Harlequin Love Inspired November 2020--Box Set 1 of 2 by Patricia Davids

Author:Patricia Davids
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

On Saturday Joe met his parents for lunch at Holly’s Café. He had to admit, he didn’t mind having them in Hope. It proved to be the best of both worlds for him. He stayed in the town he had come to think of as his home, and he got to spend time with the people he cared about most. Even if it meant Cassidy sitting next to him, a possessive hand on his arm as she told him a long story about friends they’d grown up with and the successes they were enjoying.

Leena, the morning waitress, appeared at his side.

“Coffee?” she asked, her voice a little quieter than usual.

He glanced up at her and she looked away, but not before he saw the bruise on her cheek. Her lavender-streaked hair, normally in a ponytail, hung loose and fell forward to cover half her face. “Leena, you okay?”

“Of course I am,” she told him with a big smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “How about you, Joe? I heard you’re marrying Daisy West. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” he said, trying to avoid looking at his grandmother. “And yes, I’ll take a refill.”

She avoided eye contact as she refilled his cup, and then she hurried away. Next to him, Cassidy continued talking about every classmate she could think of. He didn’t much care. He had kept in contact with some friends, but he didn’t need a rundown of everyone he’d ever known since kindergarten.

The bell over the door clanged, and he glanced that way.

“You can stop looking. It isn’t her.” Cassidy poked at the salad she’d barely touched. “I’m here. And I’ve been a part of your life for thirty-one years.”

“And you’ll always be a good friend.” He made eye contact with his father. “You should know, I’m buying property here. A few hundred acres, mostly grassland. I’m going to build a house and raise cattle. I’d like to show you.”

“So you’re going to be a rancher?” his dad asked. No condemnation, just a question.

“I’m also going to set up a small law office here. In Hope.”

“I’d like to see the land, and the office.” His dad pushed his plate back. “You’ve built a good life for yourself, son. I know I haven’t always been supportive.” He paused when Joe arched a brow at the understatement. “I’ve been the opposite of supportive. I’m glad we decided to stay longer and get better acquainted with your community. And your fiancée.”

“However, we would like it if you would consider having a reception back in Connecticut,” his mother told him. “After the wedding here. Whenever is convenient.”

He rubbed the back of his neck as they went on, making plans and explaining how people at home would want to be a part of his happiness so it would be good for their family and friends who wouldn’t be able to make the trip to Oklahoma. His grandmother caught his eye and wagged a finger at him. She was right; this was going too far.

“I’ll discuss this all with Daisy.

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