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Which was understandable if he’d worked in intelligence. Her mother was always cautious and suspicious of anyone new. Anyone at all, when she thought about it. “So they haven’t talked to him yet?”
“They’re going out there this evening,” the sheriff said. “Once they explain things, Mel will want to get to know you. You’re sure he’s your father?”
“No, but my mom was. She wasn’t one to lie. I don’t know why she would have lied in a journal no one was supposed to have read.” She was glad the twins hadn’t blown her off, and there was still a chance to get some of her questions answered. “I’m not here to ask him for money or anything. I want to meet him because we have a connection. I’m not here to upend his life, though I understand this could come as a surprise.”
“To all of us,” Callie agreed. “I honestly didn’t think Mel had a serious relationship until he met Cassidy. I mean I’d heard about him and the alien queen. Your mom…”
This place was weird. “Was completely human, and I don’t know how serious I would say it was. At least from her end. The way she explained it in her journals their relationship was pretty casual. She saw him when he came through town. I didn’t know he existed until recently. She never talked about him at all, but she wasn’t one to have heart to hearts with either me or my sister. I’m glad everyone seems to think he’ll be willing to meet with me. I’ll keep it public if he’s worried about letting me into his house.”
Her father seemed as odd as the place she found herself in. Though there was something comforting about the tiny town with its mountains and snow. She doubted she would find the same comfort in this military man who was her biological father.
“Hey, I’m back here.” Hale walked up behind Callie and the sheriff, one hand up in greeting. He’d changed his shirt and looked like he’d gone through a careful grooming routine because his previously slightly ruffled hair was now tamed, and he’d lost his five-o’clock shadow.
That man was hot. And weird. And the slightest bit nerdy over fixing things, and she would never have expected that would work for her. His awkward social skills combined with his utter confidence when it came to home improvement made for the strangest attraction.
Van she understood. He was classically attractive and seemed fairly smooth, but Hale was a revelation.
And a completely safe one since he had a boyfriend. She gave him a smile. “I was just telling them I was meeting you and your guy.”
He seemed to consider that for a moment but waved something off. “Yeah, I think I’m alone tonight, but I’d still very much like to have dinner with you. If that’s okay. I know it’s kind of weird here, but I don’t care. I want to spend time with you.”
Yes, there was his awkwardness. Those odd words were said with such determination it made her wonder if the boyfriend had been adamant against hanging with a random chick tonight. “If you don’t think it will cause you trouble.”
“What if I’ve decided you might be worth some trouble?”
And there was the certainty that he knew what to do, that sexy confidence she was almost sure usually came off as gruff and stubborn. It might put off a lot of women, but it felt familiar to her. Probably because she was a little similar in her life. He was a lot like the town around her—strange and yet oddly like home, unsettling but she felt welcome. Still, she didn’t want to cause trouble. “I don’t want to come between the two of you.”
“Why not?” Hale asked and then frowned and shook his head. “I mean I certainly didn’t mean for you…you know…not tonight. That’s obviously really quick, but somewhere down the line…”
“You expected me to break you and your boyfriend up?” She was confused.
“Boyfriend?” Hale asked.
“No.” Van was suddenly moving in behind Hale, coming from the back of the restaurant. He looked exactly like he had earlier this afternoon. He still wore his Trio T-shirt, and she should have thought about the fact that she’d met him because he worked the bar’s booth at the festival. It wasn’t surprising he was here. “He didn’t think you would break up anything but a long dry spell. He’s not gay. He’s from Bliss. When he says he doesn’t mind you coming between him and his partner it’s because that’s how his relationships work. One woman. Two relatively heterosexual men.”
“Relatively?” the sheriff asked, one brow raised.
“Dude, you see an awful lot of Zane’s junk,” Van pointed out. “You might not touch it, but it’s there. I would bet you are not nearly as careful as Max and Rye.”
