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He started the car and entered the directions for my parents’ ranch. I knew that if I didn’t get over this childish behavior, it would impact our friendship, and I truly didn’t want that to happen.
Glancing at him, I noticed he was gripping the steering wheel tightly, and his jaw seemed to be locked shut tight. “Can we just forget this part of the night ever happened and go back to being friends?”
He looked at me quickly before focusing on the road. “I would like that. You seem to be the only friend I have.”
Smiling, I said, “You’ll soon be surrounded by family and won’t feel so…alone. If that’s how you’re feeling. I won’t pretend to know what you’re going through.”
Beck shrugged. “To be honest, I’m not sure what I’m feeling right now.”
“Fair enough.” I clasped my hands together in my lap because I had no idea what to do with them. “It sounds like you’ll be busy tomorrow. I’ve got a lot of things to do as well, what with being home after being gone for so long.”
“I’m sorry I’ve taken up so much of you and your family’s time.”
“Nonsense. My father and mother were more than happy to help connect you with the Shaws. I know you’re going to love them all.” I shook my head. “They’re hard not to love.”
He smiled. “They’re funny. At least the three brothers are.”
“They are, and the rest of the family is the same way.”
We drove for a few minutes in silence.
“So, when is this family game night that I need to avoid?”
I screwed up my face. “Well, with you staying with Grams and Grandpa, I’m not sure you’ll be able to miss it. I know it’s getting harder to arrange, as the grandkids all start getting married and having kids of their own. My mom said they’re no longer doing it once a week, but once a month now.”
“Once a week?” he asked, surprised.
With a giggle, I replied, “Yes. They used to do it once a week. And they are hardcore when it comes to family game night. Nothing is off limits, it seems like.”
“I’m glad I got the warning. You don’t know what night it is?”
I chewed on my lower lip. I did know, but evilly, I decided not to tell him. “I’m not sure if they’ve already had it this month or not.”
He nodded. “I’ll be on the lookout for it.”
Beck pulled down the drive to our ranch and typed in the gate code I’d told him yesterday. The gate opened, and we started down the drive. I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination or not, but he seemed to be driving rather slowly.
“Is it this way?” he asked, pointing to the right.
“Yes. If you go the other way, it’ll take you toward my mother’s house, where she grew up. But from our house, you can go down a drive that takes you to the main barn on the you-pick farm side. There’s a barn and a huge greenhouse. Mackenzie works there. That’s how she and Bradly met. On Christmas evening, he saw the lights on in the barn and went to investigate. Found Mackenzie in there, singing and dancing with her cat and pet goat.”
Beck laughed. “Pet goat?”
“Yes! Pickles. He’s a sweetheart. You’ll have to meet him. Mackenzie dresses him up. He’s adorable.”
“We have goats on our ranch back in Texas.”
“Really? Any pets?” I asked.
“Um,” he said, “Not personal pets, but I guess all the animals on the ranch are our pets in some way or another.”
I tilted my head as I studied him. “You’re an animal lover, aren’t you?”
He gave me a knowing grin. “I am, indeed. More like a sucker for animals. Not much I wouldn’t do for them.”
“That’s a good thing. Shows you’re a sensitive guy.”
“If you say so.”
Beck pulled up to my house, parked, and shut off the car. “I’ll walk you in.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said as I reached into the back seat for my coat.
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. Wait there.”
Holding onto my coat, I watched as Beck jogged around the front of the SUV and opened the passenger door. He held out his hand, and I took it, wishing his touch didn’t send a rush of warmth through my entire body. Ignoring it, I quickly pulled my hand from his and started for the porch. Beck followed, and my father opened the front door. He and my mom greeted us with bright smiles.
“Will you remember how to get to Stella and Ty’s place?” my dad asked.
Beck rubbed the back of his neck. “I think so. I might have to have Ty meet me at the gate and follow him in.”
My father laughed. “Probably a good idea. You have their numbers, right?”
“Yeah, they gave them to me.”
