Page 134 of Moonlit Colorado

“I remember,” he snapped. “But I’d like to make a better impression. Do you need me to spell it out? I probably came across as an ass the first time, and I want my future daughter-in-law to like me.”

I almost laughed and made a quip about hisotherexperience with daughters-in-law, but my father’s sense of humor only stretched so far. “She’s not your future daughter-in-law just yet. I’m working on that. But dinner would be great. You can meet Grace’s whole family.” That was going to be interesting. But the O’Neals were as good as my family too, so Dad had better get used to it.

But there was one more thing I had to address before we were finished.

“Dad, we haven’t talked about Mom. We’ve never really talked about her diagnosis or her treatment. Her future. I know it’s not easy to discuss, and we don’t have to hash it all out now.”

“You think I’m not doing what’s best for her?”

“I don’t think that,” I said softly. “I just want to be involved. I love Mom too.”

His expression was pained, and for a brief moment, I glimpsed the agony he felt. Dad had never let me see it before.

“What I’d really like,” I added, “is to be able to bring Mom out here to Silver Ridge. I think she’d love it, whether it’s a short visit or a longer stay. I realize it depends on what the doctors say, and a bunch of other factors, but I’m asking for you to at least consider it.”

He thought for a while. And then he nodded. “It’s been horrible. Watching her slip away when she’s still there in front of me. Your mother is the love of my life. I would do anything for her.”

I put my hand on my dad’s shoulder. “I know the feeling.”

FORTY

Grace

Dennis Knightly,sitting on the floor of Ashford’s apartment in his custom suit and building Lego sets with Ollie and Maisie.

Not how I’d ever dreamed today would end.

But after a fun-filled day of sunshine, ski lessons, and hot cocoa, my closest family and friends had taken over Emma and Ashford’s place for dinner. Including Dane’s father, who actually seemed to be making an effort.

Considering that Callum and his firefighter buddies were here and getting as rowdy as usual, it was pretty dang hilarious. Manhattan meets Silver Ridge.

But the very best part? The wide grin on Dane’s face as we stood in the kitchen, drinking beer and relaxing.

We were full of pizza and caesar salad, a little tipsy from the growlers of IPA someone had brought from Hearthstone Brewing. For the first time in well over a week, the world felt like it was right-side-up. Better, in fact, than it had ever been before.

I loved being here with our family and friends, but I also couldn’t wait to get Dane alone later, when that grin would be just for me.

Emma squeezed in beside me and clinked her beer glass against mine. “Dane’s father paid for dinnerandextra orders of cinnamon twists. Maisie’s a fan.”

It was noisy enough in the apartment that there wasn’t much risk of us being overheard. “Free food means he’s got the volunteer firefighter vote too. If Dennis springs for high-end bottles of whiskey later, he’ll bein.”

Emma didn’t look convinced. “Unless you don’t like him. He’ll be on the outs around here unless he gets the Grace O’Neal seal of approval.”

“That’s not actually a thing.”

“Wanna bet?”

To be honest, I’d been less than polite when Dennis had first appeared this afternoon. While he and Dane had been talking in the hotel manager’s office, I’d been biting my nails, wondering how bad it would be. But then Dane had brought his father outside to where we were all gathered, and Dennis apologized to me for everything I’d been through.

“What about Dane?” I’d asked, pursing my lips. “Did you apologize to your son?”

Dane had placed a hand on my hip and tugged me against him. “At ease, O’Neal,” he’d murmured in my ear. “I’ll give you all the details later, but we’re good.” By then, we had a crowd gathered, everyone curious to meet the head of Knightly Global and ask nosy questions. I let them have at it. Though I’d been very civil about it.

“If Dane’s okay with his father, then I’m okay with him,” I said to Emma. “But you’re exaggerating how much pull I have in this town.”

“When I moved here, people were welcoming. But if you’d decided I was bad news? Yikes.” Emma made a face. “You didn’t want me dating Ashford at first, and for a few days there, I was sweating it.”

I laughed. “Like I could’ve kept Ashford away from you. Iwouldn’thave, of course. I’m thrilled you’ll be my sister-in-law soon. Officially.”

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