Page 31 of The Rancher's Secret Son

At his parents’ home, the driver slowed to park at the front door on the wide circular drive. Wearing their coats, his parents waited on the porch and came forward to greet them.

“Claire, meet my parents, Judge Peter Milan and Evelyn Milan. Mom and Dad, this is Claire Prentiss and this is our son and your grandson, Cody Nicholas Prentiss.”

Cody shyly said hello and put his hand out to shake hands with Judge Milan. Nick knew his father would be impressed.

His mom hugged Claire lightly. “This is the most special moment,” she said, dabbing at her eyes, and Nick wondered how Claire felt. Too many times he could not read her expression and this was another one of those times because she had that cool, shuttered look, as if she had locked away her feelings and was going through the motions.

“It’s nice for Cody to know his family,” Claire said.

“You can’t imagine how much he looks like Nick did at that age,” Evelyn said.

“Welcome to the family,” Peter Milan said, extending his hand to Claire.

“Thank you, Judge Milan,” Claire said, smiling at him, another cool smile that kept up a barrier, but Nick doubted if his father realized it. “It’s Cody whom I hope you’ll welcome into the family.”

“We’re thrilled beyond anything you can imagine,” he said easily. “And what a fine boy he is. Hard to realize he’s just three years old because he acts older.”

“He’s with adults all the time,” Claire answered.

“Come inside. I hear you’ve built up that business your grandfather had to an impressive size,” Judge Milan said to her.

Nick knew his dad could pour on the charm when he wanted. With a twinge of amusement he wondered how happily his parents would have accepted a rowdy little boy who looked like Claire and bore no resemblance to the Milans. He suspected it might have made very little difference, because they were almost deliriously happy to have a grandchild. He knew his mother had been devastated by Karen’s death, but now he realized a lot of her grief had included the tiny baby Nick had lost.

They sat in the less formal family room and Nick was certain it was for Cody’s benefit because this room had always been childproof. His father sat close to Claire, and Nick was certain that his dad was determined to win her friendship.

“Cody,” Nick’s mother said, “we have a present for you.” From one side of her chair she picked up a big box that was wrapped and tied in a huge red bow.

Cody’s eyes sparkled, but before he moved he glanced at Claire, who nodded, and only then did he cross the room to open his present.

“Mama, look,” Cody said, holding up a magic kit. He removed the big, black top hat and put it on his head. He smiled at Evelyn Milan. “Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome, Cody.”

He turned to the judge. “Thank you, sir.”

“Cody, come here,” Judge Milan said. When Cody walked over, he leaned forward and gave him a level look. “I’d like you to think about what you want to call us, and talk to your mama and daddy about it. We’re your grandparents, so we need to get the right name.”

“Yes, sir,” Cody said, looking at Nick.

“We’ll figure that one out later, Cody. Now, come look at your magic box,” Nick said.

Cody ran back to the box to rummage in it and pull out the cape, which he put on.

Evelyn clapped. “Excellent, Cody. You look like a magician. You need your magic wand,” she said.

They spent an hour with his parents before Nick asked Cody to put away his magic kit because they needed to go.

As they drove away, his parents stood waving and Claire and Cody waved in return. “I think they matched my own family’s enthusiasm for Cody,” Claire said.

“Believe me, it’s sincere. It’s beyond anything I dreamed. Whatever we work out in the future, you and Cody have instantly become members of the family, so I hope you like the Milans.”

“I’ve met Madison. I haven’t met Tony or Wyatt.”

“The whole world likes Wyatt. He’s quiet, but not as quiet as he used to be before he married. You’ll like Tony, too. They all want to meet Cody. Just now with my folks, Cody was a hit, which I knew he would be. Mom would have loved him no matter what, unless he had been a hellion, but my dad was impressed and so pleased. I know how to read the signs.”

“The magic kit is a hit, that’s for sure. You can teach him the tricks.”

“Claire, I’ve been counting the minutes. I’m glad you’re here. We’ll go by my house, eat lunch there and then fly to the ranch in Verity. We can do a little shopping before we leave Verity—get Cody some cowboy clothes. He doesn’t have any boots, does he?”

---