Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Mrs. Zimmerman confessed to Mrs. Bryant that she couldn't bear the thought of Salome getting married and had even considered finding a son-in-law willing to marry into their family.

Mrs. Bryant didn't miss a beat. "That's no problem at all! If you don't mind our Yates, he can absolutely marry in. Think of it as us giving away a son and you gaining a son-in-law. We'll handle the wedding gifts just as tradition calls for. Yates is famous for being devoted to his family-he'll treat you like his own mother, I promise."

Yates was stunned.

Was this really his mother talking?

She wanted to marry him off?

He was the eldest son of the Bryant family, for heaven's sake! What would people say if word got out?

No way was he agreeing to this.

On the phone, Mrs. Bryant called out, "Yates, Mrs. Zimmerman wants a son-in-law to join their family. Do you have any objections?"

Middleton, worried Yates would refuse, jumped in, "Yates, don't forget what I told you in the car the other day when we visited the Zimmermans. As your father, I gave you a direct order, remember?"

As the saying went, a father's word was law. Yates had no choice but to bend to his parents' will. He forced a smile and said to Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman, "I have no objections. I'll do whatever my parents ask. If they want me to marry into your family, that's what I'll do."

tapped his own cheek

filial piety trumped

Yates is on board with marrying in. I think it's time

and Mrs. Zimmerman were at a loss

was nothing short of impeccable-no, downright

to find a

health in decline. But since reconnecting with Salome, she'd recovered considerably. Soon,

a little longer, they finally ended

late. Mrs. Zimmerman told Vince and Yates they

couple headed back to their room. Vince glanced at Yates and

I ever say I was

I warned you ahead of time. I thought you'd stand your ground, but your resolve crumbled

Salome, they'd insist I marry her. And

done talking to you. I'm heading

up