Read Online My Pride, His Prejudice by Jenni James - Free Book Online Page B

ask about them later. Instead, she walked over to the Kindle, which was still on its charger, unplugged it, and slipped it into one of his sister’s bags. “Okay. That’s everything. Can you think of anything else you need?”
    “Nope. Just you.”
     
     
     

CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
     
     
    Eliza gave a friendly honk as she pulled up to her parents’ house and then got out. As she crossed the threshold, she saw her dad sitting on her mom’s luggage watching TV. The suitcases were standing up, smooshed together with his bum rested on top, like they were his own personal stool. “What are you doing?”
    He winked and told her to hush.
    “Are you going to tease Mom forever?” she asked as she sat down in the comfy chair next to him.
    “Well, she’s the one who put these here hours ago. I figure they’re our furniture now.”
    She laughed.
    Chuckling, he grabbed the remote from a nearby table and turned down the volume. “So, missy, you sure you’re up for this trip?”
    “With Mom?” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “No. I imagine it’ll be the same as it always is.”
    He nodded. “She’s pretty excited about this Darcy fellow.”
    “I know. She constantly will be.”
    “So, what do you think about him? Still hate his guts and want to hogtie the varmint?”
    “Dad! I never said that.”
    “Nope.” His eyes twinkled. “But you sure thought it a ton, though.”
    “You know me so well.” Her eyebrows rose. “I’m still thinking it now, about every other day.”
    “Ah, I see. He’s starting to wear you down.” He wiggled around on the top of the luggage and found a more comfortable spot. “Good. It’s about time. That boy’s as sweet on you as strawberry jam on ice cream.”
    “He is?” She leaned back to get a better look at him. “And how would you know?”
    “Because your mom’s nearly driven me to drinking, and you know I’ve never had a drink in my life, but that doesn’t mean I sure as heck didn’t contemplate it at least twice a day for the two years before we got married. And then about four times a day since!”
    She grinned, but was a bit lost.
    “I knew. I knew the second that I met that gorgeous woman, my life had been completely knocked upside down. I knew I’d never get a day’s rest, she was so darn active and constantly worried about all the silliness around her. I knew exactly what my life would be like.” He looked up toward the stairs. “But man, I couldn’t imagine a day without her brightness, and her downright nosy biddy neighbor attitude. She has kept me level-headed and chuckling every day since.”
    He glanced over at Eliza, his faded blue eyes searching her wearily. “And she needed me. I’d never felt more loved or needed in my whole life until I met that darned crazy woman. Never. And I knew I’d never find another like her.”
    Warmth spread through Eliza from head to toe. “I want that, Daddy. I want a man to love me just for being me.”
    “You’re ornerier than a nest of hornets.”
    “I know.” She smiled ruefully.      
    He waggled his brows.  “You’re frank, you’re exact, and you’re tough.”
    “Gee, Dad, nothing like making me feel good.”
    “Well, that’s another of your faults—you interrupt before a person’s finished. Listen, little one. Let people talk—you’ll find out a lot more good if you did.”
    He was right. She was always barging in. This time, she waited.
    “You’re also caring, kind, thoughtful, and the most giving woman I know.” His eyes twinkled. “You’re better than any man I know. And only a fool wouldn’t fall for you. I tell you now, William Darcy didn’t get to be where he is because he’s a fool. Nope. He isn’t. And he loves you.”
    A strange sort of calmness came over her. “Why?”
    He patted his knees. “Well that’s the part you need to listen for and find out yourself. Though, may I suggest you do that when your mom’s not around?”
    Eliza winced. “Oh, this is going to be so