Page 58 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
That was clearly not what he wanted to hear. “When do you think you’ll know?”
“Um…” She glanced around as if help might come rushing into the hallway. All at once she remembered her teasing comment about sounding an alarm.
Right now an alarm didn’t seem like the worst idea. Nash’s father wasn’t being rude, by any means, but she was definitely put on the spot. His intense gaze made her skin itch just a little, made her feel like she’d been called into the principal’s office or something.
“I’m afraid there’s a lot to consider at the moment, but if we decide to sell, you’ll be the first to know.”
She’d thought that would put an end to it, but it seemed to make Nash’s father agitated. “Ifyou decide to sell? Don’t you meanwhen?”
Her lips moved but nothing came out. Yes, she probably did mean when. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
It felt too much like a promise she wasn’t sure she could make.
A promise she wasn’t certain she wanted to make.
The thought had her breaths growing short and uneven. She couldn’t really be thinking aboutnotselling, could she?
No. Of course not. But she hadn’t talked to April yet, and Daisy was on the fence and—
And the thought of her sisters relieved her tension. It wasn’t up to her. Not entirely. She didn’t have to make this decision alone.
She tilted her chin up. “I’m afraid I’m not the only one making that decision, Mr. O’Sullivan.” She took a step away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
She started walking away before she even finished speaking, not wanting to hear his response.
She took a deep breath when she hit the backyard. All at once the stiff, awkward tension of that run-in with Patrick was replaced by the warm welcoming atmosphere of the barbecue.
No less than three people tried to wave her over to join them but she just smiled as she sought out one Donahue in particular.
He spotted her first.
“Emma,” he said as he reached her side. He wrapped an arm around her waist. “How are you doing? You holding up all right?”
He wore a smile, but she caught the hint of concern in his eyes.
She smiled, resting against him as the last of her unease faded away. He’d warned her his father could be intense, and he was. But she’d handled it, and it was certainly nothing to stir up trouble about.
She had a hunch that if she ratted his father out, Nash would be furious, so she just smiled. “I’m doing great. But I’m starving.”
He chuckled and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “As soon as Dad’s said grace, we’ll get you fed.”
As if on cue, a sharp whistle rent the air. Patrick drew the attention of the crowd, welcoming them all to the bbq and thanking his lovely wife for her exceptional hostessing skills. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Patrick kissed Delphine’s cheek, making her smile grow even wider. Emma watched him closely, struggling to match the intense man she’d just walked away from to the seemingly carefree one grinning down at his wife.
“Grandpa Donahue, how about you say grace for us tonight.” Patrick gestured for his father to stand.
Everyone bowed their heads as the patriarch of the family thanked God for the food and His abundant blessings.
“Amen,” Emma murmured with everyone, her soft voice blending with the low rumble of Nash’s.
A sweet warmth spread through her like molasses in her veins as he squeezed her waist and guided them toward the long line of tables filled with food.
She smiled up at him. “Your family is really great, you know that?”
“I know,” he said simply. “I’m a lucky guy.”
She nodded. “You really are.”
“But I’m especially lucky that you said yes,” he added.
