Page 88 of When the Smoke Clears

That catches her attention. She perks up at the sink. “You don’t get along with him?”

I sigh. “It’s not that. We haven’t had a chance to talk much. It’s just tense.”

She attempts to hide a smirk. “Seems to me now is as good a time to talk as any.” She dares me to argue with a look. “And it’s important.”

I hang my head and kick my boots against each other. “Yep.” I kiss her head and turn to go.

“Sutton,” she calls softly, drawing my attention back. “Her building a relationship with him doesn’t diminish her feelings for you.”

“I know, Mama. It’s not that. I just don’t know if he’s good for her.”

“Maybe he’s wondering the same thing. You can both be good for her. In your own ways.”

I don’t respond, just study her sweet face. My lips press together. She always gets right to the root of things. “Thanks, Mama.”

The thud of my boots down the hallway grounds me as I head outside to wait for the man who might be my father-in-law soon. If I have my way.

The rumble of his motorcycle cuts through the ranch. Some of the horses nearby pause their grazing. He parks near the front steps, and I make my way down to him.

Maybe he’s wondering the same thing.

I offer my hand. “Afternoon.”

He shakes it and gives me a nod. “Gracie’s out, then.”

“Yeah, lunch with her mother.” I gesture toward the road that’s out of sight. I don’t miss that he has his own nickname for her. I can’t decide if I like it or not.

His ability to maintain eye contact is a little intense. It strikes me as a habit of someone who often uses a lot of non-verbal communication. “What’s your take there?”

I angle my head. “My take on lunch?”

“Aye.”

I keep my face slack as I consider his question. Does his history with Stephanie play into this line of questioning? “I’m not sure it’s my place—”

“Do you love my daughter?”

My jaw snaps shut at the interruption, and I furrow my brows. “Do I—Yes. I love Maci.”

“Do you think you’re a worthy partner?”

This conversation has taken a very direct turn. I’m fine with direct. I’m also good with tactful. He doesn’t seem concerned with the latter at the moment.

We stare at each other. “Maci deserves the world. I can’t give her that. But I can give her a beautiful life here. And I make it my mission every day to try to be worthy of her love.”

He dips his chin once. “Then it’s your place.”

I scrub my neck with a hand. “Okay, then. I think Stephanie’s toxic.”

His green eyes hold my gaze the same way Maci’s do, and I’m starting to soften to their similarities.

“Maci’s really good at setting boundaries. She calls Stephanie out on her bullshit and only deals with her when it’s a necessity, but it doesn’t matter. Even phone conversations drain her. Now, Stephanie’s living in the house on Bluebonnet Cove.” My hand flies into the air, gesturing into the distance. “Probate’s going to be done soon and Maci has plans for the house. Plans that her aunt has agreed to based on what’s in the will, but I don’t think either of them will push Stephanie out, andshe’scontent to do as she damn well pleases.”

James is quiet for a long moment. He looks out at the horses. “Why is Gracie meeting with her today?” His use of meeting isn’t lost on me. We both know nothing is casual with Stephanie.

“Maci wants to talk to her about Alan and his secret life. See if there’s something there. She doesn’t get along with her mom, but she doesn’t want her to get hurt.”

“He hurt them.” James looks calm on the surface, but his energy is infectious. A similar thing happened at the funeral. Like water churning beneath a still surface. Maci sometimes talks about the soothing nature of water, but she forgets the destruction flood waters can leave in their wake.

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