The Sheriff's Mail-Order Bride (The Watson Brothers #2)(52)
Gina took Fisher and looked on as Callie walked up to her husband. “You already know my opinion on forgiving your father, and you promised to do it to help out with Fisher and Gina too. What you need to do is do it for yourself too, pal.”
“I don’t need—”
“We all do whether we admit it or not. Lie to yourself, Chance, just don’t ever lie to me.” She leaned up into his chest and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before turning to his father.
“Hi, my name is Callie. What do I call you? Pop, Dad?”
“Jock. Call me Jock.” His face broke out into a sudden smile and he held out his hand, taking hers. “You’ve done well, son. She’s like your mom, feisty and so very pretty, too.”
Chance watched the play between his father and his wife, and Rory saw the tension slowly leave his brother’s shoulders. “You didn’t tell me you were still in pain. I thought it was all good now.”
“It is. Just some days it aches more than I’d like.”
Rory nodded his head. “Fair enough. Um, so, Dad is offering to help you out on the ranch then?”
Chance walked over and spoke in low tones. “Yeah. I did promise Gina and Layla I would help by bringing him back into the fold so to speak, and it looks as though my darling wife is making sure I don’t go back on my word. She’s annoyed I won’t hire any more help. Every time she talks about it I change the subject.”
“Look, I won’t hold you to it, Chance, although it was lovely of you to offer in the first place. We might not need to go to court anyway. Hopefully we’ll find out tomorrow.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s time I guess and I understand now why he did it. Just don’t expect me to be all hearts and roses to start with. He’s not getting away with it that damned easy.” Chance ambled over and placed his arm around his wife’s shoulders as she spoke to her new father-in-law.
Rory stood watching the three of them. He looked down at Gina and winked. “Best we get into the conversation too, then.” He stepped forward. “Dad, I want you to meet Gina. And this is her son Fisher. We’re getting married as soon as we can arrange it.”
Jock turned away from Callie and his face lit up even more. Rory noticed the wobble of his bottom lip and the sheen of tears in his eyes. “How did I get so lucky?”
Chance muttered under his breath and Callie elbowed him in the stomach.
Jock stepped away from his eldest son and walked toward Gina, holding out his hand. He stopped and held his finger out for Fisher to grab. The little boy reached out and touched Jock’s finger, his eyes on the older man. When they touched, Fisher laughed and tucked his face into his mother’s neck before peeking at his new grandfather again.
“It’s delightful to make your acquaintance, Gina and Fisher. I’m so glad you decided to move to our little town.”
“It’s nice to be here, Jock. And it’s very nice to meet you at last. Can you stay for dinner?”
“Well, guessing you’d better be asking Chance that question. It’s his house.” Jock turned to him and found him busy kissing his wife.
“I’m sure we’d all love to have you stay.” Rory saw his brother look up and the twinge of a smile in the corner of his mouth. His brother wasn’t as unhappy as he was making out. Now was his chance of standing back and making the most of his life with Callie instead of worrying that his brothers needed all he had to give.
Jock grinned, winking at Gina. “How can I refuse such a heartfelt offer? It’ll give me time to get to know all of you, especially this young man here.”
*
“Well, let me get back to the kitchen and get some vegetables on. It’s roast chicken, biscuits, and gravy tonight.” She handed Fisher up to Rory and left them to it. Hurrying into the kitchen she grabbed a tissue from the counter. There was so much happening at the moment, her emotions were all over the place which was so unlike her. Giving in to a quick emotional hit, she blew her nose and threw the tissue in the bin before washing her hands. Gina cleaned a pile of potatoes and cut them into wedges to tuck around the chicken to garner all the flavor she could. She was chopping up pumpkin to add when Callie walked into the kitchen and leaned on the counter.
“That went better than I thought it was going to.”
“Didn’t it? I was surprised Chance gave in that quick. When I heard the shouting I thought all hell was going to break loose.” Gina walked over to the freezer and took out a packet of frozen peas, then put them into a steamer.
“He has to act tough, it’s just who he is. Heaven forbid he lets on he wants to get to know his father again. That wouldn’t do his tough guy image any good.” Callie poured herself a glass of water and drank it down.
“Do you really think he does? I mean, after all he’s said about his dad and not wanting to get involved again.” She put the lid on the pot and placed it on the stove.
“Well, he said the other night that it would be a shame for his own kids to grow up without any grandparents at all, and his dad is the only one ours are going to have.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess that made an impact on him and he thought better of it.”
“That’s lovely. I’m so pleased for them. Now I just have to wait and see if Fisher’s grandparents are going to be as easy to please.” Gina pulled a face.