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“Ah, yes.I knew William.We’re the same age.Seventy.When the four boys left town, they never looked back.I had no idea where any of them went.”
“My father moved to Upstate New York, met my mother, and they had three kids.I’m the oldest, next is Ryder, then our sister, Lydia.”
Dwane nods thoughtfully.“And you’re planning to stay?”
“I’ve been a nomad for several years, traveling around the country in my RV.”I glance at Reagan.“Now…” I smooth my hand up her back, feeling the tension in her body.She’s very nervous about everything I’m sharing with her grandfather.I understand, but I’d rather lay my cards on the table than pretend I’m less interested in her than I am.
“Now?”Dwane asks, one brow raised high as he glances back and forth between me and Reagan.
I face him head-on.“It may sound crazy, but I know in my gut I’m going to spend my life with your granddaughter.If she wants to stay in Wilde, that’s what we’ll do.If she wants to leave, I will follow her.”
Reagan’s breath hitches and her cheeks are bright pink.She looks at me with wide eyes and then shifts her attention to her grandfather.
Dwane gives a slow smile.“Well, I’ll be.”
I slide my hand up to Reagan’s neck and give a gentle squeeze.She’s so anxious.
Reagan clears her throat.“Tiago is a bit cocky and sure of himself.”
Dwane chuckles, his entire body jiggling.“Sometimes that’s not a bad thing.You could use a man in your life who knows what he wants.”
She rolls her eyes.“Let’s not get carried away.”She leans forward, reaches back for my hand, and tugs it off her neck, shooting me a glare.
Dwane continues laughing.“You’re a lot like your grandmother, Ray.I wish you could have known her.”
“How’s that?”I ask.I want to hear how Dwane sees his granddaughter.
Dwane looks at me.“Reagan is a strong woman who knows her mind and isn’t afraid to share it.She’s smart and tenacious.She managed to put herself through college totally online and built a business for herself at the same time.I’ve always known it would take a very strong man to go head-to-head with Reagan.I’ve only known you a few minutes, but so far, it seems to me like you’ve got what it takes.”
Reagan waves a hand through the air between us.“Hello?I’m right here.How about you two not discuss me like I’m a prized racehorse being sold at auction.”
I laugh and grab her hand, squeezing it on top of her thigh.“Your grandfather is just warning me you’re not a pushover.I already know that.”
She tugs her hand free again and glares at me.“You’re bossy and controlling.”
I nod.“Yep.But I will never force you to do anything you don’t already want to do.I might prod you in the direction I know is best, but decisions about your life goals will always be made by you.Like I said, I’m flexible.I’ll follow you anywhere.”
She narrows her gaze.“You’re maddeningly confusing.”
I chuckle.“Probably.”
She throws up her hands.“One minute, I’m in charge and you’ll follow me anywhere.The next minute, you want to drag me up to the estate so I can pick out rooms for the ten kids you’ve already got planned for us.”
I laugh.So does her grandfather.
Dwane reaches for a sandwich.“Yeah, you’ve met your match, Ray.I know you’re strong and independent, but you’ve always wanted marriage and a family.You certainly weren’t going to find that from any man in this town.I’ve thought you should leave Wilde for a long time.Lucky for you, it looks like the perfect man came to town to find you.”
I’m intrigued to hear that Reagan has always wanted marriage and kids.At least I won’t have to con her into them.I reach for a sandwich, slide it in front of my woman, and open it for her before claiming the last one for myself.
“Eat, baby.You have to be starving after that long hike.”
She shoots me another narrow-eyed look.“I don’t need you to tell me that I’m hungry.”
I lift a brow.
She hurrumphs dramatically and takes a big bite out of her sandwich.
Yep, this went well.