Chapter 16 #2
He nods. “Yep. I knew she was the one as soon as I met her. I asked her to marry me before the end of our first date. She balked for about a day, but I got my ring on her on day four, and she made me the happiest man in the world for twenty years. I knew I would never love another woman, so I never even tried. She was my world, and I haven’t regretted our hasty wedding for one second.
I know she didn’t either. It sucks that she had to leave this Earth so young.
I wasn’t ready. I was depressed and in a funk for a long time, but then you showed up.
You brought me back to life. I’m so grateful you came into my world and brightened it up for twenty-six years.
I’m sorry your mother couldn’t find a way to stay sober and fit you into her life, but I owe her for giving you to me.
I love you to pieces, Ray. And I want the world for you.
If you feel that heart-pounding love I felt with my Amelia, grab onto it and don’t let it go.
You never know how long you get to be on this Earth.
Don’t waste a minute overthinking things.
Don’t worry about what other people might think.
Marry him if that’s what you want. I’ll stand by your side. ”
Tears are running down my cheeks. I don’t realize it myself until I suddenly sob. When he finishes, I jump up and go to him as he stands. I throw myself at him and hug him so tightly. “Thank you,” I whisper.
Grandpa rubs my back and hugs me fiercely. “I hope I helped. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
I let out another sob-hiccup and lean back to wipe my eyes. “I don’t want to leave you here alone.” I mean that. It makes me feel bad.
“Oh, child. You have to move out eventually and live your life. I’ll be fine. I’m fit as a fiddle. And you won’t be going to Alaska. You’ll just be a few miles away.”
I sniffle and hug him again. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It’s not as though I didn’t think he would give his blessing. It’s more that I haven’t allowed myself to fully ponder the idea of really marrying a man I met last week. Now that it’s out in the open…
Am I seriously considering getting married to Mr. Bossy Pants?
As I lean back and wipe away the moisture from my eyes, there’s a knock at the door. I twist to look in that direction, wondering if Tiago forgot something. Assuming that’s the case, I don’t hesitate to hurry toward the door and open it.
My breath hitches when I find Silvia standing on my porch. She has her arms crossed, a hip cocked, and a furrowed brow. “How old are you anyway?” she asks before I have a chance to fully react to her presence.
“None of your business.”
My grandfather steps up next to me. “Who’s this?”
Silvia jerks her gaze to my grandfather. “Well, fuck me. Is this your dad, or do you sleep with every older man in Wilde?”
I flinch. What a bitch!
“Excuse me?” Grandpa steps slightly in front of me. “Who the hell are you, and why didn’t anyone teach you any manners?”
Silvia laughs. “Did you know your girl here is a money-grabbing whore who’s sleeping with the father of my child?”
Grandpa grows several inches taller as he fills the door frame, causing me to take another step back. “I don’t know who you think you’re talking to, girl, but get out of here right now before I call the sheriff.”
Silvia laughs again and turns her gaze to mine. “You won’t hold his attention for long, you know. He’ll take what he wants from you and dump you. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up pregnant and alone. He’ll never ask you to marry him. I dated him for three years and he never asked me.”
My grandfather turns around and snags his phone from the coffee table, tapping the screen as he returns.
I narrow my gaze at this bitch on my porch. I already know I’m more important to Tiago than she ever was. He’s asked me to marry him about fifty times, and I’ve only known him a week.
I cross my arms and stand my ground. “I don’t know what you think you’re going to accomplish by harassing me, but get out of here, Silvia.
You’re not welcome in this town. Check out of your motel in the morning and leave.
If you really think there’s a chance you managed to give birth to a child after about fifteen months’ gestation, you can exchange paternity information with Tiago’s lawyer.
There’s nothing else to say.” I step back and shut the door quickly, locking it before leaning against it and taking deep breaths.
I can’t believe she came here. What an absolute bitch. After hearing Tiago’s side of things, I have no doubt in my mind that Silvia is not playing with a full deck. Surely she didn’t act like this when he was dating her.
