Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 114

**Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint 114**

**This woman would be my daughter-in-law**

**Adam**

She was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Her eyes radiated kindness, her personality sparkled with warmth, and her intellect was as sharp as a finely honed blade. In that moment, seated across from me, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within my chest. If anyone could melt the icy facade of my son, it was surely this remarkable woman.

It was a Wednesday, a day that had become a familiar routine for me. I found myself at the little café near my company—a place I had acquired years ago, specifically to enjoy my solitude without interruption. After Apollo lost his wife, he had ceased to live in any meaningful way. He barely ate, barely slept. I would come here week after week, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, just to reassure myself that he was still among the living. That habit had become ingrained in me, a ritual I could not shake.

The café was typically quiet, a sanctuary of sorts, and I welcomed the stillness. My assistant, bless her heart, could not brew a decent cup of coffee if her life depended on it, which was likely the reason we had so few patrons. Wednesdays were my refuge—predictable, peaceful, and free from the chaos of the world outside.

So, when the door swung open and a young couple stepped inside, I barely lifted my gaze until I heard the young man speak. The absurdity of his words sent a jolt of irritation coursing through my veins.

He was confessing his affection for men while simultaneously claiming to love the woman sitting across from him. He spoke of “trying to be sexually active” for her, and I felt my blood pressure surge. Good heavens, I had lived through wars and economic downturns, yet nothing had prepared me for such ridiculousness.

This generation was peculiar, but I had not realized just how foolish they could be.

And yet, even in the face of such nonsense, the woman remained composed. She looked at him with a mixture of concern and understanding, attempting to reason with him, to comfort him, and even to express pity for his confusion. That kind of patience was a rare commodity.

But when that fool leaned in to kiss her, something inside me snapped. My body reacted before my mind could catch up. I swung the rolled newspaper in my hand, and it connected with a satisfying thud against his skull.

And now, here she was, sitting across from me.

She blinked, her eyes widening in surprise as I spoke. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if she thought I was joking or perhaps losing my grip on reality. Any other woman might have stormed out or reported me for my outburst, yet instead, she regarded me with a patient demeanor. “Can you please explain what you mean, sir?” she asked, her tone calm and steady.

**This woman would be my daughter-in-law.**

Polite, respectful, and undeniably elegant.

A genuine smile spread across my face, amusement bubbling within me. “Allow me to explain,” I began, folding my arms across my chest, “I have a son, in his early forties. A good man on most days. Handsome, successful, but emotionally as warm as an iceberg.”

Her brows knitted together slightly, a hint of uncertainty flickering across her features as she tried to decipher my intentions.

Leaning forward, I allowed my grin to widen. “And you, dear lady, appear to be in your early twenties. You possess a strong mind and a kind heart—qualities that could balance a man like him.”

“With your personality,” I continued, satisfaction swelling within me, “you would be an ideal match for my son.”

She regarded me for a long moment, her eyes narrowing as if assessing whether I was jesting. When the realization dawned that I was indeed serious, her grip tightened around the glass cup she held.

“Oh,” she breathed, her voice caught between disbelief and decorum. “You’re serious.”

I chuckled, leaning back in my chair, feeling a sense of triumph. “I am. More than serious, my dear. Tell me, do older men appeal to you? Can you envision yourself dating one?”

Her lips parted in surprise, and I couldn’t help but notice a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She looked away for a brief moment, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her glass, as if she were unsure of how to respond. Intriguing. That slight, almost bashful expression spoke volumes more than her words ever could.

Hmm, I mused, raising an eyebrow, had this young woman ever dated an older man before?

I longed to ask, but I held my tongue. I couldn’t risk scaring her away; she was far too precious to lose. Apollo needed someone like her in his life, even if she didn’t fit the mold of the women he typically sought. Then again, what was his type? Those polished, picture-perfect women had always bored him. He had once dismissed a famous model I introduced him to without even giving her a second glance.

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Yes?”

She sighed softly, a hint of reluctance in her voice. “He seems like an amazing person, but I’m not open to a relationship right now.”

I leaned forward, unable to suppress my eagerness. “Are you currently in a relationship?”

Her lips parted slightly, and she shook her head. “It’s complicated,” she murmured, biting her bottom lip. “But I’m kind of seeing someone.”

I watched her intently, studying her expression.

Kind of seeing someone, huh?

Inside, I almost laughed. That wasn’t a definitive no. And it certainly wasn’t a ring on her finger.

I concealed my satisfaction behind a calm smile. “You see,” I said mildly, though the truth was, I didn’t care if she was seeing someone or even if she was in a committed relationship. I wasn’t the type to back down easily, especially when I encountered something—or rather someone—worth pursuing.

She was a rare gem, and if Apollo didn’t seize this opportunity, someone else certainly would, and I refused to let that happen.

I didn’t care who the man was. Even if he were the president’s son or some arrogant heir sitting atop a mountain of wealth, if he stood in my way, he would regret it.

I took a sip of my drink, savoring the moment.

This woman would be my daughter-in-law. One way or another.