Atticus let out a faint smile.
“Ah, it’s just old age catching up with me. I miss you every day. Since you’re back now, will you live here so you can keep me company?”
Lucinda’s heart ached for her father. She rubbed his legs gently and relented, “Alright, I’ll live here. But I can’t promise to be here every day. You know how I feel about Florrie. I don’t like her.”
“She is your stepmother,” Atticus reminded her.
“No, she’s not! Don’t say that again, or I’ll get mad!” Lucinda protested.
“Alright, alright. I won’t say that again.” Atticus stared at her keenly. He reached out and touched her face with his wrinkled but warm hand.
He asked her a barrage of questions, about how she was doing, whether she had been eating well and sleeping properly, and if anyone had given her a hard time.
Lucinda and Atticus caught up and chatted cheerfully for a while, enjoying each other’s company.
But as they spoke, Lucinda’s mind recalled what Florrie had mentioned earlier.
‘s
“Dad, Florrie said something about you agreeing to marry me into the Payne family. Is that true?” she asked abruptly.
Atticus didn’t seem surprised by the question and replied candidly, “Yes, it’s true. Mr. Payne himself asked for your hand in marriage for his grandson and I agreed. His eldest grandson, Nathan, is a fine young man. I think you’ll be happy with him. He…”
As her father sang Nathan’s praises, Lucinda couldn’t help but feel irritated.
The name ‘Nathan’ continued to ring in her mind.
Why did the name keep popping up everywhere?
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She found that incredibly annoying!
“Why would you make such a decision without even consulting me?”
Lucinda asked.
In a fit of anger, Lucinda rose to her feet.
Not knowing what to say, Atticus reached for her arm, but she swiftly evaded him, still furious.
He retracted his hand, stroked his beard, and spoke softly.
“Lucinda… Why don’t you meet Nathan first? He’s a great guy. He’s only five years older than you. I’m very particular, but I’m satisfied with him. I’m sure you’ll like him too.”
“He’s five years older than me? That’s too old! I don’t Like him!”
Lucinda exclaimed.
Despite Atticus’s argument, Lucinda remained firm in her refusal.