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“Mr. and Mrs. Campbell,” he says tersely, holding his hand out for my father to shake.
“Kieran,” Dad greets, although there is no joy in his voice. My brows pinch in confusion. Dad has never cared about anyone other than himself and my mother, so his distaste of Kieran comes as no surprise, but there is a bitterness in his tone I wasn’t expecting. “Am I to assume that you merely forgot to ask my permission?” Dad questions, his brow lifting.
Permission?
Oh.
If I weren’t so shocked by the question, I might be pleasantly surprised that he’s taking some kind of interest in my life.
“My apologies, Mr. Campbell. It was all rather fast,” Kieran explains.
I hate that he does. He doesn’t have to answer to my father.
Not for a single thing.
“Can I assume that it’s the only thing that is going to be rushed when it comes to my daughter? It’s always distasteful to see pregnant women walking down the aisle.”
All the air in my lungs comes rushing out.
“I’m not pregnant,” I hiss, my fists curling at my sides.
“At least that’s something,” Mom starts, but just before she goes to continue, her words are cut off.
“We’re ready to begin when you are,” the reverend says, coming to step up beside us.
“Come on,” Kieran says, taking my hand and leading me away from my parents.
My entire body trembles in anger as we make our way down the aisle.
I look around, trying to focus on Grams and all the reasons why she loved this church.
My parents won’t approve. It’s too small. Too old. Too understated.
But to Grams, it was everything. And being here will bring her back to Gramps. Exactly where she belongs.
Kieran leads me to the very front pew before walking to the end and tugging me down.
Leaning close, he whispers, “Ignore them.”
Blowing out a shaky breath, I turn to look up at him.
“I’m trying,” I confess, my voice barely audible as the organ begins to play.
He gives me a sad smile before a shadow falls over us.
Glancing up, I find Dad with his signature scowl on his face, and no doubt Mom is behind him like the doting wife she is.
Scooting closer, Kieran presses his right side against me and wraps his arm around my shoulder.
Keeping my eyes focused on the lectern, I do my best to ignore the other two in our row.
I expected them to join us. There is no way on Earth that Derek Campbell would sit anywhere but the front row.
The music changes, and the reverend gestures for everyone to rise.
My heart sinks and I close my eyes.
I don’t want to do this.