Page 114 of What I Should Have Known

I gave him a stiff smile. “There’s a difference between being impulsive and easily adapting to whatever situation is thrown your way. Most people mistake the latter as impulsive, and yeah, I let people think that, but I’m not an idiot.”

“No, you like that narrative so people don’t expect how calculated you actually are.” For the first time since sitting down at this table, his expression shifted. “When you left Kat after she got shot, some of it was for this.”

I nodded. “I’m not looking for an easy in with you, or with this family. I don’t come with money like Wyatt did, but I am very loyal to those I care about. I truly love your daughter and only want what’s best for her.”

“What’s going on?” Colton whispered to his brother.

Sawyer shrugged, clearly unsure as I remained steady in my attention to Hank.

“Kat loves and respects you. She craves your approval and, call me arrogant or conceited, I don’t care, but that is what I’m asking for because I know I’ll do better by her than any other man,” I finished.

Hank inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. “You could share this with everyone but chose not to. You figured out there had to be more to my opinion and feelings within a couple months while I’ve been able to hide this for years.”

I leaned back in my chair. “I don’t believe in sharing secrets that aren’t mine unless it can cause harm to others.”

Hank clenched his jaw and pulled the picture away from his chest. “I haven’t seen this in as long as I’ve carried the secret.” Placing the photo down on the table, he traced the outline of a man who looked so much like Kat’s dad.

Soft gasps sounded around the table as a small smile stretched across his lips. “This is my twin brother, Marvin. He took his own life a year after being honorably discharged from the Army, and he’s buried in Arlington.I have so much respect for the military, but it’s taken so much from me. It took a lot from the woman I love as well. Yes, I know it gave me an amazing bonus son on top of the rest of my kids, but I can’t see anyone I care about hurting the way it’s hurt me.” He looked up at Kat and gave her a gentle smile. “That’s why I said I didn’t want you to date someone in the military.”

“Dad,” she whispered, reaching forward, and placed a hand on his.

“This picture of my brother and I was in the newspaper for his obituary alongside the one when he graduated boot camp,” Hank continued and inhaled deeply. “You, Bernie, are not what I judged you to be.”

“How so?” I asked as he raised his gaze to meet mine.

“I assumed you to be just as cocky and one son of a bitch as everyone else thinks you are. I don’t know how you let other people’s opinions and thoughts about you roll off your shoulders so easily,” he explained, and I chuckled.

“They might not be entirely wrong when it comes to being cocky. I do not lack confidence in myself,” I replied.

“That’s the understatement of a lifetime,” Kat teased.

I raised a brow and glanced at her. “But is it ill-placed?”

She rolled her eyes as Colton and Sawyer chuckled.

“You still have to earn my approval,” Hank continued with a raised brow as he studied me.

“Yes, sir. I have no doubt.”

“So, how good are you at your job?” He grinned widely and shot me a wink.

My jaw fell open. “It seems I was fooled too.”

His grin widened even more. “Not my first rodeo, son.”

Kat’s eyebrows raised as her mouth formed a perfect O. “Are you serious, Dad? You’ve liked him this entire time?” Hank nodded. “Then what was all of this awkward shit?”

“That was me doing my fatherly duties. This city slicker never once complained when he got thrown into branding day. He had no issue helping your mother and Emma set up camp. Plus, he got on a bronc and held his own. I was impressed to say the least. But most importantly, I’d never seen you so happy and full of life, even if I can’t actually see that well,” he explained.

Kat rolled her eyes as I chuckled.

“I also had suspicions about his occupation after I caught a very blurry glimpse of his dog tags and thewayhe’d set up camp. Plus, how cryptic he was when he was asked how he learned survival skills some city boy wouldn’t know set alarm bells off. I do have one question though. Why ‘Bernie’ not Ben?”

Kat’s eyes widened as she spun in her seat to face me. “I’ve been wondering the same damn thing since I met you, and you’ve still never told me! Spill, now.”

I grinned as the fire behind her eyes erupted into the most incredible flames. “It’s my call sign.”

Kat pursed her lips and faced the table again. “Wow, all that build up for something lame. You couldn’t have a cooler call sign?”

---