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Zoey chuckles, closing the gap between us and wrapping a hand around my neck. “Well, now that you have the right one, what are you gonna do about it?”
Popping a brow, I grab her waist and pull her lips to mine.
“Excuse me?” The sound of my father’s voice has us breaking away. Fucking great.
Zoey pinches her lips together, bringing both of her arms behind her as if she’s innocent. It makes me chuckle because we’re not kids, but to anyone outside the family, my dad looks intimidating as hell. He’s stacked like Diesel, but deep down, he’s a softy.
“Weren’t you just complainin’ about me and your mom, and now you’re making out in front of the entire place?” He grins at me when Zoey’s eyes widen, and she blushes.
“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.” I grab Zoey’s hand and squeeze. “We were just about to eat. Bye, Old Man.”
“You be careful with that one,” my dad warns when Zoey looks over her shoulder.
She smirks and nods. “Don’t worry. I’ve been fully warned by basically everyone.”
My dad laughs, and I hear him call out, “I like this one!”
“Your parents are so cute,” Zoey says once we sit down with our plates full of food. “I wish my parents were more easygoing like yours. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt relaxed around them.”
“Maybe they need a trip to the ranch,” I tell her, only half-joking. “Everyone who comes here has a good time.”
Zoey grins, cutting into her pancakes. “I can see why.”
I eat slowly so I can spend as much time with her as possible. My dad will want me back shortly, but I’m not rushing even though I know I’ll see her tonight.
“What do you plan to do today? Want to come watch me in the shop while my dad sings off-key?” I ask before shoving more eggs into my mouth.
“As exciting as that sounds, Mackenzie and Elle asked me to hang out, so I think I’m going to do that. Hopefully get back to the greenhouse too.” I love how excited she sounds, and the way it promises she’ll be staying.
“Whatever you do, don’t listen to a word they say about me. It’s not true,” I say pointedly. “They’re all liars.”
Zoey nods with her lips tilted to one side. “Right. I’m sure they are.”
“I’m glad they’re being so welcoming, though, and I’m sure Aunt Mila loves your help with the gardens.”
“She’ll probably be sick of me soon.”
“Doubtful. She’s too nice to get sick of anyone.”
“I love the idea of growing your own food, and the way you all use it for the B&B and sell the extras to the locals in town. Everyone knows it was grown with care,” Zoey says.
“It’s how small towns and ranches are around here.”
“It’s refreshing. Phoenix is great, but there’s just something about this place…”
“I’ve heard that all my life from my mama, who’s a Texas transplant. Aunt Mila lived in Georgia before she moved here. My dad’s friend, Dylan’s wife, moved from Florida. They met on the same trip as my mom and dad. They all moved here, so…”
“So it’s a curse?” she teases.
“It’s the Bishop genes,” my grandmother interrupts, taking a seat next to me. “They pretend to be all macho, but once they find their woman, they turn to mush. Trust me.” She winks at Zoey, who smiles in return.
“I believe it. Something about the Southern drawl. I bet it’s caused a lot of hearts to break, too.”
“Now that would be my son, Jackson. You wouldn’t believe what he put Kiera through before he finally got his stubborn ass in gear.”
I always laugh when she swears.
“I’m serious…” she continues. “Kiera was engaged to another man before Jackson finally confessed his feelings.”
“Oh that’s right,” I say, remembering this story from years ago.
“All his brothers got their crap together when their special ladies came into their lives, but Jackson? No, he’s always been my wild child,” Grandma continues, looking at me. “Glad you’ve decided to take after your father. From the moment your mother came to town, he was attached to her at the hip. Always so protective and caring and making sure she wasn’t doing anything strenuous when she was pregnant with you. Wasn’t exactly happy they were expecting you before marriage, but he made it right. So that’s what counts.”
Grandma Bishop is very traditional, but she also knows shit happens.
“And even twenty-three years later, he’s still a whipped pussy boy,” I blurt out, waiting for the moment my grandma scolds me for my language, but she just narrows her eyes.
“And every Bishop man has been when he finds the one. They don’t always fall in love easily, but when they finally do, they fall hard and fast.”
“Are you talkin’ about me again, Mama?” My dad strolls in and sits next to Zoey. Great, it’s a breakfast reunion.
