Page 30 of More Than a Hero (Baytown Heroes #12)

Pete relished the feeling of Angie in his arms. She was a woman who carried herself with confidence, her laughter bright and full of life. But seeing her step out of the doctor’s office, shoulders weighed down by frustration, her usual spark dimmed—it gutted him.

As she neared, he almost smiled, catching the way she seemed to be giving herself a pep talk under her breath. But there was no humor in it for him. He didn’t want her to feel like she had to pick herself up. He wanted to be the one to hold her steady. To remind her she wasn’t alone.

Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her in tight. She hesitated for just a second, then melted into his embrace, her warmth pressing against him. And when she finally looked up at him with a small smile, something in his chest eased.

That smile meant everything. "Looks like you’ve had a crappy day," he said, keeping his voice light, though he still felt the tension in her body. "How about I take you out for dinner?"

Before she could answer, the muffled chime of her phone sounded from her purse. She sighed and reached in, pulling it out. As soon as she glanced at the screen, her expression softened. "Oh, it’s my mom."

"Take the call, sweetheart," Pete said easily. He didn’t want her to ignore her family just because she was with him.

Her face brightened as she answered. "Hey, Mom."

There was a brief pause, and then she continued, "It was okay. She’s going to try me on a new medication, and we’ll see how it goes. No, I won’t have to have it at the hospital. I just have to give myself injections every other week."

Pete’s jaw tensed slightly at that. He hadn’t known that was even an option. Hearing her say it so casually made something tighten in his chest, but he forced himself to stay quiet and listen.

“Well, Pete is here with me?—”

Another pause, and then she laughed, the sound light and easy. “Okay, I’ll ask him and let you know.”

She muted the call and tilted her head up at him. “Mom wants us to come to dinner. My grandparents will be there.”

Pete hesitated, rubbing his thumb along the side of her arm. "I don’t want to take time away from your family." He hated the idea of not seeing her tonight, but he also understood how important family was to her. The last thing he wanted was to intrude.

Her lips curved into a soft smile, her eyes warm as she shook her head. "You won’t be taking time away from my family," she murmured, her voice gentle yet sure. "Because you’re coming with me."

He chuckled, tilting his head. "That sounded more like a declaration than an invitation."

"Take it however you want," she teased, stepping closer, her palms flattening against his chest.

Pete’s breath hitched at the warmth of her touch, the way she looked up at him with something unguarded in her eyes.

"Pete, you mean something to me," she admitted, her voice soft but steady. She nibbled on her bottom lip as if choosing her next words carefully. "I know we’ve only been dating a few weeks, but I’d really love for you to spend time with my family. If that doesn’t feel right to you, or if it seems rushed, or?—"

"I’d love to," he interrupted.

She blinked, her head jerking back slightly, surprise flickering across her face.

"Okay, now that sounds like a declaration," she said, laughing.

"Take it however you want to," he echoed with a grin, reaching up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

Still smiling, she glanced back down at her phone and pressed a button. "Mom, we’re on our way. Do you want us to pick up Grammy Ellen?" Another short pause. "Great. See you soon."

As she ended the call, Pete felt something settle deep inside him—something steady, something sure. Tonight, he wasn’t just spending time with Angie. He was stepping into her world.

As Angie ended the call, she scrunched her nose in thought before pushing her glasses up onto her face. “I need to stop by Careway and pick up my Grammy Ellen.”

“I’ll follow you there,” Pete said, slipping his hands into his pockets. “That way, I can make sure everything goes okay. Then I’ll follow you to your parents’ place.”

Her lips curled into a smile. “Perfect.”

Before she could move, he bent down and brushed a light kiss against her lips. “Yeah, you are. Perfect.”

She let out a soft laugh, rolling her eyes in that way she always did when he caught her off guard with something sweet, but he didn’t miss the way her smile lingered.

He pulled open her car door, and once she was settled inside, he jogged around to his truck, falling in behind her as they made their way to Careway Assisted Living.

Once they arrived, Pete hesitated in the parking lot, unsure if he should follow her inside or wait in his vehicle. He knew Angie came here often, but this was different—this was family. He didn’t want to intrude.

Before he could second-guess further, Angie turned, caught his gaze, and waved him over with a small motion of her hand.

