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Coop let Nellie lead him through the house, and he made a point to look around and not just watch her. He noticed the hardwood floors, the granite counter tops, and the art that looked like it had been painted by someone with talent, not like someone had rolled a cat on the canvas.
She showed him the guest rooms—upstairs and down—the den, living room, dining room, media room, and game room. The only room she didn’t show him was painted slate blue.
While she ran off to change, he found glasses in the kitchen and poured them each something to drink. Given that a possibly deep conversation was next on the agenda, he kept it non-alcoholic.
Nellie startled him when she wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Are we okay?”
“Besides the slight heart attack I had just then, yeah.”
Dressed in leggings and a baggy sweatshirt, she looked much more comfortable and just as pretty.
Once they were settled on the sofa, he looked her in the eye. “Since you are being open and honest, I will too. I own that business, but I’m far from rich, Nellie. As it is, I’m barely making ends meet.”
“There’s no reason—”
“I’m not telling you to get your help. I just want you to know what you’re getting.”
She took the glass out of his hand and set it on the table. Moving into his lap, she laughed and cradled his face. “You need to listen to me.”
When he moved his lips to speak, she kissed him.
“I want to see your books.”
“We’re just dating, I’m not taking your money.”
“I’m not giving you money, Coop. I want to help you figure it out. From the little I’ve seen, there is no reason for you to be struggling, but you do need help in the office. If a mechanic is answering phones, you aren’t getting the most out of your employee.”
“I hired a temp to answer phones during the day. And I’m doing the other office stuff after hours and on Saturdays.”
“Which means you have less time for me.” Nellie stuck her bottom lip out. “Please let me help you.”
He nodded. “But not tonight. Tell me about your family.”
“My mom’s family is the side with money. My grandmother died before I was born. We all put up with my grandfather. Did I mention that my mom married her pool guy?”
Coop figured he’d get along just fine with her family. “You hadn’t mentioned that.”
“Tanner works with me at the company.”
“He’s your brother?”
“Yep, my younger brother.”
“So, do I need a tux for tomorrow?” Coop winked so Nellie would know he was kidding.
“No, but I’d give almost anything to see you in one. Oh, but you will need a suit.”
“Oh.” His suit needed a dry cleaning, if it even still fit.
“We’ll be out by the pool if the weather cooperates.” She grinned.
“Okay. I’ll bring my swimsuit. What else do I need to know?”
“I will do my best never to have you in the same room with my grandfather, not because I don’t want to be seen with you, but because I never want to see that look in your eyes again. He doesn’t care about people. He cares about money and status.”
Coop tangled his fingers in her hair, pulling her to his lips. No matter how different their worlds were, he’d do whatever necessary to be with her. “I am glad I got to see you in the evening gown. That was a treat.”
She kissed him again before shifting out of his lap. “Is it too late to go dancing?”
“Not a bit. Band hasn’t even started playing yet.”
“Let me change.”
***
WHEN COOP SLID UNDER the covers, he couldn’t sleep. He’d told Nellie he loved her. In all his thirty-two years, he’d never said that to a woman, besides his mother—and that didn’t count.
Picturing her dark, love-filled eyes, he closed his. If they were going to go over the books tomorrow, he needed sleep. But who could sleep after all that happened?
His phone lit up, and when he saw the text, he laughed.
You having trouble sleeping too? Nellie was probably back in her leggings and sweatshirt.
Yep. Thinking about someone. See there’s this woman. Beautiful. Tonight, I told her something I haven’t said to anyone else. He waited for her response.
His phone rang.
She spoke softly. “I’d kinda like to hear it again.”
He’d happily tell her as often as she wanted to hear it. “I love you, Nellie.”
“Get some sleep, Coop. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll grab us coffee.”
“Love you. Goodnight.”
He set his phone back on the nightstand, wondering about how long he should wait before proposing. After telling her he loved her, marriage was a short jump for him. He wanted to marry Nellie, there was no question about that, but he should at least wait to ask until after meeting her parents and her brother.
As he relaxed, the frustrating parts of the evening came to mind. Her grandfather had intentionally tried to embarrass Coop. Sadly, Nellie would get the brunt of her grandfather’s displeasure for leaving the party.
How would that man react if she agreed to marry a mechanic?
***
AFTER SPENDING ALL morning poring over the books, Nellie helped Coop make a few changes that would keep the business in the black. She didn’t bother telling him to find an office manager. They both knew that was a priority, but finding someone good wasn’t proving easy.
“Mind if I drive?” Nellie pointed at the Jeep.
He headed toward the passenger seat. “Be my guest.”
“You don’t need to be nervous.” She started the engine and patted his hand before backing out of the space.
“Okay.”
“Seriously. Relax. The house is big, but they are just regular people.”
“Nellie, my love, they are not regular people. They are your parents.” He stared out the window, choosing his next words carefully. “I need them to like me.”
“They will. I know they will.”
She passed a very upscale neighborhood and turned down a two-lane road. “It’s easier to get to their place from the back entrance.”
He’d driven by the neighborhood and heard people talk about it. Famous athletes lived there. Country music stars owned houses there, and based on the size of the neighborhood, so did a whole lot of other people.
They passed homes that could house a small army.
After winding along the main road, she turned onto a side street and punched a code into yet another gate. The house at the end of the driveway was by no means small, but it didn’t look like a resort hotel, either.
After stopping near the front door in the circle drive, she leaned close to him. “Kiss me, Coop.”
He gave her a quick peck.
“Not like that.” She grabbed his shirt.
Trying to forget that people could walk out the door at any moment, he tasted the coffee on her lips.
She pressed closer, her fingers on his neck.
The rest of the world disappeared as Nellie melted against him.
His eyes popped open as she pulled away.
“That’s what I meant.”
“I don’t always understand you.” Coop wasn’t sure why she needed a kiss right before he met her parents. “But I love you.”
“Let’s go in.”
She knocked, and a guy, who looked a bit younger than Nellie, answered the door.
Coop figured it must be Tanner. “Hi. I’m Logan Cooper.”
“Tanner Davis. And it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’d say I’ve heard so much about you, but that wouldn’t be true. Mostly, she just walked around with a silly grin on her face.”
“Is he here?” A woman with dark hair and kind eyes walked around the corner. “Logan, come in.”
“Hello, ma’am. You can call me Coop.”
“You can call me Ruthie.” She looped her arm through his. “What can I get you to drink? We have sodas, beer, and I just made a batch of frozen margaritas.”
“A margarita sounds great.” Coop wanted to meet Mr. Davis to get over the last hurdle of nerves.
“I’ll get it for you. You just wander on out to the patio. Jeffrey is really looking forward to meeting you.” She pointed toward the back door.
Nellie eased into the spot vacated by her mom.
“Nellie, you want one too?” Ruthie called out.
“Yes, I’ll come help.” Nellie patted his bicep, her eyes all twinkles and chocolate.
Coop pushed open the back door but stepped aside to let Tanner walk out first.
“Dad, this is Coop.” Tanner sounded like he was introducing a college buddy.
Mr. Davis extended his hand. “So good to meet you. Really good.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m glad to be here.” Coop wondered when his nerves would stop dancing the tango.
Tanner pointed at a chair. “She’s never brought anyone to the house before. So, we’re predisposed to liking you. She has very refined taste.”
Coop was glad he hadn’t been sipping a drink because he’d have spewed it, laughing. “Refined isn’t how I’d describe me.”
Tanner joined in the laugh. “Neither are we, so it’s all good.”
Relaxing, Coop rested against the back of the chair. Her family seemed to like him. That made him happy.