Page 56 of Forbidden Flame

“I can see that,” Dad said to Izzy, humor evident in his tone. Then to me, he added, “She’s a hard one to resist.”

“What are you saying?” I asked him, holding my breath for his response.

Dad’s expression was serious. “Is there something going on between you and Cole?”

“No.” I could say that with confidence. Cole had been clear on that point, and the distance he’d placed between us. But then there was how sweet he was with Izzy. It was hard not to like him, to want more. If only our situations were different.

“Do you want there to be?”

I laughed without any humor. “I couldn’t date a Monroe. Not with how you and my brothers feel about them.”

Dad cleared his throat. “You deserve to be happy.”

“It doesn’t matter how I feel. Cole wouldn’t go against his family.”

Dad shook his head. “Then he’s not the right man for you. Any man that you’re with should be strong enough to overcome anything, including the feud between our families.”

“If we dated, he could lose everything. His job. His house. He’s only a cousin. He already feels like his position in the family business is precarious. He can’t take that risk, and I wouldn’t let him. Besides, you know my brothers would make my life miserable.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Are you living in the same family I am? Teddy confronted Cole at the auction when he bid on me. He wasn’t happy about it. He warned Cole away from me.”

Dad didn’t respond.

“There’s no way my brothers would be okay with us dating. Even if they were, Cole has too much to lose. It’s a risk we’re not willing to take,” I said, wanting to cut off the conversation.

The reality was that Cole wasn’t ready to take that risk. Maybe he wasn’t strong enough, or he didn’t like me. I wouldn’t blame him if that was the case. We’d only spent two nights together.

It felt monumental to me. But that didn’t mean that he felt the same way.

Dad shook his head. “I came over to tell you we’re having a family brunch tomorrow.”

“Am I cooking?” I asked, genuinely surprised.

“I can handle a stack of pancakes,” Dad grumbled.

I smiled. “Okay. We’ll be there.”

He tipped his head toward Izzy. “Do you mind if I take Izzy tonight? I’ve missed her.”

“You can see her every day if you want to.”

“It’s not the same as a sleepover. Right, Izzy? You want to stay with Grandpa tonight?”

Izzy stopped riding to yell, “Sleepover! Yay!”

“She loves her grandpa,” Dad said proudly as she resumed riding in circles.

“She’s lucky to have you.” I squeezed his hand.

Dad turned to face me. “As much as I love having you here, you deserve more. A man who loves you.”

“Dad, I’m a single mother. This is good enough for now. We have a house; we’re settled. I have the new business to focus on. I don’t have time for a man.” Even though my heart ached from the sweet moments with Cole this morning, he wasn’t for me.

“What do you say, Izzy? You want to take the bike to my house? I have a bigger driveway.”

Izzy stopped the bike in front of us, her cheeks flushed. “I can go now?”

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