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I grinned. “I know.”

Dad hmphed.

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, Dad, stop being such a grump. Come on. Let’s all go inside.”

I interlaced my arms with both of theirs, and the three of us walked up the front porch and into the house. It smelled of jambalaya.

I inhaled deeply. “Oh, this brings back memories of when I was a kid.”

“Yes, I should tell Anne to make it more often,” Mom said.

“Grace, I’m sorry,” Dad apologized. “I didn’t want to put you on the spot in front of him. You know I don’t like to get involved in what you’re doing.”

“I know, Dad.”

“I just worry about you, baby girl, after your marriage. Roger turned out to be such a bastard.”

“He did. But Zachary is nothing like that.”

As we all went to the living room and sat down at the mahogany dining table, Dad asked, “What do you know about him? Last time we talked, you were telling us that he’s not a good person.”

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I was wrong about that.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I find it hard to believe that you changed your mind so fast. Did he coerce you into something?”

“Do you have to believe the worst of everyone?” Mom asked.

“Darling, you know I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but when it comes to our daughter’s happiness, I’m not taking any more chances.”

I loved my parents to the moon and back, but sometimes Dad could be overprotective.

“I misjudged him in the beginning. And, based on my past experience with men, I jumped to conclusions. But he’s a really good person. He’s good to me,” I emphasized, and that seemed to take the wind out of Dad’s sails.

“One more question.”

“Clayton, really?” Mom chastised.

“Just one. You sure this isn’t some LeBlanc vendetta against us Deverauxes?”

That took me by surprise. “Dad, of course not. You said it yourself, you don’t hold a grudge over them.”

“I know, but it’s a bit weird that Xander LeBlanc exposed your brothers, and now you’re dating this Zachary.”

I liked how he said “this Zachary,” like he still hadn’t decided whether to like him or not.

“The two things aren’t related. If anything, Zachary was very cautious with me in the beginning precisely because of my brothers and everything that’s happened.”

“All right. Well”—he looked at Mom, and I could practically see him softening under her gaze—“if you think it’s the right thing, then of course we’re happy for you. So, are things moving forward with the horse ranch in any way?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t heard from the owners since I went there last week.”

“Honey, are you sure you want to do it at all? I mean, you really do work a lot,” Mom said as Anna brought three portions of jambalaya.

I grinned. “Thanks, Anna. It smells delicious as usual.”

“Of course. I knew you were coming today, so I asked your mom if I could make your favorite,” she said.

I pressed my lips together so as not to laugh. I had been surprised when Mom said she’d made my favorite, just because it wasn’t the type of thing she remembered. But of course, Anna had actually remembered it. Mom was very blasé about Anna blowing her cover.