Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn #4)(74)

His father had taken his time answering and eventually said, “David, we will love her if for no other reason than you do. All we ever wanted was the best for you.”

“You mean what you thought was the best for me.”

In a sad voice, his mother had said, “When you have your own children, David, you’ll see that it’s not easy. Yes, we pushed you, but look at the man you’ve become.”

“A horse trainer,” David said, echoing the disgust they’d once shown toward his career choice.

His father had sighed. “A fine man. That’s all we ever wanted for you. No, we didn’t approve of all of your choices, but you’ve made a good life for yourself. What we want now is to be part of it. We don’t see you nearly enough. Bring this Lucy home for us to meet. She might be just what we all need.”

Lucy had been. It might have been because she’d lost her own parents, but she took to his like a long-lost daughter. She even seemed to enjoy his father’s long-winded stories and his mother’s questionable cooking.

Lucy said he brought her family back to her, but she’d done the same for him.

After giving Lucy a long emotional hug, David’s mother asked, “Lucy, I didn’t realize you were an author, too. Sarah was just telling us that you also write stories. Are any of them published? I’d love to read one.”

Lucy blushed and shook her head. “Sarah has a wild imagination.” David heard her mutter under her breath, “And a potentially short life.”

To save her, he asked, “Wasn’t Jace a hoot?”

His parents agreed, and the conversation turned to how soon David and Lucy thought they might be having a child of their own. Normally, it would have been an awkward conversation, but it was a whole heck of a lot less awkward than explaining to his mother why he enjoyed helping Lucy find new material for her blog.

Mason joined them with Chelle at his side. David introduced them to his parents. Another couple came by to meet David’s family, and Mason used the opportunity to pull Lucy and him aside. He took out an envelope and waved it in the air. “I don’t want to say that I’m the reason the two of you are together, but—”

David laughed. “But you will.”

Mason smiled widely. “I didn’t mind helping out. When it comes to knowing how to win a woman’s heart, I’m gifted.”

Chelle slapped her hand on his chest and rolled her eyes. “It’s his humility that I fell in love with first.”

Mason looked down at Chelle and arched an eyebrow. “Humility. Is that your nickname for it this week?”

Chelle gave him a playful shove. “You will pay for that one.”

“Bring it on,” Mason said with a laugh.

David groaned.

All smiles, Lucy hugged him while watching Chelle and Mason. “Our friends are crazy, but I love them.”

David kissed the top of Lucy’s head. “Me too.”

Mason handed the envelope over to David and said, “I heard you didn’t have plans for your honeymoon yet. I have a yacht ready and waiting in Galveston with instructions to tour the Caribbean for two weeks.”

“Really?” Lucy squealed happily. “Mason, that is too generous. David, we’re going away on a yacht!” She rushed over and hugged Chelle, then Mason. “I can’t believe you would do this for us.”

Mason made a face. “There’s only one thing you should know. I meant to change the name of it, but haven’t had a chance to yet. It’s called Little Fucker. It was a joke from when I was younger. I could see if I can have something done fast if it’ll be a problem.”

“Little Fucker?” David repeated, remembering the toy that Lucy had affectionately, officially given that nickname to the second time they’d used it. He winked at Lucy. Life had a way of circling back, and this time with a wicked sense of humor. He liked it. “Sounds like our kind of yacht.”

Lucy blushed, but she agreed with a naughty smile that meant she knew what he was thinking and completely agreed.





Acknowledgments

I am so grateful to everyone who was part of the process of creating Taking Charge. Special thanks to the following:

My very patient beta readers. You know who you are. Thank you for kicking my butt when I need it.

My editors: Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, Marion Archer, and Krista Stroever.

My Roadies for making me smile each day when I log on to my computer. So many of you have become friends. Was there life before the Roadies? I’m sure there was, but it wasn’t as much fun.

My husband, Tony, who is a saint—simple as that. I don’t know how I’d meet a deadline without him.