Standing beside Carter while facing them, his father finally spoke directly to me for the first time since I had arrived.
“I truly apologize for having to meet with you in this manner. I should have taken time to have a word with you in private the day you arrived, yet many things took me away from such an important and proper encounter. But I must say, I’m proud to learn you have been smitten with my son, Princess Mishka.”
His words were kind and respectful despite what had just happened, and before I could say a word he looked at Carter, puffed his chest with a wide smile, and added:
“Art, my boy, you scored big for your family! I couldn’t be more proud of you! Three pups is the minimum for you, my son—don’t you dare fail me now!”
He placed a hand on Carter’s shoulder as his other ar
