and cooks sometimes, too. We don’t want to miss those nights.” She motioned toward a door. “That’s the living room. It’s comfortable.” She waved over her shoulder. “But we don’t always hang out in there. Usually we’re in the kitchen.”
Noises from the direction of the main garage pulled Amanda’s attention. She glanced back the way they’d come and then back to Tommy. “I think my father is here. I’ll introduce you and then take you to your room, if that’s alright?” She was suddenly nervous about seeing her father.
They hadn’t had a chance to be alone or even to really talk since the paternity test came back proving Amanda wasn’t David’s blood daughter. She’d been riddled with uncertainty and had no idea how he felt.
What if he didn’t want her in the family anymore?
Clomping from the back pulled Tommy’s gaze, too. He turned, a pleasant smile on his ruggedly masculine lips. Dang, why was Amanda distracted by him so often?
“Is anyone home?” Dad’s voice introduced him before he was in sight. Was that insecurity there as well?
“Yeah, I’m here.” Amanda cleared her throat and glanced at Tommy, smiling softly. Hopefully, nothing awkward would take place right there in front of her therapist and the man she was definitely falling for.
That would ruin things substantially.
Dad walked through the door to the kitchen and dining space and offered a side-smile. “Hey, um.” He pulled his hat from his head and turned it around and around, glancing down as he did so as if it were mesmerizing. “We probably should talk.” He lifted his gaze, searching Amanda’s face and then he spied Tommy behind him, and reared back. “Oh, um. I didn’t know you had a guest.” David nodded at Tommy and stepped forward, stretching out his hand. “I’m David Dean. Amanda’s father. It’s nice to meet you…” He inclined his head as if to prompt a name
Amanda jumped in. “This is Tommy Declan. He’s my friend and my therapist. I had him at Taylor’s B&B, but Jennifer found him there and was asking him questions. I thought it might be safer to bring him here until he finds the office he’s looking for. I hope that’s okay.” The ranch was Amanda’s home, too, but ultimately it was David’s and she didn’t want to put him in an uncomfortable position, if he didn’t want Tommy there.
“Of course, of course. I think that was smartest. There’s a lot going on with that woman and I’d hate to see any progress destroyed by her attempts to make us all as unhappy as she is. Nice to meet you, Tommy.” Her dad inclined his head with a warm smile.
Amanda jerked her thumb over her shoulder, but held her gaze on Dad. “I was just about to show Tommy to his room. While he’s getting settled, maybe we could talk?” Dad had suggested it, too. Maybe he wanted to find answers as much as Amanda did. Maybe he was just as insecure about going forward as Amanda was.
“Sure, sure. That sounds good. I hope you enjoy your stay, Tommy. If you need anything, don’t hesitate.” Dad turned around, pulling his coat from his shoulders.
Amanda turned back to Tommy, smiling distractedly at her guest. “Here, I’ll show you to your room.” They had multiple guest rooms, but she would put Tommy near her suite in case he needed anything. That’s what she was going with. She would justify it that way.
“That sounds perfect.” Tommy stepped back and waited for Amanda to pass by. He watched her, concern heavy in the hooding of his eyebrows.
“Okay.” She glanced at him, walking down the hallway toward his room. She pushed open the door and stepped inside to give him enough space to follow her. “You have your own bathroom. Let me know if you need anything. If you’re okay, I’ll let you get settled and I’m going to go see what I can figure out with my father.” She glanced out the hall and then back to Tommy, hope curling in her chest. At least Tommy would understand what she was doing. He knew so much about her.
“Be honest with him, Amanda. Tell him how you feel and what you’re worried about.” Tommy studied her. “You have to be honest when you care about people.”
Honesty. Tommy was right. He would know. He was the most honest person Amanda had ever met. She nodded. “You’re right. Okay. I’ll come find you before dinner.” She patted the doorjamb as she left.
All she had