Figuring Reid would want to spend the remainder of the weekend with his sister, Haley insisted on driving separately to Anaheim. She still had serious qualms about meeting his ex-girlfriend, but curiosity about Reid ate at her. She wondered what he was like with Krista and the rest of his family. She knew so little about him and couldn’t help wanting to know more.
When she and Yolanda pulled into the Hilton, he and Garcia were just climbing out of Reid’s truck. By the time she and Yolanda parked, two young women had appeared. The first, a curvy redhead, threw herself into Reid’s arms with a squeal.
“That must be Krista,” Haley remarked. Reid’s grin was blazing white as he spun his sister in the air, completely indifferent to passersby. Haley’s chest squeezed at the happy reunion. She’d always dreamed of that kind of family.
“Yeah?” Yolanda elbowed her in the ribs. “And who’s the muchacha morena making sheep’s eyes at my Rafi?”
Haley covertly eyed the second girl, who slouched against the truck beside Garcia. Long, straight, blue-black hair hung over her shoulders and tight jeans and cowboy boots showcased lean legs, making Haley self-conscious of her barely-over-five-foot frame. She wore a straw hat that shadowed the upper half of her face, but revealed an indulgent smile on full lips as she watched the brother–sister reunion. Tonya.
“You can relax, Yo,” Haley said. “I don’t think she’s after Rafael. That’s Reid’s ex-girlfriend.”
“Really?” Yolanda’s gaze narrowed in speculation. “Is she Latina?”
“I don’t know. Reid never said.”
When Tonya tipped her hat back and looked Haley’s way, her Native American heritage was clear. She gave a half nod as if in recognition, then her gaze swept slowly over Haley as if sizing her up. She murmured something to Garcia, pushed off the truck, and approached with lithe, confident strides.
She extended her hand with a smile. “Hi. I’m Tonya Rivers, a close friend of Krista…and Reid.” Haley noted the emphasis on the last two words. Tonya was staking her claim.
“Nice to meet you, Tonya.” Haley accepted her hand. Tonya’s grip was surprisingly firm, more like a man’s than a woman’s and nearly as callused. But aside from her brusque manner, there was nothing remotely masculine about her. Their eyes locked for a long moment. Hers were black as agate under finely arched brows. With sculpted features and flawless mocha skin, she was a stunning woman. “I’m Haley, and this is my best friend, Yolanda.”
Before introductions were completed, Garcia and Reid appeared beside them. Reid was still beaming and holding his little sister in his arms. He tossed her once more in the air before setting her back on her feet. “Krista, Tonya”—Reid nodded to the latter—“I’d like you to meet Haley and Yolanda.”
“As usual, we’re one step ahead of you, Reid,” Tonya replied with a smirk. “The three of us have already introduced ourselves.”
Haley watched Krista with bated breath. Her eyes sparkled and face glowed, but both faded as her gaze darted between Tonya, Reid, and Haley. Haley forced a smile and stepped forward. “Nice to meet you, Krista. How was your trip?”
“Not too bad,” Krista replied. “But then again, Ton here did most of the driving. We dropped off some horses at a dude outfit in Utah, unhooked the trailer, and then drove straight here.”
“Horses?” Haley asked.
“Tonya’s family breeds and trains them, and leases them out to dude ranches and outfitters,” Reid explained. “She also works part time with Krista as a wrangler on our ranch.”
“You have a ranch? I thought your family ran a hunting business?”
“We do,” he replied. “But we also keep about eighty head of horses and a bunch of mules for hunting, packing, and for guests who just want to ride the trails. It’s not a big spread by any means, but we do keep our own stock. Krista and Tonya mostly take care of that side of the operation. How is the horse business these days?” Reid asked Tonya.
“We’re doing okay,” she replied. “Thanks mostly to Keith.”
“So he’s still doing his dog and pony show?”
“Yup.” She grinned, her teeth blazing white against her tanned skin. “He’s even hawking calendars now, and just put out one of those big coffee table books. He’s quite a commodity these days. Last I heard, he’d even been approached by some big-name film producer.”
Reid turned to Haley and Yolanda. “Keith is Tonya’s cousin and one of those so-called horse whisperers—”
“He prefers the title Equine Behaviorist,” Tonya corrected.
Reid made a scoffing sound.
“He’s also incredibly hot,” Krista interjected.
“Keith?” Tonya made a face. “You think my cousin’s hot?”
