Page 64 of Tango
“Thanks, Dad. And you didn’t have to remind me that you didn’t like him. I remember the Easter debacle.”
“What? I beg your pardon?” He feigns innocence as he withdraws his arm and holds up both hands.
“Dad. Come on. You tripped him when he walked by the grill. I saw it. Mom saw it. You’re not very good at being sneaky, you know.”
His expression falls; then he smiles. “Fine. But you two were fighting, and I let an impulse win.”
I laugh. “He was mad that Ramiro was there.”
“I know. Hence the tripping.”
Shaking my head, I lean against his shoulder again and take a deep breath. “Everything is spiraling out of control.”
“It’ll settle down.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“I hope so.”
“How is Tucker being toward you? With you two staying in that house?—”
Pulling away, I arch a brow. “Dad.”
“What? I just want to make sure you’re safe. I wouldn’t be a good father if I didn’t.”
“I’m fine,” I reply with a laugh. “Truly. Tucker is a gentleman, and when we’re not sleeping—in separate bedrooms—we’re working on the case.”
“Just making sure. I saw how you kept glancing over at him at dinner. And that was after only knowing him a day. You’ve spent nearly a week in close quarters, so I just want to check.”
“Tucker’s great, but we’re just friends—not even that, really. I’m a client, and he’s working to keep me alive.”
“So are you. Great, that is. Better than, even.”
“You have to say that because you love me.”
“I do, but that doesn’t make it any less true.” He takes my hand in his. “Alice, you are the greatest thing that has ever happened to your mother and me. You are the sun in our sky, the moon amongst stars—you’re our everything.”
Tears burn in my vision. “Dad.”
“It’s true. And I want you safe and happy. That’s all I want.”
“Right now, I can give you safe. Happy? That one I’m not so sure about.”
He squeezes my hand gently. “It’ll come.”
“Once all of this is over and we can go back to normal, I think I’d like to come stay with you and Mom for a while. If that’s okay. Get my feet back under me.”
“My darling Alice, you can stay with us for as long as you want. Forever work for you?”
Laughing, I lean my head against his shoulder, and he wraps an arm around me. We sit there together, like we have so many times before, but this time, my thoughts are not on the sunset but rather the man waiting for me on the other side of the ranch.
Chapter 23
Tucker
The front door opens, and my heart leaps when Alice steps inside. She looks exhausted, but when she sees me, she smiles. And I don’t miss the way her entire expression lights up when she does. I’m in deep.
“Hey,” she greets.
“Hey. Good day?”
