Chapter Thirteen
Savannah smiled as she led Grady onto the porch of her parents’ home. She shook her head.
“Don’t be nervous. They’re lovely people.”
“I’m sure they are, but you’re a daddy’s girl, aren’t you?”
She pulled on his hand to stop him and make him face her.
“I am, but what does that have to do with anything?”
Grady let out a sigh. “No man will ever be good enough for you.”
She gently placed her hand on his cheek. “You are.”
“God, I hope so, darlin’. I’m not going anywhere without you.” He tugged at the collar of his T-shirt. “Damn, it’s hot here,” he muttered.
“You make it sound like you’re going to your execution. He’s a sweet guy.” When Grady snorted, she laughed.
As Savannah was about to knock on the door, it swung open and her mother greeted her with a smile before pulling her into a hug.
“We’re so happy to see you, Savannah,” Fiona Banks said in a choked voice.
“Me too, Mom. I’ve missed you.”
“Hey now, what about me?” Savannah’s father pulled her into a hug.
“Of course, Daddy.” She hugged him back before turning to introduce Grady. “Mom, Dad, this is Grady Henderson. Grady, my parents Rich and Fiona Banks.”
She watched as her mother smiled at Grady and gave him a hug, while her father just stared at him. Savannah saw Grady swallow hard as he extended his hand for her father to shake.
“Mr. and Mrs. Banks, it’s an honor to meet you both.”
Savannah’s father sized up Grady, then with a chuckle, shook his hand.
“I had you going there for a second, didn’t I, son?”
Grady grinned. “Yes, sir. You had me sweating bullets.”
Rich laughed. “Come inside and escape this heat.”
Grady removed his hat, wiped his feet on the mat, and they all entered the kitchen where Fiona had prepared trays of meat and cheese for sandwiches. Savannah took his hat and hung it up.
Fiona turned to Grady with a smile. “I hope you have an appetite, Grady.”
“Oh, yes, ma’am, I do. Thank you.”
“No need to call me ma’am. Fiona is fine. Please, sit down.”
“After you,” Grady insisted.
Savannah saw her mother give her a knowing look before shaking her head and sitting down. Once Savannah followed suit, both Grady and her father finally sat down as well. She smiled as her father patted Grady on the shoulder.
“Good to see a man with manners.”
“Yes, sir. My parents made sure of that.”
“It certainly seems that way,” Fiona said, then looked back at Savannah with a smile.
After they finished eating, they all pitched in to clean up before Grady went out to fetch their luggage from the rental SUV. They were only staying for the weekend and flying back home on Monday. As Savannah stood by the window watching him, her mother wrapped an arm around her waist.
“He’s a good man,” Fiona remarked.
Savannah looked at her with tears in her eyes. “One of the best men I’ve ever met.” She shook her head. “But he can be so stubborn sometimes.”
“Most men are. But he’s in love with you.”
“I know. And I love him too,” Savannah replied before letting out a laugh. “When he punched Kirk and knocked him out, I almost couldn’t contain my laughter.”
“I’m sure Kirk was embarrassed being knocked out cold; Grady’s a big guy.”
“Six foot five in his bare feet,” Savannah murmured before gasping. “Oh no, Daddy’s going out there.”
“Relax. You know your father.”
Savannah looked at her mother. “Yes, I do. That’s exactly why I’m worried. Daddy could say something trying to be funny and Grady might take it seriously.”
Fiona laughed. “Grady is much too smart for that. Come on, let’s go to the living room and let them talk.”
“But…”
“Now, Savannah.” Fiona led her out of the room.
****
Grady pushed the button to shut the hatch on the SUV and turned to see Rich staring at him. He couldn’t help but mentally sigh, knowing what was coming next.
“I thought I’d lend you a hand, Grady.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate the offer.”
“I know you’re polite and all, but please, call me Rich,” he said as he crossed his arms and leaned against the car.
“Okay then, Rich.” Grady mimicked his pose and flashed a grin. “Is this where you ask me what my intentions are toward your daughter?”
