Haley floated around the house making sure everything was right. Centerpieces she made with her friend Rachel adorned the table where we would sit and eat. I had simplified everything, toning down the meal and even the table settings at her request. I loved that she took a simple approach to life and wasn’t like other women who would buy the most expensive things just because they could. It was refreshing to see a woman who had the world at her fingertips and she chose only what was necessary.
The doorbell rang, and I knew Gordon would answer for me, but I headed that way. I was expecting a few people and I wanted to make a good impression. As I approached the door, I noticed through the window that it was Haley’s father, not that I knew what he looked like. I deduced it because he was the only man invited whom I didn’t know. I waited just out of sight as Gordon welcomed him, then strolled up to him to introduce myself.
He studied me as I moved closer, a serious expression on his face. I reached my hand out and smiled. “Mr. Spencer, welcome to my home. Haley is just in the dining room making the last-minute preparations for us.” He shook my hand, a nice firm gripprobably meant to warn me of how he’d protect his daughter, but he had no need to fear. My only intention was to love her with every breath in my body.
“Mr. Danvers, thank you for inviting me to your home.” His eyes scanned the entryway, and like every other person who visited my home for the first time, he looked amazed. “You have a lovely home.”
“Thank you, I appreciate your compliments. We are here, though, to get to know one another and have dinner.” I gestured toward the dining room and said, “Shall we?”
He followed me down the hall, shoes squeaking on the marble floor. “So this is the way rich people live, huh?”
The question struck me as odd, but I responded in good humor. “Well, yes, the one percent live this way, but I have a feeling Haley is going to make a humbler man out of me.”
He chuckled and patted me on the back, falling into step beside me. “She does that to the best of us, Parker.” For a man only five years older than me, he seemed older, even haggard. I could tell he’d been through the trenches in life. Haley had told me about her mother’s untimely death and how both she and her father grieved.
“She must have had an excellent upbringing.”
“That she did. Her mother was in every way a saint, rest her soul. And I did my very best with her.” He stopped me, squeezing my elbow. “Now I know she is smitten by you, but I want you to know that she is and forever will be my baby girl. I want her to be safe and happy, and those two things aren’t things that money can buy.”
I understood his sentiment perfectly. If I were a father, I would feel the same way about my child. “Mr. Spencer, I assure you, Haley and I are in love. She means the world to me. I never want to hurt or disappoint her.”
“Daddy!” Haley squealed as we entered the dining room. She threw her arms around her father in a big hug. Rachel joined us, offering Mr. Spencer a handshake. There was some small talk as they caught up with each other, and soon, my other guests arrived. I greeted Tom, then Adam and his wife.
Once everyone was seated, Haley joined me at the head of the table for our announcement. She beamed with pride, her engagement ring on her finger, now fitted perfectly. I wrapped an arm around her and held her to my side as I gained the attention of the room with a soft whistle. Everyone looked up at us expectantly. I squeezed her, letting her know she had the floor.
“Hey, everyone, thank you so much for coming. Um, Adam and Becky, it’s so good to meet you both. I’m glad Parker has you in his life.” She looked up at me with love in her eyes, then back to the table. “We invited you all here because we have an announcement to make. A few of you already know this, but we are getting married.” I could hear the emotion in her voice as she said the words. I felt the same. I’d never been more in love in my life.
“Oh, my gosh, that’s incredible. Congratulations!” Becky was all grins, and Adam sat nodding like he was sayingI told you so.
Mr. Spencer looked a bit surprised, but seeing Haley’s happiness, he winked at her and nodded. “Congratulations, you two.”
Tom and Rachel, both having learned about our engagement before, just offered their cheers of excitement, which spurred everyone to clap and chat for a moment. When I cleared my throat, though, they all quieted again.
“We also want to let you know that the wedding will be held in about six weeks. August twenty-first is the date we’ve selected for the ceremony and reception. So mark your calendars.” I kissed Haley’s forehead as she pulled away, strolling over to herfather to receive a hug and kiss from him. I watched as I sat down, noticing them chat quietly for a second. He didn’t seem upset at all, which was a relief, especially given that Haley had been nervous about telling him. So far, the dinner was off to a good start.
We all talked about our experiences with relationships for a few moments, though Rachel had little to say other than to ask if I had any single friends, which brought a round of laughter. Tom and Mr. Spencer chatted like old college buddies, and then dinner was served. The cook prepared three courses for our dinner, an appetizer of bruschetta, a main course of tomato bisque, and crème brûlée for dessert.
As we ate, I realized I was the happiest I’d ever been. No one in my life had ever made me feel the way Haley did. She had come into my life with nothing but a desire to work hard and write excellent stories, and she’d swept me off my feet with her spontaneity and zest for life. Never in my life did I believe I’d find what she gave me, but there she was, wrapped up in a perfect, beautiful package.
I sat at the head of the table with Haley to my right. I smiled at her, not believing my luck in finding her. She winked at me as she took a sip of her wine, then turned to her friend Rachel who sat to her right. They had been talking about floral arrangements, and I learned that Haley had asked Rachel to be her maid of honor. There was no doubt in my mind who I wanted to be my best man. He sat to my left next to his wife. Haley’s father and Tom sat at the other end.
“This bisque is amazing, Parker. I need the recipe.” Tom’s comment drew a round of agreement, nods and grunts of satisfaction.
“Yes, I agree.” Haley’s father raised his spoon in the air and nodded at me. “I think we all need the recipe.”
“Of course, I’ll have my cook print it out for all of you.” I had finished eating already and placed my napkin across the empty bowl. Dessert would be brought out later.
Adam tapped a finger on the table, drawing my attention. “So,” he said, glancing at Haley, “you followed my advice?” He hadn’t been surprised by the announcement of our engagement before dinner. Everyone was surprised, however, when we let them know we would be marrying in mid-August.
“Yeah, I did.” I chuckled. I beat him at sports on most occasions, so this was his one victory to hold over my head. I wasn’t even upset about it either, because following his lead on this was the best choice I'd ever made.
He leaned to the side and spoke to me in a way so Haley couldn’t hear, but I wished she could have. “She’s pretty amazing, Parker. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks, Adam, I really needed that kick in the pants. Thanks for being such a great friend." I reached for my wine glass and emptied it, then set it back down. “But now that there is a wedding happening, I guess that ropes you into the best man gig.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.” He reached out to shake my hand, and I returned the gesture.
The entire night was going exactly as planned. The only thing that would have made it better is if it had happened sooner. We finished dinner and dessert, then showed our guests out. Haley stood by my side holding my hand as her father left, the last one to depart. When I shut the door, she turned and draped her arms around my neck and I kissed her deeply.
