Taken Hard (The Hard Boys 2)

She shook her head. “No. It wasn’t your truth to tell. It was his.”

Lilly went onto her toes and kissed his lips. “Will you take me back to the bar? I really need to talk to him.”

“Of course.”

Caleb helped her into the truck, and she slid across the seats, getting as close to him as possible. He pulled out of the park and started toward the bar, taking her hand as he drove. She rested her head on his shoulder. With him driving, it didn’t take long.

She kissed him goodbye and walked back into the bar.

Edward stared at his cell phone as she entered. The moment the door closed, he looked up.

“Lilly.”

She took a deep breath and moved toward the bar. “I never got any presents or birthday cards from you. At least, my mother never said they were from you. She never got me anything, and she might have passed a couple off as ones she bought. Lucy and I, we’re finished.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I’m not. I … I’d like for us to get the chance to know one another,” she said. “I’d like to know you. To build something. If you’re willing.”

“I am willing. Very willing. I’d really like to know you, and I’d like to be able to take care of you. I don’t have a lot in life. The bar. A small savings.”

She chuckled. “I don’t care about the bar or your small savings. They’re good, obviously. I was thinking about you and me. Do you think we could get to know one another?”

Edward stared at her for what felt like the longest time, and she had to wonder if she’d made a big mistake.

“I’d like that. I’d like to get to know my daughter.”

She smiled at him.

“I know this is going to sound very strange, but would it be okay if I hugged you?” he asked.

“It’s not strange. I’d really like that hug.”

Edward rounded the bar and took her into his arms, kissing the top of her head and holding her.

****

“I thought you went to your mother for this kind of advice,” Theodore said.

“What? No, I come to you as well, all the time.” Caleb glanced back at the house as his father laughed.

“Son, I’m not offended. I help where I can, and your mother has always been your sounding board. Even with those romance books she leaves lying around for you to read.”

Caleb gripped the back of his neck. “You know about them?”

“There’s not a lot I don’t know.”

“So, tell me how I can go about this.”

Theodore sat back from pruning one of the rose bushes in the garden. He wiped the sweat off his brow, and Caleb crouched down, offering him the lemonade his mother had given him to take to his father. He took it and drank down half of it, licking his lips.

“Let me get this straight. You want me to tell you how to marry your woman?” Theodore asked.

“To tell her that I love her and how to propose.”

“This isn’t just some game. Lilly is the one?”

“Yes. She’s the one.” Caleb smiled. Just thinking about Lilly made him smile.

“That’s a start,” Theodore said, getting to his feet and carrying his tools back to the worktable he’d set up outside.

“What’s a start?”

“Marriage is not easy. It’s complicated. You and Lilly are experiencing the young love that everyone goes through. Marriage is not something you can walk away from.” Theodore shook his head, holding a hand up to stop him from talking. “I know a simple divorce is all it takes and it’s over, but it’s not supposed to be like that.” He removed his gloves and cupped his hand. “A marriage is precious. You’re swearing to give your life to this other person.”

“Dad, I’m not taking this lightly. This isn’t some random dream I’m having. I am in love with Lilly. The good. The bad. I want it all. I’m not going to run away when the going gets tough. You’ve always told me when I find the right woman, there will be no settling. It will be love no matter what, and I found her. I know her. It’s not about needing her. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life knowing she’s out there and I didn’t have the balls to take her. Lilly’s mine.”

Theodore smiled. “Then that is what you need to do and say. It’s not about my guidance. It’s about asking that woman to marry you because you’re in love with her and don’t want to think of your life without her. There are no magical words for me to tell you. Everything you feel has to come from the heart. There’s no other way.” Theodore slapped his shoulder. “You’ve got this, Caleb. You’re a strong man with a good heart, and your mind is in the right place. I’m so glad I’ve been able to live long enough to see it.”