Page 107 of Tough as Steele

“You kept your promise and put in a good word for us with Mimi.”

Nate shifted nervously. “Actually, I didn’t. I didn’t have to. She did her homework to discover the roles everyone played in the investigation. She used that info to come to an almost instant conclusion that you were the right company.”

Her dad looked across the room at Mimi. “Well, isn’t that something then. We did it on our own. That feels even better.”

“You have a fine company, sir,” Nate said. “Mimi’s lucky to partner with you.”

Her dad waved a hand. “Notsir. Just Gene.” He smiled. “Now, I’ll let the two of you get back to courting.”

“Courting?” Londyn asked. “How old are you, Dad?”

“Not old enough to be saying courting, but then I also don’t feel old enough to have three grown daughters who three young guys are going to come along and steal from me.”

“Not steal,” Nate said. “Permanently borrow.”

Her dad laughed and clapped Nate on the back. “I knew I liked you, son.”

He spun and returned to the family.

Londyn turned her attention on Nate. “Looks like everyone wants to celebrate, but I’m starving, how about you?”

“Yes,” he said, but the twinkle in his eye said otherwise. “What say we take a moment alone?”

“Yes,” she said without any reservation.

He continued to hold her hand, his cool and rough as he led her through the group toward French doors, making a quick stop to retrieve their jackets on the way. Tiny sparkling lights lit the covered patio. They stepped out, and she gasped at the decor. The table was set with white china and silver place settings on top of a teal table cloth. Teal and silver glass balls filled a wire bowl, and more twinkling lights were strung among the orbs.

Crystal candlesticks held tall white tapered candles, and the patio was heated with several large outdoor heaters.

She looked up at Nate who was carefully studying her.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “Is Mimi expecting special company?”

“Yes and no. The company is here already.”

“Me? This is for me? For us?”

He nodded. “Do you like it?”

“Like it, I love it.” She twirled to take it all in.

“You look breathtaking in this light.”

She stopped to face him. “It’s like a fairytale, and I feel like a princess.”

“All you need is a tiara, and with that shimmering dress, you could pass for one.”

“My mom and Peyton picked it out. They said I needed something special to impress you. Peyton is the social butterfly in the family, and we all go to her for fashion advice.”

“The dress is beautiful, but they’re wrong. You don’t need to impress me. I’m already smitten, Steele. Totally and completely smitten.” He took her hands and drew her closer.“ I think it’s about time I start calling you Londyn, don’t you?”

“Definitely.”

He cupped the side of her cheek. “With all the Steeles around all the time, I don’t want a single one of them to be confused when I say, I love you, Steele.”

She laughed, and he drew her closer under the sparkling lights, a full moon and twinkling stars in the distance as if he’d set the sky for her too.

“Because I’m pretty sure I do,” he added. “Short time together or not, I have never felt this way about a woman. Probably because I’ve never met someone as incredible as you.”

---