Page 137 of Boss of Me

Last night’s makeup session was everything I needed and then some. Gunner and I talked and made love into the wee hours of the morning, eventually falling asleep in each other’s arms. When the alarm went off, we showered and dressed together, then headed downstairs for a leisurely breakfast.

As I saw him off to work, I knew we’d reached an important milestone in our relationship, and I had no more doubts that we belonged together.

A sudden tap on my shoulder startles me into dropping the furniture polish I just sprayed on an already gleaming table. I stop the bottle from rolling to the floor, then spin around to see Gunner’s father standing there.

Flustered, I yank out my earbuds. “Mr. Ransom.”

“Sorry, honey. Didn’t mean to frighten you.” His rascally grin lacks even a trace of remorse.

“Can I get you anything?” I offer.

“Just wanted to formally introduce myself. My son forgot his manners yesterday and, well, I wasn’t exactly in top form.” He thrusts out his hand. “Dale Ransom.”

I quickly remove my rubber cleaning gloves and shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Ransom. I’m Marlowe Somerset.”

“Pleasure’s all mine.” He kisses the back of my hand, his eyes twinkling. “No wonder my son is so smitten. And make no mistake, honey, heissmitten.”

My cheeks heat with a blush.

Dale Ransom is tall and thin, his angular face carved with deep grooves and dark shadows above his cheekbones. Despite his gaunt features, he’s strikingly handsome. His black hair is still thick, though graying at the temples. His eyes are a piercing blue beneath heavy brows.

I’m struck again by how much Gunner resembles the man. It’s a little scary.

Sansa, who had been sunbathing in the bay window, leaps down from her perch to sniff at Gunner’s father.

He gives her a broad grin. “Well, who do we have here?”

I smile. “That’s Sansa.”

“Hello there, Sansa.” Dale crouches down to stroke the cat’s head. When she rubs against his hand, he laughs gruffly and scratches behind her ears.

I can’t hide my surprise. “She usually doesn’t take to strangers.”

Dale grins at the purring cat. “You have great taste in humans, purty lady. Get it?Purr-ty?”

I laugh at the joke, and he winks at me. He’s very charming, I’ll give him that.

“I understand you’re a grad student at Gunner’s alma mater,” he says.

“I am,” I confirm, smiling. “I would’ve had class this morning, but my professor had to cancel for a personal emergency.”

“Is that so? Well?—”

“I hope you’re not bothering Marlowe.”

We both turn to see Mrs. Calder striding into the room with a small tray.

Dale rises to his feet, his mouth softening into a smile that shaves a good ten years off his face. “Mornin’, Gemma Louise. How ya doing?”

“A heap better than you, I bet,” she retorts. “You look like roadkill run over by an eighteen-wheeler.”

He scowls, but there’s no bite to it and his eyes are twinkling. “I just met your new furry friend.” He motions to Sansa shamelessly winding herself around his legs. “Reminds me of Gingersnap. Remember how much that ol’ gal adored me?”

“Of course I remember. And her name was Ginger.”

“That’s whatyoucalled her. I called her Gingersnap, God rest her ornery soul.”

The two old friends share a reminiscent smile before Mrs. Calder clears her throat and holds up the tray.