He held his hand out to Kirk. “I’m in. Thank you for recommending me and having such faith in me to take on this task. I won’t let you down. I’d be proud to carry on what my father started in supporting the hospital and its workers and patients.”
Kirk pumped his hand then held on. “Not only did I do it because I respected your father and I see a lot of him in you, but hell, son, we’re practically family. In fact, I’d love for you to come to dinner next Sunday.”
Kristi beamed with joy. She’d been trying to get him to spend time with her parents at their family dinners for the last month.
“I’ll be there.” Cody barely had time to think about what he’d have to rearrange on his schedule at the ranch to make it happen when Governor Harris and his wife approached and Kirk called out, “Come meet our new board member.”
Governor Harris smacked Cody on the back. “Well, all right then, son. I knew you were smart and savvy enough to seize the opportunity. Your father always told me you had big plans beyond the ranch. He liked to dabble in this and that, as you well know. He was always looking out for the community. He had my back during my campaigns. Now, I get to repay the favor through you.” He held out his hand. “I hope this will be a long and prosperous friendship.”
Cody shook the governor’s hand. “Thank you.”
He received another smack on the back from Kirk. “Now you’re playing with the big boys.”
Governor Harris laughed and jabbed Cody in the ribs. “Watch yourself. This one always has something up his sleeve.”
Kirk smirked and shrugged like he didn’t know what the governor was talking about, but Cody knew what Kirk wanted.His daughter happy. And he thought that happiness came from Cody. They were together. But Cody now felt the tug of obligation where he used to simply be pleased to have her by his side. He tried to let it roll off him but the way Kirk looked from him to Kristi’s beaming face, their hands clasped together, then back at him, said everything about the situation and what it meant going forward.
Kirk wanted Cody to keep his daughter happy. In return, Kirk would support him for the seat on the board and any other things he could use to boost Cody’s standing in the community and in his career to ensure his daughter got the life Kirk felt she deserved.
Since everything aligned for Cody at the moment, he didn’t let the sense of obligation weigh too heavy on him. Right now, he thought about the good he could do on the hospital board.
He couldn’t wait to tell Brooke about it.
The party was in full swing. Most of the guests had already gotten their food and were spread out among the tables. Brooke and her friends were still out on the grass, most of them with plates of food and drinks. Brooke and Mindy Sue were talking while Mindy Sue’s boyfriend hovered nearby.
Cody said a quick goodbye and thank-you to Kirk and the governor, who were already in conversation with the Whites, who owned three car dealerships in the two nearby towns.
Kristi gripped his arm before he headed toward Brooke. “Where are you going?”
“To tell Brooke the great news.”
A flash of annoyance lit Kristi’s blue eyes. “You can tell her later. Let’s grab our plates and eat before we watch the fireworks together with my mom and dad.” That sounded nonnegotiable.
Cody bristled, but let it go. He didn’t want Kirk or the governor to see them bickering. Not now. Not right after Kirk had plainly made it clear he wanted Cody to keep Kristi happy.
She pulled him toward the buffet. “We can talk about you coming to Sunday dinner and figure out our schedules for next week and set up a couple of dates.”
He didn’t miss the implied order.
“I miss you, Cody. Now that you’re going to have even more to do, we’re going to have to work that much harder to spend time together so this works out.”
Did she mean their relationship or the board member seat her father offered him?
“Well, it sounds like we’ll be having Sunday dinner with your folks for the foreseeable future.”
Her smile lit up her whole face. “I knew this was what you wanted and would bring us closer together.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Slowly. With the sultry vibe that had been ever-present in the beginning of their relationship. “This is the start of something more for both of us. I always knew we were good together. Now, I feel like we’re really a couple. Partners. And that means so much.” She kissed him again, this time with a hint of the passion they’d had when they first got together. A promise for what was to come when all eyes weren’t on them. Because Cody could feel everyone staring. And when the kiss ended, he caught the satisfaction in Kirk’s eyes that matched the one coming from his daughter’s as she smiled at him, locked in his arms.
But there was someone else he wanted to share his good news with. He caught Brooke’s eye and tilted his head toward the house.
She nodded and started walking in from the grass to the patio.
Cody brushed a quick kiss on Kristi’s lips and held both her hands in his. “Get a plate and find us a seat and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
“Where are you going?”
He spotted Brad and two of their friends standing on the patio. “I just want to say hi to my friends and use the restroom before I sit down to eat with you.”
She looked past him at Brad, John, and Juan. “Okay. But don’t get all involved talking about sports and horses or whatever.”
