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Gram scoffed. “Oh, so you’re a cattle rancher and mind reader now?”
“She told me about the job.”
“And did she say she was going to take it?”
“Yes—” Tripp stopped himself. She’d said she needed to talk to him, but she never said she was going to take the job. “She said it was a good opportunity.”
Gram nodded. “I’m sure it is. Doesn’t mean a thing.”
“Was she really considering staying?” Tripp asked, hope blooming in his chest.
“Why would you care?”
“I care about her. A lot.”
Princess Peanut Butter bounded into the room, immediately zeroing in on Tripp. He braced himself, expecting the dog to try to tackle him out of the chair like usual, but she just marched over to Gram and sat on her feet.
Even the dog knew he’d screwed up.
Gram scratched the dog’s head. “If you care about Charlotte, why did you say what you said to her?”
Tripp searched his brain, trying to recall that day and what he’d said. Then it hit him. He’d told Charlotte she wasn’t Gracie’s mother—which was true—but he’d also said she never could be. That Charlotte could never be anything more to either of them.
“I was upset about Gracie. I didn’t mean it.”
“You know, she didn’t give two hoots about what you said to her, or that fancy job, or her heart breaking. She was scared to death about that girl of yours. Gracie was her only thought.”
Bile rose in his throat as he imagined Charlotte scared out of her mind. He’d left her frantic and likely scared to death.
“I’m an asshole,” he said. “Pardon me, ma’am.”
“No, no, I was just about to say the same thing.”
Tripp chuckled. “Well, I deserve it.”
Gram patted his hand and scooted closer. “I know you love your daughter and worry about her, but Charlotte loves you both, too. And she was trying so hard. She deserves a man who wants her. Not one who just fades away.”
Tripp’s eyes went wide. “She loves us?”
Gram nodded.
Tripp knew how amazing Charlotte was, and he knew how much she tried. She’d gone out of her way to show up for Gracie, even when it put her way out of her comfort zone.
“Both her daddy and mama faded away. Never made her feel wanted.” She wagged a finger in his face. “I won’t have you doing the same thing to her, young man. You either want her and you fight, or you don’t and you leave her be for good.”
Tripp looked Gram straight in the eye. “Ma’am, I’m in love with your granddaughter, and I’m going to bring her home where she belongs.”
Gram smiled. “About damn time.”
With a loud bark, Princess Peanut Butter bounded to her feet and tackled him right out of the chair.
And for once, he didn’t care.
Chapter Fourteen
The sound of ripping panty hose stopped Charlotte dead in her tracks. Balancing on four-inch-high heels, she looked down at her legs. What had only been a tiny snag earlier had turned into a full-blown run.
No, no, no.