“Heck yeah! Who wouldn’t?” Krista said. “How else could he travel around the country trailed by a bunch of horse-loving groupies?”
“I s’pose you’re right,” Tonya admitted. “There are certainly a bunch of women who can’t seem to get enough of him, especially the Europeans. He’s booked for a big summer tour over there next year. Six countries I think.”
“Unbelievable.” Reid shook his head with a chuckle. “Got to give the guy credit for making the most of his assets.”
They all laughed.
Haley shifted in place, feeling increasingly awkward. “Is this your first visit to California?” She directed the lame-sounding question to Krista. She’d never been good at small talk and still didn’t know what to make of Tonya. She didn’t feel overt hostility from her, but certainly didn’t feel warmth either.
“Yeah, it is,” Krista replied. “I’m really excited to see the sights. Maybe it sounds silly, but I’ve wanted to go to Disney since I was a little kid. I was a hopeless Disney Princess addict and still have the entire collection of dolls.”
“Except Pocahontas,” Tonya said. “You gave her to me.”
Krista grinned. “She was always my favorite, but I thought she looked just like you.”
“The weather looks great for a day in the park,” Haley chimed in, feeling even more like a fifth wheel.
“It does,” Tonya agreed and then turned her attention to Reid. Haley noted how her gaze worked him slowly up and down. “You’re looking well, Reid. I think this California sun agrees with you.”
He shrugged. “The winters are a damn lot easier here than in Wyoming.”
“That’s for sure,” Krista laughed. “We’re still wading through several feet of snow back home. That’s probably what’s put the bow hunters off. We didn’t have any booked until the end of the month, so it seemed a great time to come out here.”
“You hunt with bows?” Haley asked.
“Yeah,” Krista replied. “We usually get a couple dozen bow hunters every spring and fall that want to bag a bear.”
“That’s barbaric!” Haley laid a hand on Reid’s arm. “Did you hunt bears with a bow and arrow?”
“Only black bears,” he clarified. “Grizzlies are still endangered, although they’ve more than recovered and need to be delisted. They’re actually booming in the areas around Yellowstone and Grand Teton and encroaching on populated areas. They need to be managed.”
She scowled. “Managed or murdered?”
“C’mon, Haley. We’ve already been down this road. Do you really think a griz is going to stay within the park just because we say pretty please?”
Although they’d come to a truce of sorts, his mocking remark was stark proof that their differences remained. “There must be another way.”
“Like what?” Krista laughed. “Telling all the hikers to carry pepper spray and wear bear bells?”
Tonya chimed in, “Do you know how we tell the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat back in Wyoming? Black bear droppings have berries and the Grizzly bear droppings contain little bells and smell like pepper.”
Everyone laughed but Haley. Her eyes burned, but she refused to show her embarrassment. Surprisingly, Krista was the one to break the building tension.
“Don’t worry too much about the bears,” Krista said. “They have little cause for fear. Most of the hunters are rich guys from back east who would probably piss themselves if they actually saw one. The majority of them come back empty-handed since Reid’s been gone. For the most part, they’re happy holing up at the lodge, drinking and talking about hunting. It’s really just a testosterone-laced version of a hen party.”
“Are you a hunting guide too?” Haley asked.
Krista shook her head. “Nope. Although I can shoot as good as any of them, and better than most, guiding is still a male-dominated realm. Tonya and I manage the horses. Mom cooks, and my father and brothers lead the hunts. Our family’s been doing it for three generations. Does anyone want to come inside for a beer? We picked up a cooler full last night.”
“I’ll take one,” Garcia eagerly replied.
Glancing at Tonya, Yolanda latched on to his arm. “Make that two.”
Reid made to follow while Haley dragged her heels, still hurt by Reid and Tonya’s combined mockery. She wished she hadn’t come. She’d even begun to think Reid had forgotten her existence until he looked back over his shoulder. “You comin’ inside?”
“I’m not thirsty,” she sulked.
“What’s wrong?”
Annoyed by his ridicule, Haley jutted her chin. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong. You just stood there while your ex-girlfriend made fun of me. You even laughed, Reid!”
“Because it was a joke. C’mon,” he coaxed. “You need to lighten up a little.”
“Lighten up?” She jerked back. “It’s hard for me to meet strangers to begin with. I told you I wasn’t comfortable coming here, but I did because you asked me to.”
“I know that, and I’m sorry if the joke offended you. It really wasn’t personal.”