A car revs and pulls away from the front of the house as my grandfather pockets his phone.
“She’s gone now. There’s not much the sheriff can do.”
“I didn’t call the sheriff. I called Tiago,” Grandpa says.
I wince. “Let me guess…”
“He’s on his way,” Grandpa confirms. “I’m glad. Whoever that was, he needs to be aware of it.”
“She’s his ex-girlfriend.”
“How long ago did he break things off with her?”
I chuckle. “Four years ago. She found out about his inheritance and showed up in town with a false claim that he fathered her child to get her hands on his money.”
“And you’re certain the child isn’t his?” My grandfather’s brow is deeply furrowed with concern.
“Tiago insists the child is way too young. She must have gotten pregnant long after they broke up.”
Grandpa’s shoulders relax. Just like that, he believes Tiago. He turns and heads for the kitchen, grumbling, “Man’s going to need a beer.”
I pace the living room, knowing it won’t do any good to call Tiago and tell him not to come. He’s going to show up no matter what. Arguing with him will only cause me to end up with a sore butt. It still burns from earlier.
He must not have been all the way home; either that or he drove much too fast to get here because the lights of his Cadillac approach the driveway in no time.
I open the door as he stomps toward the house. “Please tell me I misheard your grandfather,” he growls as he steps inside and shuts the door.
I’m rattled from my encounter with Silvia, but only because it was unexpected. I handled it well. It’s over. She’s gone. It’s kind of hard to keep from smiling at my caveman’s growly side.
I saw a bit of it earlier, but this is far more intense. He’s seriously pissed.
Grandpa returns to the living room and holds out a beer. “Thought you might need this.”
I haven’t seen Tiago drink, but that doesn’t mean much since I’ve only known him a week. He takes the can from my grandfather. “Thank you.” After popping the top and taking a draw, he says, “Tell me what happened.” He looks back and forth between us.
My grandfather motions toward the couch, and we all move to sit. I lower onto the seat next to Tiago. I’m still wearing the white dress and no panties, so I tuck it under me and press my knees together.
It’s my grandfather who recounts everything that was said, and he does so with incredible accuracy while I rub my thighs as my man nods and processes everything. I can’t know exactly what to expect from him. He’s still growling, but he’s relatively calm.
He leans back against the couch, runs a hand through his messy hair that’s hanging loose around his face, and takes another drink of his beer.
“That girl seemed unhinged to me,” Grandpa says. “I don’t like the idea of Reagan being here alone.”
I jerk my gaze to him. What’s he saying?
“I agree.” Tiago nods.
“I’ve got poker night tomorrow. I think it would be better if she stayed at your place—if that’s okay.
Maybe for a few nights. At least until we know for sure that woman is long gone.
” I’m being manipulated by both of these men.
It’s like a little dance they’re doing. My grandfather wants my boyfriend to know he isn’t bothered about me sleeping over at the estate.
Tiago nods again. “There are plenty of rooms at the estate, and Gretchen is thrilled to have more people living in the house. She has already cleaned several rooms, so there are plenty for Reagan to choose from.”
Grandpa blows out a relieved breath, though I think it’s rather fake. “That’s settled then.” He stands, finishes his beer, and tips his head to us. “I’m going to bed.” He turns toward me. “Why don’t you pack some things and head back with Tiago tonight.”
“What about you?” I ask. “If I leave, you’ll be here alone.”
He waves a hand through the air. “Don’t you worry. That woman isn’t going to bother me.” He laughs as he leaves us.
Part of me loves the idea of going home with Tiago.
Part of me worries about completely falling under his spell if I move into the mansion.
We’re already together nearly every waking moment.
He’s slowly wearing me down. I’ve already realized I want what he’s offering, but I’m scared out of my mind to verbalize it.
He’s going to take over every aspect of my life, and I love that idea. It makes my heart race, but will I lose myself and regret this decision in a few weeks or months? Will I look up six months from now—hugely round with his child growing inside me—and wonder who the hell I am?