Atticus let out a faint smile.
âAh, itâs just old age catching up with me.
I miss you every day.
Since youâre back now, will you live here so you can keep me company?â
Lucindaâs heart ached for her father.
She rubbed his legs gently and relented, âAlright, Iâll live here.
But I canât promise to be here every day.
You know how I feel about Florrie.
I donât like her.
â
âShe is your stepmother,â Atticus reminded her.
âNo, sheâs not! Donât say that again, or Iâll get mad!â Lucinda protested.
âAlright, alright.
I wonât say that again.
â 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 otherâs company.
But as they spoke, Lucindaâs mind recalled what Florrie had mentioned earlier.
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âDad, Florrie said something about you agreeing to marry me into the Payne family.
Is that true?â she asked abruptly.
Atticus didnât seem surprised by the question and replied candidly, âYes, itâs 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 youâll be happy with him.
Heâ¦â
As her father sang Nathanâs praises, Lucinda couldnât help but feel irritated.
The name âNathanâ continued to ring in her mind.
Why did the name keep popping up everywhere?
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She found that incredibly annoying!
âWhy would you make such a decision without even consulting me?â
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.
âLucinda⦠Why donât you meet Nathan first? Heâs a great guy.
Heâs only five years older than you.
Iâm very particular, but Iâm satisfied with him.
Iâm sure youâll like him too.
â
âHeâs five years older than me? Thatâs too old! I donât Like him!â
Lucinda exclaimed.
Despite Atticusâs argument, Lucinda remained firm in her refusal.