She appreciated his apology, but it still wasn’t enough to vanquish her insecurity. “How serious was it, Reid?”
“What?” he answered blankly.
“You and Tonya. I can understand your sister coming out here, but why would Tonya join her if it was finished between you?”
“Because she’s my sister’s best friend. It’s nothing more than that.”
“How serious was it?” she persisted. She didn’t know why it mattered. Irrational maybe, but she couldn’t deny the sick churning in her gut.
“Serious enough, I suppose. We were almost engaged.”
“Engaged,” she repeated. “You gave her a ring?”
“No. It didn’t get quite that far.”
“How far?”
He scrubbed his face. “It’s ancient history, Haley. It’s done.”
“So you claim, but I get quite another impression from her.”
“I told her clearly at Christmas that I’m not interested in picking it back up with her.”
She searched his eyes for any sign of deceit, but his gaze remained steady. “Well clearly she didn’t accept that if she’s come all the way out here from Wyoming. And now you plan to entertain her?” Haley planted her hands on her hips.
“How can I avoid it?”
“I’m starting to think this whole thing between us was a huge mistake.”
“C’mon, sweetheart,” he cajoled. “There’s no reason to be jealous.”
“Jealous?” Her brows met in a glower. “You think I’m jealous?”
He chuckled. “I’m a bit flattered by it, actually, but Tonya’s arrival doesn’t mean anything. You’re the only one I want. Understand?” He tilted his face to kiss her, but she turned away.
She despised this feeling of insecurity that squeezed her chest and resented him for being the cause of it. “You’re right, Reid,” she snapped. “It doesn’t matter because this”—she gestured between them—“doesn’t mean anything. I admit we have powerful chemistry, but it’s bound to wear off sooner or later—”
“Wear off? I don’t think you mean that. There’s something more here, Haley, and it’s not going to just wear off. You know it as well as I do. You just don’t want to admit it because it doesn’t fit into your master plan.”
He was right that she wasn’t ready to admit it, even to herself.
“I do have plans, Reid,” she argued. “Big plans that require me to maintain focus. I can’t afford distractions. And you qualify as a huge distraction. On top of that, our lives are on completely divergent paths.”
“You haven’t even given this a chance. That’s all I’m asking. I want us to spend some time together and see where it goes. Please let’s just give it a little more time before you decide to jump ship.” He grasped her chin, holding her gaze. “Just a chance.”
His calm and confident reassurance made her want to believe in him, to trust him.
“Okay,” she replied softly. She couldn’t believe how easily he’d defused her, but Reid always seemed to have that effect on her.
“Good.” His lips met hers, soft and tender, as if sealing a pact. He released her with a smile, then planted another kiss on the tip of her nose before pressing a hand into the small of her back. “C’mon, let’s go join the others inside.”
* * *
They hung out in Krista and Tonya’s room for an hour or so before heading over to the amusement park. Feeling out of place even with Yolanda’s presence, Haley’s anxiety only increased upon entering the amusement park. She hated loud noises and crowds. That’s why she’d adapted so easily to the isolation of Alaska.
“Look at that, Tonya!” Krista shrieked. “I’ve never been on one that tall before. How big is it anyway?”
Haley’s stomach dropped when she pointed to the gigantic Ferris wheel soaring high above Paradise Pier.
Reid stared up at the structure. “It’s got to be well over a hundred feet. I went on it once. It’s a special design that allows the gondola cars to slide out on a track as it moves. It offers an incredible view of the park.”
“Forget all the parades and kiddie stuff.” Krista yanked his arm. “Let’s go!”
They’d no sooner started across the park toward Paradise Pier when Tonya pointed to Haley’s worst nightmare, the California Screamin’ roller coaster. “Check that one out, Krista! I love roller coasters.”
Haley’s heart leaped up into her throat. Why the hell had she ever come here? Reid. She reminded herself she’d done it for him. And now he was bounding toward the Ferris wheel almost as eagerly as his sister.
“I can’t do it, Yo.” Haley clutched Yolanda’s arm. “You know how much I hate heights.”
“Sure you can, chica,” Yolanda said. “It’ll be fun.”
“You don’t understand,” Haley ground through her teeth. “I really, really can’t do it.”
“But it’s perfectly safe,” Yolanda reassured. “If it bothers you, just close your eyes.”
She shut them on a curse. “God help me.”
