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“He was a great guy,” Dirk said. “He was an amazing son, brother, and friend.”
“And your grandfather was against you coming to Montana to search for your other family?” Mackenzie asked.
“He’s not thrilled about it. He doesn’t understand why I can’t just leave it alone, since my father’s gone.” Avery and I exchanged a look.
“But it’s your family. I mean, I know you have your mother’s family, but why would he think meeting your paternal family is a bad thing?”
I chuckled without humor. “You don’t know my grandfather. He thinks everyone is out for a piece of the pie, if I may speak frankly.”
“The pie?” Merit asked.
“My grandfather is in the oil and gas business in Texas.”
Dirk nodded. “No need to say more.”
Mackenzie stood. “Bradly, help me clear the table so your parents can talk to Beck.”
“I’ll help too,” Avery said, then looked at me. “Unless you would rather I stay.”
My chest warmed, knowing that Avery didn’t want me to feel abandoned. “I don’t mind either way.”
Bradly reached for my plate. “Stay, Avery. You’ve had a long few days. Mackenzie and I will get this.”
Merit beamed up at her son and his girlfriend. “Thank you, both of you.”
“First thing,” Dirk said. “You’ll stay here, not at a hotel.”
“Oh no, sir, I couldn’t do that.”
“Yes, you can, and we insist,” Merit added. “You’re like family, Beck.”
I stared at her. “You don’t even know me. I could be lying about my name, where I’m from…”
“Oh, you’re not,” Dirk said. “When I excused myself during dinner, I was answering texts from my lawyer. I texted him before we sat down, and he’d already confirmed you are who you say you are.”
My mouth dropped open as Avery said, “Daddy! Are you serious?”
Dirk shrugged unapologetically. “When my daughter brings home a guy, regardless of if he’s the spitting image of a Shaw brother, I’m going to look into him.”
I finally shut my mouth and said, “If I’m being honest, I’m impressed with the speed of your lawyer.”
Dirk smirked. “I’ll pass that along.”
Merit rolled her eyes. “Beck, please say you’ll stay here.”
I looked at Avery, and she nodded. I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea, considering every time she smiled at me, I could feel my body react.
“Mrs.…um…Merit, I truly do appreciate the offer, but I think I should stay at the inn.”
Merit looked at Dirk, and then back at me. Sighing, she said, “Okay. But I want you to at least consider staying here. We’re much closer to the Shaw Ranch and it will be less of a drive for you.”
Dirk laughed. “Are you kidding? The moment Stella lays eyes on him, she’s going to insist he stays there.”
When I glanced over to Avery, she had a look on her face I couldn’t read. She blinked a few times, then asked, “When do you want to meet them?”
I let out a breath. “Man…I don’t know,” I said with a nervous laugh. “Now that I’m here, I’m worried.”
Merit reached across the table for my hand. “Oh, Beck, please don’t worry. I promise you, they are going to welcome you with open arms.”
I slowly shook my head. “I don’t want to bring back sad memories for them.”
“Sad? Beck, no, you’re going to be a miracle for them. Trust me. I’ve grown up with all the Shaw boys, and Stella and Ty Senior were like second parents to me. They’re going to be so grateful for you,” Dirk said.
The feelings that were tumbling around in my head and heart were hard to put into words. When I found my father’s letters, I had the overwhelming urge to hop on a plane and meet everyone right then and there. But then the doubts started to creep in.
Something on my face must have shown, because Avery took my hand. “Beck, what’s really going on in your head?”
Dirk and Merit both looked from their daughter to me. How in the hell did this woman, whom I had only known for a day, figure out I was keeping something locked inside?
I swallowed the lump in my throat and ignored the way my tongue felt like it was growing bigger. The fear was there, and I needed to voice it out loud. Why not do it to a bunch of people I’d only known for a few hours?
Clearing my throat, I adjusted in my seat and stared at the table before I forced myself to look at Avery and then her parents. “I don’t want to replace my father in their eyes,” I said.
Merit’s and Dirk’s eyes widened. Avery tightened her grip on my hand. The feel of her thumb rubbing gently across my skin instantly relaxed me. I knew I would lay in bed later tonight and go over how this girl made me react to her touch.
“Beck, as a mother, I can honestly tell you that a child can never be replaced. Stella and Ty aren’t going to think of you as a replacement for their son. They’re going to look at you as a gift from their son.”
