Page 21 of Grateful Hearts

“Likewise, Mr. Walker.”

“Ray,” he corrected, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “No need to make me feel older than I already am.”

Chantel laughed, her nerves melting away. She could see where Zach got his charm.

Next, Chantel met Zach’s younger brothers, Justin and Ethan. Both were tall, broad-shouldered and had the same easy confidence as Zach. She couldn’t help but wonder if they were in the military too.

Then a petite blonde stepped forward, her energy radiating even as she smiled warmly. “I’m Clover, and this is my boyfriend, Joker,” she said, nodding to the tall, grinning man beside her.

“Nice to meet you. Zach has told me a lot about you,” Chantel said, shaking their hands and feeling slightly overwhelmed by the warmth radiating from everyone.

Clover laughed. “All good things, I hope.”

“Of course. Though he did say that trouble was your middle name.”

Clover glared at Zach, and Zach held up his hands in defense. “Hey! I never said that.”

Chantel started laughing, and Zach gave her a playful glare.

“I’m just kidding,” she told Clover.

“Oh, I already like her,” Clover stated with a grin. “You and I are going to get along great.”

“Oh, brother,” Joker muttered, making everyone laugh.

Once the introductions were done, Jenelle smiled at Zach. “Why don’t you show Chantel to the guest room upstairs? I set up the one right next to your room.”

Chantel caught the glint in Jenelle’s eye and had a sneaking suspicion Zach’s mom was trying to play matchmaker.

“Dinner will be takeout from the pizza shop in town,” Jenelle added.

Chantel hesitated, then spoke up. “I could cook something if you’d like. It’s really no trouble.”

Jenelle waved her off with a grateful smile. “That’s so kind of you, dear, but no. Tonight, you relax.”

Zach grabbed Chantel’s bag and led her upstairs.

She followed him up the stairs trying to keep her eyes off his firm butt that fit nicely in his jeans. It was like a beacon that she couldn’t take her eyes off of. God, she was in trouble.

Once they got to the second floor, they went down the hallway before stopping at the last door on the left.

“This is your room,” he said, pushing open the door and revealing a gorgeous bedroom that looked like it was straight out of aHomes and Gardensmagazine. The walls were painted a warm cream, which allowed the dark wood furniture filling the room to be the focal points.

She walked over to the bed and ran her hand over the carved footboard that matched the design on the headboard.

“This bed is beautiful. Is it an antique?” she asked, walking over to the matching armoire.

“It is. My mom loves antiques. I remember when she found this set.”

“It is a lovely set.”

Chantel walked over to the window, and when she pulled back the curtains, she gasped, seeing the amazing view of the mountains in the distance.

Zach set her bags down, and walked over to stand next to her.

“Mom wanted you to have the room with the best view.”

“It is an amazing view. It’s beautiful.”

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