Her knees weakened as their turn came to fill the six-passenger gondola. Garcia and Yolanda entered first. Reid stepped back to let Tonya and Krista follow. Tonya was visibly disappointed when he gestured to Haley. She gulped a huge breath as she eyed the metal cage but still couldn’t seem to get enough air into her lungs.
“Are you all right?” Reid asked, plainly concerned. “You look like a ghost. Do you want to sit this one out?”
Her gaze darted back to the car. Krista, Garcia, and Yolanda occupied one side and Tonya sat alone on the other. She slid over to make room for Reid. Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you, Tonya?
“I’m fine,” Haley replied tight-lipped, trying to choke down her terror. She sucked in another breath and entered the cage, taking the seat beside Tonya.
Reid entered last. He reached for her hand. “I didn’t know you were afraid of heights.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, but I’ll be fine,” she insisted with a forced smile. “I’m just not a big fan of amusement park rides.”
“You could have told me. I’d have stayed behind with you.”
“You really would have?” she asked in surprise.
“Sure.” He gave her clammy hand a reassuring squeeze as the wheel slowly began its ascent. Her grip on Reid’s hand tightened as the gondola rose. Her stomach clenched and head reeled as it began to rock. Halfway up, she squeezed her eyes shut, but it only emphasized the sickening, swinging sensation. The wheel paused for another stomach-lurching second as they reached the top.
“Ooh! Look at that incredible view!” Krista crooned.
“This is so cool!” Tonya exclaimed. “I can’t believe how high up we are.”
Haley stole a peek through her lashes just as the car slid forward to pitch way out over the lagoon. Suspended over a hundred feet above the ground, she broke into a cold sweat. An insuppressible wave of nausea followed. “Oh my God. I think I’m going to hurl!”
* * *
“It’s all right, chica,” Yolanda consoled as Haley rinsed her mouth for the fourth time. “Lots of people get sick on rides.”
“Please, just take me home now,” Haley begged. The Mickey’s Fun Wheel ride would go down in the “annals of Haley” as the most humiliating ten minutes of her life. “I don’t think I can ever look any of them in the face again.” Especially Reid.
“He’s waiting for you outside,” Yolanda said.
“I don’t want to see him.”
“Don’t be silly. You can’t hide in here forever.”
“You want to bet on that?” Haley mumbled, running her fingers through her sweat-dampened hair. She pinched her pale cheeks hoping for color, but still looked like death warmed over. “Is there a back way out of here?”
Yolanda sighed. “C’mon, chica, you’ve already kept the poor guy waiting for twenty minutes.”
“Good. Maybe he gave up and left.”
“I doubt that. He was truly worried about you, you know.”
“What about the others?”
“Rafi took Tonya and Krista on the roller coaster.”
“Thank God for small favors,” Haley mumbled.
“Just talk to him, Haley, and then if you still want to leave, I’ll take you home.”
With a groan of defeat, she reluctantly trudged out behind Yolanda.
Sure enough, Reid was waiting as she emerged from the restroom. He was propped against the wall with booted ankles crossed, looking as if he hadn’t a care in the world. She noticed with a new wave of embarrassment that he wore a Mickey Mouse T-shirt.
His gaze met hers, and his expression instantly softened. “You okay?”
Her face flamed. She wished she could just slither away unnoticed. “No.” She shook her head. “I’m absolutely not okay. I just want to forget this day ever happened.”
“It’s really no big deal,” he said.
“I puked all over you, Reid. How is that not a big deal?”
He shrugged. “I’ve had worse.”
She let that one go. Some things were better unasked. “Please tell your sister that I’m sorry I ruined everything. I’m going to go home now.”
He pushed off the wall. “I’ll take you.”
She shook her head. “No. You came here to see Krista. Yolanda will drive me.”
“Krista will understand.”
“No, Reid. I’ve already done enough to spoil everyone’s day. I just need to be alone.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want, I can respect that. When can I see you again?”
She snorted. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. Not kidding.”
Yolanda’s gaze darted from one to the other. “I’m going to go get a lemonade. Either of you want anything?”
“No thanks,” Haley and Reid replied almost in unison, neither taking their eyes off the other.
“Be back in a few then.” Yolanda slipped off toward the drink kiosk.
“You should go find your sister,” Haley said.
“Is that what you want?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said.
“No.”
“The day after?”
She averted her eyes, making every effort just to breathe. “You need to spend time with your sister. Krista is only staying for a week, and I’m leaving soon.”
