Page 66 of Loved By Tandy

“Yep. I need to go get cleaned up because we have reservations at Jeffrey’s tonight. I figured we’d either be celebrating or neither of us would feel like cooking.”

“Jeffrey’s? Wow.” I rub my jaw. “I should probably shave.”

“You look good just as you are.”

CHAPTER 27

TANDY

Lunch with Dallas turned into lunch with Colt, Dallas, and Rose. Colt didn’t seem the least bit surprised about our announcement, which I suppose isn’t a shocker since he’s seen me with Matthew nearly every day for months.

Dallas and Rose were both happy for us. And watching them together makes me eager for Matchmaker Ranch to be ready for business. They swear they’re only faking their engagement, but the way they look at each other gives me hope that Dallas has finally found love again. Of course, I can’t say that to him, or he’ll let his defenses get in the way.

“I think that went well, don’t you?”

Matthew grazes his thumb over my hand as he drives. “Yep. They all seemed surprised but not shocked. I’m guessing we’ll get a similar reaction tonight.”

“Hopefully.” I’m not very concerned that his grandsons will be upset about our engagement. It’s been a long time since I’ve asked either of them to take off their shirts, an attempt at humor that not everyone finds funny. But I do. Or did. That joke has kind of run its course.

I’m more concerned about this weekend and meeting the two of his children that I haven’t yet met. Do they even know thatI’m staying at the house? That will probably give them the wrong impression, but I can’t help that.

As soon as we get to the house after going by the ranch, I start on dinner. Tonight, everything needs to be perfect. Not only is Matthew telling part of his family that he’s getting married again, but he’s also letting them know he’s planning to move away from the ranch.

Time passes quickly as I prepare food.

Matthew whistles a tune as he walks through the house. His clean bill of health has him back to his old self, and I love it.

“Should we eat in the dining room? That table is bigger.” I pull plates out of the cabinet.

He leans on the doorframe. “Sure, but when Eli and Zach see plates on that table, they’ll know something is up.” After a chuckle, he lifts the stack of plates and carries them into the dining room. “Watch their expressions when they notice. You’ll see what I mean.”

Ten minutes later, there is a knock as the door swings open. I love that his family feels at home here. It’s not the way my home was growing up, and I can’t even imagine Dallas walking into my house without being invited in.

Eli is holding Trixie, who is wiggling and trying to get down. “Zach and Haley are pulling up.” He hands his daughter to Delaney, then hugs his granddad. “Thanks for inviting us over.”

“Thanks for coming.” Matthew holds on an extra second.

He might never mention the health scare to his family, but it’s obvious to me that he’s even more thankful for them now.

Eli steps away, sees the plates on the dining room table, then looks at me. “Hi.” He glances at Delaney, then moves closer to me and awkwardly puts an arm around me and gives me a side hug. “It’s good to see you.”

When Zach and Haley walk in. Eli catches Zach’s attention, then tips his head toward the dining room.

After we all exchange hugs and greetings, Zach says, “A dining room meal surprises me a bit. It’s not Easter or Christmas, so I’m hoping that maybe you’re going to give us good news.”

Matthew eases up beside me and tucks an arm around my waist. “Very good news. Tandy made meatloaf.”

My gentle elbow nudge draws a laugh from the adults.

“I asked Tandy to marry me, and she said yes. But we’re asking that you keep this to yourselves until we announce it this weekend. But tonight, there is something I want to talk to you boys about. And we decided not to keep our secret during dinner.”

Haley hugs me again. “But you did make meatloaf, right? Because I love meatloaf.”

“I did.”

Delaney and Haley help me get food on the table while Matthew, Zach, and Eli chase children around.

Dinner feels like a scene out of a Hallmark movie. And it’s a bit surreal that my life has turned out that way.

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