Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 138169 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138169 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Gerald pulls the passenger door open and climbs into the Jeep. “Just you today, son?”
Son.
It always gives me pause when he calls me that.
I know it’s a thing with older folks. They call any man younger than them son, but lately I’ve grown so fond of Gerald Grey it doesn’t bother me.
I’ve never known a man who cares so much for his family. It’s a new experience, and for him to offer that same kindness to me the way he does my Talia strikes deep.
It shakes me.
I’d never turn away from it, though.
Hell, I crave it.
Especially when Gerald shows me, in his own way, the kind of man I want to be as I make a new life with Talia.
While he buckles up, I smile.
“Just me today. Talia’s still struggling with the Bridezilla job. I think she’s on her twenty-seventh revision.”
“Goddamn! They keep at it like that, there’s no way the real work will start before the wedding.” His eyes gleam. “You think she’ll need some help?”
“I think she’ll remind you that you’re retired, argue with you out of obligation, and then gratefully accept another miracle from Gerald Grey,” I point out dryly as I start the engine and head for the street.
“That still sits weird with me, Micah. Retired.” Gerald props his hand against his chin, elbow against the base of the window, and looks out with a smile. “Almost feels like a waste. Tally-girl put all that money into surgery for my hands, and now all I do is diddle around making things for fun.”
“Talia wouldn’t call it a waste. It makes her happy to see you working for your own pleasure. It makes her happy to see you happy.”
“Yeah, that’s her, all right. My Tally’s always been a softie.” His smile warms with fondness. “The girl always feels so much for other folks. I did the right thing, putting the shop in her hands, didn’t I?”
“Absolutely,” I answer. “She’ll save your legacy and make you proud.”
“Hey.” With a snort, Gerald lightly smacks my arm. His age-spotted fingers are bony and strong, free from the painful swelling that plagued them before. “Don’t be talking like I’m gonna check out anytime soon. I’ll be around to watch over her and my own damn legacy just fine—and to help her as long as she needs.”
I grin. “I know, Gerald. You’re too stubborn for much else.”
“Mm-hmm.” He eyes me sternly. “Remember that when y’all are locking that bedroom door every time you stay over.”
For a second, I sputter.
Gerald just grins like the old smartass he is and turns his gaze right back out the window as we pull out onto the highway, driving into the sunset home.
I can’t help how my mind lingers, though.
The dynamic that’s evolved between the three of us is better than anything I imagined.
Something I want to make permanent.
As the mile markers tell us we’re getting closer to Redhaven just as the sky descends into twilight, I clear my throat.
“There’s something I need to ask you about,” I say. “I thought we could talk about it now.”
“Aw, hell.” Gerald glances at me slowly, knowing as he smirks. “You don’t need my permission, son.”
“How did you—” I blink, my grip tightening on the steering wheel.
Gerald scoffs. “Hmph. You really wonder when you go and pay hundreds of thousands for treatment and then act surprised when I’m sharp as a tack?”
“That’s not what I meant.” Shit, I can feel my face turning red, and I never fucking blush, but this is serious. “Have I been that obvious?”
“Not at first,” Gerald muses. He scratches at his stubbly chin. “But over the last few months, you’ve really grown into yourself. You’re not so wooden anymore, son.” He looks at me long and hard, then reaches over to squeeze my forearm. “Anyone can see how much you love my granddaughter—and how much she loves you. I’d be a fool to stand in the way of your happiness.”
Amazing how a few words can make me grin like a madman.
“That’s if she says yes,” I point out, earning a rough laugh.
“What, you nervous?”
“Yes,” I throw back.
“Well, good,” Gerald retorts. “Every woman needs to keep her man just a little stirred up. That’s what my wife used to say.”
I don’t miss the break in his voice when he says my wife or the way his eyes mist up.
I glance over, watching him for a moment before returning my eyes to the road.
“You still miss her, don’t you?”
“You never stop. Sometimes, I think my mind started slipping just because I was chasing her into the past, desperate to be with her again. I’ll always miss my Lily.” He sighs. “I still love her, too. That’s something that will never die, even if I lose myself again.”
“I know the feeling,” I mutter, my chest tight as that resonates like mad.