Riley grinned up at him.
“Riley,” a deep voice said from behind them.
Both turned to face Riley’s dad.
Noah took a step forward and held out a hand. “Hello, Emerson. How was the trip up here?”
Emerson shook Noah’s hand as he looked from one to the other suspiciously before he shook Noah’s hand. “It was good.”
Noah pointed to his cabin. “Let’s go in there and talk. Riley and I have some news.”
****
Emerson followed. His eyebrows went up when Noah grabbed his daughter’s hand. Once the cabin door closed behind him, Emerson looked around. The place was fancy for a cabin, he thought. He decided he could have probably lived in the thing and been happy.
“Emerson,” Noah said as he put his arm around Riley. “Riley and I have become close this summer.” He smiled down at her. “We’ve fallen in love.”
Emerson sputtered. “Now wait…”
Noah held up a hand. “No, listen for a moment. We are going to be together no matter what. She’s an adult, but we would like your blessing.”
“But the age difference…”
“We know, and we don’t care. It’s only eleven years. Think about it. Riley likes having guidance. She doesn’t want to be a career woman. She wants to do volunteer work until we start having babies. We’re planning on coming here to the camp each summer. She’s already taken over the stables and horses.”
Emerson glanced at his daughter. “Well, I won’t ask how you feel, Riley. I haven’t seen you smile this much in years.”
“I’m so happy, Dad. Noah completes me. I feel safe with him, and I know he’ll always take care of me.”
Emerson rubbed his chin. “I know damn well you can support her, but do you have the time she needs?”
“Absolutely,” Noah commented. “If I must travel, which I hardly do, she’ll be with me, and we’ll hire a companion to have with us, so she’s never alone. I’ll be home every night. I’m also planning on selling some of the businesses and hiring managers for the others. My partners and I are all in relationships now and want to dedicate ourselves to the women in our lives. I promise we won’t go a night apart.”
Emerson ran a hand over the back of his head. If he had to pick someone for his daughter, it would be someone like Noah. He’d dropped his daughter off six weeks ago with an adolescent personality, and now she stood before him an adult woman. He hadn’t thought it was possible for her to grow up and so quickly.
He walked to them and held out a hand to Noah. “You have my blessing.” He turned to Riley.
She chuckled as her dad pulled her into his arms after shaking Noah’s hand.
“I’m glad we live in the same city. Hopefully, I’ll be able to see you a lot,” Emerson stated.
“Whenever you want, Dad. Maybe we can have a few Sunday dinners a month together or something.”
“I like that idea,” Noah said.
****
She moved back into Noah’s arms. “We’re planning on getting my things next week. We have to close the camp down and get the horses to the stables that take care of them over the winter. They are used for special needs children over the winter, so they stay in shape.”
“I’m glad you have found your place, honey.” Emerson glanced at both and cleared his throat. “I also have some news. I’ve been seeing a woman for a while. Barbara is her name. I asked her to marry me.”
She stiffened as she felt her stomach tighten in pain. Then she glanced up at Noah and relaxed at the gentle, understanding smile he showed her.
“I think it’s wonderful. Your dad is going to have someone, especially with you gone now. You don’t want him to be lonely. Do you?”
She shook her head and put a smile on her face. Feeling terrible when she saw the worry on her dad’s face, she went to hug him. “I’m so happy for you, Dad. I hope we can meet her soon.”
Her dad hugged her tightly. “Maybe next week, when you come to get your stuff, you can stay for dinner and meet each other.”