“I’ll see who it is,” I said as I headed for the door so she could get dressed privately.
I skidded into the bathroom to quickly brush my teeth, then worked through a handful of breathing exercises between there and the door so my dick would chill the fuck out.
When I opened the door, a woman with glossy brown hair stood on the other side. Sparse strands of silver glinted in the morning sun. Her eyes were weary, but full of curiosity.
“You must be Ryan.”
I had no idea who she was. But apparently she knew who I was.
A soft smile lifted the creased corners of her mouth. “I’m Lisa.”
A door opened and closed behind me, and Willow appeared in a pair of denim shorts and a tank top. Her eyes immediately filled with tears as Lisa’s did the same.
“Hi,” Willow whispered as she pulled Lisa into a hug.
I felt like I was intruding as tears slipped down Lisa’s cheek. While they caught up in the doorway, I slipped into the kitchen and started the coffee maker. Thankfully, Bev had left the basics.
I did a quick inventory and jotted down a grocery list on my phone. After two days of eating on the road, I was certain neither of us wanted to consume any more fast food, which meant a grocery run was necessary. I moved my bags into the room, since I was fairly certain we would be sharing the bed from here on out, and changed clothes.
I came out when Willow and Lisa had moved into the living room.
“Hey,” I said softly as I filled a coffee cup and handed it to Willow. “You good if I steal your car and run out?”
“Yeah. That’s fine.” She stared at the mug. “Thank you, by the way.”
“For what?”
“Staying with me last night.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead and lingered. “Anytime.”
Willow stepped back and straightened when she realized Lisa was watching. “My keys are on the table.”
“I won’t be long,” I promised before grabbing them and heading out.
My phone rang as I slipped behind the wheel. “Hey, Mom."
My mom let out a flustered sigh. “Goodness. I get back from Vegas and find a note that you’re driving to Kansas. I’ve been worried sick.”
I pulled out of the driveway. “It was last minute. Willow’s stepdad passed away, and I didn’t want her making that drive alone.”
She hummed under her breath. “Tell me something. Is this some kind of marketing stunt? You usually tell me when you’re up to something.”
I chuckled. “It’s not a marketing stunt.”
“Then what the hell are you doing in Kansas?”
I glanced at the house in the rearview mirror. “Getting to know my future wife.”
13
AUTUMN
PROOF OF LIFE
Istared at the grocery bags on the counter, then peered at the window again.
Ryan was washing my car.
