Page 96 of High Value Target
Her mother cut her off. “Grady? You mean Mr. Steele, don’t you, darling? We mustn’t be too familiar with—”
“The hired help, Mother?”
Loretta pursed her lips. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Isn’t it? Grady and I have spent a lot of time together, out of necessity, of course, but over that time we’ve gotten to know each other very well—”
Loretta skirted around the desk, as if she could fend off what she must realize was coming. “Tinsley, could I speak with you privately, dear?”
“No, Mother. I have something to say, and I’m going to say it.”
“Please don’t be hasty, Tinsley.” Loretta wrung her hands.
Tinsley switched her attention to her father. “Daddy, I’ve fallen in love with Grady, and he loves me. We want to be together.”
“Tinsley, stop this insanity right now. I’ve never heard of something so ridiculous.” Her mother folded her arms.
“I know it’s not your plan for me, but—”
“Our plan for you?” Loretta’s voice rose. “Our plan for you was to marry a man of prominence. One who could give you the life you deserve. Why, Palmer was going to take you to Washington. You would have traveled in the highest social circles. You could have been influential, you could have done so much, you could have—”
“Loretta. Enough,” JD cut his wife off. “Palmer is not an option any longer. Not after what he’s been up to with that Nora woman. Add in the scandal of his brother’s crimes, and his political ambitions are toast.”
“But JD, you can’t want this for your only daughter.” Loretta’s hand flung out toward Grady.
“Loretta. I said enough.” Her father leaned in his chair, stroking his mouth with the side of his index finger as if he were deep in thought. “Tinsley, is this sincerely what you want?”
“Yes. Truly. I’m going to be really selfish, Daddy. I’m doing this for me. Only for me.”
Her mother shook her head. “But Tinsley, have you thought this through? Are you really sure? What will people say?” Her mother turned her back on her, folded her arms defensively, and stared out the window.
“I don’t care anymore. I’m through being your perfect daughter. Life is too short to waste my time trying to make everyone happy but myself.”
Loretta whirled. “Do you think I don’t understand that kind of love? I do. I gave up everything to be with your father. I moved across the country, away from my family and friends and everything I knew. Tinsley, I want you to know your life will be very different, and I’m not sure you’re prepared for that. You’ve been pampered your entire life, my darling daughter.”
Tinsley lifted her chin, sure of what she knew in her heart. “I’ve learned a great deal in the past few weeks, Mother. I’ve seen the difference between a man who is only concerned about appearance, and one who knows what’s truly important in life. Judging Palmer by the cover, I know you think he seemed to be “Mr. Right”, but when I look deeper into what’s inside, he was so totally “Mr. Wrong”. I’ve seen what it truly means to be a good man: strength of character, values, ethics, and morals that can’t be bought and paid for by the highest donor.
“I need a man who won’t compromise what he stands for to gain power, money, or fame. I need a man who will make a good husband, partner, and father to my children, one I know I can count on to be there when I need him most. I’ve found all of those traits in this man. He’s more than I could have ever dreamed of or hoped for. I know I don’t deserve him, but he loves me anyway, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life devoted to being worthy of that love and to making him as happy as he makes me with just one smile.”
“But Tinsley…”
“I love him, and he loves me, and that’s all you need to know to see that I will be fine, I will be taken care of, and I will be happy. Do not fear for my future, because I have the best partner I can imagine to face all that life brings us. I’m going into that future fearlessly, enthusiastically, and confidently because I know I am truly loved the way you always said I deserved to be loved.”
JD stood, came around the desk, took her hands, and looked into her eyes. “Then I wish you all the happiness in the world, my beautiful, stubborn girl, and I won’t ever say another word.” He held his hand out to his wife. With tears in her eyes, she joined them.
“I just want you to be happy, my baby girl,” Loretta whispered.
Tinsley wrapped her arms around her mother. “I am, mother. So very happy.”
JD shook Grady’s hand.
They walked out into the foyer and waited while Tinsley went upstairs and packed a bag.
When she returned, Grady’s eyes fell to it. “You ready to go?”
“I am. More than ready.” She hugged her mother, and then her father. “I love you both, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me. But I’m twenty-five, and it’s time I figured out my own life. I can’t keep staying in my childhood bedroom. I hope you both understand.”
“Tinsley, are you sure?”