Read Online Accepting His Terms by Isabella Kole - Free Book Online Page B

It took a while with my wife.”
    “Yes, sir, we’ve reached an understanding.”
    “Excellent, I have no worries, then. Welcome to the family, Jarrod,” Jill’s father said as he extended his hand to his future son-in-law.
    “I’m glad to be a part of it,” the younger man responded as he warmly shook the hand offered to him.
    As they sat down to dinner, Jarrod looked around the table at each member of Jill’s family. A family dinner was not something he was used to and he could see the love among them. Jill’s brother and sister-in-law and their two children, and her younger sister, who was single, joked with Jill about finally settling down. And the looks of love that passed between her parents told him all he needed to know. They were on the right track.
    “Jan, would you like to move into my apartment when I move out? I know you’ve been looking for a place,” Jill said suddenly.
    “I would love to take your place, but I can’t afford that.”
    “Nonsense, if you want it, it’s yours. We’ll help you out,” Jarrod told her with a smile.
    “I can’t ask you to do that,” Jan replied.
    “You didn’t ask. Besides, if you don’t take it, we’re going to have to find someone else. If it makes you feel better, I can find something for you to do at the office to supplement your income.”
    “You would do that for me?” the young girl asked.
    “Yes, of course, we’re going to be family. Isn’t that what families do? I have no brothers and sisters, but would do the same for them if I did. What’s your schedule like? What kind of work do you do?”
    “I’m in my last year of college and I work in a restaurant part-time.”
    “So you quit the restaurant job and come to work for me in your spare time.”
    “Doing what?” Jan asked in surprise.
    “What’s your major?” he asked.
    “Architecture,” she replied proudly.
    “Even better, you can come in as an intern, working with our architect. He’s always telling me how overworked he is. You’ll learn a lot from him, as well.”
    “Are you serious about this, Jarrod?” Jill’s father asked.
    “Yes, I’m serious. We’d love to have Jan join us, wouldn’t we, Jill?”
    “Sure, if you think there’s a place for her. I wouldn’t want you to create a job for her.”
    “No, I think it will be good for both Jan and Bryan, the architect.”
    “He is always saying he gets tired of working on weekends to catch up,” Jill agreed.
    “It’s settled. Stop by the office next week and we’ll see to the details. And start packing your things. As soon as Jill moves out, the apartment is yours.”
    “I don’t know how to thank you,” Jan said excitedly.
    “You just did.”
    He glanced over at Jill, who was smiling at him.
    After dinner and more pleasant conversation, Jill and Jarrod said their goodbyes. He drove her home and when she asked him to come in, he said, “I can’t wait to get you inside. I’ve wanted to kiss that pretty little, sassy mouth of yours all day.”
    “I haven’t been sassy today,” she protested.
    “Maybe not today, but you are at times.”
    “What did you and my dad talk about in the den? You guys were in there an awfully long time. Did he give you the third degree?” she asked.
    Wondering if he should tell her about the conversation, he said, “Let’s just say, we came to an understanding of sorts.”
    “Why does that worry me?”
    He chuckled. “How much do you know about your parents’ relationship, Jill?”
    “I always thought they had a great relationship. I mean, Mom’s got a temper, but Dad always took that in stride. What did he tell you?”
    “He hinted to me that you’re a lot like your mom and you need a man with a firm hand. He wanted to know if I was man enough for the job.”
    Shocked, she asked, “Are you serious? He actually said that?”
    “Cross my heart, his very words.”
    “You don’t think…?”
    “That’s exactly what I think.”
    “Oh, my, yeah, it kind of makes sense