Well, he was of zero help. Regret coursing through him, Adam sighed. “Never mind. I’m sorry to have bothered you,” he said, turning to leave. Although he had hoped he’d see Preslee face-to-face, her father was apparently going to be her guard dog from now on and keep him as far away from her as possible. Served him right for hurting the man’s daughter.

But as he walked away, Adam heard her father ask, “Have you ever run a gauntlet, son?”

Adam pivoted on his heel, squinting at him. Preslee had warned him to say no if her father ever asked him if he wanted to run the gauntlet. He didn’t know why or what it even meant, but it was obviously something bad that Adam didn’t want any part of. “No, sir. But I’d do so for your daughter.”

Surprised by Adam’s answer, her father raised a brow. “You think you’re worthy?”

Adam shook his head furiously. “No, sir. No one is worthy of your daughter.”

The man smiled with approval. “Good answer.”

Adam agreed. But he needed to make something clear to this man. “Look, I know you have no reason to like me after I hurt your daughter. I don’t even like myself right now. I messed up. I know that. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make things right between us again. I really do love her.”

“My daughter won’t date a cheater.”

“What?” Adam’s eyes widened. “She told you I cheated on her? I’ve never cheated on anyone a day in my life. I wouldn’t do something like—”

The old man raised a hand to stop him. “She didn’t tell me that you cheated on her. I’m just letting you know that it won’t be tolerated.” He glared at Adam. “By her or by me.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Adam nodded. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. But like I said, I wouldn’t do something like that to her. I know there’s no coming back from that. And she means way too much to me. She’s the only woman I want.”

Her father’s eyes lit up for only a second before hardening a second time. “I’m going to give you a good piece of advice, son. Don’t ever hurt her again. Otherwise, you’ll be doing much more than running a damn gauntlet.”

Adam grinned. Advice, his ass. That sounded much more like a threat. One he obviously deserved. “I’ll never hurt her again. You have my word. In fact, I’d consider myself lucky to have her in my life if she ever decides to forgive me for…” His words suddenly trailed off.

Interest clearly piqued, her father narrowed his gaze onto Adam. “Go on.”