Keep Me Close by J.H. Croix

Author:J.H. Croix [Croix, J.H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J.H. Croix

“Nice to meet you,” Hallie’s father said, his handshake firm. Anthony dipped his head with a quick smile.

“Nice to meet you as well,” I returned as he released my hand.

“This is my mom, Pam,” Hallie offered.

Pam smiled at me, her eyes warm. Her hair was the same shade of soft brown as Hallie’s and streaked with silver. Her father's hair was all white, but she had his eyes, although hers had more green in the hazel swirl.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” her mother added.

This was awkward. I was the father to be, and I’d never even met her parents before. As the evening passed, I discovered Hallie was right. They were pretty easygoing. I could tell her father was sizing me up, but he wasn't an asshole about it. Apparently, he knew my dad.

“He took me out on a hunt,” Anthony said.

“Ah, I hope it was a good one,” I replied.

“Of course, it was. I was bringing a friend from out of state, so I preferred to have a professional guide. I like your dad because he's not too tough guy about it.”

I chuckled. “I know what you mean.”

Backcountry guides tended to slot into two categories—either the highly skilled and practical ones like my father, or the potentially highly skilled, or maybe not, but arrogant ones. It was hit or miss.

“You enjoy firefighting?” he asked.

“I do. I like being out in the wilderness. It's not something I can do forever, but I plan to do it as long as I can.” As soon as I spoke, I silently cursed.

Her father probably wondered about me actually providing for Hallie and our baby.

“What do you plan to do after that?” he asked.

“I could do guiding like my father, but by the time I'm ready to take a break from firefighting, I'm not sure I’ll want to travel that much. I got a degree in business when I went to college.”

“Practical choice and gives you options,” he returned.

“I am a planner,” I said with a wry smile.

It was only after Hallie went with her mother to look at something in the garage that her father studied me carefully. I braced myself.

“Hallie tells me you're stepping up to the plate.”

“Yes, sir,” I said. “I take my responsibilities seriously. When Hallie told me she was pregnant, I told her I'd support whatever she wanted to do, and I will. It’s important to me to be involved, and I care about Hallie.”

Her father nodded slowly. “Okay then. Doesn't seem like you two have been involved for very long.”

I shook my head. “We haven't.” I wasn't going to lie, even if a tiny part of me thought that might make this easier.

“She really wants children,” he said.

“I understand. I do too. Maybe this didn't happen in a planned way, but I don't think that changes the outcome.”

Her father eyed me, pressing his tongue in his cheek before adding, “She’s always traveled a lot. It'll be good for her to be in one place.”

“Okay,” I replied, not sure what else to say.

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