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“I love you too, honey. I loved you anyway because I love your dad, but now that I’ve gotten to know you, I love you just for you, dad or no dad. So yes?if he asked me, I would say yes, unless he gave me some reason not to.”

Candace snickered. “What would be a reason not to?”

Cherilyn started to laugh. “Like, ‘Will you marry me and do all my housework for the rest of your life?’ or something like that. That would probably give me second thoughts.”

“What about, ‘Will you marry me and have a baby with me?’ Would that be a reason not to?”

That question stopped Cherilyn dead in her tracks. Then she remembered something?the sight of Shaw playing with Belle the night they’d been at Aaron and Maisey’s. He’d looked so natural holding the baby, and the little thing had giggled and squirmed with joy as the big man gave her his full attention. She’d thought at the time that he’d make a great dad for a tiny human. Could that tiny human be hers? “No. That would not be a reason not to.”

Candace chuckled. “Or would that be a reason to?”

“Maybe.”

“Okay. Just curious. Didn’t know and wanted to throw it out there. So I guess we’ll see what happens, right?”

“Yeah. I guess we’ll see.” Cherilyn smoothed Candace’s hair away from her face and stuck a strand behind the girl’s ear. “Tell you what. Take a little nap, and then I’ll try to help you get a shower. I think that would help you feel better.”

“It sure would. I hate it when I skip a shower. I feel grimy.” Candace made a face and Cherilyn laughed.

“Yeah, I totally know! Get some rest and I’ll make sure you have some clean pajamas.” Cherilyn rose and stood by the bed, then leaned over and kissed the girl’s forehead. “I love you, sweetie.”

She’d reached the door when she heard Candace say, “I love you too.”

* * *

“Maybe I should just callyour mom and?”

“Babe.” Shaw wrested the phone out of her hand. “They’re fine. My mother managed to raise me and my brothers to adulthood. I think she can handle three girls. My dad has his club meeting and then he’ll be home too. Just relax.”

“It’s been months since I was away from them and I guess I don’t know how to behave.” Cherilyn squeezed his hand and he squeezed hers back. “So is this the date you promised me the second or third day we knew each other?”

“I guess so. It’s the first time we’ve been anywhere by ourselves.” They strolled along the riverfront in Knoxville, their joined hands swinging between them. “And here we are.”

“Calhoun’s? What’s this?”

“It’s a steakhouse?a very good steakhouse. You’ll love it, I promise.” He led her up to the door, opened it, and followed her inside. The hostess glanced up and he responded with, “Harrison.”

“Yes, Mr.Harrison. Right this way.” She sashayed along in front of them. “Have you been here before?”

“I have. She hasn’t.”

“Well, good!” She motioned to a small table, and Shaw hustled to pull out Cherilyn’s chair. Their butts had no more hit the chair seats when the hostess placed menus in front of them. “And here’s our wine list, as well as beer and alcohol. We have a couple of signature cocktails and plenty of other things to choose from. Mandy will be along in just a minute to see to your needs. Have a great dinner, Mr. and Mrs.Harrison.”

Cherilyn’s eyebrows popped up, and Shaw fought the urge to laugh as the young woman walked away. “I guess that’s her way of saying we make a handsome couple!” he whispered.

“I guess. Do we look like an old married couple?”

“Who you callin’ old, woman? I’m not old. I’m seasoned. Mature.”

“You’re full of shit, that’s what you are,” Cherilyn scolded, but she was doing a lousy job of hiding her grin.

Dinner was amazing, and so was dessert. They walked a few blocks down to a couple of breweries, but they both decided the crowd looked a little young and rowdy for them, so they headed back to the car, taking their time to look at the architecture of the city.

As they rode the elevator up to their room at the four-star hotel adjacent to the University of Tennessee Conference Center, Cherilyn leaned against Shaw’s shoulder. “What are we doing tomorrow?”

“I dunno. What do you want to do tomorrow?”

“I dunno. Sleep in.” Shaw laughed at her. “No, seriously. Do you have any idea how many years it’s been since I slept in?”