Chapter 12
It didn’t take long for Gregory to get over to Diane’s house, and he was shaking the whole time. This wasn’t quite what he had in mind when it came to talking to Pastor Gilbert about his daughter. Yes, he wanted to speak up and say something to Diane’s father about the two of them being together, but not like this.
He would have said something ages ago, but Diane had told him no. She had even gone as far as to say she would never see him again if he went against her wishes. Gregory had respected that before. But, not anymore. Everything was out of the window, and Gregory was going to get his way.
Clint’s truck was already outside Gilbert’s house when Gregory arrived. Clint was leaning on the hood with Maggie pacing around. Both of them looked worried.
They turned to Gregory as he got out of his car.
“What are you planning on saying?” Clint asked.
“I’m not sure yet. But I’m going to be getting him to change his mind about his daughter and myself.”
“Well, good luck with that,” Maggie pointed at a smart red car at the far end of the drive, “that’s Brent’s car, so I’m guessing that he’s in the house as well.”
Gregory had figured that this would happen. He had seen Brent leave a little earlier than he should have done. It shouldn’t be a surprise that he was here.
“All the more reason for me to go in and sort this out,” he adjusted his jacket, “if you hear the start of a fight, that’s when I need backup.”
“Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Clint said grimly.
Gregory hoped not, either. He went to the front door and found that it was unlocked, so he went in without knocking. Voices were coming from the living room, two male voices.
He wanted to go and find Diane, make sure she was okay, but Gregory didn’t want to go banging around the house and get the men more riled up. He was going to be getting their backs up in a moment.
Bracing himself, Gregory went into the living room. Pastor Gilbert and Brent were sitting across from each other, looking like they were in a conference. Both men shot to their feet as Gregory came in.
“What the…?” Gilbert looked startled and then outraged. “How dare you barge into my house? Don’t you realize that you’re trespassing?”
“I think you and I need to talk, Pastor.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. You sullied my daughter, and I’m going to put things right.”
“By making her get married to him?” Gregory pointed at Brent. “Are you serious? This man is so boring that watching paint dry is far more interesting.”
Brent’s face went red, his lips tightening.
“That’s a little unfair, Mr. Benjamin,” he mumbled.
“I think this whole situation is unfair to Diane, but neither of you seems to be taking her into consideration, are you?” Gregory snorted. “Come on now, what year is it? Are we back in the eighteen-hundreds or something when we needed to marry women off without their consent because they were doing something you don’t like?”
Gilbert looked like he was about to blow a blood vessel, but he did keep his composure as he fixed Gregory with a hard stare.
“This is none of your business, Mr. Benjamin. This is my family, and I decide what is best for Diane.”
“Do you really want the best for your daughter?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then you wouldn’t be marrying her off to someone she doesn’t like! Nor would you make it that uncomfortable for her that she would have to sneak around with someone else.” Gregory’s heart was racing, the blood pounding around his head.
“People of faith are allowed to date whomever they want as well, and Diane is an adult. You should be able to trust her with her choices. If it doesn’t work out, then fine, but how is she going to know if you don’t allow it?”
“People like you are not appropriate for my daughter.”
“Oh, really? And you think a man like him is appropriate?” Gregory pointed at Brent. “I know he’s my employee, and he is a good worker, but as a person, he would be appalling as a father. I’ve seen how he is with women before, and it’s not good. Diane has expressed her dislike for him.”
Brent looked like he didn’t know whether to be upset or outraged. Gilbert was still going for the latter.
“You will not talk about my future-son-in-law like that. And you will leave before I call the sheriff.”
“Call him. And I’ll tell him how you’re holding your daughter hostage in her own house.”
“She is my daughter. I tell her what to do.”
“On what planet is that acceptable?” Gregory bellowed. That made the other two men jump. “She’s an adult, which means you can’t force her to stay in the house.
I have respect for people who have faith in their lives – you are far stronger than I am to keep it – but I don’t have respect for bullies who take the bible and God’s word far too literally and believe anything that strays from it is a sin and needs to be punished.
Diane fell in love with someone, and that should be a good thing. Instead, you lock her up like she’s a princess in the tower? How archaic is that?”
Gilbert seemed to freeze. For a moment, nobody moved or spoke. Then Gilbert started spluttering.
“What…no! No, you can’t mean that. Diane does not love a non-believer!”
“She does. I know she does. And I love her.” God, Gregory hoped that he could say that to her eventually. “I know you may not believe me, but I want to be with her. I want to marry her, make her my wife. I won’t let her be with anyone you choose because you think it’s a good idea.” He glared at Brent.
“And if you think I’m going to step back and let this man raise my child, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“What?” Gilbert blinked. “What are you saying? Diane is…pregnant?”