Page 87 of Her Guarded Hero

Aurora rubbed her hands together. “Can I drive?” she asked as they walked toward the electric blue car.

“Not on your life. You flunked driver’s ed.”

“Just the written,” Aurora pouted. “I passed the second time. It wasn’t my fault that Tony Lawler sat in front of me. How was I supposed to pay attention?”

“You have a point, but still, you don’t get to drive.” Lindy opened the passenger door for her.

“Again, only pregnant, not an invalid.”

“Just be happy I’m not going to make sure your head doesn’t hit the roof of the car,” Lindy grinned.

It sure was good to spend time with her cousin again. They ended up giggling almost the entire trip, just like they had when they were in high school together.

“Are you and Dalton going to make it permanent?” Lindy asked as they were closing in on the Lyle’s place.

“He hasn’t asked me to marry him, but if he doesn’t ask me, I’m asking him.”

“Thatta girl. So where will you live?”

Leave it to Lindy to get to the heart of the matter. “Valhalla’s in my blood.”

“Is it? Or is it Granddad and the horses?”

“Valhalla’s beautiful.” Aurora insisted.

“Look around, it’s awfully pretty around here. You told me that the ranch you go to at Torrey Pines is gorgeous. And as I remember, it’s not that far away from the Naval Base in San Diego.”

“And how do you know about Torrey Pines?” Aurora asked suspiciously.

“I might have talked to Granddad.”

“Lindy, you need to stay out of this,” Aurora cried. “I’m serious. This is not your business.”

“It is too. This is family business. Granddad knows that you would not follow your heart because you’re worried about him. You need to know he’s all right. Hell, there’s Uncle Tate, and my mom and dad are on the ranch right next to his.”

“Yeah, but they’re not living with him, that’s a big difference. He’d get lonely.” Aurora couldn’t stand the idea of Gunnar roaming around in his house all alone.

“You know my mom would pop in for a visit every day. She loves Gunnar. They’d play scrabble.”

“He hates scrabble.” Aurora crossed her arms over her stomach. She felt her baby flutter. “Grandpa does like gin rummy,” she admitted.

“Mom could learn,” Lindy said sparing a glance over at Aurora.

“You’re talking like it’s a done deal that I’m moving. Hell, he hasn’t even asked me to move in, let alone get married.”

“You already said you were planning on asking him. The man’s besotted, he’s not going to say no. Should we pick up some flowers and a man’s ring after we’re done talking to the Lyle’s? What size does he where?”

Aurora laughed. “Hmmm. What kind of flowers do you think he would like?”

“You can never go wrong with roses,” Lindy answered.

* * *

“It looks like something out of ‘Gone with the Wind’,” Lindy said.

“Nah,” Aurora laughed. “Think J.R. Ewing and Dallas.”

They drove past the long line of low white fencing and the field of cut green grass.