Page 84 of The Christmas Trap

“Private jet?”What does she mean?

My father walks through the doorway.

"Dad!" My face lights up.

All the times he dropped me off at school or stayed up to make sure I was home from a date before he fell asleep, flash before my eyes.

He was crushed when he learned I was going to university in London, but he didn’t try to stop me. He worked hard to make sure we had everything growing up. And while he couldn’t stop my mother from being exacting with us, he, himself, never wanted anything from us. He often told us that he only wanted us to be happy.

My mother, too, was nothing but encouraging when I told them of my plan to go abroad to study.

It’s because I didn’t want to let her down that I’m so driven. I owe my need to succeed to her.

I am very grateful to both of them. I am who I am because of them.

And now, I can make their life more comfortable by paying off their debts. A surge of relief fills me. I made the right decision in agreeing to marry Brody. I'm setting my parents up for a more comfortable life.

My father walks over and hugs me. "It’s so good to see you, honey." He releases me, takes a few steps back, and surveys me with pride.

“You look beautiful.”

He puts his arm around my mother’s shoulder.

"Can you believe this? Our daughter is getting married, Sheila."

My mom dabs at her eyes. "We did good."

"We sure did." My father’s eyes shine. "I have to admit, your man sending us a private jet to fly here was a surprise. But I’m not going to complain about it."

Raya gasps. "You think I could borrow the jet the next time I want to go on holiday?"

I ignore her and focus my attention on my mother.

“Brody sent you his private jet?”

"He must love you very much if he’s taking such good care of your parents." My mother’s eyes turn dreamy. “Can’t say I’m unhappy about you not marrying Keith. I wasn’t impressed when he cancelled on our family call at the last minute.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust your judgment, but marrying a man called Keith—?” My dad shakes his head. “Afraid I wasn’t too impressed.”

Not my dad, too? Gah! I fight for composure.

“Wait a minute! Are you both saying you didn’t want me to marry Keith? Why didn’t you say anything?” I huff.

“We want you to be happy, sweetheart,” my father says softly.

“And you seemed happy to be marrying him, so we didn’t say anything.” My mother’s gaze is soft.

Seems I dodged a bullet in more ways than one by not marrying Keith. And my parents seem to be taking this change in bridegrooms in their stride.

I could have called them in advance to warn them, but really, it seemed easier to let them arrive and then tell them about it. Besides, I calculated that seeing me in my wedding dress, about to get married, would temper their reaction.

Of course, I didn’t realize that Brody was contacting them ahead of time. And being picked up by private jet would make a big impact on anyone. They seem positively approving of Brody.

“I take it the two of you aren’t upset that I changed bridegrooms?” I look between them.

The two of them exchange a glance.

“What?” I frown.