“Then I’ll take some leave and drive up to Sacramento with you.”
“No, Reid,” she answered softly. “There’s no point in continuing this. It would be a wasted effort for both of us to invest any more time in this…this…” She waved her hand. “Whatever it is.”
He grasped her shoulders, but she avoided his eyes. “I get that you’re embarrassed about what happened, Haley. But that’s no reason to give me the brush-off.”
“It’s more than embarrassment,” she insisted. “Don’t you see this is impossible? I’m a bookish, acrophobic, pacifistic vegetarian, and you’re a bow-hunting, roller-coaster-riding cowboy carnivore. I don’t fit into your world. I knew that the minute I saw you with Krista and Tonya. You all belong together. We don’t. We’ll just end up hating each other in the end. Can’t you see that?”
“No, I don’t. I only see you.”
“Why are you making this so difficult?” she asked in a strangled voice.
“Because you’re making a mistake.”
“No. I’m not,” she insisted. “Starting this was the mistake. What more do you need me to say?”
His hands tightened almost painfully on her shoulders. “What more do I need? Tell me flat out that you don’t want me, Haley.”
She stared into intense, infinitely blue eyes. “I don’t want you,” she blurted, almost choking on the words.
He flinched. She had to look away. “You really mean that?” He drew her closer, his gaze searching her face. “Are you sayin’ you feel nothing for me after last night?”
Please don’t kiss me. Please don’t kiss me. I’ll become a blubbering fool if you kiss me.
“This has been way too much too soon for me. I’m not ready for what you want. I told you, I have plans for my life. I’m sorry, Reid.”
“If that’s how you feel, I guess there’s nothing more to say.” He gave a fatalistic shrug and eased his grip. “I’ll walk you back to the hotel.”
“No, please don’t.” She swallowed hard. Her throat felt like sandpaper. “Let’s just part ways here. It’ll be easier.”
“If that’s really the way you want it.” He hesitated and then his hands dropped lifelessly to his sides. “Good-bye then, Haley Cooper.”
“Good-bye, Reid,” she answered back almost inaudibly, her eyes blurring as she watched him turn and walk away.
“Where’s Reid?” Yolanda returned, drink in hand.
“Gone,” she whispered.
“Gone where, chica?” she asked.
“Gone, as in I sent him away.” Haley stifled the sob that rose up in her throat, but try as she might, she couldn’t suppress the moist heat that began trickling down her face.
Yolanda’s eyes widened. “Why? When I left I thought for sure you were going to work it out.”
“Never, Yo.” She sniffed. “It’s impossible.” She spun away, fiercely palming her eyes. “C’mon. Let’s go. I don’t have time for this emotional crap.”
* * *
Reid caught up with Garcia, Tonya, and Krista standing in line for a second ride on the roller coaster. They smiled and waved. He grimaced. Hanging out at an amusement park was no longer very amusing. He didn’t understand why things had gone south when only hours ago she’d lain beneath him so warm and soft and beautiful, her body welcoming and sweet. He knew she’d lied to him about her feelings. She couldn’t have given herself to him if she felt nothing. She wasn’t the type, but he’d overestimated his success. She’d given him her body but still withheld her trust and her heart.
“So where’s your friend?” Krista asked.
“Her name’s Haley,” Reid snapped.
“Poor thing,” Krista remarked. “I never saw anyone puke on a Ferris wheel before.”
“She doesn’t like amusement park rides,” Reid said.
“Then why’d she come?” Krista asked.
“Because I pressured her to.” With as long as it had taken to wear her down, he should have known better. Like a dumbass, he’d pushed her too hard. Now she didn’t want to see him again.
“Why would you do that?” Krista countered.
“Because I wanted you to meet her.”
Krista’s gaze narrowed. “Then it’s serious?”
“I thought it could be.” Now I’ll never know. Haley was such a fascinating contradiction. Smart and sexy, yet shy and insecure. But brave, too. She took risks, faced her fears. She’d proven that on the ride today. If only she’d take the same risk with him.
Krista shook her head. “She doesn’t suit you at all, Reid. She’s too uptight. Takes herself way too seriously.”
“Why would you say that? You don’t know anything about her.”
“To start with,” Krista challenged, “she has no sense of humor.”
“Only because she felt like we made her the butt of the jokes,” he defended.
He never should have brought her to meet Tonya and Krista. He’d done it because he didn’t want to lose any time with her. It was a selfish, dickhead move. Now he’d lost her.