Rich chuckled. “That was my plan, but it’s clear that you both love each other.” He shook his head and let out a sigh. “Kirk was a real piece of work. You know about the baby, right?”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“And how he blamed Savannah for the death?” Grady nodded. “I wanted to knock him out cold. It was bad enough what she went through, but that jackass... he put all the blame on her. Not once did he shed a tear at the funeral. I almost caused a scene but I knew it was the last thing Savannah needed. And then to file for divorce the very next day. He should have stood by her. It wasn’t anyone’s fault but...” He trailed off with another sigh. “I don’t know if that was his way of coping or what, but it was wrong no matter what.”
“I agree. I told her I wanted to beat him senseless for treating her like that. What kind of man does that?”
“He’s not a man at all.” Rich grinned wryly. “Savannah mentioned that you knocked him out.”
Grady chuckled. “He sucker punched me first. All I did was punch him on the chin.”
“Good for you. I’m glad Savannah has found someone new, and I have no doubt that you’ll treat her well. Neither her mother nor I want to see her get hurt again. She was devastated by Zach’s death, as any woman would be, but on top of that, her idiot husband blamed it all on her.” Rich tilted his head thoughtfully. “I don’t think you’d do something like that.”
“No, never.” Grady took a deep breath. “Mr. Banks—”
“Rich.”
“Rich. I love your daughter more than I ever thought possible and I want to ask for her hand in marriage. But before I do, I would be honored if I had your blessing.”
The two men locked eyes and Grady felt his stomach twist into knots, but when Rich broke into a grin and shook his hand, Grady let out a sigh of relief.
“I know she loves you. Just make sure you take good care of her.”
“On my life, I will. Like a friend once said, I never want to do anything that would make my fiancée leave me, and I feel the same way about Savannah.”
“Good. Now let’s get this luggage inside and enjoy our weekend together. Your secret is safe with me; there’s no way I’m telling Fiona because Savannah would find out before you even made it to the airport.”
Grady nodded and chuckled as he grabbed a suitcase and followed his future father-in-law into the house.
****
Over the next weekend, Savannah gazed at the quaint cabin where Grady’s parents were staying. Although they resided in a house in Clifton, they often traveled to their cabin in Kalispell for some rest and relaxation.
“It’s such a beautiful cabin,” she commented.
“I don’t understand why they don’t just live here full time. They’re here more than they’re at home.”
“They probably enjoy the escape from everyday life. Clifton may be convenient, but Kalispell is much more peaceful.”
Grady glanced at her with a smile. “I suppose that’s true. At least we didn’t have to fly to get here.”
“I thought you enjoyed flying?”
“I do, as long as I’m the one doing the flying.”
Savannah chuckled. “Oh, I see. You like being in charge.”
“Exactly, and you’d best remember that.” He laughed when she snorted.
“Yeah, sure.”
“I knew I was talking out my ass on that one.” He shook his head.
“I’m excited to meet your dad. Your mom is lovely.”
“They both are.”
“So, why did they move to Clifton?”
Grady shrugged. “It’s like most people who visit Clifton, they fell in love with it. They came to see me and make sure I was doing what I love, and once I showed them around town, they decided to move from Missoula. They adore Clifton, but on the way back to home, they decided to travel to Kalispell and fell in love with that area too. When they saw this place up for sale, they knew they had to snag it.”
“I bet it looks stunning when it snows.”
“It does. They always spend Christmas here.” He pulled the truck into the driveway. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.”
Grady grinned. “Let’s go inside, baby. My dad can’t wait to meet you.”
He opened his door, got out, and then walked around to her side to open the door for her. After taking her hand, he led her to the back entrance, but it swung open before he could even knock.
“Grady!” His mother enveloped him in a hug, then did the same with Savannah. “It’s so good to see you again, Vanna.”
Savannah hugged her back tightly. “You too, Lena.”
“Come on in.” They entered the kitchen. “Vic! We have visitors,” she called out.
An older version of Grady walked into the room, looked at his son, and shook his head.
“Grady isn’t a visitor.” Then he turned to face Savannah. “But this lovely lady definitely is. Hi there, honey. I’m Vic, Grady’s dad.” He gave her a warm embrace, making her laugh.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Henderson.”
“Please, call me Vic. You’re just as pretty as Lena described.” He glanced at his son. “What does she see in you?”
