Roxy looks over at us, giving us a saucy grin. “So how did you two sleep?”
“Everyone seems to be asking that,” I say, reaching over and hanging an arm around Mindy. “We slept great.”
“Like a baby,” Mindy agrees, letting my hand stay for a bit.
Roxy looks disappointed. “I didn’t hear screams and whips at all. Major letdown, you two. Get with the program.”
“We’re not here for entertainment,” Mindy grumbles, rolling her eyes and taking my hand off her shoulder.
Silence falls over everyone for a few minutes as breakfast is eaten, and I must admit that whoever Mary Jo has cooking for everyone has skills. Roast duck is easy. Good grits are hard.
As Roxy scrapes the last of her insisted on granola out of her bowl and crunches down, Mary Jo rises to her feet and claps her hands together. “Enough dilly-dallying. There’s so much to do and not enough time to get it done. We’ve got to get flower girl gowns, and there are decorations and dealing with the caterer . . .”
Roxy sticks her hand up, sort of, interrupting her mother. “Mom, I think it would be better for everyone if we worked in groups. Keep you sane.”
Mary Jo brightens. “That’s actually a great idea, Roxy.”
Roxy sticks her tongue out at Mindy. “You’re not always the pet!”
“Girl, please,” Mindy says, waving her away. “I’ll go with you, Roxy. Keep you out of trouble.”
“And I’ll go with them,” Ivy Jo adds. “Keep these old bones youthful.”
Mary Jo looks like she’s about to protest but relents with a nod. “Well then, can you three deal with the dresses? Rita and Layla, come with me to get the decorations.”
“And Oliver can come with me for a ride through town,” John says. “I want to show him a few things and get his opinion on some others.”
Mary Jo claps her hands together, pleased. “Okay. That sounds great. Be back here by one for lunch.”
As everyone is getting up from their chairs, I pull Mindy in close. “Bye, Princess,” I tell her, giving her a kiss on the lips. This time, she isn’t as shocked, and I’m surprised when she kisses me back quickly.
“Goodbye, handsome,” she tells me, giving me a cute little smile that stops me in my tracks for a moment. I think I’m having just a little too much fun with this roleplay. “See you in a bit.”
I get up, and John and I make it outside and jump into his classic Mustang convertible, cherry red, of course, and we head into town. The engine purrs as we cruise, and I have to admit, it’s a great car.
“That Mindy is quite a handful,” John says as he drives, the top down and just the engine providing background noise. “Just a more grown-up version of her younger sister. But what I love about them most is that mischievous sparkle in their eyes. They’re always ready to hit you with a joke that will have a grown man giggling.”
I chuckle. “I can't argue with that. You’d be surprised how often she knocks me on my heels.”
“Do you love her?” John asks me directly as we pull up to a stop sign. “No offense, but I’m about to be her stepfather. I’d like to know she’s going to marry a man who will love her, not just be a good match.”
I hesitate. Love is such a strong word. I know I’m supposed to be pretending to be in love, but to actually answer a direct question, I feel uneasy. But I can’t help but answer with what he wants.
“Yes,” I say. “Heaven and stars above, I love her very much.”
John studies me for a moment, then nods. “Good. Then don’t ever let her go. Girls like her only come around once in a lifetime. So to hell with the rules. You make sure you hold her, please her, and give her everything she desires.”
“Desires,” I muse as John pulls away. Desires indeed.
Hopefully, she gives in to that desire sooner rather than later. Another night of her dressed in that nightgown and I’m going to have a serious case of blue balls.
“Oliver?” John asks. “Did you hear me?”
“Hmmm?” I reply, glancing over at John. “Yeah. I was just thinking how stupid rules can be, and that you’re right. Mindy deserves her wildest dreams.”
“Good,” John says, turning his attention back to driving. I look out the car window again, not really watching as the greenery rolls by. I’m thinking about Mindy. And rules. The only thing separating me from her is a flimsy barrier of rules she’s put up between us.
And if I want to get the rules to change . . . I need to change the game.
Chapter 11
Mindy