Chapter Twenty

Deacon

I couldn't seem to sleep. I had too much on my mind. Her ring I pulled from that shoebox had been occupying my thoughts. It belonged on her finger, not around her neck or in a box. She was everything to me and if this most recent break up taught me anything it was that I didn't want to waste any more time. We belonged together. It had always been there, in the way she looked at me, the way I felt when she was around. It had always been right there.

I shifted in bed, unable to lay still any longer. I had so many things I wanted to do, to say, but wake Jenna was not one of them. Decidedly, sliding from the bed, I looked over my shoulder to make sure she was still asleep.

Eyes closed, she called my name, though, "Deke."

"Shh, go back to sleep," I answered, watching her closely.

"I love you," she whispered, unmoving.

With a full heart, there was no question, I felt the same. I laid a kiss on her forehead. "I love you, too." She opened her eyes and lifted her head, smiling.

I moved to get up and before my feet hit the floor, I noticed Jenna was out like a light again.

Dressing, I took extra care with my selections. I had something I needed to take care of. I needed to see Jenna's father. I happened to have it on good authority he had breakfast at the country club every morning, seven o'clock sharp, followed by a round of golf before going into the office. I hoped like hell today was no different because I was going to spring a surprise visit on him.

My mind kept spinning with what he would say. The truth was, he probably wouldn't even want to see me. But to hell with what he wanted because he was going to hear me out, man to man. And if I had to remind him that he should be doing it not for me, but for his daughter, then I would.

* * *

I could see why people liked this place. I never imagined myself being the type to enjoy a country club, but it wasn't altogether bad. Golf carts lined the entryway into the main building, which was big, the inside spacious, well-lit and nicely decorated. The view of the greens just beyond were endless, much like rolling hills that you just didn't see elsewhere in Florida.

I stopped at the front desk, but at the early hour didn't see anyone around. I took a few steps around the main room and noticed the dining room off to the side, so I walked over and peered in. There was a good amount of people sitting down at tables, enjoying breakfast, many with newspapers in their hands. It was quite unlike anything I would have expected. There was a certain air of sophistication to it all, but it also evoked notions of old times, as if they were stuck in the fifties.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" a petite woman with short blonde hair asked me. She was wearing black pants and a white shirt, so I assumed she worked here.

"I'm looking for someone. Mr. Stephen McAllister, do you know if he's here?"

She openly laughed. "Of course, he's here. He's always here," she said, smiling wide. "He's about to go out on the course, though, so if you're looking to meet with him, you better go. He's just behind the greenery over there," she said, pointing in the right direction.

I looked at the booths and the fake planters that lined the top of their backs and wondered just what was awaiting me on the other side. "Thank you."

"Anytime." She winked and turned to go back to the hostess podium.

As I approached, I sucked in a deep breath of air. This was it. Do or die. "Mr. McAllister," I greeted him just as he put down his coffee cup.

Without saying a word, he looked at me and I knew just what he was thinking, wondering really—what was I doing here? I didn't belong in his world, his family's world, and he was right, but I belonged with Jenna and I was prepared to tell him that.

"May I sit down?" I asked when he didn't offer.

He fussed with his newspaper before wedging it on its side between his mug and plate. "What are you doing here, Deacon?"

The disdain in his voice made me realize this wasn't going to be easy. I answered earnestly, "I was hoping to talk to you."

"Son, I'm a little busy. I have tee time in a few minutes. Can this wait?"

Perhaps neither he nor the rest of their family would ever truly accept me, and I was willing to live with that, but I would not be put off. I slid into his booth and put my hands on the table. "No, I'm sorry, but it can't."

Through gritted teeth, he managed, "Very well then," as if trying not to make a scene. "Would you like something to eat?"

I shook my head. "Thank you, but no."

He just stared at me. "How'd you find me anyway?"

"I pay attention."

"Good man," he said, sitting back as if he had all the time in the world, which we both knew wasn't the case. It was all an act to these people. "It's a nice place, isn't it?" he asked, looking around.

"It is," I answered, wondering why we were bothering with small talk.

"I simply enjoy it here. It's got history and charm and makes me feel part of something bigger. You know, nothing changes around here, Deacon. It's important for you to know it probably never will." Without saying the words, I knew he was trying to get his point across that it wasn't just the country club that would never change, but his family.

Honestly, it made me feel sad for them, but that wasn't the point, I wasn't here to try to change his family, but rather be open and honest about the future I saw with his daughter. He deserved to know. And, if possible, Jenna deserved to know they accepted us, maybe even blessed our union. Although, perhaps that was asking a bit too much.

As if reading my thoughts, her father asked, "But you didn't come here to talk about any of that, so what are you doing here, Deacon?"

"I think it's time we talked."

Eyes full of contempt, they searched mine as he asked point-blank, "Why? Is Jenna in trouble? Do you need money?"

"Unbelievable," I muttered, looking at him with pity.

He straightened his back and looked upset. Well, join the club, pal, because I'm pretty damn pissed, too. "What did you just say?" he growled.

I rubbed a hand on the back of my neck while reminding myself of why I came here. I exhaled audibly. "Why do you and your wife insist on treating me like that, like I'm beneath you?"

"If you insist on knowing, then I'll admit I don't think you're good enough for my daughter."

"At least you finally said it."

"If you enjoy hearing nasty things, then you should talk to my wife. I don't mean to hurt you, Deacon, but it's just the way it is."

I leaned forward. "Does it not matter an ounce to either of you that I love your daughter, that I'd give my life for her? What more do you want for her?"

"Status," he said simply and watched me.

"Wealth?" I questioned, understanding just how people like him thought.

Crossing his hands, he nodded. "I suppose. She shouldn't be with a leather jacket-wearing, motorcycle-riding hellion. She should be with someone who can take care of her."

