Lani got to her feet, too. “I’ll help him. It’s the least we can do after you fed us so well.”
“I’ll be toddlin’ off, then.” She gave Lani a hug and turned toward Rance.
He smiled. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“Ah, yer a sweet one, boyo. I accept that gentlemanly gesture.”
Lani started gathering the dishes. “I’ll get things going in here.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right back.” Rance followed Granny though the arched door and slipped an arm around her shoulders as they walked through the living room. “That was a wonderful meal and a beautiful setting. Thank you.”
“Just tryin’ to help.”
“By adding a bottle of champagne?”
“Blame Ogden Nash.”
“Who?”
“One of yer poets, he is. A Yank I dated before I met Kieran’s grandpa was forever quotin’ that fella. I’ve forgotten most of it, but one popped in ta m’head today.Candy’s dandy but liquor’s quicker.”
He cracked up. “Ah, Granny. What am I gonna do with you?”
“Never mind me. That woman’s in love with ya. Do somethin’ about it.”
“But she?—”
“Take my word for it, lad. Ya regret the things ya didna do more than the things ya did.” Grasping his arm, she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “See ya in the mornin’.” Without waiting for a response, she went into her room and shut the door.
He glanced toward the kitchen. Granny’s parting advice butted up against the decision he’d made five minutes ago, to take Lani home after they cleaned up the kitchen.
That woman’s in love with ya. Do somethin’ about it.
Living past eighty didn’t automatically make people wise. But Granny’s counsel had served him well so far.
Lani had a say in it, though. If her answer was no, they’d skip the dishes, grab their coats and light out. If her answer was yes… they’d still skip the dishes.
CHAPTER TEN
Champagne had something to do with the fizzy sensation coursing through Lani’s veins, but the cowboy who’d just walked out of the kitchen was way more potent than any expensive bubbly.
She’d blown out the candles and flipped on the overhead, which allowed her to confirm what she’d suspected. The champagne was primo. How Granny had come by such a high-priced bottle was a mystery, but not her reason for trotting it out for this dinner.
Granny wanted this matchup and she wasn’t above adding some fermented grape juice to help things along. She needn’t have bothered.
Rance’s devotion to the older woman had melted the last of Lani’s reservations. To think she’d written him off as shallow. He had depths she’d only begun to understand.
A few days ago, she might have assumed he’d invited Granny to live with him simply for research purposes. But that didn’t explain the way he’d leaped from the truck when she’d appeared on the porch without a coat. He cherished her.
Granny adored him, too. She’d raced outside because she’d been worried about him. After only a couple of months, their bond was as strong or stronger than a blood tie.
He must have finished their goodnight chat because he was on his way back. The click of his boots on the cabin’s wooden floor made her blood pump faster and her thoughts run in circles. Decision time.
He’d made it clear earlier that the choice was hers. Unless she brought up the subject, they’d do the dishes and he’d drive her home. Under his devil-may-care smile lay a strength of character that she’d totally missed until now.
He paused in the doorway. Dragged in a breath.
Heart pounding, she set the ice bucket on the counter and turned. “What?”