Grady chuckled. “I still haven’t figured that out.”
“And you never will,” Savannah teased.
Vic laughed. “I had a feeling you finally found a woman who could put you in your place.” He winked at Lena. “Just like I did.”
Lena shook her head as Vic spoke. “You’re just saying that because I’m standing here, aren’t you?”
“Do I look like a fool to you?” Vic asked Lena, with a hint of playfulness. “Don’t answer that.”
Their playful banter sparked laughter throughout the room. Grady and his father began carrying their luggage inside while Lena and Savannah sat at the table, sipping iced tea.
“This place is breathtaking, Lena. I love log homes.”
“Well, it’s a good thing Grady has one then,” Lena replied with a smile.
Savannah grinned and said, “I would live with him in a cave if I had to.”
Lena laughed and remarked, “Now that right there is true love.”
Savannah nodded and added, “He’s my world. I truly love your son, Lena.”
“I can see that, and I can also see that he loves you,” Lena responded with a sigh. “We never thought he’d settle down. He was dead set against it, but I knew all he needed was the right woman; and that woman is you.”
“He can be quite stubborn at times though,” Savannah said.
“That trait runs in the family. His father is just as hardheaded,” Lena replied while folding her arms on the table. “But you stick to your guns, Vanna. I have to do the same with Vic. He may be stubborn, but I am even more so and he knows it.”
“I believe it,” Savannah said with a laugh.
“Men may think they rule the world, but an old joke says when God created man, she was only joking,” Lena quipped.
“Or maybe she saved the best for last,” Savannah joked back.
They shared a knowing laugh until the men walked into the kitchen. Both men stopped in their tracks upon seeing the women’s’ expressions but the women continued to smile.
“I’m not even going to ask, son,” Vic said with a shake of his head. “Let’s go out to the back deck. We’ll grill some steaks for dinner.”
Vic headed out the back door while Grady stood still, staring at Savannah. When she batted her eyelashes at him, he finally shook his head and followed his father outside, much to the amusement of the women.
****
As Grady and Savannah sat on the back deck alone, he reached for her hand and kissed her palm.
“My parents really like you,” he said, as he looked at her and grinned. “I do too.”
Savannah laughed. “I like you too, hardhead.”
“ You’re calling me hardhead? You?” He shook his head. “Please.”
“Okay, I can be a little—”
“Try again.”
She laughed. “Okay, a lot, but I have nothing on you, Grady Henderson.”
“Well, that just means we’ll argue and think of the fun we’ll have making up.”
“Is sex all you think about?”
“When it comes to you? Absolutely.”
“I appreciate the honesty, but there could come a time where you might make me so mad, I won’t want to make up.” She stared at him.
“Please be joking.”
Savannah laughed. “I am. I love making up with you.”
“Damn woman, don’t scare me like that. It was bad enough when I thought I lost you.”
“All we had to do was talk, Grady, and we’re going to do that anytime we have an argument. I promise. No pouting or sulking, just talking.”
“Who pouted and who sulked?”
She laughed. “I refuse to answer that question.”
Grady chuckled. “It’s probably best neither of us do.” He sighed as he squeezed her hand. “I am sorry that I let him get to me.”
“It’s okay now. You had no way of knowing he stole my phone. I told you what Maggie said about you calling back, he still would have answered or it would already be locked and you’d get no answer until I got a new phone. I didn’t have the new phone until later that day, so Kirk would have probably loved having you call again.” Savannah shook her head.
“True. Maggie seems like a smart woman. Is she married?”
“She’s divorced. I’ll tell you about it sometime but she lived with an evil man.”
“Well, yours wasn’t much better.”
“Oh, trust me, Kirk was a saint compared to her ex.” Savannah shook her head.
“I hate hearing that. She seems like a nice woman and I can tell she loves working with you.”
“She loves it there. I’m glad she’s enjoying the apartment above the shop too. I don’t make her pay rent.”
Grady chuckled. “No wonder she likes it.” He kissed her palm again. “How about we head in and get some sleep. We have to leave early in the morning.” Grady helped her to her feet, kissed her lips, then led her inside.
He was glad they were able to work everything out. Now, all he had to do was find the balls to ask her to marry him.