6

Daniel placed the golf clubs that Mr. Garrett had rented for him on the golf cart. Why did there have to be so many to choose from? Couldn't they just play with one all-purpose club? It would certainly be more efficient.

"When was the last time you were out on a golf range as beautiful as this?" Mr. Garrett asked as they drove out to the first hole.

"Never," Daniel said, grateful that he could at least be honest about this. He didn't love the idea of lying to Melinda's parents about their relationship, and it seemed he would be able to get a break for at least a few hours.

"I tell you, there is nothing like getting out on the green, feeling the sunshine, and knowing that somewhere out there, my wife is planning a bachelorette party—and that I don't have to be there for the inevitable arguments that will arise because of it." He grinned, and Daniel couldn't help but return it.

"What about you, Mark?" Mr. Garrett said, turning to where Mark sat on the back of the golf cart.

Mark looked like he hadn't been paying much attention but then he noticed Mr. Garrett and Daniel staring at him. "Um, yeah, me too."

"It's all those nerves about the upcoming wedding," Mr. Garrett whispered to Daniel. "The man has been a wreck since he got here." He then laughed. "Glad my wedding day is forty years in the past." He elbowed Daniel. "Am I right?"

Daniel nodded and answered weakly, "Yeah, sure."

As much as he was dreading their golf game, he would rather make a fool of himself than talk about the wedding. The more they talked, the more likely he'd have to lie. Sure, Daniel wasn't exactly a saint and had done his fair share of bending the truth over the years. But he had promised himself that with his new start in Amor, he would leave those habits behind.

"Would you like to tee off first?" Mr. Garrett asked Daniel as they pulled to a stop. It was a gracious move for the veteran player, but there was no way Daniel could accept.

"Thank you, but I prefer to go last," he said.

Mr. Garrett's eyebrows popped up in surprise. "Are you sure?"

Daniel nodded. "Yes, but I do appreciate the offer." He glanced back to Mark. "Maybe the groom would like to go first."

"I doubt it," Mr. Garrett mumbled, but turned back with a smile. "Mark, what do you say? Would you like the honor of teeing off first?"

Mark shrugged. "I guess."

Daniel watched Mark as he chose a club and walked up and placed his tee in the ground. Daniel couldn't help but think there was something off about the guy. For someone who was about to get married, Mark didn't seem remotely excited. In fact, he seemed bored by the whole situation. Like it was something he had to grin and bear until it was over. Mark positioned himself with his club, brought it up, and swung. The ball flew in a smooth arc and landed on the green.

To Daniel, it seemed like a very good shot, but no one else acted like it was anything special. After Mr. Garrett stepped up and placed his tee, Daniel watched his moves carefully. There was a certain way he planted his feet, his knees slightly bent, and a specific spot he placed his hands on the club. Mr. Garrett stepped back and took a couple of practice swings before he moved closer and hit the ball. Daniel understood why no one had gotten excited about Mark's hit. Mr. Garrett's ball flew much further and landed near the hole.

"Maybe I should have taken you up on your offer to go first," Daniel said. "I'm a bit intimidated now."

Mr. Garrett laughed. "Don't be. I've had a few more years than you have to perfect my game."

"That's true," Daniel said, considering it wasn't hard to beat his zero years of practice.

"Besides, this is a friendly game. We're just out here to enjoy the weather and each other's company. I've always said, there's no better way to get to know someone than on a golf course."

"Why is that?" Daniel asked, suddenly self-conscious, as if Mr. Garrett would be able to see right through him.

Mr. Garrett winked. "I'm not about to spill all my secrets." He gestured forward. "You're up."

Daniel gulped. "Yeah." He looked over his options, but all the clubs looked the same to him. He considered doing eenie-meenie-minie-mo, but randomly chose a smaller one from the middle.

"Interesting choice," Mr. Garrett said.

"I like to mix things up," Daniel said, having no idea why it was an interesting choice. He pulled the tee and ball from his pocket. He had played a golf video game once, so maybe this would turn out okay. After sticking the tee into the ground and placing the ball on top of it, Daniel stepped back. He would start with a couple of practice swings, just like Mr. Garrett had done.

Daniel planted his feet, bent his knees, then placed his hands midway down the club. He could do this. He brought it up behind him, and swung. The club cut through the air, and Daniel was filled with a sense of satisfaction. That swing hadn't been too bad. In fact, he thought it had been pretty good.

Until he heard the peals of laughter behind him.

When Daniel turned, he saw Mr. Garrett laughing so hard he was bent over and holding his stomach. Even Mark was laughing, and Daniel hadn't seen so much as a smile from him since they'd met.

"What?"

"Let me ask you something. What line of work are you in?" asked Mr. Garrett.

"I work for Mayor Freedman," Daniel said.

"And I take it your duties don't include schmoozing politicians on the golf course."

Daniel stared. "I'm sorry?"

"You know, buttering them up to get stuff you need."

"Uh…no." Daniel's heart sank. He supposed Mr. Garrett would think less of him now that he knew Daniel didn't have an important enough job to have to suck up to people.

But then Mr. Garrett nodded, and seemed pleased by Daniel's answer. "You have no idea how happy that makes me." He turned to Mark. "No offense."

Mark waved a dismissive hand. Apparently he was one of those types of guys.

