Page 89 of The Christmas Trap

"Hmm." He places his one hand over the one clasping the head of his cane. "Are you trying to tell me you regret my forcing the issue? It’s the only reason you moved fast and married your wife."

I firm my lips. "A decision I’m questioning."

"You mean, you’re running scared." His tone is casual. I sense he’s trying to wind me up, but that doesn’t stop me from stiffening.

"Scared? I’m not scared."

"Why else would you be hiding here, instead of being with your wife?" A satisfied light gleams in his eyes.

"Look Gramps, I know you think you know best?—"

"I do.”

I rub at my temples. This man. He’s so sure of himself. How can I make him understand that sometimes you need things to unfold in their own time?

"How can you be so sure?"

"How can you not be sure?" He looks at me like I’m crazy.

"Because I’m not going to let myself be vulnerable enough to fall for someone." The words burst out.

It must be the fact that I’m emotionally vulnerable which has allowed me to lower my barriers… Enough to share this aloud.

I expect Arthur to cast aside my words, instead his gaze turns sympathetic. "It’s my fault."

"What do you mean?"

"You don’t get to be my age and not look back on your life and wonder about your choices." His shoulders sag.

He looks every one of his eighty-three years.

"I’m not sure I follow." I frown.

"I kept, first my sons, then my grandsons, at arm’s length. I ignored my sons. Wasn't around for them much. Yet expected them to deliver on my ambitions. When my oldest son left, I was too caught up in my work to stop him. I was barely on speaking terms with my second son, your father. I ignored and belittled him. I nevergave him the love and security of a father. And when I realized he wouldn’t be strong enough to take over the company after me, I ignored him completely."

He tightens his jaw.

"Luckily, Quentin left home at eighteen, so he could develop his personality and find himself. When you and your brothers came along, I treated you all as assets.”

He squeezes the arm of his chair.

“You were only five when your father passed and six when your mother died. You were also the most sensitive of all your brothers. You withdrew into yourself when you lost your parents. I should have given you more space to mourn. I should have found you the right support to help to process your feelings. Instead, I pushed you and your brothers to excel at school. Unable to handle the responsibility of taking care of you boys, I pushed the lot of you away from me.”

The skin stretches white across his knuckles.

“And when you became adults, I saw the future of my company in you boys. I expected you to carry the Davenport name forward. So, I badgered the lot of you to settle down. I thought I knew what was best. I wanted to see my great grandkids before I passed."

"And you have.” I nod.

Nathan and Skylar have a son, Tyler and Priscilla have a daughter and Knox and June are about to give birth any day.

"Indeed." His lips quirk. "And sure, I may have manipulated the lot of them to get married."

"Mayhave?"

He half smiles. "I admit, I coerced the lot of you into matrimony, but it was for your own good."

I groan. "Personally, I could have done with a little more time in getting my thoughts into some semblance of order before getting hitched."