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“Thank you, sir,” I replied, and he chuckled deeply.
“Charlie called me, oh, a month ago ranting about how his daughter was in love with this guy. He was so upset that his baby was all grown up and didn’t need him anymore.” Frank chuckled again, and I furrowed my brows. “Oh yeah, he knew a while ago that Tenley’s heart belonged to you. I’m just glad that this guy he ranted about, turned out to be as incredible as you are,” he finished.
I glanced back at Tenley and then her dad. “A month ago?”
He nodded his head. “She apparently kept talking about this ‘friend.’ Denying it over and over again that he was anything more, but even when several other men were thrown at her, she only wanted you. So yes, about a month ago.”
I smiled. “Yes,” I cheered under my breath, giving myself a subtle fist pump. It wasn’t a contest at all, but still.
“Yes?” Frank asked, pulling his hand away. “What are you celebrating about?”
“Oh,” I blinked, actually a bit embarrassed he heard that. “Uh, well, it just means that I beat her to it.”
“To what?”
“Love.” I grinned, and he took a deep breath.
“That’s good to hear, because now I don’t have to get after you for sneaking into my granddaughter’s room in the middle of the night.” He lifted his brow, and I grimaced.
He smiled to himself. “I almost stopped you two when I saw her leading you down the hallway to her bedroom.”
“You what?” I blurted out in shock, and he threw his head back laughing.
“She’s not really that quiet when she walks.”
“No, she’s not,” I agreed with an embarrassed chuckle. Man, almost caught again.
“You are, though. It took me a moment to realize she wasn’t alone.”
I furrowed my brows and looked at him. “So, why didn’t you stop us?”
He smiled and leaned toward me. “Love,” he said. One word, that was it, and he winked at me before walking back to Irene.
Chapter 21
Tenley’s family was settled in their home for the rest of the evening—or I guess early morning. Her siblings had gone to their separate homes for the night and would also return to the ranch when the party started in a few hours. Since it was nearly five in the morning by the time we left the hospital, I quickly took a detour to the ranch and to help Cassidy feed the cattle breakfast and so I could pack a bag. Tenley asked if I would stay with her tonight at her parents' house.
“Weston?” My mom’s voice shot above the soft breeze and mooing cattle. Clenching my jaw, I shoved my hands in my pockets. I glanced over my shoulder, but didn’t stop walking. I was too tired to fix what had happened between us right now, and honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to at this moment. I mean, Cassidy had clearly and surprisingly chewed them out, and they had shown up to the hospital, so I figured letting things stew for a minute wouldn’t hurt.
“Weston!” she shouted again. But I shook my head, tucking my shoulders up to my ears. Tenley was waiting at her house. I just wanted to be with her right now. Plus, I was also cold from feeding, and tired from literally zero sleep up to this point. So all the anger I harbored from earlier was bubbling within me.
I just wanted to quickly get packed and get home to her.
“Please!” my mom pleaded again.
I sighed. “I’m tired and cold. We can talk later,” I grumbled, and swung myself into the Razor.
“Son, I need—”
I turned the engine on and tossed my stern gaze her way. “Not. Now. Did you not hear me?” I growled. “I just finished feeding my cattle, Tenley’s dad is literally dying, and my girl is waiting for me. I’m not in the mood.”
“But I realized—” she tried again.
“Mom! Stop,” I snapped, and she froze. “I’m not doing this right now. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Tenley and I sooner, I recognize that was wrong. But I don’t have the energy to hash things out with you right now. Plus, if I’m being honest, a simple sorry doesn’t exactly cut it this time. Now, excuse me. I’m going home and then immediately leaving for Tenley’s.”
And without giving her another chance, I whipped the Razor around and drove up to my home, grateful that there hadn’t been much heavy snow these past few days. It left the paths that were frequently driven on, easily accessible.
If there was any Christmas magic left, I sure could use some of that right now. Tenley could definitely use a sprinkle, maybe more so than myself. She was literally losing her father, while my mom had merely said some horrible things.