He climbed out and joined her as they walked through the entrance.

The facility was warm and welcoming, the air carrying the faint scent of fresh flowers from a nearby arrangement.

Of course, he’d been here when they met with the adoptive grandparents and the kids, but this was the first time he’d ventured deeper into the halls.

The rest of the facility was just as inviting as the entrance, the walls adorned with framed paintings and the occasional bulletin board displaying upcoming activities.

At the end of the hall, they stopped at a door that was propped open. Angie knocked lightly against the frame. “Grammy Ellen? It’s Angie.”

A warm voice floated from inside. “Oh, how are you, sweetheart?”

Pete watched as an older woman slowly maneuvered her walker forward, her smile widening the second she spotted Angie. The love in her expression was unmistakable, and he understood the emotion behind it. After all, every time he saw Angie, he wanted to smile, too.

Angie stepped forward, bending to hug her grandmother before shifting to the side. “Grammy Ellen, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Peter Bolton.”

The older woman’s eyes widened slightly, a hint of amusement sparkling in their depths. Keeping one hand steady on her walker, she lifted the other in greeting. “Mr. Bolton! How lovely to meet you.”

Pete stepped forward, gently taking her hand in his and giving it a careful squeeze. “You can call me Pete, ma’am.”

“And you can call me Grammy Ellen,” she corrected with a firm nod. Then, with a playful glint in her eyes, she added, “And just so you know, I’m a hugger.”

She shifted her weight slightly, arms lifting, and he didn’t hesitate—carefully wrapping his arms around her, more for balance at first, but then realizing how firm and full of warmth her embrace was.

“We’re here to take you to dinner, Grammy Ellen,” Angie said, her tone light.

The older woman nodded. “Your mother called. Said you were coming with your young man.” She arched a knowing brow, shifting her gaze back to Pete. “You introduced him as a friend.”

Angie let out a nervous laugh, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. “Well, I didn’t want to?—”

“I am dating your granddaughter,” Pete said without hesitation, his voice steady.

Grammy Ellen’s face broke into a delighted smile, and she clapped her hands together. “Lovely!”

Gripping the handles of her walker, she straightened. “Lead on. I’m ready.”

Pete met Angie’s gaze, catching the way her lips curved in quiet amusement as they turned to escort Grammy Ellen out the door.

They walked out of Grammy Ellen’s room, Angie pausing just long enough to pull the door shut behind them.

The slow shuffle of their steps echoed lightly down the carpeted hallway as they made their way toward the front desk.

The scent of fresh-baked cookies from the common area mingled with the soft sound of distant chatter, the atmosphere warm and familiar.

At the front desk, Angie signed her grandmother out as Pete stood by, watching the easy way she navigated this part of her life—caring for her family, making sure everyone was accounted for, looking out for the people she loved.

The trio stepped outside, the warm evening air wrapping around them as they entered the parking lot. Angie glanced toward the far side of the lot. “I’ll drive around, Grammy Ellen,” she said before darting away toward her car.

Pete remained at Ellen’s side, shifting slightly on his feet as she turned to look up at him. Her bright eyes, filled with both kindness and quiet assessment, locked onto his.

“Are you taking good care of my Angie?”

The weight of the question wasn’t lost on him. There was no hostility in her voice, no harsh judgment—only deep, unwavering love for her granddaughter. This wasn’t a casual inquiry… it was a grandmother’s way of making sure the man standing beside her understood exactly what was at stake.

He held her gaze, his voice steady when he answered, “Yes, ma’am. I’m caring for her as best I can.”

Her lips stretched into another warm smile, her lined face crinkling with satisfaction. “Lovely,” she proclaimed again, her voice full of approval.

Pete exhaled slightly, relaxing just a fraction.

Angie pulled to a stop beside them a moment later, then she climbed out to help. Together, they assisted Grammy Ellen into the front seat, then Pete quickly folded the walker, his hands steady and sure as he tucked it into the back seat.

“I’ll follow you,” he told Angie, his voice low but sure.

She met his gaze and smiled, her expression warm and full of trust. A few moments later, they were back on the road.

