Paisley was surprised by Braxton’s response. He’d always been one to fly off the handle when he felt threatened. And yet here he sat, going about his business as if she’d just told him it was a sunny day. He didn’t have to feel threatened because of the action she had taken.
“I’ve talked to him a little about the case you know,” Paisley spoke up.
Braxton quickly stopped eating and devoted his full attention to her. Now she’d piqued his curiosity. “And what did he say?”
“He said this wasn’t going to be an easy battle. Even though you are her father, you lack some of the stability that Alissa’s parents can offer. They are financially sound and have the ability to provide a safe environment for her.”
“I can do both of those things as well.” Braxton said angrily
“I know, Braxton. But there are two of them and only one of you. Mr. Travis said it might be harder to prove you are the best choice since you are a bachelor and will be relying on a full-time nanny to help raise Emmy.”
Braxton’s arm swiped along the table, sending boxes of Chinese food flying through the air. Noodles and rice covered the floor, and the sauce and meat slowly ran down the wall. Paisley knew she would be the one cleaning up the mess at the end of the night.
“I’ve been a bachelor for all of three days, damn it.” Braxton’s fists hit the table. “I’m not going to just lay down and give in. I’m going to fight this.” He paused briefly as he took in a few breaths and released them. “I can provide as easily as they can. We can rearrange my office and convert part of it to a nursery so Emmy can be with me while I work. And with the two of you helping, she won’t be left to a nanny to raise her.”
Paxton threw his hands up, shaking his head. “Hold up there. I know nothing about raising a kid. Hell, half the time I act like a child. What you need is a wife.” Paxton scratched his chin.
All eyes were on her brother, and Paisley was about to agree that he was one hundred percent a child. But before she could tell him that his idea of a wife was stupid Paxton’s eyes light up like a winner on the slot machine when it had hit three sevens.
“I’ve got it. Why don’t you marry Paisley?”
Braxton couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. How could Paxton suggest such a thing when he’d recently lost his fiancée? His eyes closed momentarily as he thought about the last nine months with Alissa. They’d been together since college and he couldn’t deny his feelings for her. The thought of even contemplating Paxton’s advice would be absurd.
But his daughter was everything to him. If there was a possibility that he could lose her because he was a single father—no, he couldn’t let that happen. A shiver ran down his spine just imagining what his life would be like without his little caterpillar. Maybe he should be open to the suggestion. It wasn’t like he was going wife shopping; it was Paisley. He’d known her most of his life. Was it that absurd when you thought of it that way?
Braxton slapped his palms on the table, startling everyone.
“I’m not hip on the idea, but I don’t want to lose Emmersyn either. Richard and Bonnie love Paisley; there is the possibility that they wouldn’t fight me on this if Paisley was in the picture permanently for Emmy.”
Braxton wasn’t sure if he was agreeing to this just to reassure himself with false hope, or if he truly believed it would work. Anyone in their right mind would know it was a sham. After all, who married someone so quickly after losing their fiancée?
A guilty someone—that was who. But he wasn’t guilty of anything. It was just a tragic happenstance.
“HOLD UP!” Paisley screamed. “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me. That’s the solution to your problems? Marry Paisley. Did anyone stop to ask me what I thought of this idea? Noooo.” She looked Braxton in the eye. “You hear Paxton tell you to marry me and you have no issues with that solution? You’re ready to march me down the aisle, say a quick I do, and then, voila! All your problems are solved? Are you crazy?”
There was a twinkle in Braxton’s eyes when he spoke. “Pretty much. Plus, you’ve seen me do crazier things.”
“This isn’t funny you idiots. Did either of you stop to think that maybe I wouldn’t want to marry Braxton? That possibly I might have plans of my own for my future.
She stood with her hands firmly planted on her hips. “Did you ever consider that maybe when I say, I do, I want it be to a man I love and want to build a life with? No, you both didn’t think about me at all, or what I want.”
“Ah, butterfly, you do love me and we already have a life together.” Paisley closed her eyes briefly to hide the pain she felt. She knew Braxton had been joking when he’d spoken.
“She’s right.” Braxton sounded defeated this time. “I’m sorry, Paisley. I wasn’t thinking about you at all. I was just thinking about myself, like always. It seemed like the perfect idea.”
Braxton’s eyes began to well with tears, and they soon began to fall. He rubbed his palms against them, hoping to end the rain of tears. “I can’t lose her, butterfly. She’s my little caterpillar and my whole heart.”
BAM. Like an arrow to the soul, Braxton had just found the soft spot in Paisley. She knew she was going to regret her decision, not because she didn’t already love Emmersyn, but because she still loved Braxton and playing make-believe was going to kill her. Her hands began to sweat. Goosebumps peppered
