Page 125 of Knight Life In Vegas

Charlotte wrung her fingers and I scooped up her hands to kiss her knuckles, dispelling the rise of nerves I felt from her. “It’s going to be fine. I was thinking of having her and my grandpa stay for the show. He hasn’t been around the horses for a little while and I want them to meet Beau and the boys when they come later.”

“We’re not exciting anymore,” Dylan said with a laugh. “Eduardo and I are old news.”

“Will everyone else’s families be coming too?”

“That could be arranged,” said Dylan, “but I don’t want you getting overwhelmed. If you’d rather wait, we can plan something.”

“That’s probably better,” Charlotte agreed. “One anxious meeting at a time.”

“Why don’t you take Eclipse out?” I suggested. The best way to keep her occupied and relaxed was to put her on the back of a horse.

“Don’t worry about planning, princess,” Dylan added before she could protest. “That work’s not going anywhere. We can do more later.”

I kissed her pout right off her face and sent her over to Eclipse. I hung back, watching her saddle him and hop on, her movements fluid and beautiful. The two of them took to the arena and I got a text from my mom saying she and my grandpa would be there soon.

I watched Charlotte while we waited. Mom knew her way in, and Grandpa certainly did even on his worst days. Their warm presences settled next to me.

“Who’s this beauty we’re watching?” Grandpa asked.

“My omega,” I replied simply.

Mom whacked me on the shoulder. “Since when do you have one of those?”

“I haven’t been hiding her, I promise. Things just moved quicker than expected. She scent matched the whole pack, went into heat a few days ago, and bonded everyone.”

Mom’s jaw dropped. “And we’re happy about this?”

“Thrilled, actually.” I laughed. “I think you’ll like her a lot.”

“Does this mean I’ll finally get to be a grandmother?”

“You already are,” I told her, enjoying the shock on her face. “She has two little boys. Samson and Oliver. They’re at a school program right now, but if you stay until the show, you can meet them tonight.”

“Oh my god,” Mom breathed out. “I need to sit down.”

Dylan helpfully brought over a stool for her since he had been eavesdropping. “She and I are going to be teaching riding lessons. Kids and adults, in case we could coax you onto a horse.”

Mom laughed. “Absolutely not. My feet are going to stay on the ground.”

Charlotte pulled Eclipse to a stop and slid down, keeping a steady hand on his reins as she brushed her hair out of her face.

“Charlotte, this is my mother, Clementine, and my grandfather, Fernando.”

“Hi.” She reached out to her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

Mom didn’t stand for handshakes and pulled Charlotte into a hug over the arena wall. “Welcome to the family, my dear.”

Grandpa got his hug in next. “You tell Marcel he’d better take good care of you.”

Charlotte glanced at me, confused.

I leaned in to whisper, “Marcel is my dad. He usually thinks that’s who I am. Dad passed about twenty-five years ago. Just roll with it.”

“I certainly will,” Charlotte said to Grandpa. “He’s been wonderful.”

Grandpa beamed. “I raised my boy right.”

Charlotte seemed to take everything in stride, chatting with my family, and not correcting Grandpa at all when he started calling my mom his sister, or telling Charlotte stories about my dad when he was little as if he were talking about me.

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