The St Patrick Series Book #1: The St Patrick Bride

Chapter Twenty Four: The Father

Christopher's POV
"Thanks for accompanying me." I looked at my shaking hand. "I'm nervous."

It funny how I didn't feel this way when I first met him in DC. I guess it's the crashing weight of telling a father that I am interested in his daughter. I have never done this before.

"Take a deep breath." Francis urged me. "You look like you will pass out."

"How did you do it when you asked Freya's dad? What did you say?"

"Freya's dad was only interested in money. On top of that,our arrangement wasn't normal."

There's nothing normal about what Court and I are doing. The contract cannot come up. "I'm terrified. I don't want to sound dumb when I speak to him. He's not just anybody! He's an ambassador!"

"Did you bring your smooth talking with you?" He teased me.

"I made notes." Francis burst out laughing. He snatched the folded sheets of paper from me. "Dude give them back!"

"Bloody hell Christopher! I have to read these." He crossed the street to get away from me. I followed him and managed to snatch them back. "Seriously, don't say any of that stuff. It sounds like you're sucking up to him."

"What should I say?"

"Speak from your heart. You're asking this man to trust you with his only child. Just be honest. Show some emotion. You're not standing in front of the Major General."

"But this is the man who raised Court! Hellish Court! What do you think he's like?"

Francis cringed. He gets me now. "How is Court? How are you guys?"

"I just bought her a freaking house. It cost me 4.8 million."

"That's cheap." He remarked. "For me, not you."

"Not all of us make billions. Do you know how much I have left in my account after she demanded 10 million?"

"How much?"

"Three hundred thousand. That is all of it plus my army savings. She has sucked me dry!"

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you buy her a house and give her money?"

We are not far from the restaurant Court's father agreed to meet me at. I slowed down to a stop. "Because I wanted her that badly and she was not giving in. At first, I was ready to give her whatever she wanted in exchange for a contract that means nothing to me. I love Court. This was just my way of getting her to say yes. She didn't want anything. Then all of a sudden just before the Major's award ceremony, she demands the money and the house! I gave in!"

"Do you know why she changed her mind?'

"I don't know! She's withdrawn and she keeps saying that I can't afford to be intimate. Literally."

"Christopher, she saw you kissing another woman."

It took a moment to make sense of what Francis has said. She must have seen me with Allegra a few hours before the Major's award ceremony. I covered my face. That explains it. She's punishing me. That's what's going on. She's upset.

"Oh man! I messed up there. She's upset."

"I believe she is. Come along, let's not keep your future father in law waiting."

"If he agrees!"

We met the Ambassador at the table.

"Five minutes early." He checked his watch. He stood up to shake my hand. "No uniform today?"

"No sir. This is my good friend Francis Harrington. Frank, meet Court's dad."

"It's a pleasure to meet you sir." Francis is a charmer. Francis can get along with anyone. I am lost for words. My plans are beginning to sweat.