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“Thanks, Joe,” she said, humbled.

Coop picked up a piece of garlic toast and took a bite. After he chewed thoughtfully, he pointed to the basket. “Want one?”

“I’ll wait until dinner.” It was truly fascinating watching his throat work as he chewed.

When she was seventeen, she’d always loved watching Coop do anything. That much hadn’t changed. She glanced at Joe at the stove and his eyes were on her, watching his son. He winked and heat rushed up her neck. She’d been caught and Joe had only smiled at her, nodding, telling her she wasn’t fooling him. She put her head down and concentrated on finishing up the salad.

A minute later, Cassie breezed into the room. “Taylor, you’re here!” Her welcome tugged at her heart and when the girl wrapped her arms around her and squeezed tight, she got a sense of what her life could be like every day, if she were truly a part of this family.

Unfortunately, she made the mistake of glancing at Coop. The downturn of his lips and the turmoil in his eyes killed the moment. Coop covered up nicely and put on a smile, but he wasn’t good at hiding his emotions and protecting Cassie was first on his list.

“Cass, did you finish your homework?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Good girl. Now, why don’t you take Muffin and play with her in the other room. See how you two get along.”

“Sure. C’mon, Muffy,” she said, prancing into the other room with the dog at her heels.

“I have a feeling they’ll do fine. But only if you think Cassie can handle it. I mean, with baseball and homework, it might be hard for her.”

“Cass can handle it just fine, Taylor. Don’t you worry. It’s her dad who might have trouble,”

Joe replied.

“Uh…Pop? I think I can answer for myself.” The look he gave Joe could stop a tiger in his tracks.

Taylor’s lips twitched and then a rumble of laughter escaped. Why she found this all so amusing she didn’t know, but rarely did Coop get put in his place. And Joe gave it to him good.

“You think it’s funny?” He got in her face, his eyes piercing hers, and all she could do was continue to laugh. Then the sharpness in his eyes softened and his lips began to twitch too. It only took another moment for him to laugh it off.

“You never could stay mad at her,” Joe interjected.

“Dad…”

“It’s true, son. Face facts.”

Coop sighed. “Isn’t it time for dinner around here?”

“Coming right up,” Joe said.

Joe and Taylor shared a grin and then put the food on the table, while Coop stood by, hands on hips, watching her set out plates and fill lemonade glasses.

Finally, he said, “I’ll go get Cassie.”

As soon as he was out of the room, Joe sidled up next to her and whispered, “I see the way you two are with each other. It’s a shame my son is so pigheaded. I know he’s got feelings for you. If you want an old codger’s advice, I say stick with it. He’s not a lost cause.”

“Thanks for the advice. But just for the record, he’s not giving me a reason to stay.”

Joe put his hand on her shoulder. “Taylor, you don’t need his permission. You can do what you want. Just think about it.”

“I will, Joe. I will.”

Actually, Joe was right. She didn’t need to wait for Coop to come around. Her future was her future, and she was the one calling the shots. Joe had planted a bug in her ear. And, at the very least, it was worth looking into.

*

After dinner, Joeserved the pound cake. “Yummy,” Cassie said, taking a big bite.