He handed it to me, and I was speechless. As I slowly opened it, a beautiful diamond pendant appeared. With my vast experience with jewelry, I immediately recognized the one carat pendant as high quality by the clarity—very nice. But why? “Dad, you didn’t have to do this.”
“This is the diamond that was in your Great-Grandmother’s wedding ring. I had it reset for you.”
“It’s stunning. I don’t know what to say.”
A grin weaved across his lips. “She was amazing and basically raised me. She had a caring spirit just like you.”
My heart was touched. “Thank you.”
“I know I screwed up a lot when I was younger. I was stubborn, and so was your mother. We should have done things very differently. I have many regrets.”
Our eyes locked, and I nodded, sharing in his regret.
“I wanted to ask how she is, your mom?” he whispered. “Like I said earlier, I said the wrong thing to the right girl for years when it came to her. I hope she’s happy.”
“She is. Hubby number three is the one.” He joined in when I started laughing at the insanity of my words.
“I’m glad. She’ll always have a place in my heart.”
Daisy popped around the corner. “Hi, guys.” Her eyes dropped to my shoes and widened.
“Hi. I, uh, I had a suitcase mix up”—it wasn’t a total lie— “and wanted to see if I may be able to borrow a few things from you?”
Her eyes sparkled. “I wondered what was up with the fishing boots and those tap-dancing shoes! I thought you’d joined the damn circus or something! Follow me, Sweetie. There might be a thing or two we can take in or pin up to better fit you.”
My dad smiled as Daisy took my hand and pulled me up the stairs.
“You know, Daisy, I think it’s kind of amazing that you adopted Jax and Austin.”
“I’m the one who’s blessed when it comes to those two. A child doesn’t have to come through you to be yours. I’m a big old Mama Bear when it comes to my boys.” Her smile was proud as she glanced back at me. “If any motherfucker harms a hair on either of their heads, it’ll be a blood bath. I have guns and ammo hidden all over this property. I’ll shoot first and ask questions later.”
Well, I did not see that coming. Mental note: don’t piss Daisy off.
As I followed her into her closet, the words ran through my mind again. Maybe it was the eerie smile on her face, but I was pretty sure shewasa woman who could get away with murder.
First, there was her sugary-sweet demeanor. No cop would ever expect anything from her. And I got the feeling she could talk herself out of just about any situation. Secondly, I bet Daisy would know where to stash a body out on all this land.
CHAPTER8
JAX
I’d gotten two texts from Daisy and one from Austin, wanting to know when I’d be up to the house for dinner with Madison. After a quick shower, I walked over.
Thinking of my meeting with Madison in the barn earlier, I was reeling a bit. In my wildest dreams, I’d never imagined ginormous sweatpants and tap shoes could be hot, but Madison somehow pulled that off, making me want to rip that pizza slut sweatshirt right over her head. Again, I need to get my mind out of the gutter.
I approached the front door and paused. She wasn’t the bitchy snob I expected her to be. Everything, from her fishing boots to the apparent love of SpaghettiOs, was unexpected.
It’d been less than two weeks since Abby left, and I swore off women. Well, not forever, but for a while at least, and then this. How could I have been with that beautiful woman for a year and never felt the zip I did after an hour-long truck ride with the woman in clown overalls? I had no fucking idea. But one thing was certain; I needed to steer clear of the girl who was flying out of here at the end of the week and back to the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
I turned the knob to hear Jim’s laughter as I made my way to the table where everyone, including Austin, sat with plates full.
“It’s nice of you to join us, Jax.” Daisy kissed my cheek. “Better grab yourself some ribs before they’re all gone.”
I took the only empty seat at the table across from Madison. She was no longer in the weird-girl attire I’d become accustomed to over the past hours. Instead, she had on a deep burgundy shirt with little buttons and a dipping neckline that showed off the diamond necklace Jim had made for her.
I didn’t know if it was the color of the fabric or the lighting, but when she looked up at me, her eyes sparked as she flashed me a little grin that caused tightness in my chest.
“You look nice.”
