like is for you to take some time and think about it. This is a big decision for you and your family. You should probably discuss the pros and cons to be sure it’s the right move for everyone. But I’ll hold a room with your name on it, don’t you worry.”
Conroy looked at Preacher, and Preacher gave an almost imperceptible nod. Conroy said, “You’ve done a wonderful job of covering everything, Chloe, and it was nice to see how much everyone here appreciates you.”
“Yes, it was,” Reba agreed.
A hint of embarrassment washed over Chloe’s face, and just as quickly, she schooled her expression, slipping right back into professional mode, and said, “Thank you. I’ll just pop into my office and grab those information packets. I’ll only be a minute or two.”
As she walked away, Preacher said, “What do you think, Pops?”
“I think Chloe really knows her stuff, and Maverick ought to put a ring on that woman’s finger,” Mike said.
“Whoa. What?” Justin looked at his grandfather. “Since when are you a matchmaker?”
Mike’s face pinched with irritation. “Don’t look at me like I’ve lost my mind, Maverick. You know I fell in love with Hilda the day I met her, and I was just a kid.”
Preacher laughed. “He said the same thing to me about putting a ring on Reba’s finger when I met her. I was in Maryland at the time, and he’d only heard about her over the phone.”
“I didn’t need to see the woman who had changed my boy’s world,” Mike said gruffly. “Everything I needed to know was in your voice, son.”
“He said the same thing to me when Ginger came into my life.” Conroy put his arm around Ginger and kissed her cheek. “And the old man was right.”
“Oh, Poppy, you might have a knack for matchmaking, but I don’t think Justin and Chloe are in a rush,” Reba said. “What did you think of the facilities?”
Justin was thankful she’d taken the conversation in a different direction. The last thing he wanted was for Chloe to catch wind of his grandfather’s thoughts and run for the hills. He had no doubt that they were meant to be together, and he was pretty sure she felt the same way, but he wasn’t ready to risk it.
Tank cleared his throat, and Justin followed his gaze to Chloe standing outside her office with Alan Rogers. Justin cursed under his breath. He didn’t like how close the pompous prick was standing to her. Alan’s chest looked like it was touching the back of Chloe’s shoulder as they studied a document.
Alan’s eyes shifted to Justin, and a smug grin settled across his face.
Fuck this. Justin threw his shoulders back and strode over to them with Tank on his heels.
Chloe looked up as they approached and flashed an effervescent smile. “Justin, sorry, I was just going over something with Alan. Alan, you know Justin. This is his cousin, Tank.”
Alan gave Tank a quick once-over, distaste rising in his eyes as he said, “Are you boys doing work here?”
“Wha…? No.” Chloe looked apologetically at Justin and Tank and said, “I just finished giving their families a tour of the facilities. Their grandfather is considering moving here. I’ll introduce you to them.”
That smug grin rose again as Alan said, “I’d like that.” He put a proprietary hand on Chloe’s lower back as they returned to Justin’s family.
Justin gritted his teeth, his hands curling into fists.
“What the fuck?” Tank said under his breath.
“He’s her boss, and a fucking prick,” Justin said for Tank’s ears only as Chloe introduced Alan to their families.
Alan shook Conroy’s hand and said, “I’m sure our Chloe has given you a thorough tour.”
Our Chloe my ass. Justin fumed. Earlier that morning, Blaine had delivered the plans for Alan’s patio to Alan’s wife, and he’d said that Alan definitely wore the pants in that family. Alan’s wife had called him five times in the hour Blaine was there, running every little thing by him rather than making the decisions herself. Justin didn’t like a man that controlling anywhere near Chloe, and he sure as hell hated the prick’s hand on her back.
“I’ll leave you in Chloe’s capable hands.” Alan leaned close to Chloe’s ear and lowered his voice to say, “Come to my office when you’re done and we’ll finish our conversation.”
Chloe agreed; then she turned her attention back to Justin’s family, giving them the packets she’d retrieved from her office. “These cover all of the information we discussed in more