“I don’t particularly want to scream down the table to be heard,” she said. “This is much nicer. Daphne, you sit here, between George and me, and Brad, take the place on your father’s other side.”
We sat at our designated places and waited for Mr. Steel. Belinda came in and poured us each a glass of ice water and a glass of red wine.
Then we waited.
And waited.
“For God’s sake, Mom,” Brad said. “What’s taking him so long?”
“You know your father. He’s on his own time schedule.”
“He’s never late for dinner,” Brad said.
“Except when we screw up his routine and insist that he eat in this room. He’s having a silent temper tantrum.”
“But we have a guest.”
“It’s okay, Brad,” I said. “I don’t mind waiting.”
Brad stood. “Well, I do. Everything’ll get cold.”
Belinda brought in the platter of steaks as Brad walked out of the room.
Mazie smiled at me. “Brad is nothing like his father, thank goodness. He’s a gem.”
I warmed. “I think so.”
“He’s my first and only, and he’s my life. I couldn’t be prouder of the man he’s become. You never love anything the way you love your child. You’ll understand what I mean when you have a child of your own someday.” She patted my hand.
I simply nodded.
That day would come sooner than she imagined.
A few minutes later, Brad walked back in, followed by his father.
George Steel sat down at the head of the table and said nothing. Simply began passing dishes around. We filled our plates in silence.
“Daphne,” Mazie finally said, “tell me a little bit about you and your family.”
I took a serving spoonful of broccoli, placed it on my plate, and handed her the bowl. “I’m a freshman, though Brad probably told you that. My parents live in Westminster, a suburb of Denver. I got a full scholarship to Stilton based on my grades in high school.”
“How wonderful! We value intelligence, don’t we, George?”
Mr. Steel nodded but still said nothing.
“What do you want to study?”
“I haven’t chosen a major yet, but I’m leaning toward English and creative writing.”
“What do you plan to do with that major?” Mr. Steel said, his voice gruff.
I suppressed a shiver. My cheeks were so hot, they must have been the color of a red delicious apple. It was a valid question, and I had no idea how to answer it.
“She’s been in college a month, Dad,” Brad said.
“So? You knew what you were going to do at that time.”
“Yeah, but not too many people grow up on a ranch they’ll someday own.”
“He’s right, George,” Mazie agreed. “Don’t let him put you on the spot, honey.”
I took another bite of broccoli and chewed. He had put me on the spot, but the fact was, I wouldn’t finish that major anyway. I’d be living here, raising a child. Their grandchild. Only they didn’t know that.
By the end of this meal, they would.
And George Steel was not going to be happy.
Chapter Seventeen
Brad
My father was in asshole mode. He didn’t push Daphne any further on her major, though, thank God.
When I’d gone to his bedroom to prod him into dinner, I’d thanked him profusely once again for helping me with Wendy, which hadn’t helped his mood.
Yeah, he was glad I was done with Wendy, but he wished I’d been able to accomplish it on my own.
Indeed, I wished the same.
But that wasn’t what he was pissed about.
He wasn’t pissed about eating in the dining room, either.
A major contract had fallen through this afternoon, and he had a migraine.
Not a good combination.
Still, I’d promised Daphne we’d tell my parents our news tonight.
I wasn’t sure that was a great idea now. At least Belinda had put some wine on the table. A glass of wine might not help my father’s headache, but it would at least calm him down a little.
Maybe.
I took the initiative, brought my goblet to my lips, and took a sip of wine, hoping he’d get the idea. Why he’d decided to grill Daphne on her major was beyond me. She was eighteen.
When he didn’t take a drink of his wine, I took another.
Finally, he picked up his glass and took a sip.
Finally.
Daphne cut into her filet and took a bite. Her eyes widened. She swallowed. “Wow, Brad. You were right. This is perfect. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so smooth and savory and delicious.”
I smiled.
“Best beef in the country,” my father said, this time offering Daphne a small smile.
“It is,” my mother agreed. “It was like discovering meat for the first time when I had my first taste of Steel beef.”
Dinner went smoothly after that. Daphne didn’t realize how much of an impact she’d had on my father. Compliment his beef, his livelihood, and he calmed down.
My Daphne. Here I was, trying to get my father to drink and relax, when all I needed was the beautiful girl across from me. Daphne could bring any man to his knees, including my asshole father. Maybe this would work out tonight after all. I smiled at Daphne.