She follows me, and I lead her to the passenger door and open it.
“Hop in.”
She climbs into the seat. The interior lights briefly illuminate her face. She does look tired.
But still beautiful.
Which is not a helpful thought.
I hand her the food once she’s secured her seat belt, shut her in, and make my way to the driver’s side.
“This is a very nice ride,” she says as I back us out of the parking space.
“It gets me where I need to go.”
She laughs softly. “Very comfortably, I’d imagine.”
I pull onto the road.
The first few minutes of the drive pass in silence.
Comfortable but slightly awkward.
Finally, she speaks as she stares out the window. “So, your grandfather lives in Wildhaven?”
“Yes.”
“What about you?”
“I live about twenty minutes from him in Moose.”
She raises a brow, but doesn’t ask more.
About ten minutes later, I turn onto a long gravel road lined with old cottonwoods.
Harleigh straightens in her seat. “Wait.” Her head swivels as the ranch house comes into view. “This is where your grandfather lives?”
“Yep.”
She stares out the windshield. “I was expecting a mansion or something,” she mutters. “Or at least a sleek condo downtown.”
I chuckle. “Nope.”
I pull up in front of the porch.
“This is my mother’s parents’ place. This is where she grew up. It used to be a working cattle ranch. Granddad built most of the structures, including the house, with his own hands.”
Her eyebrows lift. “Wow. It’s incredible.”
There’s admiration in her voice.
Which catches me off guard.
Most people are awed by the Garrison side of my family and would just see this place as nothing but an aging homestead and assume it’s beneath someone with my financial standing.
But Harleigh seems … impressed.
I climb out of the vehicle and walk to her side.
