daddy."
I wanted to make sure that Robin had everything that I never had. I had all the material things a boy could want, but I never remember having real family time. I couldn't imagine my mother playing a board game with me.
Robin needed a family that did things together – like play games or go to the zoo.
A picture of Jade floated through my mind. I didn't want to lose Jade, either. She was genuine, feisty, determined, stubborn, prideful, smart, and very honest with her expectations of the world around her. She was perfect.
I was aware that she was still working with Jordan and that Jordan was in love with her. He was a smart man and would use the opportunity to make his move on Jade. I knew Jade loved me and that she wouldn't just fall into his arms. However, if she thought that there was no future for the two of us, I could see her letting herself be taken in by the sweet words of the silver-tongued devil.
I will not be an idiot and lose the best two things that have ever happened to me.
"Call Tammie," I ordered my Bluetooth. I listened to the phone ring, drumming my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel.
"Hello," she answered in surprise.
"Hey, I screwed up and need your help apologizing," I said.
"I didn't know that men did that," Tammie quipped in a lame attempt at a joke.
"Sometimes we do," I said curtly. "Not often, so you might want to mark it on your calendar."
She laughed. "Jade told me what happened. I tried to make her see that you meant well, and it was just that things didn't come off the way that you intended them to."
"What was her response?" I asked.
"She's struggling with it. She was pretty hurt by your mother's comments and is still angry about how Daisy just came in and hijacked her computer," Tammie said. "I think she understands that you were only trying to help, but you know, as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions."
"So, what can I do to get her to forgive me?"
"I have an idea," she sing-songed.
We talked for about half an hour while she outlined her plan.
"Do you think that she will forgive me?" I asked, trying not to let worry creep into my voice.
"I know it will. Jade is in love with you, although she would kill me if she knew I told you," Tammie said confidently.
I could hear the smile and excitement in her voice. She thought it was about time that Jade would finally be happy.
Once I got back home, I decided that there was one more phone call I needed to make.
"Hello, Michael," Grandfather answered on the first ring.
"I need to talk to you about Jade," I informed him.
"What about her?" he asked.
"I wanted to tell you that you were wrong about Jade. She is exactly what this family needs. I finally opened my eyes, and I realized that I love her. I plan on asking her to marry me," I stated.