Page 12 of Glacial Mountain Man
"She was safe," I said firmly. "The roads were impassable. She couldn't have made it anywhere in that storm. I gave her shelter, food, and my protection."
"Your protection." His laugh was dry. "And what else did you give her?"
"Dad, stop it," Candace said, stepping between us. "I'm twenty-three years old. What I do is my business."
"Not when you're putting yourself at risk with strangers."
"He's not a stranger. Not anymore." Her voice softened. "Tank took care of me. He made me feel…” She glanced at me, color rising in her cheeks. "He made me feel like I mattered."
Something shifted in her father's expression. The protective anger was still there, but underneath it, I saw recognition. Understanding.
"You matter to your mother and me," he said gently.
"I know that, but this is different." She looked at me again, and the trust in her eyes nearly brought me to my knees. "Tank, tell him."
I took a deep breath. This wasn't how I'd planned to have this conversation, but life rarely went according to plan.
"Dr. Murphy, I won't pretend this was just about the storm. Your daughter is…” I struggled for the right words. "She's incredible. Smart, funny, and brave. She turned my world upside down in thirty-six hours, and I'm falling for her. Hard."
Candace’s father studied me for a long moment. "You just met her."
"Sometimes that's all it takes." I met his gaze steadily. "I know how this looks. I know you don't know me from Adam. But I care about her. More than I've ever cared about anyone."
"What are your intentions?"
The old-fashioned question should have made me uncomfortable, but it didn't. "To convince her to give me a chance. To see where this goes. To treat her the way she deserves to be treated."
Candace's hand slipped into mine, her fingers squeezing gently.
Dr. Murphy was quiet for a long moment, his analytical mind clearly working. Finally, he sighed.
"Your mother's worried sick," he said to Candace. "She's made enough food for twelve people, and it's just going to be the two of us now."
"I'm sorry, Dad. I tried to make it."
Candace’s dad suddenly shifted his attention to me. "Mr. Williams, do you have plans for dinner?"
I blinked. "Sir?"
"Thanksgiving dinner. My wife has been cooking since dawn, and she’s made way too much food. You're welcome to join us. Both of you."
Candace looked at me hopefully. "Would you want to? I mean, we made all this food here, but?—”
"We can bring it," I said. "Contribute to the feast."
"That would be perfect." Dr. Murphy's expression had warmed considerably. "My truck has chains. Much better for these roads than whatever you're driving."
I glanced out the window at my pickup. "You're probably right about that."
"Pack up the food," he said. "Let's go give my wife the Thanksgiving surprise of her life."
As Candace hurried to get dressed, Dr. Murphy lingered by the door. "Mr. Williams," he said quietly. "Tank. My daughter doesn't trust easily. If she trusts you, that means something."
"It means everything to me, sir."
He nodded slowly. "Don't make me regret this."
"I won't."
