Page 65 of Always Be True: Tino
Esther joined her at the window. “Those two are having fun out there.”
“Yeah, they are, even though you wouldn’t guess it from those matching grim expressions.”
When Tino moved one of his pieces, her grandfather studied the board and then knocked over his own king with what could only be a curse. Even so, he was smiling when the two men shook hands and started packing the carved jade pieces back into their box. If she knew her grandfather, he’d want to rehash the game, examining each move that had led to his defeat.
Unfortunately, she needed to leave or she’d be late for a meeting, and Tino also had to catch up with his brother. “Well, I’d better get back out there. We should be going, and I suspect Grandpa needs his nap even if he’s too stubborn to admit it.”
“Yeah, he does,” Esther agreed. “I like Tino, by the way, and it’s clear that he and Cyrus have really hit it off.”
Natalie nodded. “I’m glad.”
“He’s important to you.”
There was no use in denying it. “Yes, he is. We haven’t known each other all that long, but he understands me better than Benton ever did even though he and I practically grew up together.”
She wished she could say that she understood Tino as well, but every so often she caught that odd glimpse of darkness in his eyes that left her puzzled and not a little worried. Of course, it could be herself she didn’t quite trust. After all, look how long it had taken her to realize that Benton’s value system was so different from hers. Regardless, she remained convinced that Tino had secrets, ones he had yet to share with her.
The man in question caught her staring at him. He smiled at her and pointed at his watch. She gave Esther a quick hug. “I’ll be back next week at the usual time.”
“Bring Tino with you and stay for lunch next time.”
“I’ll think about it.”
It spoke to how comfortable her grandfather was with Tino that he let him wheel him back inside. Natalie caught up with them in the library. “I take it Tino won.”
Her grandfather looked surprisingly pleased by that fact. “He did, indeed, sneaky bastard that he is. I’m still not sure how he managed to corner my king like that.”
Tino grinned. “We’re actually pretty evenly matched. You had me on the run early on.”
“I expect a rematch.”
“I look forward to it. Just name the day and time, and I’ll be here. Natalie has my number.”
“I just bet she does.” Her grandfather gave them each a long look. “Has she mentioned I want some great-grandchildren before I kick the bucket?”
“Grandpa!” Her face flushed hot. “Don’t embarrass us like that. We’ve only started dating.”
Rather than adding his own objections, Tino grinned and patted her grandfather on the shoulder. “I’ll take that information under advisement, sir.”
“You do that, boy. Now, you two have better things to do than hang out here with me all day.”
Still blushing, Natalie kissed him on the cheek. “I’d tell you to behave yourself, but I know a lost cause when I see one.”
Cyrus followed them to the front door. Natalie gave him one last hug. “I love you, Grandpa.”
“I love you, too, little girl.” He jerked his head in Tino’s direction. “And I have to say your taste in men has improved. It’s easy to see this one will give you strong, smart offspring. Not like that inbred fool you were engaged to.”
So much for her blush fading. “I’m glad you think so, but you’re going to scare him off if you keep talking like that.”
The old man didn’t back down. “Somehow I doubt that.”
Rather than argue, she grabbed Tino’s arm and all but dragged him out of the house. She could hear her grandfather laughing even through the closed door. “Sorry about that. Grandpa can be a handful sometimes.”
“I like him. I hope I’m that sharp when I’m that age.”
“Me, too, but that doesn’t mean I appreciate him talking that way in front of you.”
They’d reached her car. Tino trapped her up against the fender, one hand on either side of her. “What way? Don’t you want him to like me?”
