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Riley fingered the small velvet box in his pocket as he stood in front of the Callahan house. His heart thundered faster than the hooves of a hundred wild horses.

He was finally where he wanted to be.

He hadfinallyfound his place in the world.

When the depression still caught him off guard, Grace was usually there to be a sounding board. The support she offered always brought him back from the brink.

The small black box in his hand had been purchased two months ago, and it had taken every ounce of self-control to hold onto it and not propose to Grace on the spot. But there were a few things he had to get sorted out before he would allow himself to take that step.

And today would be that day.

He swallowed hard, shoving the box back into his pocket. Riley hurried up the steps, taking them two at a time, then he knocked on the door. Grace would be at the club for the next two hours at least, which gave him plenty of time to confront the one obstacle in his path.

The door swung open, revealing Zeke’s immovable form. He eyed Riley with the usual disdain. Six months and the man still didn’t seem to like Riley, though his disapproval had appeared to shift into something resembling tolerance instead. “Grace isn’t here,” he said gruffly.

“I know. I came to speak to you.”

Zeke arched a brow.

How was it that a man could unnerve him with one change of his expression? No wonder why Shane seemed to be terrified of getting on his bad side.

Riley gestured toward the chairs they’d occupied the last time he had spent some one-on-one time with the man. Zeke followed his gesture, then returned his eyes to Riley before squinting his eyes and striding past him.

At least he didn’t bring his gun with him.

Seated on the edge of his chair, Riley fidgeted with his hands. “Sir, as you’re aware, I’ve been dating your daughter—”

“Just get on with it, Scott. You’re here to ask if I approve of you marrying my daughter.”

Riley snapped his mouth shut.

“Well? Thatiswhy you’re here, is it not?”

He nodded.

“Then convince me.”

“Sir?”

Zeke leaned forward and his voice lowered, sounding more like a growl than anything else. “Why should I let you marry my daughter?”

A lump formed in Riley’s throat. If he were honest with himself, he’d admit he didn’t think he’d getthisfar. He actually expected Zeke to run him off like he had the last time. Only now, he knew Grace wouldn’t come to his rescue. He swallowed, but it did nothing to alleviate the pressure.

“I love her.”

“So?”

Riley blinked.

“Do you know how many men I would have to listen to if I accepted ‘love’ as a good enough reason to marry one of my daughters? Love means nothing if the man behind that word is willing to throw it around like his boots after a long day’s work.”

Riley grimaced. Zeke was right. He’d confessed his feelings before and then immediately broke it off. “You’re right,” he said.

Zeke’s brows lifted and he settled back in his chair. Riley’s words must have caught him off guard.

“The love I have for your daughter is a small part. I can’t live without her. She fills a part of me that has been missing for longer than I even realized. While I find that to be the utmost importance in this situation, there’s more.” He peeked at the gruff man. If Zeke gave him a chance, he wouldn’t waste it.

“Go on.”