held it covered in his hand as he sat on the edge of the seat and put his hands on his knees.
“How are your mom and dad? Where are they this week?” Ken asked, easing them into conversation.
“California. The redwoods, I think.”
Leslie sat serene and composed. “How is Drake doing? We heard about his whirlwind engagement and wedding.” Her gaze dipped to his hand. A spark of interest lit her eyes at what he held hidden.
“Drake is practically a new man, thanks to Adria.” Drake finally got the help he needed with his PTSD. And Tate didn’t have to worry about him offing himself or hurting someone anymore.
“Terrible what happened to her sister.” Ken shook his head in dismay.
“Adria was devastated, but she’s trying to move on with Drake and the store she and Trinity opened.”
“It’s incredibly popular. We’ve shopped there a few times. Your sister’s casseroles are amazing.”
He had to hand it to Trinity and Adria, they’d found their niche in a crowded prepackaged meals market.
“They keep me and Declan well-fed.” All this chitchat made him more nervous.
Leslie leaned forward. “We’re so relieved to know that Liz is taken care of and protected out at the ranch with you boys from that man she was seeing. She told us about him coming to her work while she was talking to that reporter.”
Ken’s face flushed red with anger. “Idiot showed up at the ranch. I’m not a violent man, but I wish you’d shot him. I don’t like where this looks like it’s going.”
Tate didn’t either. And with Clint back out on the streets, it was only a matter of time before he did something else stupid—and dangerous. It made Tate want to rage.
What the hell was Clint thinking? What did he hope to accomplish?
Why wouldn’t he back off?
With more women coming forward with claims of harassment, Clint had more than enough on his plate to keep him occupied and away from Liz.
“Tim, the reporter who put the story out, gave us an update earlier. Clint’s company fired him. He’s facing some potential lawsuits from his other victims.” He hated that Liz continued to be Clint’s victim. “Clint hired a lawyer but I don’t think he’ll get away with the trespassing and assault charges.”
“He should be behind bars.” Anger darkened Ken’s eyes.
Tate would settle for jail, but a permanent solution would make Liz’s life a hell of a lot better.
“I’m doing everything I can, short of ordering her to stay home from work and at the ranch, to keep her safe. With the amount of pressure on Clint, I wouldn’t be surprised if he disappears for a while, if not indefinitely.” One could hope.
“Guys like him don’t run. They think they can get away with the bad things they do.” Leslie squeezed Ken’s offered hand.
They’d always seemed to have a solid marriage. He never saw them argue or raise their voices to each other. They had to have their disagreements, but like his parents, they found a way to get through them and past them and find a way to always end up back at happy together.
“Whatever happens, I’ll always take care of and protect Liz.” There, that was a good opening for what he came here to do. Feeling his confidence return, he dove in. “I love her. I think you’ve known that for a long time.”
They nodded, their indulgent smirks coming back and making him nervous all over again.
“You two have been inseparable since you were practically babies.” Leslie’s eyes shone with memories and kindness.
“We’ve always been friends, but it hit me all at once why that is. I don’t want to live my life without her.”
Both of them leaned in.
“I’ve always known how much she cared about me. I haven’t always been good about telling her how much she means to me. But that’s changed, too. I don’t want a single day to pass that she doesn’t hear me tell her I love her. I want her to know it every second of the day. I want a lifetime to show her how much she’s loved.” He turned his hand over and showed them the black velvet box.
Leslie gasped and covered her open mouth with her fingertips. Tears glassed over her eyes.
Ken gave an approving nod.
“And with your permission, I’d like to ask your daughter to marry me.”
They didn’t say anything. They just stared at him.
“Do I have your permission?”
Leslie jolted. “Yes! Of course.”
“She’s loved you her whole life,” Ken said matter-of-factly. “I know this is what