Her green eyes brightened with happiness and surprise that he’d say something so open and blunt to his mom and her. He hoped it eased her mind about just how serious he took their relationship and he really did want them to work out.
“It took you a long time to get here. Enjoy it. There’s no rush.”
Maybe not, but it felt like he needed to prove something to Liz, thanks to Clint and how he’d made her doubt Tate’s feelings and intentions.
He hoped the more time they spent together as a couple, the more she’d settle in and see the truth.
Clint better stay the hell away or Tate was going to have to take matters into his own hands and make sure Clint understood Tate wouldn’t tolerate him harassing Liz anymore.
“I’m hoping we can have a nice dinner tonight, maybe go for a walk on the property and look at the stars.”
“Sounds like a nice evening. It makes me happy to know you’re happy and looking to the future. Now, what’s going on with Declan? I got the ‘everything is fine’ line from him, but it sounded like something is bothering him.”
Tate got that same feeling, especially last night at dinner with Liz, but Declan hadn’t confided in him. “It’s business as usual around here for him.”
“I sometimes wonder if he spends too much time working instead of living. Reminds me of your father. That’s why I pushed for Dad to buy the RV and get away from that place for a while.”
“You guys getting tired of wandering, yet?”
“When we do, we settle into one spot. The Sierras are nice. We’ll probably stay awhile. We plan to come back and get a little place, especially since we’ll have a grandbaby soon. Or two,” she hinted with a teasing tone.
“And that’s my cue to say I’ll talk to you later.” Kids were not in his near future, but someday. A little girl with Liz’s dark red hair and her smile. A boy with her heart and his love for riding and the ranch. Though he bet any little girl of theirs would be wild for the horses, too, and just as bold as he and Liz.
“I’ll fuss over Drake and Adria’s little one. I really can’t wait to be a grandma. Those two went from meeting each other to getting married with lightning speed. You and Liz could take a little more time than they did.”
“Drake didn’t want to let her get away.”
“And you tethered yourself to Liz all these years. Reel her in, Tate.”
That made him chuckle. His mom didn’t usually weigh in on his relationships. But he appreciated how much she liked Liz for him. “I’m working on it.”
“Who knows, maybe your dad and I will be home for another wedding soon.” Take his time. A wedding soon. His mom needed to make up her mind.
“You’re getting ahead of yourself.” But he could see it. Liz walking down the aisle to him dressed in a gorgeous white gown, her hair piled on top of her head, fiery tendrils dangling around her face and that smile she gave him every time she saw him.
“I thought you finally figured out you can’t fight fate.”
Yeah, he felt it now. They were meant to be. But that didn’t mean it would just happen. They were almost there, but they needed some time to settle in and figure out how to be a couple.
He’d never done that with another woman. He had relationships, but none that made him want to stick it out when things got tough. He and Liz knew how to be friends. They needed to learn how to be partners.
“I’m not fighting anything anymore.” He walked to where Liz stood a few feet away petting the mare and listening to his side of the conversation. He kissed her softly. “Gotta go, Ma. I want to spend more time with my girl.”
“Enjoy each other, Tate. Be happy.”
“We are.” Yesterday had been great. No pressure. No expectations. Just the two of them out for a ride, talking about nothing and everything, enjoying a few hours together.
They needed more time to explore the new closeness between them and allow themselves to explore their desire for each other.
“I’ll talk to you soon, Ma.” He hung up after their goodbyes and his promise that he’d keep in touch.
Liz reached out and tugged on his T-shirt. “It’s sweet that you told your mom about us.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t know already. I figured Declan, or especially Trinity, would