Page 84 of Grady

“I am, but what does that have to do with anything?”

Grady let out a sigh. “No man will ever be good enough for you.”

She gently placed her hand on his cheek. “You are.”

“God, I hope so, darlin’. I’m not going anywhere without you.” He tugged at the collar of his T-shirt. “Damn, it’s hot here,” he muttered.

“You make it sound like you’re going to your execution. He’s a sweet guy.” When Grady snorted, she laughed.

As Savannah was about to knock on the door, it swung open and her mother greeted her with a smile before pulling her into a hug.

“We’re so happy to see you, Savannah,” Fiona Banks said in a choked voice.

“Me too, Mom. I’ve missed you.”

“Hey now, what about me?” Savannah’s father pulled her into a hug.

“Of course, Daddy.” She hugged him back before turning to introduce Grady. “Mom, Dad, this is Grady Henderson. Grady, my parents Rich and Fiona Banks.”

She watched as her mother smiled at Grady and gave him a hug, while her father just stared at him. Savannah saw Grady swallow hard as he extended his hand for her father to shake.

“Mr. and Mrs. Banks, it’s an honor to meet you both.”

Savannah’s father sized up Grady, then with a chuckle, shookhis hand.

“I had you going there for a second, didn’t I, son?”

Grady grinned. “Yes, sir. You had me sweating bullets.”

Rich laughed. “Come inside and escape this heat.”

Grady removed his hat, wiped his feet on the mat, and they all entered the kitchen where Fiona had prepared trays of meat and cheese for sandwiches. Savannah took his hat and hung it up.

Fiona turned to Grady with a smile. “I hope you have an appetite, Grady.”

“Oh, yes, ma’am, I do. Thank you.”

“No need to call me ma’am. Fiona is fine. Please, sit down.”

“After you,” Grady insisted.

Savannah saw her mother give her a knowing look before shaking her head and sitting down. Once Savannah followed suit, both Grady and her father finally sat down as well. She smiled as her father patted Grady on the shoulder.

“Good to see a man with manners.”

“Yes, sir. My parents made sure of that.”

“It certainly seems that way,” Fiona said, then looked back at Savannah with a smile.

After they finished eating, they all pitched in to clean up before Grady went out to fetch their luggage from the rental SUV. They were only staying for the weekend and flying back home on Monday. As Savannah stood by the window watching him, her mother wrapped an arm around her waist.

“He’s a good man,” Fiona remarked.

Savannah looked at her with tears in her eyes. “One of the best men I’ve ever met.” She shook her head. “But he can be so stubborn sometimes.”

“Most men are. But he’s in love with you.”

“I know. And I love him too,” Savannah replied before letting out a laugh. “When he punched Kirk and knocked him out, I almost couldn’t contain my laughter.”

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