“Promise.”
And as we walked back to the car, he told me how he’d gone up to Elnora and her aunt and asked if she would help him marry the girl of his dreams. Learning about the little girl’s past that was so similar to mine, I couldn’t help wondering if my mom sent me a message. Was my life about to change? Was the caterpillar about to change and become that beautiful butterfly she’d always dreamed of?
Rayden
“RAYDEN?”
On my way to Sianna’s office, I backtracked and entered Trent’s office as he set his phone down on the table. “Yeah?”
“That was our grandmother on the phone, inviting the kids and me over for Christmas eve dinner.” He cocked a brow at me. I knew what was coming. “Want to tell me how long you plan on not telling your family you’ve been shacking up with a beautiful woman?”
Stuffing my phone into my pants pocket, I dropped into a chair on the opposite side. “Maybe until Christmas.”
Trent shook his head and leaned back in his seat. “You haven’t even been to see your dad yet, Ray. It’s an hour and a half’s drive to the city and an hour less than home. You know he’s going to be pissed when he finds out you’ve been back in the States for the last five months?”
“I know.” I raked a hand through my hair. My cousin was right. Christmas was a couple of weeks away, and if I intended to introduce Sianna to the family, I needed to make peace.
“Ray, I can understand not returning to Granger Valley, but how long do you plan on delaying the inevitable?”
The last four months had been a whirlwind getting to know Sianna that I’d completely ignored the fact I had to go home soon or risk my father coming to look for me. I even had my sister on the phone threatening to visit Africa if I wasn’t home for Christmas.
“While it’s been nice having you here, running the bar, I can’t keep your secret much longer. With the holidays around the corner, the kids would want to visit grandma, and they might mention you’re here.” He shrugged.
“Maybe I’ll drive into the city tomorrow, meet the old man.”
“You going to tell him about Sianna?”
I nodded. “Definitely. I want to take her home for Christmas.”
“To Granger Valley?” Trent seemed surprised. “You think that’s wise.” I frowned at his raised brow. “Given you haven’t returned, you know, and adjusted to being back there. Familiarizing yourself with the family again.” He laughed at his last statement.
While I appreciated his concern, I needed to get it done. Eventually. I grinned. “They’re family. How hard can it be?”
“Two years is a long time, Ray.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
