Josh rises, shaking his hand firmly.“Nice to meet you, son.”
“Likewise, sir,” Caleb says, standing tall, meeting Josh’s gaze without a hint of fear.
Grace wrings her hands nervously beside me, and I squeeze her shoulder.
Josh waves him inside.“Come in, son. Let me introduce you to all the men who care about Grace.”
Caleb scans the room, taking in Cas in uniform with arms crossed, Ethan and Asher standing guard, Jude silent and brooding, and Dex looking like a tattooed Adonis in a wifebeater. Caleb doesn’t flinch. He steps forward, offering his hand to each one.
“Nice to meet you, Cas,” he says politely.
Cas grunts.“It’s Sheriff Hawthorne to you.”
I roll my eyes, hiding a smile.
Josh sits on the leather couch next to his rifle, giving Caleb a slow, calculating look.“So, where are you taking my daughter?”
“We’re going to Donati’s for pizza and then the movies, sir,” Caleb answers, looking back at Grace with a smile that makes every man in the room tighten.
“What kind of car will you be driving?” Cas growls.
“Vintage Mustang,” Caleb replies smoothly, never looking intimidated.
Dex snorts.“Do you smoke?”
“No, sir.”
“No alcohol?” Ethan asks.
“No, sir. I care about my role on the football team. Alcohol is poison to any athlete, sir,” Caleb says, unwavering.
Josh leans back, a slight smile tugging at his lips.“Caleb, you seem like a nice guy, but just to make sure you know… that girl over there is my only daughter. And her four older brothers really, really care about her safety and happiness.”
The men nod, and Caleb meets every gaze without flinching.
Josh leans forward slightly.“Once, back in elementary school, some boy called Grace names. My boys and their friends… let’s just say that little boy ended up being homeschooled.” He glances at Dex.“But my favorite episode… was when Grace started high school. Dex here was going through a phase, joined the local motorcycle club…”
“I’m still close with them,” Dex growls.
“Yes, he left, but they’re friends,” Josh continues.“Well, one day a tourist’s son tried to offer Grace a ride home from the bus. Jace saw that, called Dex, who came with three of his best friends from the club… and that boy and his family decided to leave Lander and vacation elsewhere that same day.”
Caleb nods.“I get it. You’ll kill me if I hurt her.”
Josh grins wickedly.“Pretty much.”
Caleb turns to the men, not Grace, his eyes steady on each of them.“I care about her, sir. I would never do anything to hurt Grace. I’m serious about this. If I ever did… I’d call you all myself and let you rough me up. For now, I just want to make sure I keep that smile on her face, twenty-four-seven.”
Grace beams, her nervousness melting. I bite back a laugh.“Daaaamn, he’s smooth.”
All the men glare at me. Caleb doesn’t flinch. He gently squeezes Grace’s hand again, and I notice Asher’s jaw tighten, his eyes locked on their hands.
The game is on, and Caleb is playing it perfectly.
CHAPTER 11
Penelope
Two weeks have gone by since I first arrived in Lander, and as my alarm clock buzzes, I smile instead of groaning. That alone feels like progress. The morning light filters through the curtains in warm, honey-colored stripes, and when I catch sight of myself in the mirror, I pause.
