call him Pops.”
I held out my hand to him. “Uh, hi… Pops.” He took my hand then pulled me into a hug.
“Hiya darlin’. I can see JT’s been takin’ good care of you. Did you get the truck he sent over?”
“Pops.” JT just hung his head and smiled.
“Back in my day you would have gotten that a lot sooner. Seems here my boy is taking his sweet time wooing you over to the Tanner side. Don’t worry nothin’ ‘bout it thought.” He put his hand on JT’s shoulder. “This boys been pining over you all his life and it ain’t because of the land. Hell, he’s got more money ‘an any of us in this here booth. Combined.” He waved his free hand in the air. Clearly he’d had quite a few drinks before we arrived. “His ‘vestments, an all that.” He winked at me and held his glass up in the air. “Refill!”
“Yes sir.” I waitress came over to replace his glass with a fresh whisky on the rocks. What should have taken a very short moment took longer than I preferred. She let her gaze linger on JT, licking her lips, trying to get his attention. Out possessiveness I took a step closer to JT. He didn’t even blink at her. His arm went back around my waist pulling me to him so our sides were flushed. His nose rubbed against my cheek. I didn’t dare close my eyes so I could see that little wench’s reaction. She huffed and turned away. The little vixen in my smiled in triumph.
Being around JT brings out the best and worst of me. I loved how this man made my body meld into his. Loved? I really do love JT but I can’t let him know that. He’ll think it’s a ploy like Nick said. Like I’m trying to get JT to marry me for the land. My confidence cracks.
“You want something to drink?” JT kissed my cheek. “You look a little flushed. I’ll be right back.” He sat me next to his mom.
The conversation between was so comfortable. She was so easy to talk to. The knowing gleam in her eyes was the only thing that made me nervous. Could she tell? It had been so long since I’d had a mother figure in my life. I wasn’t sure the scrutiny in her eyes were directed at me or because of me. “Have you met Jayne Dower? She’s my best friend in the whole world.” A woman with short gray hair sits down next to Eleanor.
“Please to meet you, I’m Lily.”
“Oh my. Isn’t she a catch? Nice to meet you to dear. I’m Jayne.” She holds out her hand for me to shake. I take it, smiling as she places her other hand on top of our shaking hands. “Eleanor tells me you might have cold feet?” I tilt my head in question. I’m not sure what she’s referring to. “You know, I’m a justice of the peace. We could get it done first thing tomorrow. How about that?”
“You know, dear, a Tanner always gets what a Tanner wants.” She patted my knee. I have so many questions. Eleanor knew my parents. I’m not sure how well but my mom used to talk about funny Eleanor was at poker nights. Huh, now that I think about it they spent a lot of time together.
“Eleanor? Were you and my mom close.” Her sad smile tells me everything I need to know.
“Yes dear, Jayne and I used to sneak her away for spa days. We would laugh and cry. Those were good times.”
“Did my father know? He used to tell me to ‘stay away from those Tanner boys’ because of the rival.” She laughs and slaps her knee.
“Your father? What a hoot! Of course he knew. Child, he exaggerated that story to keep you away from my boys and Chase. What father wouldn’t want to keep their only daughter safe from a bunch of hormonal teenage boys?”
“Oh. I always thought… I guess I just didn’t understand.”
“Your mother and I always dreamed of you and JT together. It was what she wanted. Even if you didn’t she just wanted to see you happy and well taken care of. Now’s your chance.” She nods over my shoulder as JT approaches me.
He sits a glass in front of me, ice cold water with a lemon slice floated amongst the ice cubes. Next to it he places a plate of food in front of me as