Page 65 of The Cowboy Takes A Bride

“That’s not something that happens all the time. Hell, it doesn’t even happen every year. Just a random occurrence.”

Hanover shook his head. “Yes, and planes crashes are random occurrences, too.”

Fuck. Who was he to take a man’s child from him or to want Meredith to have her past unresolved. It was one thing to choose not to go home but something completely different when one couldn't. From the moment his family was given Pop's diagnosis, Jace had tried to make the most of the days with his dad. He would never want to be the reason she never had that with her own father. Ideally, he’d like to see Hanover and Meredith find some middle ground.

He stood quickly, unable to hide the wince that followed the sharp pain in his ribs. He was ready to leave this conversation, desperate to get outside and clear his head. He needed to know one thing, and that was what Meredith would do now that her father had come.

“Why don't you talk to your daughter first? Let's see what she has to say.” Would she be able to forgive a repentant man?

Hanover nodded. “But I think she’ll listen to you. She’s hiding here from me. If you could tell her to come home and just see how it’s changed—”

Jace shook his head.

“Do you really want her here knowing she might still be running from her old life? Wouldn’t you want her here because she wants to be? You’re her first real boyfriend.” Hanover plunged the metaphorical knife.

“I’m her husband.”

Then Hanover twisted said knife, not once but twice. “You’re a novelty. Do you have what it takes to sustain it? Like what your parents had?”

“Don't talk about my parents. You know nothing about them and what they had.” Jace shook with anger. He didn't want to deal with this. He wanted to grieve for his father.

“I've been listening to stories for the last few hours about your father. He sounds like a remarkable man, one who would raise a remarkable son. Ask yourself if you are happy with the way things are right now.”

Jace shifted. Nothing would give him more peace of mind than knowing where Meredith's heart and intentions lay. Especially after the last week. She was probably scared, shaken to the core. Life on the ranch was more than her garden and a snake in the coop, and he wasn't sure she was ready to embrace that anymore.

He stared Hanover down. “I’ll talk to her, but I’m not making any promises.”

Hanover jumped up. “That’s all I can ask for.” He extended his hand.

“Promise to do what,” Meredith said, standing in the doorway. She stared at her father, her expression...angry?

“Meredith,” Hanover said, dropping his hand to his side.

“Why are you here?” She crossed her arms over her chest and moved to stand next to Jace.

“Why did you leave?” He stepped toward them, but Meredith put her hand up, stopping him.

“I should leave you two alone.” Jace stepped away.

“You can stay. There's nothing he can say that is worth hearing.” She stood ramrod straight.

Hanover took a seat on the stool, his shoulders slumped in defeat. “Hear me out, please.”

Jace gave her arm a squeeze and left her alone with her father.

28

For a man who’d spent the last eight years speaking only to her with words heavy in irritation, derision, or intolerance, he was unnervingly calm and…well, the look on his face was off. On anyone else, she would think he was sad. Marcus Hanover the Third didn’t do sad. Not since his wife had died, and certainly not when he found his runaway daughter.

“Are you going to start talking soon? Because you are crashing a funeral, if you haven't noticed, and the last thing I want for these people is to make their day worse by causing a scene. So say what you want and leave.”

“I want to know why you ran away. I have my ideas, but I need to hear it from you.”

“Why would I stay, Father? What was there for me?” She was no longer afraid to speak her mind. This was her home, and she was surrounded by people who cared about her and wanted the best for her. It was the Shepards who had filled the emptiness in her life.

“Meredith, I will not tolerate that tone—”

Meredith tossed her head back with aderisive laugh. “You won't tolerate that tone? You want to know why I left? That's one reason right there. You're a cold, unloving man, and I'd rather live with complete strangers than another day being your patsy. Not once did you ask me what I wanted. Not once did you show concern for me and my well-being.” She pointed to the door. “You need to leave. Now. You need to leave and never come back.”

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