A Silken Thread Read Online Free PDF

know you were coming to town.”
    Brian swallowed. From the way he was dressed it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what he and Erica had been doing earlier. To him it was no big deal, since they would be getting married in a few months, but he figured to her father it probably was a big deal.
    “I wasn’t sure I could get away until the last minute and I wanted to surprise Erica.”
    When Mr. Sanders didn’t say anything, Brian then continued by adding an explanation of why he’d come to the door half-dressed. “I thought you were the pizza deliveryman.”
    “Did you?” Wilson asked mildly.
    “Yes. You’re out sort of late, aren’t you?” Brian wished he could take back the words the moment he’d said them. The last thing he wanted to do was insinuate that the man could not visit his daughter whenever it suited him.
    “Yes, it is rather late. Karen tried calling and when she couldn’t reach Erica she got worried. I volunteered to come over to make sure everything was all right.”
    Brian didn’t know what to say to that, considering what they’d been doing when Erica hadn’t answered the phone earlier. He was about to ask Mr. Sanders if he wanted something to drink, since he didn’t seem to be the least little bit in a hurry to leave. Before they could exchange any further conversation, Erica’s voice filled the room and she suddenly rounded the corner from the kitchen.
    “Brian, what’s taking you so long to bring the pizza in the—”
    She stopped in her tracks, frozen in place when she saw her father standing in the middle of her living room. “Dad!”
    Wilson’s gaze alighted on his daughter and her skimpy attire. Brian immediately picked up on the fact that the older man was seeing Erica in a whole new light. He no longer saw her as Daddy’s little girl, but as a woman who was obviously intimately involved with a man.
    Brian had dated enough women to know some fathers could get weird when it came to discovering their daughters weren’t the innocents they’d thought them to be. But in the man’s defense, he could understand and even see himself becoming that kind of father one day if he ever had a daughter. Especially if she looked anything like Erica.
    Wilson finally responded. “Erica.” And then as if he’d made a decision to accept the situation, he smiled, winked and said, “Nice shirt.”
    Brian couldn’t help but admire the man for how he was handling things. He didn’t want to think how differently things would have been had it been Erica’s mother who’d shown up unexpectedly.
    He watched Erica’s features and knew she was grateful for her father’s acceptance of their relationship. She returned his smile. “Thanks.”
    And then her expression became serious when she asked, “Why did you drop by this late? Is something wrong?”
    He shook his head. “No, nothing’s wrong. Your mother tried calling you a few times and couldn’t reach you and was worried.”
    “Oh.”
    Brian decided then to speak up. “Erica and I will be having a pizza when it’s delivered, Mr. Sanders. You’re welcome to stay and join us.”
    Wilson turned his attention to Brian. “No, thanks. Now that I know Erica is fine, I’ll be leaving.”
    “Dad, you can stay for a while if you want. Like Brian said, we’ve ordered pizza and he’s made brownies and—”
    “No, sweetheart. You and Brian spend enough time away from each other as it is and I won’t intrude.”
    “You won’t be,” Erica quickly said.
    Wilson chuckled. “Yes, I will be.” He glanced back at Brian. “We’re looking forward to meeting your family in a few weeks.”
    “Thanks, sir, and my mother and grandparents are looking forward to meeting you and Mrs. Sanders, as well.” That was no lie. His family adored Erica and couldn’t wait to meet her family at the engagement dinner.
    At that moment the doorbell sounded. “That’s probably your pizza deliveryman,” Wilson pointed out. “I’ll leave