1225 Christmas Tree Lane - Debbie Macomber [26]
“No, sir,” Anson said. Then he nodded. “Well, yes. I realize speaking to you about this is just formality, but it’s important to me.”
Zach sent him an encouraging smile.
“Allison wanted me to give her the ring when she picked me up at the airport. I told her I wanted to talk to you and Mrs. Cox first.”
Zach could bet his daughter hadn’t been keen on that. He approved, though. He liked Anson’s old-fashioned sense of protocol and his respect for both Allison and her family.
“Rosie!” Zach called his wife. “Could you come here for a minute? Allison, you, too.”
“Sure.”
Allison came into the other room, holding her mother’s hand.
“It seems that Anson here would like our permission to marry our daughter.”
Rosie turned to look at Allison. “But you haven’t finished school yet and…you’re both so young.”
“They’ve taken both matters into account and still want to get married. Allison will continue her schooling in D.C.”
“Oh.”
“What do you think?” Zach asked Rosie.
“Well…yes, of course. I would welcome Anson into the family with open arms.”
“Oh, thank you, Mom.” Allison kissed her mother’s cheek and then hurried across the room to her father.
“Hold on a minute,” Zach said, stopping her. “I haven’t given my consent.”
“Daddy!”
Wearing a huge grin, Zach stood and hugged his daughter, and then Anson. “I couldn’t imagine a son-in-law I’d rather have. You both have our blessing.” Zach was confident in the strength of this relationship, despite their age. They’d proven their commitment to each other. He’d miss his daughter, but the family was close and they’d see her frequently.
“What’s going on in here?” Eddie asked, returning to the living room.
“Anson and I are engaged.”
“Cool,” Eddie said.
“We’d like a June wedding, and then I’ll move to Washington, D.C., to be with Anson.”
Eddie shook his head. “I don’t know about Mom and Dad having an empty nest.”
“Hey, it hasn’t been a problem so far,” Zach told him.
“But it could be.” Eddie seemed intent on making his case. “Allison’s going to be on the other side of the country, and I’ll be away at school.”
Rosie frowned and looked at Zach. He shrugged, unsure what his son was getting at.
“Mom,” Eddie said. “You need someone to mother. And, Dad, who are you going to boss around? Everyone knows Mom won’t put up with that for long.”
Allison laughed, but Zach was less amused.
“Now, just a minute, young man—”
Eddie interrupted him. “I’ve come up with the perfect solution.”
“You have?”
Eddie nodded. He turned away for a moment and stepped into the hallway, then came back carrying a basket—with a puppy curled up inside, fast asleep.
“Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad.”
“A puppy!” Rosie said, lifting the sleeping pup from his warm bed and holding him close. “He’s adorable!”
“What a great idea.” Zach grinned, delighted at the prospect of taking a dog for long country rambles. He could already picture the three of them—Rosie, the puppy and him—sitting by the fire….
“Actually, you gave me the idea, Dad. A while back you said you missed having a dog around the house. I’m a starving college student and I couldn’t afford to buy you guys a big gift. When we went to get the Christmas tree I heard one of the workers say that Beth Morehouse had a houseful of puppies she needed to find good homes for. So…voilà.”
“Now, we’ll need to come up with a name,” he said.
“I’ve already named him, okay? I had to call him something. I know you like 1940s and ’50s movies, so…meet Bogart. Or Humphrey if you prefer.”
“Bogie!” Allison said. “That’s it.”
“Bogie.” Rosie smiled. “This is quite the Christmas,” she said, cradling the puppy in her arms. “Not only do we gain a son, but we add a dog to the family, as well.”
Chapter 7
“I’ll start making the hot chocolate,” Beth said, turning away from her daughters. A few minutes in the kitchen would help her prepare to deal with her ex and his…friend. Kent kept insisting Danielle was “just a friend,” but Beth felt there was more to it.