Page 40 of Mail Order Bride: A Psychological Thriller

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gina

They say heat makes people do crazy things. Maybe that’s true, but it’s the dead of winter, and I want to marry this man more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I don’t care if it makes any sense. But we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about Mama. “The heat makes people do crazy things,” Daddy says again. He’s talking to Joel, but he’s looking at me. And I know exactly what he’s up to—this is one of his tests.

“I’ve heard that,” Joel says. He’s trying to be polite, and I admire him for it. I can see that it’s a bit of an effort.

“Why don’t you tell him, honey? Tell your friend here what kind of things the heat can drive a person to.”

“Maybe another time,” I say to my father, patting his hand. “Let’s enjoy breakfast. It was a gift from Joel.”

“Ain’t much of a gift if you have to fry it up yourself.”

I mouth an apology to Joel.

“Go on,” Daddy says. “Tell your friend the story.”

“He’s not my friend,” I snap back. “He’s my fiancé.”

My father stops mid chew and drops his fork. “He sure as hell ain’t.”

“He is, Daddy. He asked me this morning. And I accepted.”

“Well, nobody asked me.”

“About that,” Joel says.

My father stands so abruptly it nearly knocks the table over. “I gotta take a breather,” he says. “It’s too goddamn hot in here.”