Marrying the Man in the Dark

“Cherise”

Mr. Tanner spoke with a furrowed brow during dinner. His voice was low and filled with concern, “Do you have something on your mind?”

Cherise quickly snapped back to reality. “No, nothing.”

“You’re telling me there’s nothing bothering you?”

Gwenn retorted with an eye-roll, her tone laced with annoyance. “You just reached for the food in my bowl, didn’t you?”

Cherise was taken aback.

She quickly realized she had indeed extended her fork into Gwenn’s bowl, even picking up a piece of vegetable from it.

She withdrew her hand at once, gave an embarrassed smile, and lowered her head to continue eating.

“Cherise, what did you do today?”

Mr. Tanner sighed softly and asked.

“Both your father and Damien are busy today. It’s just the three of us here at dinner tonight. If something’s troubling you, let me know.”

Cherise shook her head. “It’s… nothing.”

“What else could it be?”

with an icy demeanor. “You must be reluctant to change your name.”

Tanner. “Grandpa, if she doesn’t want to change her name and return to her Tanner roots, then stop pushing her.”

eyes, the last name Shaw holds more weight

why are you belittling yourself like

wished nothing more than for Cherise never to change her name, to

would remain the only Miss

sharing this title

“Silence!”

turned to

pursed her lips and looked earnestly at Mr. Tanner. “No.”

my mind. I want to take my mother’s

public and provide me with shelter, you may do it anytime.

aback. He probably had not expected the once hesitant Cherise to have such a resolute

table. “Taking your mother’s surname isn’t

you intend to take the surname

chuckled in realization. “How foolish

Miles was never hers to begin with. It was only

be Neller,

Tanner mused. The name Cherise Neller is a bit of a mouthful. How about just Cherry

still prefer

met with my mother

“Mother…”