Chapter 16
“Sorry you had to see me job yet again,” Paul sighed later that night after the show was over. “I’ve been doing a lot of that since the split.”
“But you got in some good offense,” Montana replied. “It wasn’t like you laid there and took it.”
“Yeah, the one thing you’ll never see me do is that. Did you by any chance check in with Shaun?”
Montana nodded. “The girls are fine and long asleep. And last I saw Brian, he was headed to some hole in the wall diner.”
“Thank God.”
“Come on, Paul, you worry way too much.”
He gestured at his street clothes. “So how about this look? Is it hideous too?”
“Actually,” she smiled, “that’s totally you. Not too boring, but not too goofy either.”
“Ahh, finally the seal of approval from my Montana. Were you really serious about bringing up me getting a new look?”
“Absolutely, but I wouldn’t guarantee anything. I seriously doubt anyone would take imput of secretaries into consideration, especially concerning the talent.”
“But it’s worth a shot, right?”
“When it especially comes to you? Yes. Anyone else I may have wavered on it.”
“Wow, I feel special.”
“You should,” Montana said with a grin, “especially since Daddy wants to meet you.”
“Huh?!” Paul was in total shock.
“I just talked to Daddy a couple of nights ago to catch up. I told him about you and the girls and he wants to meet you.”
“O-kay then….” He raked a hand through his hair.
“I presume you don’t want to meet my father,” she said, her expression changing.
“Of course I do, Mon; it’s just that….I usually don’t have good experiencs with meeting parents.”
“Trust me, Daddy doesn’t bite. He knows what you do and is perfectly fine with it. He says any man that can mix it up in a ring –whether it would be boxing or wrestling–with guys that are almost twice their size are certainly right up his alley.”
Paul perked up. “No kidding?”
“To quote Daddy verbatim, ‘Now that sounds like my kind of fellow.’ I think he likes you already and you two haven’t even met yet.”
“Wow. A girl’s dad actually liking me before we meet. That’s a new one.”
“Daddy likes a lot of people. I would like to think that was the main reason he was so loved and respected when he was postmaster and people hated to see him retire.”
“So what about your brother?” Paul wondered.
“What about him?” Montana asked back.
“What’s he think about all of this?”
“To be honest? I don’t think Sly cares one way or another unless you were beating on women. Then he would have serious issues with you.”
“Sounds like you have one interesting family.”
“So does this mean you’ll go with me to meet Daddy?” Montana asked hopefully.
“Sabes que, why not? I’ve been through worse and survived. Yeah, let’s find a good day to go before I have to send the girls home for school.”
Meanwhile:
“Mackenzie, what are you doing up?” Shaun asked. “You know Daddy won’t be happy to come back here and find you girls still awake.”
“Kira had one of her dreams,” Mac explained. “And she peed our bed. I took her to the bathroom to clean her up and put her on Papi‘s bed.”
“Oh dear,” Shaun sighed. “I’ll call the desk to get some dry sheets. Is Kira all right now?”
“Uh huh. I think sometimes she dreams about Papi getting hurt and going to heaven with Mami.”
“Poor child. She need not worry, though; your dad knows what he’s doing and in all these years, he’s never been hurt too seriously.”
“Yeah,” Mac nodded. “I think she’s too little to know that, though.”
“I would guess so, sweetie. Let me call for those sheets.”
Shaun dialed the front desk, explaining the situation, before nodding and hanging up. “They should be up in a few minutes, then I’ll change your bed. Okay?”
“Thanks,” Mac smiled. “Miss Shaun?”
“Yes, Mackenzie?”
“Do you think Papi would marry Miss Montana?”
Shaun chuckled. “Honey, your daddy and Montana have only been together a very short time. Hardly enough time to think about getting married.”
“I think he should!”
“Well, to be honest, little one, I think that would be a decision your daddy should make. Getting married is a big step, and they really should be together a little longer first before thinking about such a thing.”
“Papi’s been by himself too long,” Mac said, “and he went out with a lot of stupid girls before Miss Montana. Me and Kira like her and we think Papi likes her too. A lot.”
“Perhaps he does,” Shaun nodded and smiled. “But you must remember people that like each other ‘a lot’ don’t always get married.”
A knock at the door interrupted them. “Those must be your dry sheets,” Shaun told her. “Now let’s change your bed and get you little ones back in it before your daddy comes back. It’s way past your bedtime anyway.”
“Yeah,” Mac nodded, “but I still think Papi should marry Miss Montana.”
|
