Page 61 of Meant for Her

Ryan slapped the wheel. “Damn. I wasn’t thinking. Maybe we should stop and pick up a present for your parents. Some flowers, wine, or maybe cigars for your dad?”

What a wonderful thought. “I know they’d appreciate it, but I don’t want to be late. Maybe next time, once you get to know them.”

Her dad might think they were trying too hard because they knew they weren’t as established as the Grangers.

“Okay.”

The Double G Ranch sign came into view, and she pointed to it.

“I knew they lived on a big spread, but this is huge,” Ryan said as he turned down the drive.

“Dad owns a lot of land.” It was best to leave it at that.

Ryan parked in front. This time, Luke jumped out of the back seat and opened her door. Where had that come from? It didn’t matter. Malia liked it.

“Thank you.”

He smiled, and her heart beat way too fast. They better not flirt at dinner or she might say something inappropriate.

Malia knocked and then opened the door. “Hello.”

Her father came out from the back. “Malia.”

Okay, his tone came out a little too abrupt, and here, he’d promised to behave.

She introduced the men to her father. They shook his hand and looked him in the eye. For a brief moment, she swore her dad was actually impressed.

“Dinner’s almost ready. Come into the dining room.” Her father then turned around.

Dining room? They rarely ever ate in there, though maybe they wanted to show her men that they were not hicks or something.

Malia looped her arms through Luke’s and Ryan’s to show she was proud to be with them.

Naturally, her father sat at the head of the table. “Malia, why don’t you sit on this side, and your men can sit on the other.”

They could have all sat together, but her father probably wanted to see the men sweat. Too bad, he was going to be disappointed. She was pretty sure these two could hold their own—even against the formidable Josh Granger.

“I’ll help Mom.”

Even though she didn’t want to leave Luke and Ryan alone with her dad, her mother most likely could use some assistance.

When Malia went into the kitchen, her mother smiled. “Oh, good. You’re here. How about taking out the potatoes and the rolls?”

“Sure.”

After two more trips, the food was on the table. Her father poured everyone a glass of red wine, but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember when she’d ever seen him have a glass.

When they were all seated, her father raised his glass. “To Malia’s mates.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

They tapped their glasses. Ryan sipped the wine. “Mmm. This is a fine, medium-bodied French Burgundy. It has a nice earthy, fruity flavor. I like the balance between the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.”

Malia’s mouth dropped open. Who was this man? Ryan swept his glance to her and winked.

“Let me try it,” she said.

She sipped the wine. While good, she never could have come up with Ryan’s description in a million years. Even her dad seemed speechless.

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