"And you think just because I like to ride a motorcycle occasionally I can't take care of her?"

"Exactly. Now, if we're done here, I really need to get onto the course."

"If your daughter is as important to you as you say she is, then I'd appreciate it if you'd stay and we had this out once and for all because I'm not done here. Far from it, in fact."

"Why couldn't you just leave my daughter alone? She was doing fine with you gone, but you had to come back and interfere with all of that."

I shook my head. "See, that's where you have it all wrong. Jenna came to see me when I came back. She wants this just as much as I do."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth."

"She had a boyfriend."

"With all due respect, sir, I don't think you can call a married friend of yours her boyfriend."

"You don't have a daughter, so you don't understand where I'm coming from, but I'd do anything to protect my family, especially Jenna."

"I already told you I'd do anything for Jenna. I would lay my life down for her. She means more to me than you'll ever understand."

He sighed. "It's not that I don't believe you love her, because I do, but I just don't think you're what's best for her."

"Then who is? Because if there was someone better for her, more capable of loving her, protecting her, and keeping her safe, someone that was going to stand by her forever and never let her go, never hurt her, then I'd let her go without a fight. But I don't see anyone around that fits that description." I couldn't believe I was even saying all of this to him, but here I was divulging everything that was in my heart.

"You were so young when you met. You got too serious too fast. Do you think that makes me feel good, knowing my daughter is acting recklessly? You came back for a second there and she got pregnant, Deacon."

"I had no idea she was pregnant and I know I wasn't there for her and that hurt her, but I had no choice. I had an obligation to the Army, so I left, but I never heard from her again."

"I never served myself, and I respect you and your father for doing that, but not at the expense of my daughter."

"I'd think you'd appreciate a man who sticks by his commitments, who can't be faulted for something he never knew. Isn't that what you and your wife think when it comes to Jenna and Michael—she didn't know he was married, so she can't be at fault. But you did. Both of you. All three of you, in fact, made her the other woman."

He grinned. "You know, if you weren't with my daughter, I could actually like you, Deacon."

"What do you say we forget that little fact then and you just like me anyway?"

"Francesca's husband is a good, stable man, but he doesn't have an ounce of passion. Not like you."

"You don't say?"

"I had passion once before, too, you know. I wasn't always so stodgy. Jenna was just a few months old the last time I was deliriously happy. I had two beautiful girls and a wife who I loved with every fiber of my being. We were married for six years by then. I wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary, so I chartered a private boat and planned the whole thing. Just me, my wife and my girls on a cruise to the Caribbean. At the time it was the thing to do, so I figured we'd do it, too.

"My wife didn't like the idea of going to the Caribbean, though. She said it was not where people of our social standing went. She didn't understand why I couldn't just book us a flight to Paris. But I was enamored with the whole tropical thing, wanted to just live life and have fun. The whole thing was planned and we were ready to set sail, but Jenna's mother still hadn't come around to the idea. She was nervous traveling on a boat with an infant, but I insisted it would be fine.

"On the day we were ready to leave, we were at the docks and I held Jenna tight in my arms, not wanting her mother to worry and letting her and Francesca stay huddled together. Francesca always was a comfort to my wife. Anyway, they were already aboard and with little Jenna in my arms, I was about to join them when I heard gunshots."

I sucked in a deep breath at the horror. "What happened?"

"The captain I hired to take us was shot dead a mere feet away from Jenna and I," he explained. "The gunman ran away as soon as he saw the body fall, hitting the deck, blood everywhere. Still to this day, I have no idea what motivated that man to do what he did."

"Did the authorities ever find him?"

He shook his head. "No, but even if they did, it wouldn't have made a difference for us. It forever changed our family."

"Just a baby, Jenna could've been hurt, or worse," I said, absorbing it all.

"To think my reckless notions could've taken her from me," he said, shaking his head at the memory. "My wife used it against me, blamed me for so long it became the one thing that always sat between us. It was my fault and she made sure I knew it."

"There's no way that was your fault."

He shrugged. "Had I not insisted, we wouldn't have been in danger."

"That was a long time ago, though, and everyone was fine."

"Except for our captain. A good man."

I nodded. "You can't blame yourself."

"I do and ever since then I promised myself I would never let anything come to hurt my family again, to endanger them."

"I'm not a danger to your family," I reminded him. Although, I was glad he shared that and could finally understand what motivated his and his wife's actions all these years. Misguided as they were.

He closed his eyes and rested his head in his hands. "What do you want me to say to you, Deacon? That I'll defy my wife again, that I'll have your back when it's something she is so vehemently opposed to? You saw firsthand the lengths she's gone to for our daughter, to keep you apart."

I smirked. "It'd be nice, but really I suppose I'd just like you to acknowledge that I love your daughter."

"That I can do."

"Good because I'd like to marry her."

He sucked in a breath and looked up at me again finally. "You would?"

"That's why I came here today. To discuss that with you. I figured if I couldn't have your blessing, then I could at least have your understanding that I won't be going anywhere anytime soon. And I certainly will not hurt your daughter ever again."

"That you have. And I'll do you one better, I'll talk to my wife. I can't make any promises, but I will at least try. Jenna deserves at least that much from us."

I nodded and smiled, finally understanding this man and his family. "Thank you." I went to stand up, but Stephen's hand shot up.

"Where are you going?"

I wasn't stupid enough not to know when to take a win and I was just handed the biggest win of my life. "I've taken enough of your time."

"Son, you made me miss my tee time, the least you can do is sit down and have a coffee with me," he said, gesturing to a waiter. "Maybe you can tell me about your parents. I'd say, if we're going to be family, it's high-time I got to know them."