“Yes, she is. And she’s terrified about you finding out.” Gregory didn’t want to completely lose his temper, so he tried to pull it back. “All she wants from you is to accept her choices and listen to her. She does everything for your approval, hoping that you will see that she can take care of herself.
But you treat her like a little girl who doesn’t know anything. You’re even marrying her off to someone she detests because she’s not going along with your timeline. How can you call yourself a father when you don’t listen or respect your own child?”
Gilbert looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Brent’s expression showed his anger. He stepped towards Gregory.
“Mr. Benjamin, that is not fair! You can’t talk about me like this because I work for you.”
“Then why are you even agreeing to this, Brent?” Gregory demanded. “You must be aware that Diane doesn’t like you.”
“It’s what has been decided. And I’ve always admired Diane.”
“So, you’re willing to marry a woman who’s never going to show you affection? Who’s never going to accept your touch as a wife should?”
Brent’s cheeks went a darker shade of red. Gilbert stepped towards Gregory.
“Now that is enough! Get out of my house!”
“I’m not going anywhere until you get it into your thick head.” Gregory also stepped forward, noting that the pastor was starting to falter as Gregory towered over him. “Your daughter has a life, but you’re restricting her. These narrow-minded views…”
“Narrow-minded?”
“Yes, narrow-minded. I’ve got no problem with principles if you’re part of a particular faith, and there are rules to follow, but you’re taking it to another level. We’re not in a time where women have no voice at all.
You’re making her feel restricted in herself, and she gets conflicted when something she does want comes along, and all she can think of is how you’re going to react. That’s not normal at her age. It’s ruining her life, and she’s going to end up miserable and resenting you if you carry on like this.
So, how about you take a few steps back and trust your daughter to do what she considers right for her?”
There was silence for a moment. Nobody spoke – Gilbert looked stunned, and Brent looked as if he wanted to throw a punch at Gregory. He started moving towards Gregory but stopped when Gregory held up a hand.
“Don’t even think about it. We may not be in the office, but you’re still on my payroll. If you want to have a job once this is over, I suggest you get out of here and not hassle Diane.”
“What?” Brent stared at Gilbert. “You’re not going to let him talk to me like this, are you, Pastor? He’s insulting both of us!”
“I think it’s best that you leave, Brent.”
Gregory was not expecting that. Gilbert sounded so tired. He was thinking that Diane’s father would start arguing with him about how it was his right as a father.
But there was something in his eyes that gave Gregory pause. Something was not right with him. Gregory was awful for thinking this, but he should take advantage of this.
Brent looked equally shocked.
“What the…? You’re going to kick me out? You and I had a deal!”
“I want to hear Mr. Benjamin’s proposal. I think we have quite a bit to talk about.”
“And what about the wedding? You wanted me to marry Diane as soon as possible, and I was prepared to do that!” Brent was breathing heavily. “I’m getting passed over for a rich guy?”
“Just get out, Brent.”
Gregory tried not to feel so smug as Brent stared at them, trying to figure out what he could do to stay. Then he turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
“You’d better sit down, Mr. Benjamin,” Gilbert said, staggering to a chair and sitting down heavily. “I’m not interested in having a kink in my neck.”
Gregory sat, trying not to feel like he was sitting before the principal. Gilbert ran his hands over his face and let out a heavy sigh.
“I’ve had one really bad day, and I’m not interested in more fighting. All I want is for my daughter to have a good life.”
“Then why won’t you give her the life she chooses? She was terrified of telling you about us because of how you would react. Do you think a child should be scared of their parent?”
Gilbert flinched. Gregory shifted forward, focusing his attention on the older man.
“I love Diane, and I want to marry her. Normally, I would like the blessing of her father, but it’s happening anyway. Diane will become my wife, and your grandchild will be raised by both parents. I won’t have it any other way.”
“You’re not asking me, are you?”
“As I said, it’s happening. I just need to persuade Diane that she’s not committing a sin marrying someone she loves.”
“And you’re sure that she loves you?”
“I know she does.”
Gilbert closed his eyes, suddenly looking very tired.
“I think you’d better tell me everything. I want to see how badly I’ve messed up as a parent.”
*****
Diane was glad she remembered where Gregory left his spare key, and she let herself into his cabin. When she heard Brent arriving and the two men talking downstairs, she knew she had to get out of there. Her father was going to push her and Brent together, and they would be getting her to accept a proposal.
Or maybe they would end up deciding on the wedding without her input, and Diane would just be told it was happening. Either way, she didn’t want to be around for it. The only place she could think to hide was Gregory’s house.
Which seemed silly, given she had been forbidden from going near him, and Diane felt it was best to keep her distance, but she just needed his comfort. Being with Gregory when she was distressed made her feel better.
Her mood went a little lower when she realized that Gregory wasn’t there. Then again, he did work a lot of hours at the office, so there was a chance he was still there. Diane could hang out here until he got home.