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I kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks.” Grams was an excellent cook. My mother valued good cooking and that was one of the few good things she had to say about great-grandma. “I’m going to check on Bree.”
“Off with you, girl.” Grams tied an apron around her waist—she’d brought her own—and deftly opened packages and chose pots and pans.
Bree was curled on my sofa, the dogs at her feet. Fancypants was awkwardly patting her shoulder. I sat down next to her.
“Faron has offered to have a couple of his men patrol your yard. Would you like that?”
She shifted, crossing her legs in the lotus pose. “That’s nice of him. Iwouldfeel safer if there was somebody there with me. What do you think Daisy would say?”
“Call her and ask. If she can’t post someone at your house 24/7, then maybe it’s wise to bring in Faron’s men. I warned him to be careful.” I reached down to scratch Oscar behind the ears. He let out ahrmphand looked up at me, expectant. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any treats.”
Bree pulled out her phone and called Daisy. “Hey, this is Bree…Yeah, I am…Listen, Faron offered to keep several of his men on my land to watch out for me. What do you think?” She waited a moment, then said, “Right. Okay, thank you…Yeah, it will make me feel better.”
As she ended the call, Bree looked down at the dogs. “Hey guys, what do you think about having a couple wolves help us out?” She glanced at me. “The sheriff thinks it’s a good idea. She doesn’t have the manpower to keep someone at my house, and she doesn’t think I should stay alone right now.”
“Then I’ll text Faron,” I said. He quickly replied that he’d be over in a few minutes, and I invited him to dinner.
“I’m going to help Grams. I don’t think I can sit still,” she said. She jumped up and headed into the kitchen before I could stop her.
* * *
Twenty minuteslater the doorbell rang. When I told Grams Faron was joining us, she merely looked at me for a moment, then said, “Well, set another plate. There’s plenty of food.” I couldn’t tell if she was irritated or being her usual brusque self.
Faron had spiffed himself up. He was wearing a black suede sports jacket over a pale blue button-down shirt, along with black jeans and his usual motorcycle boots. His hair was pulled back in a long ponytail and he had shaved. I slowly moved toward him, unable to look away. The man was like a beacon to me. He opened his arms and I stepped into his embrace, breathing in his spicy aroma as I leaned against him.
“I feel safe in your arms,” I whispered.
“I will always protect you,” Faron said, kissing my forehead. “But for the moment, I don’t want your great-grandmother to see me pawing you.”
“You’re not pawing,” I said.
“I want to.” He slid his hand down my back to cup my ass, then quietly let go. “Come on, introduce me to your Grams. What should I call her?”
“Why don’t you start with Ms. MacPherson?” I said, taking him by the hand and leading him toward the kitchen. I took a deep breath, and—hoping Grams would behave—led him into the lion’s den.
CHAPTERTEN
Dinner went as wellas I could hope, given the circumstances. The food was delicious—grilled salmon, scalloped potatoes in a shallot and chive cream sauce, fresh peas, and strawberry shortcake with cheese wedges. The food was so good that we barely spoke during the meal, except for Fancypants, who slurped his way through three servings. The only sounds other than the dragonette were the clinking sounds of silverware against china.
Faron glanced at Fancypants and laughed. “You’re going to grow up and weigh as much as a Komodo the way you’re tucking it in.”
“I do like my food,” Fancypants said, wiping his chin as cream sauce dribbled down to splatter on the plate.
“Yes, you do. And so do I. Ms. MacPherson, this is delicious. I’ve never had salmon cooked this way. I’d love to give the recipe to my housekeeper.” He ended it on a question, rather than as a statement.
She studied him for a moment, then let out a sigh. “All right. I’ll write out the receipt for you to take home. Shall we have our dessert in the living room?”
I had no problem allowing Grams to take over the lead. Actually, I was starting to enjoy having her staying with me. I felt protected with her around, that I never had before. While I loved my privacy, Grams had brought a sense of safety to my life. And Faron, he was beginning to feel safe to me as well.
As we relaxed with our dessert, Grams questioned Faron. She was polite, albeit aloof. He answered her politely, treating her with respect. We tiptoed around topics including the town, the area, Faron’s community, Grams was courteous to Faron. He reciprocated. Finally Grams set her dessert plate on the coffee table.
“Well, Faron, my great-granddaughter seems to have developed a fondness for you.”
“Grams!” I sat straight, blushing.
“It’s true, you can’t deny it. And Iwillhave my say. Your mother isn’t here to do so, and even if she was, she wouldn’t have the strength.” She turned to Faron. “It’s hard for me to approve, given the differences in our lineages. But you seem respectful, congenial, and youarea King. That will be a plus, should the two of you get serious.”
“Grams, we’re just dating—” I started to say.
