Grandfather was silent for a moment. I knew he was choosing his words carefully. "You must know that I've always wanted what was best for this family and you. She proved to me, over and over again, that she wasn't a gold digger. If you love her and want to marry her, then I am willing to give her a chance," he said finally.
I thought it still sounded condescending and controlling, but it was a huge concession on his part. I would take my win.
Grandfather was never one for chit-chatting on the telephone – or in person, for that matter – so the phone call ended abruptly.
It was time to win my family back.
The morning startedwith a bit of a shock.
Daisy came in with my coffee. She set it down and then fiddled with the cuffs of her blouse. "Can I talk to you, please?"
"Sure. What's on your mind?" I asked, looking up from my computer.
I was expecting her to say something about Jade's business plan or something else along those lines, but what she actually said took me by surprise.
"I was wondering if I could have a transfer out of your department," she said heavily.
"Do you have an idea of where you would like to go?" I asked, trying to hide my shock.
"I think that the IT department would be interesting and a good change of pace," she said, twisting her hands together. "I've always been into computers, and their assistant has decided she will be a stay-at-home mom."
I sighed. "You've been a great assistant, and we will greatly miss you and your services. Would you mind giving me two weeks so that we can get someone hired and trained for your position?" I asked.
She gave me a sad smile. "I've already got a short list of candidates to start interviewing today."
"Thank you," I said, staring out the window as Daisy left my office.
I briefly wondered what that was all about, but then my thoughts quickly returned to Jade. Today was the day that my life was going to take a whole new direction – again.
33
Jade
The doorbell rang while I was enjoying my morning coffee. I was trying to get motivated to tackle all my pressing tasks, and the doorbell ringing was the perfect distraction.
"Hey, can you grab that?" Sage yelled from her room.
I really wasn't in the "people" mood today, but I dutifully set my cup down on the table and made my way to the front door.
A bored middle-aged man with a receding hairline stood on the porch, holding a glass vase of purple roses.
"Jade Shelton?" the man asked.
"Yes, that's me," I said in confusion.
He handed me a clipboard. "Please sign here."
Once I had done that, he thrust the vase of roses into my hands and left without saying another word.
"Charming man," I muttered sarcastically as I closed the door behind him.
"Who was it?" Sage called out.
"Someone delivering flowers," I replied.
She popped into the kitchen to check out the delivery. She whistled. "Purple roses. Those are definitely for you. Who are they from?"
"There's no card," I told her after searching the bouquet.