“You know what?” Matt showed his palms. “I don’t even want to discuss the property. Do what you want with the will and with the farm. To be honest, I’m sick and tired of being manipulated, and I’m done losing sleep over it. If you want to give it all to Adam, then…” He shrugged, lowering his hands. “I don’t care anymore.”
His mother narrowed her eyes at him. “So now that this woman is involved, you apparently aren’t so interested in your noble crusade to save the town and keep the farm going for your sister?”
Matt glared right back at her. “I can’t stop you from doing what you want with your own property, and I can’t stop Adam from turning Aspen Mill into his own personal cash cow.” He turned to Beth. “Anything you need to buy your own property and set up your own stable, it’s yours. No strings and no questions asked. I’m sorry I couldn’t—”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for,” Beth said quietly. “If you gave up Dara so I could keep that barn, I’d kick your ass.”
Normally, Dara would’ve expected that to bring a laugh out of both siblings, but they stayed deadly serious. She had a feeling Beth wasn’t kidding.
“This is insane.” His mother set her napkin on top of her silverware. “I raised you better than that, Matthew.”
“This is what you wanted, Mom. I have a family now.”
His mother stabbed a finger at Dara. “I didn’t mean with that woman!”
Both of Dara’s parents narrowed their eyes, and her father was quickly turning red like he only did when he was nearing the end of his tether.
Dara cleared her throat. “With all due respect, Mrs. Coolidge, this isn’t for you to decide. Matt and I only recently decided to date, but as for the baby, we made that decision a long, long time ago.”
Matt’s mother’s eyes darted back and forth between them. “What do you mean, a long, long time ago?”
“I mean I can’t have children naturally because of the cancer treatments I had in college.”
The woman’s eyebrows shot up, and her lips parted.
Dara went on, keeping her voice gentle on the off chance that she was actually getting through. “I knew back then that I wanted kids, so I decided to freeze some embryos. There was only one person in my life who I could imagine trusting enough to father those embryos. So I asked Matt.”
Mrs. Coolidge’s gaze shifted to her son. “This is what you were talking about. When you asked how I would feel about you helping an infertile woman.”
Matt nodded, and he took Dara’s hand. “When her husband left, she was already pregnant, and she asked me if I was willing to—”
“Of course she did,” his mother snapped. “Everyone in town knows how much money you—”
“That’s enough,” Dara’s father barked, making everyone jump. All heads turned toward him. “This needs to stop. All of it. My daughter has done nothing wrong.” He paused, glancing at Matt. “And neither has your son. I, for one, am thrilled.”
“Bill, are—”
“Give it a rest, Nancy.” Dad squeezed Mom’s hand. “Stop and think about what’s happening here. We’re going to be grandparents.”
“But they—”
“No.” Dad shook his head, and he kept his voice calm but firm. “I’m tired of staying quiet where our daughter’s life is concerned. She’s a grown woman. An intelligent one who knows what she wants in her life.” He gestured at Matt. “And he’s been there for Dara since they were kids. Think about how much he did for her when she was sick. Do you think Charlie or Jon would’ve done that?”
Dara bristled at the mention of her ex-husbands.
Mom glanced at Dara. Then at Matt. Her jaw was still tight, her eyes still narrow, but she didn’t speak.
“Look at them, Nancy.” Dad waved a hand at them. “They’re not kids. They’ve both made damn fine successes of themselves. And now they’re not asking for your permission. They’re asking for your blessing and whether or not you want to be a part of your grandchild’s life.”
Mom lowered her gaze.
“Honey, we almost lost our daughter once before,” Dad went on, speaking softly. “Do you really want to push her away because she’s having a baby with the man she obviously loves?” He gestured at Matt. “And remember who was there for her when she was sick.”
Dara’s throat constricted, and she squeezed Matt’s hand for dear life.
After a moment, her mother exhaled. “Have the two of you discussed getting married?”