“Looking forward to it, babe,” he murmured. “Now, I gotta jet. Cason’s coming in to relieve Ry. He’ll bring you home.”
I nodded, unable to formulate any other response.
“You need me, you call,” he instructed with one last kiss before striding for the door.
“Yes, sir,” I called sarcastically, earning me a look that made my knees weak.
It was a good thing I had time to pull myself together before my next client arrived.
* * *
“I just didn’t realize they were talking,” I explained as I FaceTimed with my mom later that night. Cason had brought me home after a moderately successful day at the salon. The clients I’d had seemed happy with their haircuts; there just hadn’t been very many of them.
“Your father really respects that Ruston reached out.” She smiled. “Smart move on his part. So, when are you two planning on coming for a visit?” I had to give her credit. For how eager I knew she was to have me home, she’d restrained from pressing too hard.
“I need to talk to Ruston about the holidays. I was hoping we could be in Hawthorne for Thanksgiving.”
“Of course,” she agreed readily before spotting the dogs behind me. I’d been sneaking them inside with increasing frequency. “I thought those were outdoor dogs?”
“They are, or were,” I amended. “I’m working on Ruston.”
She raised a brow. “Does he know he’s being worked?”
I laughed. She totally had my number and always had. “He’s a smart man and knows me well at this point. I’d expect he knows he’s always in some state of that. And I’ll try to talk to him about Thanksgiving tonight. There’s just been a lot going on. He signed the deal to buy the mechanic’s shop I told you about, so that’s exciting.”
“Great,” she agreed as my father appeared in the background, looking over her shoulder.
“Gracie girl,” he greeted. “Everything good?”
“Everything’s good,” I confirmed. “Just waiting on Ruston to get home.”
“I just talked to him; he should be on his way.”
“Oh my god, how often are you two talking?” I demanded in shock.
His gaze narrowed in consternation. “You wanted me to accept you two, and now you’re complaining that I’m not only doing that but starting to like the man? The women in my life, I swear,” he muttered, earning an elbow jab from my mother.
I had to muffle a laugh. “No, Pop, I’m glad. Really glad. Just a bit surprised,” I admitted, the fact that he could be incredibly stubborn going unsaid.
“When are you coming home?” He changed the subject.
“I was telling Mom, I’m not sure. I’ll talk to Ruston about it, but hopefully for Thanksgiving.”
“That’d be good,” he replied gruffly just as the dogs started barking.
“I think Ruston’s home. I’ll let you two go. Love you.”
“Love you too, honey.” My mom smiled. “Say hello to Ruston for me.”
“Will do,” I agreed with a wave, ending the call just as the sound of Ruston’s Harley came up the driveway.
Shit, he’d notice the dogs weren’t outside.
“Guess it’s now or never.” I looked down at them as they cocked their heads to the side, tongues lolling.
He walked in moments later, a bouquet of roses in hand. “Babe, where the hell are the…” He trailed off when the dogs hurtled over to greet him. “…dogs.” He sighed, giving me an exasperated look. “Babe.”
“I’m sorry.” I threw up my hands. “I can’t help it. Look how cute they are.”
