“I put on coffee.”
He trailed his fingertips up and down her arm.“Thanks.”
Smiling at him, she asked, “What do you have going on today?”
“Nothing.I was hoping to take you to meet my parents.”
She sat up in a rush.“Really?”
River looked at them both, then left the bed, probably to find the dogs.
“Come on.My legs feel like lead after Maybelline slept on them.Let’s get that coffee.”
“I’ll need you to hold River first so I can let in the dogs.”
Already they were working together as a couple.Once the animals were all inside and eating their breakfast, Knox went into the bathroom to shower, shave, and clean his teeth.
When he came out, Laylee was half asleep on the sofa, hermessy hair trailing over her shoulders in long pale blond ropes.He had to grin at the sight of her.Tank was tucked in close beside her hip on a cushion.Maybelline was on her other side with her head over Laylee’s outstretched legs.River sat on Maybelline’s head with his paws around her neck while he purred and rubbed his face against her.
Sweet images like this were enough to make any man think about the future.He’d been doing that for a while, actually.Unlike his buddies, he’d come from a terrific background with a wonderful family.He’d seen his mom and dad in good times and bad, working as a team; he’d witnessed the caring, the support, and the love.
He wanted that, but only with the right woman.
As he surveyed Laylee’s relaxed posture and limp limbs, he knew it wouldn’t be easy to reach her while she was buried under pets, so he quietly asked, “Who wants a treat?”
That got a stampede going, startling her fully awake.The animals all hurried back to the kitchen, and once they had their individual goodies, he returned to Laylee and kissed her forehead.“We leave for my parents’ house in thirty minutes.”
She shot up so quickly, her forehead smacked his chin.“What?”Rubbing her head, she said, “I won’t be ready!I assumed you meant later.”
“Paul’s coming over.He’s interested in meeting River and said he’ll dog sit for us.My folks would love to meet all the animals, but I wanted it to be a little calmer today.”He wanted her to get to know his family and vice versa.It was a big first for him and that made today important.“Later, maybe in a few weeks, we’ll have a cookout or something in the yard and invite everyone.”
Laylee blinked at him.
Yeah, he’d just insinuated, rather strongly, that they’d still be together weeks from now.Not only that, but he’d commandeered her house for a gathering with the presumption he could invite anyone he wanted.It was a deliberate move, and he waited to see how she’d react.
She gave him an enormous smile but spoke softly.“I love that idea, and I’m thrilled to meet your family in a calm setting.”
With a quick kiss, she started to dash down the hall until he caught her hand.“Fair warning.The wordcalmdoesn’t really apply to my family when we’re all together.”
Lifting an eyebrow, she asked, “So not just your mother and father?”
He shook his head.“My sis and brother, too.You’ll like them,” he predicted.Since he loved them, he couldn’t imagine anyone not doing the same.“I just wanted to prepare you.”
Laylee put her palm to his jaw.“Don’t worry.I come from a big extended family, remember?You met some of them when Skye and Ford got married.But now I have to rush, because there’s no way I’m going to meet them unless I look my best.”
Her best was pretty awe-inspiring.Knox felt certain she was going to bowl his family over.
Laylee had the time of her life.Knox’s family was very different from her own.Both were great—she loved her folks and knew they loved her, too.But never before had anyone focused so much attention on her.Well, not family anyway.
Guys, sure.Photographers, all the time.
But a mom and dad?A brother and sister?That was new and fun.She liked it, especially because she was so accepted.
Knox had proudly introduced her to Nolan and Jenny.His father wasn’t quite as tall as Knox, but he had the same lean, muscular build and the same dark tan and nearly black hair, with a little silver in it.Nolan wore his hair shorter than Knox did, but his smile was equally engaging.
He’d welcomed Laylee to the family with an enthusiastic hug, as if this were more than a mere introduction, more than a friendly family brunch.
His mother, Jenny, was a pretty woman with curly brown hair, beautiful green eyes, and a smile that could put anyone at ease.She’d hugged Laylee too, whispering, “It is so nice to finally meet you.”
