“Wonder why her father objected to him.”Sandy sat on the sofa and tugged Lily down with him.“Will yourfather like me?”
“Dad will love you and I know he wants me tobe happy.”
“Are you, sweet Lily?Are you happy?”
“Let me count the ways…”
* * *
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sandy had booked reservations on a flightfrom Reno to fly to Oakland and then he rented a car to drive theremaining fifty miles to Sonoma.Lily was excited to be spendingher three-day weekend with her father.Sandy felt something wasstirring, but he didn’t know what.Talking to his mother on thephone the night before they left, Jeanne had been vague about thetrip to Sonoma.Sandy thought she would have been pleased, since itwas obvious he was planning a life with Lily and he knew Jeanneloved Lily.Jesse would be staying with his grandmother while hewas away.
He noticed the attention Lily receivedwalking through the Reno airport.There were slot machineseverywhere and some guys peeked around corners to get a look ather.She was pretty enough to be on the cover of a magazine and hewas proud to be by her side.He held her hand most of the time anda few men looked wistful.
The flight and drive were uneventful.Beingcomfortable with one another, it was easy to joke and laugh.Shewas good for him, he knew and felt they were a good match.
“I’m a bit nervous about meeting your dad,sweetheart,” Sandy admitted when they pulled up outside Sam’shouse.“Are you sure he’ll like me?”
“Honey, of course, he will.I love you, whywon’t he?”Lily smiled at him.“Besides, it wouldn’t matter if hedidn’t.I’m pretty set about you.”
“Lily, is that true?It really wouldn’tmatter?”
“That’s not even going to be an issue.He’lllove you.”She batted her pretty lashes at him and he chuckled.
Sam Cable still lived and worked on the smallranch where Lily grew up.She had many childhood memories thatflooded over her as they pulled up in the circular drive in frontof Sam’s house.Behind the house, vineyards spilled out coveringthe hill with green and brown stripes.There were several barns andcorrals on the side.Fragrant smells of lilac and sage permeatedthe air.
Lily got out of the car, lazily stretched andtook a deep breath.It smelled like home.
“Pretty spread,” said Sandy, getting out ofthe car.“He’s done well here—it’s obvious.You grew up here?”Shenodded happily at him.“Well, no wonder.”
“No wonder what?”
“…No wonder you are the way you are.You’vebeen nurtured with nature and love.”She came around the car andput her arms around him.He kissed her lips and her nose.“Let’smeet your father.”
Lily grabbed his hand and was leading Sandytowards the house when Sam Cable opened the door.“Hey!How’s mybeautiful daughter?”He looked like a rugged individual and notsomeone to mess with.Lily noticed the inspection Sam gave Sandy asthey seemed to size up one another.
Sam hurriedly came down the sidewalk as Lilyran up to him.He gathered her in his arms, kissed both her cheeks,then hugged her again.The love between them was obvious andtouching.Sam pulled her away to take a look at her.“You lookgood, darlin’.I’ve missed you so much.”
“Missed you too, Dad.I want you to meetSandy Johnson,” said Lily proudly and stepped aside for Sandy.
Tall and handsome, he took a step towards Samand shook his outstretched hand.Sam was hard to read, but heseemed pleasant enough.It would have to be a tough moment for anyfather when his daughter’s love comes calling.
“How do you do, sir?”Sandy grasped hiscowboy hat in his left hand and shook Sam’s hand with hisright.
“Nice to meet you, young man.”He took a longlook at Sandy, then at his hat.“Nice hat.Where’d you get it?Haveto get one like it.”He winked at Lily.
“Dad, what are you talking about?You haven’tbought a new cowboy hat in twenty years.”
“And thank you,” Sam said to Sandy, “forbringing my darling Lily home to me at last.She’s been gone muchtoo long.”He beamed at his daughter.“She looks good, doesn’t’she?”
“That she does, sir.”The corners of Sandy’smouth curved.
“Okay, you two.Let’s get into the housebefore you start ganging up on me.”
Walking behind them, Sam shuddered.Sandy wasthe spitting image of his father, Miles.Seeing him walk up hissidewalk was like seeing the ghost of Miles Johnson.Could he keepit together for Lily?He had to…
* * *
