Page 67 of Unstoppable Love

Perfect timing too, because we pulled up to the house, and the man she’d just been fantasizing about was stomping up the stairs of the porch.

He stopped at the top of the stairs and turned, scowling at both of us.

Dalton Kelley was meant to be a lumberjack in a wild forest. Hell, he looked like he could be some mountain man who lived off the grid, lived off the land. He took his job as future heir to the Kelley Ranch so seriously I wasn’t sure he had a thought in his head that didn’t involve cattle, profits, and the weather.

“Yeah,” Lydia whispered as she climbed out the door. “I bet he’s bossy.”

I gagged but followed her lead.

Dalton stood tall and enormous and angry while we made our approach.

“Hi, Dalton,” I said as he moved to open the door for us. “Thank you.”

“Glad you’re here, Ava. Mom’s excited.”

“Hey there, big guy,” Lydia called. “Is Mom excited to see me too?”

Dalton turned those scary, whiskey-colored eyes on Lydia. He looked like he was trying to turn her into a pile of ash. “How could anyone not be excited to see you?” He drawled it out, painfully slow. That hint of anger, but also…

“Oh, hey there, big guy. Did you just make a joke? I wasn’t sure you knew what those were.” She slapped his bicep, and his frown deepened as she passed us, heading into the house first.

And I wasn’t so sure if that was a frown or a smirk on his face anymore.

“It’s like you’re trying to poke a bear that’s been in hibernation and is starving,” I whispered to Lydia once we were past him and that crazed look.

“Maybe I want to see what happens when he attacks.” She shrugged, slipped out of her shoes, and headed to the kitchen.

I tried to follow but was immediately blocked by a short little blonde with adorable pigtails and purple cowboy boots.

“You came!” Josie threw her arms around my waist, and I bent over her to hug her back. “Landon’s not here,” she chattered and grabbed my hand. “But that’s okay because Grandma Jenny says I can help her bake desserts, and I think you should help.”

“How can I say no?” Josie took my hand and all but yanked me off my feet as she pulled me behind her into the kitchen. I entered, and Lydia was at the kitchen sink, already being put to work by Mrs. Kelley.

She turned immediately to me and smiled.

Jenny Kelley was one of the best women on the planet. Maybe third in place, behind Mom and Grams. Although, with all of Grams’s meddling, I might have to bump Jenny into second place.

“Ava,” she all but sang as she came to me. “So wonderful you could make it today. And I’m so happy you’re here with us.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Kelley,” I said right before she wrapped me in a hug. She smelled like flowers and sunshine and sugar. All the best things in the world.

“Jenny. How many times have I told you you’re old enough to call me Jenny?”

A thousand. It was never going to happen.

“Sorry, ma’am.”

She let go and patted my cheek. “Close enough. Emily will be here soon. She’s fixin’ some things up at their house, and I think enjoying the quiet house since Caleb and Landon are at the game, so you’ll see her soon, but for now, why don’t you get something to drink and have a seat? Be our guest today.”

My gaze bounced from Jenny to Lydia, who was all but hiding a laugh behind her hand. “Umm. But you put Lydia to work.”

“And I want Miss Ava to help me with cupcakes!”

“Well, okay. But Cameron said he wanted you relaxing today. Not all working.”

Of course he did. Lydia choked on a laugh and turned back to scouring potatoes. I was going to kill her if she didn’t shut up.

“I don’t think cupcakes will be too tiring,” I assured her.

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