Recap of Chapter 33: Matthew phoned Martin to secure a time to take him out to a nice dinner the next time he was in town. He was so secretive and nervous that Martin instantly suspected he was going to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Thinking of his career, Matthew bids on a remodel opportunity that will take him further away from Penny, which raises questions.
Penny was humming to herself while changing the bedding in the guest room for her dad’s visit. His timing couldn’t be better. Now that Matthew won the bid to remodel the lodge in Nederland, she really wanted to talk with her dad about her feelings. She was outwardly supportive of Matthew—she knew it would be good for his career. And it made complete sense to live on the property while he worked on the remodel. Mentally, it made perfect sense. Emotionally, however, she had mixed feelings about it.
Martin was waiting in the airport pick up lane for Matthew. Only he and Matthew knew that this visit would change everything. Only they knew that permission to marry his daughter was on the table—maybe the question would be asked on this very day. After all, it was Matthew, not Penny, driving all the way to the airport to fetch him.
“How could he put his daughter’s mind at ease without betraying Matthew?”
He spotted his car and stepped up to the curb. Matthew jumped out of the car and offered his hand to shake, which they both pulled into a quick, back-patting hug. He loaded his carry-on bag in the back, got into passenger seat and they were off. Small talk turned toward the needs of the stomach. “Are you hungry? Want a bite to eat somewhere?” Matthew asked.
“I could eat,” Martin answered with a shrug. Inwardly, he wondered if the plan had changed. Had Matthew decided to take it down a notch; settle for something more casual to pose the big question?
“Since we’re already down here, there’s a burger joint that I really like. Sound good?”
It was 2 pm and he hadn’t eaten a bite since a quick breakfast burrito. A burger sounded better than good. The mere mention of it gave him hunger pangs. “It sounds great!”
They pulled up to a hole-in-the-wall greasy spoon café. “You wouldn’t think it, but this place serves the best burgers in town,” Matthew said with enthusiasm. They went inside, grabbed a table and ordered a couple beers. The waitress, who looked like she’d been on the job for the past 30 years, called them both ‘honey’ and pushed them to save room for some apple pie a-la-mode. “I love places like this,” Martin said, feeling very comfortable.
The two men ate the food with gusto, chatted about nothing in particular, and debated between another round of beer or coffee and pie. They opted for the pie, jokingly calling it “research” for the Lucky Penny’s menu. Over dessert, that was as good as advertised, Matthew set the stage. “I know it’s hard to think about food right now, having just stuffed ourselves, but don’t forget that I want to take you out for a nice dinner while you’re here. Sometime in the next few days. I have some suggestions for restaurants, but if you have your own idea, just say the word.”
They arrived at the Lucky Penny during the lull between the lunch crowd and the dinner rush, which was perfect for settling in and having a conversation. Matthew dropped him and headed out to a meeting. Penny greeted her dad with a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re here!” she said. “I’ve missed you! Hey, where’s Barney?”
“Barney and Fred are hanging out at my cabin while I’m here,” he replied. “Something about using housesitting as an excuse to finally start on that novel he’s been threatening to write for decades.”
“Oh, Fred, what a character!” They chatted easily, sitting at the table that overlooked the creek below, before Penny got around to what she really wanted to talk about. “I’m sure Matthew told you that he got that bid to remodel the lodge in Nederland?”
“He mentioned it.”
“Did he mention that he’d be living there for the duration of the job—two years?”
“He didn’t mention that part. He talked about it being a good career move—that it was the kind of job that can get good media attention. I’m guessing the way you said the moving part that you’re not on board?”
Penny slumped in her seat. “I don’t know. I want to be supportive—you know, champion his goals, but this one feels like a sacrifice. I mean, he was pretty quick to take it and move more than an hour away. Maybe he is just vying for more space from our relationship. What if he just wants to get away from me? It hasn’t exactly been the smoothest of sailing, if you get my drift.”
“You’re talking about that whole 5-year murder anniversary bit?” He shook his head. “I think that’s all behind you, isn’t it?”
Penny sighed. “I guess. Maybe I’m just being suspicious. Maybe I’m afraid that what I think we have isn’t the same as what he thinks we have. What do you think?”
Martin knew in his heart that she was, indeed, worrying over nothing. She seemed to have no idea that Martin was ready to commit fully to her. He knew that his arrival was no surprise. Matthew summoned him to ask for her hand in marriage. He was sure he was right about that. How could he put his daughter’s mind at ease without betraying Matthew? He remembered that he promised not to tell her about the phone call and he wasn’t about to break that promise.
“What has Matthew said about your relationship that would make you wonder?” he asked.
“That’s the thing. Right after he came back from visiting his family, he admitted that they—his dad in particular—had warned him not to let me slip away. He said it because of how Matthew talked about me while he was there.” She paused. “But then, barely a month goes by and he’s taking this job that makes him all but disappear for two years.”
Martin reached for her hand. “Honey, you keep talking about this job like it’s across the country or in Europe or something. It’s not like he joined the military. He’s taking a living/working opportunity that is less than a 2-hour drive away. Honey, that’s not far at all. What did he say about why he wanted the job?”
“Basically, what he told you—that it’s good for his career.” Then she suddenly remembered something. “And, he said that what’s good for his future is good for my future.” She covered her face. “Ugh! I’m such an idiot!”
“Doesn’t sound like someone who is pulling away from you to me,” he said gently.
Penny sighed. “This is why I wanted to talk this over with you. You always get to the truth of the matter.” She covered her heart with both hands. “I feel so much better. Thanks, Dad.”
Martin couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t done anything but ask a couple of obvious questions that helped his daughter arrive at her own conclusions. It was laughable that she was thanking him now. It was a pattern between them.
He patted her on the hand. “I’m happy to help, sweetie.”