“I know you, big brother. She’s not right at all.” Krista laid a hand on his arm. “Trust me on this. Women have intuition, especially about other women. Tonya knows she screwed up, Reid. You should give her another chance.” Although engaged in conversation with Garcia, Reid noticed that Tonya slanted them curious glances.
“She’s the one who called it quits. Not me. And now I’ve moved on.”
“But—”
Reid raised a silencing hand. “While I appreciate your sisterly concern, my love life is off limits. I don’t want or need your meddling in it. I can fuck it up perfectly well all by myself.”
* * *
Haley began packing her things almost as soon as she got home.
“You’re leaving already?” her grandmother asked. “I thought you were going to be home for at least another week.”
“I was,” Haley said, sniffling, “but now I’m not. I really need to go back to school. I have a lot of work to catch up on.”
“Did you and Yolanda have a nice time at the beach?”
“Yes. It was real nice,” Haley replied woodenly.
“He seems like a decent young man. Attractive too,” Grams remarked with a knowing look. “Want to tell me about it?”
“How did you know?” Haley asked.
“You don’t get to be my age without learning what heartbreak looks like. Besides, I’ve experienced it firsthand.”
“You have?”
“Yes. Your grandpa wasn’t my first love, sweetheart.”
“He wasn’t?”
“No.” She shook her head with a wistful smile. “There was one before him. His name was Brian. We were high school sweethearts.”
“What happened?”
“I waited for him to graduate college, expecting we’d marry, but he wasn’t ready to settle down. Brian was an idealist who wanted to join the Peace Corps. Kennedy was president. It was a very popular thing to do back then. He went to Africa without making me any promises. I suppose I could have gone with him, but I was a traditional girl. Like most young women in the early sixties, I’d expected to marry and make babies.”
“Do you regret not going?”
“No, sweetheart.” Grams shook her head. “I like my creature comforts too much and didn’t have any grand ideas about changing the world. He did. Our relationship had run its course. At the time I was heartsick, but in the end, I realized we didn’t suit. Later, I met your grandpa.”
“Do you ever think about Brian?”
“On occasion I do, but Bill and I have been happily married for forty-nine years. Although he wasn’t my first love, he’ll certainly be my last. I don’t think it’s the same with you and Reid as it was with me and Brian, Haley.”
“How can you say that? It’s all wrong with Reid and me. He’s all wrong.” Haley dropped her bag on the floor and threw herself into her grandmother’s arms.
“I disagree, sweetheart.” Grams stroked her hair. “Maybe you have different beliefs about things, but seems to me that you and he are more alike than you think. You are obviously both strong-minded idealists. I think maybe you even want the same things, but just have a different way of going about it.”
“I believe what I believe, Grams. I want to be with someone who respects my opinions, not someone who wants to change me. I’m not about to let myself become anyone else’s shadow.”
“A man like Reid is certainly the type who’s continually going to challenge your way of thinking. It would take a strong woman to hold her own with that kind of man.”
“But I don’t want that type of relationship, Grams. We’d only end up fighting all the time.” Maybe Grams was right, but Reid wouldn’t just change her world, he’d become her world. If she let herself fall any further, she feared she’d lose it all. She’d lose herself in Reid Everett. Perhaps it was plain cowardice on her part, but she wasn’t willing to risk everything she’d worked so hard for. She couldn’t take that chance.
“Maybe so.” Grams smiled. “But making up can be a heck of a lot of fun.”
“Grams!” Haley protested.
“It’s true! Make-up sex is the best kind. They’ve done surveys on Oprah.” She paused. “Do you really think you only want someone who agrees with you all the time?”
“Well, no…but we have to at least have some common ground.”
“Perhaps you and Reid truly aren’t suited. Then again, maybe you just aren’t ready for someone like him yet. Perhaps one day you will be.”
“I know Reid’s not the right one for me, Grams. Time won’t make any difference,” she insisted with forced conviction.
“Can I share one last pearl of grandmotherly wisdom?”
“Sure, Grams.”
“Your grandfather and I want you to achieve your goals, Haley, but not at the expense of your long-term happiness. It’s great that you have ambitions, but remember, that doctoral degree you covet won’t keep you warm at night. A good man is a whole lot more satisfying than a thermal blanket and a vibrator.”
“Grams! I can’t believe you just said that!”
Her grandmother replied with a wink. “I may be old, sweetheart, but I’m not dead yet.”