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“Are you saying thatmychildren aren’t safe because she’s here with them?”My stomach clenches at the thought.
“No.”He shakes his head.“Not at all.I’m saying that I worry, and I’ll always worry.She’s twenty-five now, and I’ll worry when she’s sixty-five.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
“Because she lives out here, and because I see the way you look at my daughter.I don’t exactly love it, but”—he shrugs—“not much I can do about that.”
And that’s twice today that someone has mentioned to me that I look at Erin in a certain way.Jesus, do I havelovesickwritten across my forehead?
“She’s safe here,” I say firmly.“I give you my word, Mr.Montgomery.I have questions for her because I didn’t realize thatyouare her dad, but she’s safe here.”
“You didn’t know,” he says as realization dawns.“About her family, about her money.”
“No.”The answer is curt because hell, my feelings are a little bruised.“I didn’t.Look, I don’t give a rat’s ass about money, but I do care about honesty.”
He nods at that.“I’m headed back to Seattle.I’m going to leave my number with you.”He sets a card on the railing.“If you or Erin ever needanything, all you have to do is call.”
“Mr.Montgomery?—”
“My daughter lives in your house,” he interrupts.“You can call me Will.”
“Will.I don’tneedanything.This ranch is successful beyond my father’s wildest dreams.If anything, my parents might have wondered if Erin was here because ofourmoney, not the other way around.”
That makes him laugh.“Well, that’s something, I guess.It’s frustrating when your kids no longer want or need your help.When they pull away.I love her.”
“I know you do.You wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
He pats me on the shoulder.“I think you do understand.I have to get back to Seattle before my wife divorces me.”
“You said you wouldn’t be in trouble.”
“Oh, that was a bald-faced lie.Megan’s been champing at the bit to get out here to visit Erin.But it was a spur-of-the-moment decision when Erin sent me to voicemail again this morning.”
“Bring your wife out here anytime.I hear there’s a condo you can use.”
“And you didn’t know about that either,” he says with a laugh and pats me on the shoulder again.“Good luck with that one.She’ll keep you on your toes.But fuck with her, and they’ll never find your body.”
And with that, he walks down the steps to his rental.Erin walks out and joins me at the railing as her father waves at us and pulls away.
“I have so many questions,” I murmur as Erin and I watch Will drive down the driveway and around the bend, disappearing from sight.
“I know,” she says with a sigh.“First of all, I never meant to keep who my family is a secret.”
“Didn’t you?”I turn to her, wanting to see her face.God, I want to touch her so badly that my fingers ache, but I can’t.I need answers first.
“No.I didn’t.They just didn’t come up.”
“That’s not true.You made that cake in Seattle colors, and when I asked why, you simply said because you like that team.”
“Idolike the team.”
“But you had the perfect opportunity to tell mewhyyou like the team.You didn’t do that.You never expand on your cousins or your immediate family.Who are London and Drew, and why do they own a condo here?”
“Drew is my cousin, and London is his fiancée.Drew is the quarterback coach for Seattle, and London owns the team.”
“LondonAmbrose,” I repeat with a slow nod, putting the puzzle together.“One of the wealthiest women in the country.Your cousin is engaged to a billionaire.”
“Yes.He is.And you don’t have to sound so fucking judgmental about it.”
