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He had a right to be nosy and presumptuous at the moment because he wanted to protect Reese, and I respected that.

He smiled at me ruefully. “That’s probably all I need to know. She’s dated a few guys who didn’t deserve her, but it’s fairly obvious to me that you respect her. I just wanted a little reassurance after everything she’s been through in the last year. I can’t say that I planned on her getting serious with a billionaire someday, but I wanted something better for her than what she’s dated previously.”

“They were idiots,” I grumbled. “They didn’t appreciate the amazing woman they had. And she couldn’t care less about my money. She’s not impressed with my material success.”

Kevin laughed. “I’m her dad, so I obviously agree with you. I know Reese. All she’s ever wanted was a man who loved her.”

“She’s got that,” I assured him.

“You make her happy, Devon,” he observed before he took a long swig of his beer and swallowed. “You’ve gone through some tough times together already, so I don’t think you’re going to have any problems with future challenges.”

I shrugged. “We started off as friends.”

He nodded approvingly. “That makes the best kind of relationship. Marta and I were friends in medical school. I was a blockhead. It took me a year or so to realize that I was crazy about her. You two apparently caught on a lot faster than we did.”

“Did you retire because you wanted to?” I asked Kevin curiously. “Or because you were so worried about Reese that you couldn’t function?”

“A little of both,” he said truthfully. “We’ve always planned to travel the world, and we aren’t getting any younger. Neither one of us regrets our retirement. We both agreed that it was time. We’ve also thought about relocating to a place where we could slow down a little and enjoy a community. If Reese decides she wants to stay here, I don’t think Marta and I would mind living in Crystal Fork when we aren’t off exploring the world.”

My heart started to beat a little faster as I searched his expression. “You’d be willing to move here?”

“There’s nothing keeping us from moving,” he informed me. “And I’d like to be close to my daughter and my grandchildren during my retirement years. I know Marta feels the same way.”

Christ!He’d just given me one of the best gifts I could get.

I was certain they’d grow to love Crystal Fork and the people here, but…

I shook my head. “I’m not really sure that Reese wants to marry me and move to Crystal Fork. Her life is in Spokane.”

He waved a hand in the air dismissively. “I think she belongs here now,” he told me. “She talks about everyone here like they’re family, and she’s definitely in love with that horse you gave her. I don’t see a single sign that she’s missing Spokane. For what it’s worth, she’s crazy about you. I’ve never seen her this way with another man. I can tell by the way she looks at you. The only way you’re going to know is to ask her yourself, Devon. I’m surprised you haven’t gotten around to that yet.”

“Maybe I was worried that I wouldn’t get the answer I wanted,” I joked.

“You have to ask the questions, son. You can’t get any answers at all unless you do.”

Kevin’s answer was so much like something my father would have said that it surprised me.

“If I did decide to ask,” I said hesitantly. “Do I have your blessing to marry your daughter?”

Hell, I knew it was more than a little old-fashioned to ask that question but considering all that he’d been through in the last year, it seemed like the right thing to do.

Kevin chuckled. “My daughter is a strongminded woman just like her mother. She’s going to do what she wants to do. But if you plan to try to make her happy for the rest of your life, I’m all for it.”

“That’s the plan,” I told him. “If she’ll have me.”

“Hey,” Reese said as she opened the slider. “Where’s the steaks. We’re about done in here and we’re hungry.”

I turned and looked at the teasing smile on her face.

She was dressed in a pair of shorts that showed off her sexy legs and a sleeveless crop top because it was a warm summer day.

Reese looked different today, but it wasn’t the clothes she was wearing.

It was the relaxed smile she wore on her face.

Gone was some of the stress that I’d seen for months, and she just looked…happy.

“You haven’t even started?” she asked in a mock chastising voice.