Page 95 of Shadow's Surrender
George shook his head. “I’m sorry I gave you that impression. You never knew your grandfather, but there was never any pleasing my dad. No matter how hard I tried, it was never good enough. I guess I was the same with you and your brothers.”
“You’ve never talked about your childhood or your dad.”
“Because it was a hard one, one I wanted to forget, but it stays here”—he tapped the side of his head—“forever.”
She perched on the arm of his chair, then planted a kiss on the top of his head. He looked up and tweaked her chin, then poured another splash of liquor in the glass. They sat like that for a long time, their silence speaking louder than words, and then Scarlett rose to her feet.
“I have some errands to do,” she said.
A slight nod of his head.
“So … I’ll see you around.” She walked toward the door.
“When do you work next week?”
Scarlett looked over her shoulder at her father. “Tuesday … why?”
“Do you want to meet for lunch at Barney’s?”
“Okay,” she replied, fighting a smile from spreading across her face. She wasn’t sure if she could trust this newest gesture of friendship and …love?Maybe, but I—we have to take baby steps.
“Good. I’ll meet you there at one.” He threw back his glass.
“All right. I guess I’ll see you then. Oh … Dad?”
George looked over at her, his brows raised slightly. “Yes?”
“Do you think Mr. Huntington will hurt Shadow?” The worry of something happening to him sliced through her and jabbed into her gut.
“He’s more talk than anything. Bruce is mad because he’s broke. He thought that if Warren married you, Bruce would reap the benefits. He doesn’t know that I was planning to have his son sign a prenuptial agreement.”
Scarlett chuckled. “You really are looking out for me.”
“Always, and don’t you forget it.”
She smiled. “But you don’t think Shadow’s in danger?”
George rubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t say for sure—money makes people do stupid things, but you should warn Shadow just in case.”
The smile faded and concern lined her face.If something happens to Shadow, I’ll never forgive myself. He may be in danger because of me.
“And don’t go blaming yourself for this. I suspect that Shadow knows how to take care of himself just fine.”
The grandfather clock in the corner chimed, and Scarlett knew her mother would be returning to the house soon. Not wanting to bump into her mom, she fumbled for the keys in the pocket of her sundress and glanced over at her dad.
“I’ll see you.”
“Next Tuesday,” he said.
“Right. Bye.”
She hurried to the garage and slipped inside her car. When she’d first arrived, Scarlett had been prepared to do battle with her father, but now it seemed as though the two of them had an unspoken truce.
Scarlett passed her mother, who didn’t appear to have noticed her, while on the road not too far from her house. She let out a relieved breath. That night she’d make Shadow one of his favorite foods: grilled steak with mushrooms sautéed in butter and white wine. A warm, fuzzy feeling engulfed her when she thought of him. Each day, each hour, Scarlett fell deeper in love with him. Shadow was her safe place—she could turn to him regardless of her mood or situation. She felt completely at ease with him, and that had never happened to her with any other man before.
The car sped up as Scarlett made her way to the grocery store. She wanted to do a quick shopping before heading home to start dinner. She couldn’t wait to see him that night. It seemed like they missed each other whenever they weren’t together, but they were also cool to let each have their space. Shadow liked to hang with his friends and go out riding with the guys, and she loved meeting up with her friends for drinks and a good meal.
“I’m so in love with you,” she said, smiling.
And there was no way in hell Scarlett would let anyone or anything get between her and her man.
Once she parked, Scarlett slipped out of the car, grabbed a cart, and hurried into the store as thoughts of spending a romantic evening with him played in her mind.
