Spurs 'n Surrender (Operation Cowboy Book 2)(56)

One was very obviously her mother—an older, paler version of Anya. Her hair was thick and piled on top of her head. She wore false eyelashes and perfect lipstick. But she also wore a wary smile.

A warning for a roughneck like Wydell to stay away from her daughter?

Two men started out of their seats, and Wydell said, “Don’t bother standing. There isn’t room.”

Anya elbowed him deep in the ribs, and he burst out laughing. “Momma, Daddy, Marty, this is Wydell Jackson. He’s the construction manager.”

A man with silver hair narrowed his eyes at their joined hands. Her father. The financial advisor wouldn’t care if he was touching Anya.

He released her hand long enough to lean forward and shake all three of theirs, looking them each in the eyes as he did.

An awkward silence fell over them until the father cleared his throat. “You’re doing a fine job with the vacation houses, Mr. Jackson.”

He wanted to smile at the formality. This would take some getting used to. After rubbing elbows with soldiers in the desert for years, and roughing it in Los Vista since coming home, his manners were rusty.

“Thank you. Call me Wydell, please.”

The mother spoke up. “We’re sorry to see what’s happened to your town, Wydell.” Her tone oozed with culture. No wonder Anya took offense when people thought of her as the beauty queen—she’d escaped all those silly trappings better than Wydell had thought. Even if she did display them on occasion, he didn’t mind. He loved her as she was.

“Thank you. It’s been an adventure. Before Anya came to town, I didn’t even know that tiny homes are all the rage.”

“It seems Garrett and Boyd have been working hard while we were out of town.” Anya eyed him, letting him know she’d told them they were a couple.

“I’d like to go up and see what they’ve done.” He shifted his shoulders, his shirt feeling too tight, the space compressing him.

She picked up on his distress right away. “Yes, let’s all go to the site. We can all get some air. Then we can swing by and see how things are progressing with the new church.”

“Church?” The advisor asked with raised eyebrows. Wydell almost laughed. The man who was supposedly overseeing and giving advice on Anya’s money didn’t have any idea that she’d spent some of it to build Los Vista’s new church—as well as help the pastor’s family. But the man seemed to rally quickly enough. “That will make an excellent deduction.”

As they all piled out of the Airstream, Wydell took a moment to squeeze Anya’s waist. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“What do they want?”

“They were concerned that I hadn’t answered Marty’s messages. I guess my parents had been calling as well, but…” She blushed. “…I’ve been ignoring the outside world. Someone was distracting me.”

He planted a kiss smack-dab on her lips. She melted into him, but he pulled back in time to see her parents exchanging a look. He had no idea if he was up against a wealthy mommy and daddy who wanted to choose their daughter’s spouse from someone at the country club, or if they’d allow her free rein.

Either way, Anya wasn’t the type of woman to let somebody make those choices for her.

He slipped his arm around her waist and they all set out toward the construction site. Marty walked beside him and Anya, asking questions about this new church she’d mentioned.

“Is this why you haven’t been returning my calls, Anya?” Marty asked in an amused tone.

“No, though I’m quite capable of writing out a check by myself. I’ve just been busy.”

“So I see.” He nodded toward her and Wydell.

She shot Marty a conspiratorial smile. “Be honest. Are my parents here to give me a hard time?”

“No, they’re only concerned that you hadn’t responded to their calls or texts. And there was that article in the paper.”

She groaned. “People need to stay out of my business. My granddaddy built his empire for himself and his family—not the damn public. It’s none of their concern how it’s spent. It’s not like I’m some party girl flying to Paris every weekend to drink ten-thousand dollar bottles of champagne.”

“Exactly what your father said when he called the paper’s editor and gave him a piece of his mind. He also told them to find some other stories to report.”

She stumbled and Wydell righted her. “Are you serious?”

“Completely. You know your parents have always been on your side.”

That was good news. Wydell didn’t want to face down her parents. He’d had enough struggle for one lifetime.

His thoughts returned to Brodie and Danica, wondering if they’d gotten to the hospital yet.

When they reached the housing project, they were greeted by the sounds of saws and hammers. Wydell stared at the progress they’d made in his absence, a grin taking over his face—and then Anya’s.

“These houses have wonderful curb appeal,” Anya’s mother said.

“That’s Wydell’s magic. He designed them.”

“Really?” She arched a brow, and he felt the tip of his ears heat. Ducking his head, he led the way into the first house. “I’ll give you the tour.”