“I know that, son. I consider this an investment. I’m investing in you and your future,” Dr. Birk said as he looked at Emma and winked.
Emma let out a squeal and ran into her father’s arms.
My legs felt like they were about to go out. Emma’s father is going to pay for me to go to college on top of buying David’s ranch? Why would he do that? I slowly shook my head and ran my hand through my hair, trying to process all of this. “Dr. Birk, I do not mean any disrespect, sir, but why would you do all of this for me?”
Emma’s father smiled as he looked me in the eyes. “I want to do this for you, Garrett, because my daughter loves you, and I believe you have a very bright future ahead of you.”
“Sir, if I do this, then part of the deal must be that you will allow me to pay you back for everything.”
I looked at David, who seemed to be beaming. He was smiling from ear to ear.
When I glanced back over at Dr. Birk, he was smiling bigger. “Garrett, you were truly raised as a gentleman. You should be very proud of your parents. Yes, I agree to your part of the deal, son.”
Dr. Birk reached his hand out to me, and when I reached out to shake it, he pulled me in and quickly hugged me. I stepped back, and David stuck his hand out for mine.
As we shook hands, he pulled me in and whispered in my ear, “Your father would be so proud of the man you have become. We’ll talk about last night after Charles leaves.”
I stepped back and smiled. “Thank you, sir, and, um…okay.”
Emma jumped up and down and then ran into my arms. “Garrett, we’ll be together and in school!”
I smiled as I hugged her.
“There is one more thing,” Dr. Birk said.
Emma quickly turned to face him. “What, Daddy? I’ll do anything.”
“I want you both to promise us that you will not get married until after you finish school,” Dr. Birk said.
David nodded his head. He was quickly becoming more and more of a father figure to me, so his agreement spoke volumes to me.
Emma started to argue with her father, “Daddy, what? Why? I don’t see—”
I stepped in front of her and nodded my head. “Although I want nothing more than to make Emma my wife, I do understand why you are including this condition.”
Emma pushed me out of the way and placed her hands on her hips. “Excuse me, I don’t seem to understand.” She glared at me and then looked back at her father. “Why does it matter if we get married now or if we wait until after we graduate?”
Her father smiled. “Emma, let’s just slow down and take things one day at a time. I think Garrett understands our reasons.”
“Well, I don’t, Daddy.”
“I want you both to focus on school. Your first year is almost over, and Garrett can take summer classes to catch up. I’m not asking you to wait a long time. All I’m asking is for you both to wait a few years.”
I walked up next to Emma and took her hand. When her eyes met mine, something happened between us. We didn’t have to be married to know we belonged to each other. After what we had shared last night, I would wait forever for her. I gave her a smile, and when she smiled back, I felt the ground move.
Without looking back at her father, Emma said, “Okay. As long as we are both at the same university, I think I can wait a few years to become Mrs. Garrett Mathews.”
I pulled her to me. I began kissing her, and I wasn’t sure where my head was until David put his hand on my shoulder.
He pulled me back. “Garrett, I’d like to see you live another
day, so mind your manners when it comes to kissing Dr. Birk’s daughter, especially when he is standing right next to you.”
Everyone let out a laugh, and I watched as the blush moved across Emma’s cheeks.
“Come on, let’s head back to the house. Your mother made potato soup, and it smelled like pure heaven. We will get you registered and all taken care of with the school by the end of the week,” Dr. Birk said.
I wasn’t about to ask how many strings he was fixin’ to pull to get me into the University of Texas for the spring semester. I had been offered a football scholarship there, but I’d turned it down to go to A&M. Now, I was wishing more than anything that I had accepted it.