The room they were in was not what he would call opulent, but it was a formal dining room. The meal had been delicious, served on nice china with heavy crystal goblets for the water and wine. He’d had no idea what to think when they drove up to the Carmichaels’ house, but it was more of an estate than just a house. Long driveway, perfectly manicured lawn, and a large house with tall white columns in the front.
“Thank you! I love to cook. And please, call me Martha.”
“I used to employ a cook many years ago,” Ted Carmichael said, patting his stomach, “but Martha insisted that she wanted to do it. I can’t deny that it was a good decision.”
“My mom always loved to cook as well. She still does a big Sunday dinner, and as many of us as possible who can make it try to get there.” Rory’s fingers added gentle pressure to Sandy’s back, sending the subtle message that a Sunday dinner at his mom’s house would soon need to happen.
“So you were born and raised in Hope City?” Ted asked.
Rory had worked through his concern about meeting Sandy’s parents, confident enough in himself to not feel like he had to be intimidated by any man. He also had a feeling that Sandy would kick someone’s ass if she felt like they were not showing him respect—even her father. But any man who cares about a woman would want her parents to think their daughter had made a good choice. The drinks and appetizers in the formal living room before dinner had mostly centered around Sandy and how her business was going, especially Partridge Tower.
Now, he recognized that the conversation was going to shift to him. He had the feeling that Martha would like him no matter what his answers were because she made it clear she adored Sandy and wanted her to be happy. He wasn’t so sure about Ted. His love for Sandy was obvious, but Rory felt certain that Ted had a different type of man in mind that would be good enough for his daughter.
“Yes, sir. My parents bought a home big enough for a large family right after my oldest brother was born. They’ve lived there ever since.”
“Oh, did they have the large family they wanted?” Martha asked, her eyes bright.
“Yes. There are six of us. Three boys and three girls.”
“Six!” Martha exclaimed, and Rory didn’t miss seeing Ted’s eyebrows raise at that number.
“Our neighbors had five kids, all about the same ages as us. We were raised like one big family, constantly running back and forth between the two houses.”
He heard a sigh escape from Sandy, and he looked toward her, her smile now sadder.
“I think that sounds amazing,” Sandy said, her gaze on him. “Certainly, you were never lonely.”
Chuckling, he nodded. “That’s for sure. There was always somebody around to play with, argue with, share chores with.”
As though he’d lost control of the conversation, Ted leaned forward, placing his forearms on the table as he held Rory’s gaze. “And your father? What business was he in?”
“Dad,” Sandy cut in, a warning expression on her face as she glared at her father. “No grilling.”
Rory squeezed her and smiled. “It’s all good, babe.” He turned his attention back to Ted. “My father was an FBI agent. Well, actually, he started as a field officer, and then became an agent. Then he worked his way up to an administrative position. He retired not too long ago due to a mild heart attack. But he still stays active in his church and community, especially with my two brothers who went into law enforcement.”
He could see Ted was going to continue asking questions, so he decided to go ahead and give him the rundown on his family. “So, my father worked for the government and my mother was a bookkeeper. My oldest brother is an Arson Detective for Hope City and my next oldest brother is a Detective with the Drug Task Force. They both served in the Army, then came back and joined the Police Department. I was a combat medic in the Army, discharged not too long ago after two tours in Afghanistan, and I worked as an EMT, then became certified as a paramedic. I also work for Hope City. My oldest sister is a social worker who runs one of the city’s homeless shelters. My youngest sister is a high school teacher. And I have a twin sister who was an Army combat medic as well. She’s now an LPN working for an advanced degree. She also worked for one of the free clinics, but it recently shut down, and she’s working for both a doctor’s office and with the Department of Social Services.”
He continued to hold Ted’s gaze and added, “My parents are still together, married all these years. They were strict, but my upbringing was fun. Solid middle-class. Sometimes loud. Often in each other’s business. But I was raised with love, and it showed in everything my parents did. And I’m not ashamed to say that I love my job, I’m good at it, and I know I’m helping people. And if I’m lucky enough to get married, I plan on raising my children and loving my wife the way I was taught.”
He wasn’t sure he’d ever said that many words to someone all at one time, but he wanted to get all of that out and on the table. If Ted Carmichael wasn’t going to like him, there was no reason to beat around the bush.
Sandy’s hand had been resting on his leg, and her fingers clenched, drawing his attention. Her warm eyes were wide, moisture gathering in them, her mouth curved into a sweet smile before mouthing, “I love you.”
“Wow,” Martha breathed from
