The eyes that met his were angry and hurt. “Go ahead. Have your say.”
Kaevin shifted his feet to control his trembling knees.
“I’m sorry we broke your rules, but we would never do anything to bring shame upon your family or mine. You must know Alora didn’t mean the words she spoke. She has only the greatest respect for you.”
“Yeah, right.” His voice dripped sarcasm. “She certainly didn’t sound respectful.”
“May I be honest with you? Will you promise not to be angry?” Kaevin’s stomach lurched into his throat.
“I’ll try, Kaevin, but I make no promises.” Charles’ jaw muscles flexed. “Do you have a confession to make?”
“Only that we’ve been meeting here to hold hands and exchange a kiss each morning for quite some time.” Kaevin flinched, taking a step back. I didn’t believe Charles’ face could get any redder. “You know it’s necessary for us to have daily contact. We’ve never been inappropriate in any way, but Alora has been attempting to protect you because you appear so uncomfortable when we’re together. She’s also been working to balance her responsibilities at school with her duty to Stone Clan and her obligations to you.”
“You’ve only known her for… what… three months? And you claim to understand her so well you can lecture me?”
As sweat trickled down Kaevin’s neck, he hurried to explain himself.
“Oh no, sir! I don’t understand her at all. She’s a woman… a complete mystery to me. Sometimes she’s angry with me, and I’ve no idea why. One minute she’s laughing, and the next she’s crying. I have no special insight. On the contrary, I was hoping you could help me understand her.
“I’m only relating what she’s told me. She loves you very much, and I hate to see you angry at one another. Again, I apologize for my part and promise to do better in the future.”
Charles swiped his sleeve across his eyes. “If only Lena were still here, she’d know what to do. I don’t know how to raise a teenage girl by myself. I’m sorry, Kaevin, but your presence causes a lot more complications. Having a seventeen-year-old boy around all the time…”
“But I’ve passed another birthing-day. I have eighteen years now,” Kaevin clarified, hoping to sway Charles’ opinion.
“You’re Eighteen? Of course Alora didn’t mention that little fact.” He balled his hand into a fist then slowly relaxed it again. “Lena and I always had a rule that Alora couldn’t date a boy more than one year older than her, and she’s still fifteen. Now you’re living with us—a constant source of temptation—and I can’t watch you two all the time.”
Kaevin swallowed hard, acutely aware of Charles’ wide-eyed stare and his own flushing face. “If only I could convince you Alora and I will never do more than kiss. I know you don’t believe me, but I love her with my whole being. I would never take her unity gift from her before we’re legally married.” He dropped his eyes. “I’m prepared to wait as long as necessary to wed, even three more years, until I have twenty-one years.”
“What if you have to wait until Alora’s twenty-one? She’ll only be sixteen in a few weeks.”
Kaevin clenched his hands to stop their shaking, studying the floor around his boots. Five years! That’s an eternity. But what else can I say? A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
“Then I will wait five years if I must.” It was anguish to even say the words, but he spoke them as a promise.
He heard a snort. Then a chuckle. Charles’ laughter echoed in the stable, and Kaevin looked up to find him doubled over with mirth. It seemed he might continue his uncontrollable laughter forever. When he finally straightened and caught his breath, he clapped Kaevin on the shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Kaevin, but the pain on your face…” He chortled again.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand your amusement.”
“Don’t worry about it. You know what? I believe you. All this time I’ve been so worried about you because you were older and from a different world. I was so busy praying about what to do that I refused to recognize you were a blessing sent straight from God. I don’t imagine I’d find another young man of any age in Montana with better morals or more self-control. And since you two seem destined to be together some day, I’m not going to fight you anymore.”
Several breaths passed before Kaevin realized he was staring with his mouth agape. “Truly? We have your blessing? Your approval?”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes, you have my blessing. Don’t worry—I won’t expect you to wait five years if you stay together. I married Lena when we were both nineteen.” Charles puffed out his cheeks as he blew a slow breath. “But I ca
n’t overlook Alora’s insolence. There’ll have to be consequences.”
“I’m certain she expects this.” Kaevin blinked twice. Is this a dream? I’ve never seen him so equitable.
“You both have to promise me… no more sneaking around. I’ll try not to make a face if I see you kiss or hold hands, but you have to be upfront with me.”
“Yes. Up front.” What does that mean?
“Okay. Is there anything else I should know?”
“Well… there is the small matter of homeschool…”