Page 55 of Trusting a Cowgirl

Now, Riley was telling her he wanted to meet her father.

What in the world was going on?

Wasn’t that the kind of thing that happened after people had been dating for months? Not days? Sheesh. They had time. Riley wasn’t going to leave any time soon. Why couldn’t they just enjoy each other for a little while longer before the world came crashing down on them and reality hit them in the face?

Romance was supposed to be fun and exciting, not laced with this strange feeling of expectation. She was still a young twenty-something girl who had her whole life ahead of her.

Grace was beginning to think maybe her father had it right the first time. Let her grow up.

And those were the thoughts that continued to plague her over the next few weeks. The voices kept her up at night. They were the first thing to fill her mind in the morning. Every time she looked at Riley during their sessions, all she could think about was how she might have jumped into this way too early.

She refused to let him come to her house. Yes, she was nervous about what her father would say. But she also didn’t want her sisters giving their unsolicited advice. Not to him and most certainly not to her.

Besides those lingering thoughts of doubt, their relationship had continued to deepen. He shared a lot about what it was like growing up, as did she. They talked about high school and their career choices. Though Riley continued to avoid telling her exactly what he had to do when he was deployed.

Instead, he focused on telling her about the people he’d met and the friends he’d made. Grace had faith that one day he would finally tell her about the things that kept him up at night. He still dismissed the idea that talking about something made it better.

Grace grabbed her keys from her dresser and yanked a heavyweight jacket from a hook on the back of her door. They had to pick up his motorcycle today. Apparently, the repair issue had needed a part they didn’t have in stock and it had finally arrived.

She hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. Her father sat at the table with all of her sisters who were still living at home. Brielle and her father sat on one side, while Constance, Eloise, and Faye sat on the other. Grace reached over Faye and grabbed a piece of toast.

Her father wasn’t eating. He’d probably had something before he went out for the day. Her sisters, on the other hand, were having a later-than-usual breakfast.

“Aren’t you going to join us?” Zeke looked up from a newspaper he held in his hand. His gray brows lifted slightly, and she couldn’t see the rest of his face to tell if he was in a good mood this morning.

Grace took a bite of her toast and hurried over to the counter where she grabbed a glass and filled it with some orange juice. “I have to head to town this morning.”

Faye straightened. “Ooh. I need something in town. I’ll come, too.”

“No.”

All eyes turned to gaze at her and she cleared her throat. “I’m actually not going for myself. I have to take someone to town to get something.” Her focus shifted to Brielle who seemed to be holding back a smile. Grace let her eyes widen pointedly at her, hoping she got the hint and would come to her aid.

She should have known better.

Faye’s brows pulled together. “I don’t mind tagging along. I’ll even sit in the backseat. Let me just go get my things and I’ll be ready before you know it.” She left the room before Grace could tell her to stop and get back into her seat. She stood there forlornly in front of her family, hating the expectant looks on their faces almost more than the smug look that Brielle wore.

“Who are you taking to town?” Her father put the newspaper down on the table and picked up his coffee. “Do I know them?”

Grace shook her head.

Zeke arched a brow—a clear indication he didn’t like the direction that this conversation was taking. He didn’t say a word, but Grace knew what he was asking her with his eyes. He wanted details, and he’d be getting them one way or another.

Grace shot a look at Brielle who didn’t bother meeting her gaze. She merely picked up her fork and started eating the food on her plate once more.

“Is it someone from work?” her father persisted.

Grace sighed. “Remember that guy I was assisting with equine therapy services? It’s him.”

Understandably, her father’s features tightened. “The army vet?”

She nodded. “His motorcycle is in the shop, and he needs someone to take him over there.”

“Don’t they have a driver service out there? I’m sure Shane has something the man can use. You shouldn’t have to take himanywhere.”

“I don’thaveto do anything. He’s my—” Her eyes darted to Brielle who finally looked up. Grace had shied away from labeling Riley as anything other than her client when it came to their family. Miraculously, no one from town had deemed it a necessary tidbit of information to tell her father. Perhaps they were worried he would shoot the messenger. Even Michael had kept it under wraps.

She knew better than to believe her sisters hadn’t heard rumors, though. She just didn’t know if they believed it or if Brielle was the only one who knew for sure.

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