Page 92 of Hero of Mine (Men in Uniform 2)

Tyler leaned over and kissed her sweetly. “Shut up, it will be fine. I swear, I’ll make them love me.”

“YOU’RE A RAIDERS fan?” George Hill spat out, as if it was a dirty word. Tyler was a little surprised he didn’t spit on the floor in disgust. They’d been sitting in the living room watching football while Dani and Laura were in the kitchen. Noah was sitting in the middle of the living room, playing with huge Legos.

So much for getting on her dad’s good side.

“Yeah, I always have been. My dad’s a 49ers fan.”

George grunted. “I like your dad already.”

Unlike Tyler, whose unpopular football team choice had just given him a big black check.

“Hey, what are you guys talking about in here?” Dani asked as she came in. Stopping alongside Tyler’s chair, she set her hand on his shoulder and gave him an are you okay? look.

“We were just talking football. Apparently, your dad and I are mortal enemies on the field.”

“Can’t believe you’re dating a Raiders fan,” her dad grumbled, but Tyler was pretty sure his eyes twinkled. That was a good sign, right?

“Oh no, you actually told him that? I told you not to!” She shook his shoulder, and he could tell she was trying not to laugh. “Football is serious business in the Hill house.”

“Hey, I told him my dad likes the 49ers. I’m just the black sheep of the Best family.”

“Should have listened to your dad. He has some taste.”

“Okay, how about we not talk about football anymore and change the subject?” Dani suggested.

Tyler squeezed her hand and shot her a mischievous look. “So, George, are you a Democrat or a Republican?”

“Politics? Really? That’s a better subject for you?” Dani asked.

“I’m an Independent,” George said.

“Okay, on that note, I’m going to go back to the kitchen,” Dani said.

Tyler turned around and watched her leave the room. She was wearing a pretty floral dress that hit her just below the knees and swished when she walked.

He loved that dress. The minute she’d put it on this morning, he’d been dreaming of the moment later tonight when he’d be under it, listening to the sounds of her screams . . .

“Hey, now I asked you a question. Stop looking at my daughter’s ass and answer.”

Tyler chuckled, getting the feeling that George Hill enjoyed being obnoxious and making other people feel uncomfortable.

But if he thought he could get one over on Best, he didn’t know who he was messing with.

DANI BREATHED A sigh of relief as they left her parents, who had insisted on keeping Noah overnight.

“My parents loved you, even my dad. And even after you told him who your football team was.”

“Your dad has a low tolerance for bullshit, which I appreciate.”

“So, you never told me who the extra plate was for,”

she said, indicating the foil-covered plate.

“The kid at the hospital, the one who risked his life for the rest of us? Well, I’m pretty sure his mom won’t even visit him today, so I thought we’d drop it by on the way home, before the visiting hours are over.”

Dani’s heart swelled with love for this kind, generous man. “Of course, I’d love to meet him.”

Tyler held onto her hand as they drove to Sutter Memorial and didn’t release it, even as they entered Jeremiah’s room at the hospital.