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“Hello, Mrs. Stevens,” Arliss says tightly, like she’s still recovering.

Mrs. Stevens winks.

“And who’s this young man?” Gramps asks, squinting at me like he’s sizing me up for a duel at dawn.

I step forward, pulse thudding, spine straight.

“Kian O’Malley, sir. A pleasure to meet you.”

His eyes narrow. I brace.

“Well, hell. Finally. Took you long enough.”

He extends a hand. I take it.

“You the one she’s been sneaking off to see?” he asks, loud enough that everyone in the room hears it.

“Gramps, I hardly snuck off, and it is none of your business,” she hisses.

“Baloney! You’re my granddaughter and you’ve been cooped up here for too long taking care of this old fool,” he says, pointing to himself.

“We take care of each other,” she argues.

“Arliss, I’m not incapable of taking care of myself. Besides, Melody here has agreed to marry me,” the old man says, his familiar blue eyes twinkling.

“Oh, my! How long has this been going on?” she asks.

“A while now, but you’re so busy and always working so hard. I didn’t know how to tell you,” her grandfather confesses.

I take in a deep breath, trying to gauge her feelings. Emotions war with something else, pride maybe, and all I can too is watch this fascinating woman as she hugs her Gramps.

“Guess you don’t need me cramping your style, huh?” Arliss sniffs.

“This is your home, dear. Always. But what about this one?” he asks, turning his attention back to me.

“You gonna make her happy, son?”

I take her hand and tug her to me. And I look Arliss dead in the eye.

“Yes, sir. I will do my damndest every single day.”

Mrs. Stevens snorts behind us. “I like this one. He’s got gumption. And a nice ass.”

My eyebrows go sky high.

Gramps doesn’t even blink.

“I raised her right. I expect you to deserve her.”

“That’s the plan.”

And as Arliss slides her hand into mine, face still red, eyes shining, I know one thing for damn sure.

This crazy little family? It’s mine now too.

And God help anyone who tries to take it from me.

Chapter Twenty-Arliss