“Dustin, why are you so nervous? I’m. not going to eat you.” Bo chuckled and gave Dustin’s sturdy shoulder a little squeeze.
He complimented, “You look slender, but you’re quite robust to the touch. It must be one of those cases where clothes make you appear slimmer, but underneath, there’s strength. Impressive, really impressive.”
Dustin shivered with discomfort and hastily pushed Bo’s hand away. “I appreciate the compliment, but let’s stick to business. I can’t accommodate any other requests.”
“Come on, Dustin! I’m only looking out for your best interests here. With the Dawson family behind you, you’ll practically own Oakvale. All you need to do is make a slight sacrifice. It’s not a big deal. Remember, most people don’t even get this chance.”
Dustin was bewildered and replied, Thanks for the offer, but I can’t accept that kind of ‘chance.””
“Man, you just don’t realize how lucky you are. If it weren’t for your good looks and talent, do you think I’d cut you any slack?” Bo shook his head and sighed.
“Do you have any idea how many people want to be my brothers-in-law? There are a ton of them. I’m giving you a chance!”
“Wait a minute!” Dustin blinked in confusion. “What did you say? Brother- in-law?”
It wasn’t the other motive, but a brother-in-law?
Bo’s expression turned serious as he began, “I’ve got seventeen sisters. Four of them are already hitched, but I’ve still got a dozen single siblings at home. Let’s face it, they’re not getting any younger. It’s been a constant source of worry for me.”
While most people might envy his situation, few understood the burden he carried. As the only son in the family, he had an array of responsibilities to manage. Each day was a juggling act, but he managed to excel in various areas, from his studies to his talents.
Yet, one thing constantly gave him a headache, and that was finding good matches for his sisters.
The requirements were high, calling for not just social compatibility but also good looks, impressive abilities, and impeccable character. The standards were through the roof.
And it got even more challenging when you realized he wasn’t on a quest to find just one brother-in-law, but thirteen of them. The difficulty of the task was beyond imagination.
That was why he kept his eyes peeled for potential candidates whenever he had a moment to spare. After observing Dustin, he thought,” Maybe he could be a suitable match.”
Dustin let out a sigh of relief. “Brother- in-law? You had me worried there. I thought-”
Bo Dawson interrupted him, asking, ” You thought what?” Then it struck him. “Oh, I see. You didn’t think I had ulterior motives, did you?”
Dustin felt somewhat embarrassed and replied, “Well…”
The way Bo had spoken and behaved earlier had indeed seemed a bit off. Bo continued, “Were there rumors about my preference for handsome men?”
Dustin hesitated, “Well, there might have been some talk.”
Bo smiled and admitted, “Those rumors aren’t entirely unfounded. I actually started some of them myself.
“You see, being as good-looking as I am, coming from a well-off family, and having all these talents, women would throw themselves at me every day. It was like an endless stream of admirers.
“To avoid all that hassle, I decided to claim I had a thing for men. Over time, those rumors began to circulate.”
Dustin nodded, understanding now.
The earlier confusion caused by Bo’s peculiar behavior had made him hesitate. But he was relieved they’d clarified everything in person.
Their future cooperation was less likely to be marred by misunderstandings now.
