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“He sounds like any other guy I’ve met.”

“And he raised seven girls all on his own. How do you think he’s going to feel knowing that a guy like you is interested in the youngest one?” Shane let that question settle.

A small sliver of concern flooded Riley’s gut. Shane made a good point with that one. Grace was the baby of the family. As such, she would be the one that Zeke would have the hardest time letting go.

Still, none of that mattered. If he could show Mr. Callahan that he loved her and he’d protect her, then what did age matter in the long run?

“See? I knew you’d understand.” Shane’s whole body seemed to relax as if he’d been in the middle of a strenuous workout. “I’m glad you’re seeing reason. So let’s get you set up with a new therapist, and after you’re done with—”

“No.”

“No?” Shane sputtered incredulously.

“No,” Riley repeated. “I’m not going to work with anyone else. I’ve given it some thought, and I know that if you assign me to someone I don’t know and don’t trust, nothing will improve.”

Once more Shane groaned. “Riley, there’s nothing I can do. My hands are tied.”

“Then assign me a new therapist, but Grace is going to assist. I’m not going to lose what I have with her.” His heart was beating far quicker than should have been expected. He’d been in the field, staring down the wrong side of a gun and not been this terrified. If he lost Grace, he didn’t know what he would do. There was just something about her that made him believe that living a happy future was still a possibility.

Shane studied him, his dark expression thoughtful. “I suppose thatmightwork.”

“It will work.”

Shane scooted his chair to the edge of the desk. “But if I agree to this, there will be no public displays of affection while you complete your sessions. You will listen to your new therapist and do everything he says—noexceptions.”

“Right. Of course.” It was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. At this point he’d agree to anything as long as it meant that he could still see Grace every day.

Yes, he’d have to figure out a way to meet her father and try to make a good impression, but for now, he had won the first of many battles.

The weary man before heaved another heavy sigh. “Don’t make me regret this, Scott. I’m finally becoming a valued member of this community—”

“Yeah. I get it. Don’t embarrass you.”

Shane shook his head. “You misunderstand. It’smorethan that. For instance, if you choose to stay for that young woman, you’ll figure out real fast what I’m talking about. Zeke Callahan is one of those quiet forces to be reckoned with. If I were you, I’d be careful. Maybe talk to Grace about meeting her father.”

“I get it already,” he grumbled. “No offense, but you aren’t my therapist, and we’re not even friends. If it’s all the same to you, I’ll take my chances and follow what my gut tells me I should do.”

The man before him didn’t look offended. At least not on the outside, but he also didn’t continue talking. He turned to his computer, a nonverbal way to dismiss him.

Riley clenched his teeth as he got to his feet. What he wouldn’t give to have one of his friends here. The members of his squad were the only ones he felt he could come to with stuff like this.

They would have loved Grace.

Then again, they might have called him crazy for chasing after a girl who was so much younger than he was.

He wandered out of Shane’s office and headed for his cabin. Today he didn’t have a session due to Shane’s insistence that they get another therapist. Suddenly he felt more alone. Grace said she’d stop by after she helped her sisters with some of their chores at home.

Shane’s words reverberated in his head, ricocheting against every side. As much as Riley hated to admit it, Shane had made a good point about Grace’s father. If Riley had a daughter, he wouldn’t want to hear about her boyfriend from some neighbor. It would be best to confront this issue head-on.

He had no idea how Grace would feel about it. He’d have to bring it up when she stopped by. Riley probably looked like a crazy person. The smile that crossed his face as he wandered down the path wasn’t something he could control. He’d never been this happy. Maybe his quack of a therapist back home had been right. On top of confronting his demons, he’d been told to try to return to a normal life.

Both suggestions had fallen on deaf ears at the time. But there might be a point in finding a girl he could spend his life with.

* * *

“What? No.”Grace laughed.

Riley didn’t know what she found amusing, but her answer had been the opposite of what he’d been expecting. “Youdon’twant me to meet your father?”