Pete drove a few car lengths behind Angie, his fingers gripping the wheel tighter than usual. His thoughts drifted as he followed the familiar curves of the road, but this wasn’t just another drive.

What the hell am I doing? Family dinners weren’t something he’d ever had growing up.

Grandparents weren’t a part of his childhood.

Holiday gatherings usually consisted of him and Sally sitting at a rickety kitchen table, their drunk parents shouting in the background.

There had never been warmth. Never been easy conversation or shared laughter over a meal.

Now, he was heading straight into something he didn’t quite understand. Something foreign. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his jaw tightening. But he knew deep down that Angie was offering him more than just a meal with her family tonight.

She was offering him a piece of her world. A glimpse into what family was supposed to look like. And if he was going to move forward with her and build something real, then this wouldn’t be the last family gathering.

It would be the first of many. His chest tightened, uncertainty gnawing at him. He just hoped to hell he didn’t screw it up.

As they drove through the neighborhood, Pete glanced to the side as they passed Angie’s duplex. She had mentioned that her parents lived just down the street, and she hadn’t been exaggerating. They barely passed two houses before Angie turned into a driveway.

He parked behind her, but before his nerves had a chance to settle, instinct took over. He jumped out of his truck, moving quickly to retrieve Ellen’s walker and offer her a steadying hand as she maneuvered out of the passenger seat.

Grammy Ellen beamed up at him, her eyes crinkling with warmth as she patted his hand. “I love a man who doesn’t mind assisting an old lady.”

Pete glanced around, his expression playful as he feigned confusion. “I’m sorry, Grammy Ellen, but I don’t see an old lady anywhere.”

Her laughter was rich and so much like Angie’s that it made something settle inside him.

“Are you flirting with my grandmother?” Angie asked, appearing beside him. Her arms were crossed, but her smile gave her away.

“Maybe,” he teased, shooting her a playful glance.

They bypassed the front door, instead making their way to a side entrance with a wheelchair ramp. The door was already open, and a beautiful woman stepped out, her smile wide and welcoming. Pete didn’t need an introduction to know who she was. She was an older version of Angie.

Her thick blond hair, streaked with strands of silver that blended seamlessly like natural highlights, fell past her shoulders. Bright red glasses perched on her nose, giving her an air of vibrant energy.

“Come in, come in!” she called out, her voice carrying the same warmth that radiated from her expression.

She immediately hugged Ellen first, whispering, “Love you, Mom,” before turning to Angie and wrapping her arms around her. “Love you, baby girl.”

Then she turned toward Pete, her smile never faltering. And just like Grammy Ellen, she was clearly a hugger. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him. “I’m Roseann, Angie’s mom. It’s so lovely to meet you, Pete!”

Normally, this would be the part where Pete felt awkward. Social situations outside of work weren’t always his strong suit. As a detective, he was in control. At the American Legion, he was surrounded by friends. And when he mentored the kids, he naturally fell into the role of leader.

But walking into someone’s home and meeting their family was different.

Except the discomfort never came. The warmth in Roseann’s hug, the laughter in Grammy Ellen’s voice, the easy way Angie fit into the embrace of her family—it was all so effortless.

And for the first time in a long time, Pete didn’t feel like an outsider looking in.

He hugged Roseann in return, then stepped aside, allowing the women to enter first. He followed, taking in the house as he stepped inside.

The kitchen wasn’t large, but the open floor plan gave the home an inviting, communal feel. The scent of something warm and comforting filled the air, and the soft hum of greetings and conversation wrapped around him.

As Ellen pushed her walker to the side with Roseann assisting, another older couple stepped forward.

“Pete, I’d like you to meet my grandparents,” Angie said, her voice filled with warmth. “This is Grandpa Stan and Grandma Dorothy.”

Pete extended his hand to shake Stan’s, the older man’s grip firm and steady. Then he turned toward Dorothy, who bypassed the handshake entirely and pulled him into yet another hug.

Pete chuckled, returning the embrace as Angie spoke up behind him. “They’ve been dying to meet you because they’ve seen your truck parked outside and know we’re dating.”

Pete met Angie’s gaze over her grandmother’s shoulder, catching the slight blush on her cheeks. There was no doubt about it—he wasn’t just meeting the family. He was becoming a part of it.