Mr. Garrett continued. "Melinda doesn't need a schmoozer. What she needs is someone who has a level head—that, and someone who can make her laugh. I know she comes across as flighty, but she's always been much too serious for her own good."

"Oh, I know that, sir. I've never met anyone who works as hard as Melinda.”

Mr. Garrett looked at Daniel thoughtfully. "Is that why you two want us to sell the diner? I suppose you'd rather Melinda not have to work so many long hours once you two are married and starting a family of your own."

Family. Meaning kids. Daniel hoped his embarrassment didn't show. He didn't want to have to lie, but… "Yes, sir. It would certainly help. The only way we're able to spend time together is if I hang out at the diner and offer a helping hand." At least that part was true.

"You know, we're never going to get past the first hole," Mark said from the golf cart, where he had sat down.

Mr. Garrett nodded. "The man has a point. How about this? There's a miniature golf place just up the street. I'll show you some pointers there and we'll grab lunch after."

Mark strode forward. "Mini golf? You can't be serious. Just because Daniel can't hang with the big boys doesn't mean—"

Mr. Garrett held up a hand, silencing him. "You can leave your corporate talk back at the office. We're here to enjoy ourselves, not get a new client."

"Do you two work together?" Daniel asked, sensing an air of familiarity.

"In a sense," Mr. Garrett said. "I work with his father, and Mark is following in his father’s footsteps. He is currently working his way up the food chain." He glanced at Mark. "But there are no sheep to be eaten here."

Mark scowled and said, "You know what, I think I'll grab an early lunch and head back to my room."

"Don't forget to meet us for dinner," Mr. Garrett called after Mark's retreating back. Then he turned to Daniel with a grin. "Finally. I thought he'd never leave."

Daniel gave a tentative smile. "You mean, you did that on purpose?"

Mr. Garrett clapped him on the back "Certainly. His father is the president of the tech company I work for. When he suggested we set Bree and Mark up on a date, I am ashamed to admit that I didn't feel like I could say no, even though I knew enough of his son to know that it wouldn't be a good match."

"And now they're getting married? How did that happen?" Daniel asked.

Mr. Garrett sighed. "My wife. She doesn't know Mark like I do, but she does know that he's an attractive and ambitious young man. She encouraged the relationship, despite my warnings."

"And now…you want to alienate Mark to get him to change his mind?"

"Oh, he won't do that," Mr. Garrett said. "He has too much pride for that. But just because the boy is going to be my future son-in-law doesn't mean I have to spend time with him."

Daniel laughed. "So, shall we make our way to the miniature golf course?"

Mr. Garrett studied him. "You're different than I was expecting. Not many men would be willing to play mini golf—alone—with their future father-in-law."

Daniel could see now why Melinda had said that her father was safe for him to spend time with. But he was so nice, it made Daniel feel guilty about the whole situation. He longed to tell Mr. Garrett the truth, but knew he couldn't. Not until Melinda's parents sold the diner. Daniel paused. Did that mean they'd have to keep up the charade after the weekend was through? He didn't know if he'd be able to keep it up that long. Daniel made a mental note to ask Melinda about that later.

"I'm never above having new experiences, even if it's playing a child's game," he said.

Mr. Garrett beamed. "I don't know how you and Melinda ended up dating. I'm just glad you came into her life. She needs someone like you." He paused. "We all do." He spun on his heel and threw his clubs back onto the cart. "Come on, change of plans."

Daniel stuck his club back into the bag and lugged it back to the cart. "You mean, no golf?"

"You don't need to learn how to play golf, unless you really want to," Mr. Garrett said. "You've survived this long without it, I think you'll survive a little while longer."

Daniel let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness." When he saw Mr. Garrett's look of amusement he quickly said, "I mean, I wouldn't mind learning, but I'd rather not have it be such a public spectacle. I have a feeling I'm not a natural."

Mr. Garrett chuckled. "No, you are not."

As they drove back toward the resort, Daniel asked, "So, where are we going?"

"Back to my suite."

Daniel cocked an eyebrow. His father-in-law's suite? He looked longingly back at the golf course as it disappeared into the distance.

Mr. Garrett must have noticed because he released another belly laugh. "It's more of an apartment than a hotel room. It’s twice as big as yours. How do you feel about video games and pizza?"

Daniel grinned. Now they were talking his language. "I wouldn't have pegged you for the video game type."

"A guy has to relax after coming home from a twelve-hour day at the office," Mr. Garrett said with a wink. His voice dropped to a whisper. "But don't you dare tell my wife. I hide out in my man cave in the basement and then pretend I just got home from work."

"You are downright devious," Daniel said with a laugh.

"That's a lesson you need to learn early, son. Being married is wonderful, but at times, you need to do things to preserve your own sanity. If you let your wife have total control of the reins, pretty soon you will find yourself eating kale."

"Duly noted."

Mr. Garrett clapped Daniel on the back. "Now, do you prefer meat lovers’ or supreme?"

Good thing he wasn't a vegetarian anymore. "Supreme would be wonderful."

"A man who enjoys the best of both worlds… I knew we would get along." Mr. Garrett parked the golf cart and strode toward the resort, leaving the golf clubs for some poor attendant to return to the rental shop. Daniel hurried after him. Maybe this weekend wouldn't be so bad after all.