“Grandad!” She had to act offended, but she’d known this was coming. “We’ve only known each other for a little more than a week.”
“So what? When you know—you know.” He started to uncoil the lights. “I’m not saying marry the guy this week, but give him a chance. You’ve let the business take over your life. Trying to make up for losing Thomas and make things better for everyone. You’ve done a bang-up job, and now that you have a sister and two cousins in the business, it’s time to give them more responsibility and focus on yourself.”
“I know.”
“Then what’s stopping you?”
“Drew.” She explained his issues as she worked with her grandad to untangle the wires.
He stilled and locked gazes. “I’m sorry he was hurt so badly. His mom too. Want me to talk to him?”
“No!”
“Then say you’ll do your best to change his mind, or I might have to.”
“I’ll do my best.” She pointed at Drew. “He’s on his way over here. Please let me handle this alone.”
Her grandad dropped the light string and swept her into a hug. “I only want the best for you, sweetheart, and my gut tells me he’s the best.”
“Mine too.” She gave him a tight hug, let go, and ran her fingers through her hair.
“I’ll get these lights put up.” Her grandad stepped toward the tree, giving Drew a pointed look as he passed but not speaking.
She let out a sigh of relief.
Drew stopped in front of her. “Looked like things were kind of tense between you. Hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all. Can we go outside for a minute? I’d like to talk to you without so many ears listening in.” She gave her grandad a pointed look.
“I was hoping to get you alone too.” He gave her a playful smile.
Her heart tripped into action. They hurried to the coat racks to grab jackets, then slid the massive barn door open and stepped into the chilly afternoon. Clouds hung in the sky, covering the sun and threatening rain.
The temperatures had plunged to near freezing.
“They were saying we might get snow,” he said.
“It’s a good possibility. We’re at a higher elevation here than the city and get snow more often.”
“You didn’t want to come out here to talk about the weather, though, right?”
“Right.” She didn’t know if she should continue, so she stopped.
“Mind if I go first?”
“Go ahead.” She steeled her reserves as she feared he might tell her that it was great to meet her family, but he still didn’t want to make a commitment.
He looked her straight in the eye. “I was talking to my mom about us. She helped me see how strong you are.”
Teagan let her nerves get to her and mocked making a silly weightlifter’s pose.
He laughed. “Strong that way, too, but I mean inside. You seem to take what’s thrown at you and still thrive. I mean, fighting off a serial killer is not only a physical thing but mental. You needed courage to even approach him.”
“I had no choice,” she said honestly. “Vito’s life was at stake.”
“You had a choice. You could’ve fled. Many people would have had an easy choice. To stay safe and call in reinforcements. But you have the strength of conviction to protect others. Just like I do. And I worry that will keep putting me in danger and something could happen.”
“But if it—”
