I knew that the words of congratulations would vanish when I told them his last name. Both of my brothers had walked off in a huff, their hands flying in the air along with harsh words about my loyalties. My sister hadn't said anything before she turned towards the bar, ordering herself a shot of whiskey.
My mother had been the only one who pulled me into her arms and away from the fray. Her words about fate and circumstance comforted me and as she told me to follow my heart, I thought about her own heart and how it had brought her out of her shell and back into my father's life.
I don't know enough about his relationship with Gianna to share it with anyone, including my mom. I stood silently, letting her embrace fuel me enough that I stayed to celebrate with my dad.
"Is he working?" His eyes dart past me to the crowded pub.
"He has to fly tomorrow," I stop myself when I realize I have no idea where Landon is going. In the excitement of my father's release, I hadn't asked.
His hands grasp mine, his thumbs running over my palms. "He's not staying away because of what his old man did, is he? I don't place blame on the son for his father's sins."
"No," I say assuredly. "He's not like that. If he could have been here, he would have."
"I'll meet him soon then." He nods his chin towards the bar where both my brothers are sitting, each nursing their second beer of the day. "I know they're not happy about it, Tess."
I look over at them. They're the same two boys I grew up with. The only difference now is that they have families of their own to think about. Their reactions are based solely on that. They don't want anything threatening our family again and to them, Landon and his father compromise a single entity based on their shared last name.
"They don't know him."
My dad squeezes my hands. "They don't live your life. You make your own choices. No one can tell you who to love. Only your heart can do that."
I know that logically he's right and my heart does want to love Landon. The only thing holding me back is the nagging feeling that there's much more to know about the connection between my father and Frederick. They may never have met but for some reason, Landon's father had documents, dating back more than a decade, with my father's signature on them.
***
"I would have invited you to come along but I know you have your hands full there."
I rest my head on the pillows on my bed. It's just after dawn in New York. I'd sent Landon a text message last night wishing him peaceful dreams. He'd responded almost immediately that he was in Greece again. He'd had to trade schedules with another pilot when he raced back to New York after my father's arrest. He wanted to repay the debt quickly, so he'd taken the chance when it was offered to him.
"I have a lot going on," I admit. "I saw my father yesterday after he was released."
There's a slight pause on the other end. It's not enough for me to question, but I wonder, almost immediately if he's thinking about Frederick. "How's your dad, Tess?"
"I think he's okay." I temper my reaction because I don't want to share that he actually called me first thing this morning before Landon did. My father is anxious to talk more about his past. He wants me to fully understand everything about his actions when he signed those insurance documents with the full knowledge of the risks involved.
"You think he's okay?" he parrots back, his tone slightly amused. "You've been talking to him, haven't you? Or does he have a problem with me? Is he angry about our relationship?"
There are so many questions that I struggle with the decision about which one to answer first. "My father is fine with us."
"He's fine with it?"
The trepidation in his voice is unmistakable. I'm not surprised. My father may well be the only man who has no issue with his daughter dating the son of a man he shares a criminal past with. Landon doesn't understand my father though. His isn't exactly the epitome of responsible parenting.
"I haven't discussed our relationship in depth with him," I shoot back, mildly irritated by his reluctance to accept my father's reaction. "My dad just wants me to be happy."
I can hear him moving and what sounds like leather shifting beneath his weight. "Are you at your hotel?"
"No." His tone is clipped. "I'm at a restaurant. I'm meeting some of the crew here for lunch."
A small bite of envy flows through me. I know he's on a work trip but I wish he was here with me. I want to talk to him about his father's invitation to meet with him and about my father's relationship with Gianna.
Discussing either of those things over the phone isn't my first choice, but I don't know that I can wait. I'm scheduled to call Everett at ten this morning about the meeting with Frederick and what time that will happen. Gianna bailed on our dinner the other night under the excuse of a headache. She wants to meet later today.
"I need to run, Tess." His voice softens. "I'll call you tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow morning, my time?" I ask. "Or your time?"
I hear muffled voices as he speaks to someone there. "New York time. I miss you."
With that the call ends and takes with it any chance I may have had to tell him about the secrets I don't want to keep.
Chapter 16