“A billionaire.” Coop’s tone was flat.
“There are two kind of men in the world from what I’ve seen. Those who want the money and those that don’t. I just wanted someone that wanted me, no matter how much money I have.”
His fingers laced with hers. “I was so excited to see you, to meet your family, but when I walked in—nothing was what I expected.”
“Exit here, then turn left.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and continued giving him directions.
When they pulled up to her house, Coop didn’t let go of her hand. “Nellie, I’m sorry.”
“You have no reason to be sorry. Thank you for not leaving.”
“Being in love with you made leaving impossible.” He stared at their hands.
Angry and upset, she’d managed not to cry, but now—now tears slipped down her cheeks. “Really?”
“I know it’s only been weeks, and I don’t expect . . .” Glancing up, his brow furrowed. “Aww, Nellie. I didn’t mean to make you cry. You don’t have to—”
“I love you, too.” She leaned closer as he wiped her tears. “And—just so you know—I hate crying.”
“I’ll remember that.” He lifted her chin and ever-so-softly touched his lips to hers. “Any other secrets?”
“I’m a wait-until-after-the-wedding kind of girl.” She hoped after dropping the news about being rich, that tidbit wouldn’t run him off.
After a deep and passionate kiss, he pulled back. “Knew that already.”
“Let me give you the grand tour.” She slid out of the truck.
He ran around and tugged her to him. “I want you, Nellie, but I want you to know that my feelings would be the same even if you lived in a shack and had a nice grandfather.”
She loved his sense of humor. “My family—meaning my brother and parents—want to meet you.”
“I’m game.”
“Tomorrow? For steaks at their house?”
“For you, I’ll go. Shoot, for steaks, I’ll go.” He scooped her off her feet. “Anything else?”
“I’m a lousy cook.” Still in his arms, Nellie unlocked the front door.
Coop laughed. “That could be a problem.”
Chapter 14
Coop let Nellie lead him through the house, and he made a point to look around and not just watch her. He noticed the hardwood floors, the granite counter tops, and the art that looked like it had been painted by someone with talent, not like someone had rolled a cat on the canvas.
She showed him the guest rooms—upstairs and down—the den, living room, dining room, media room, and game room. The only room she didn’t show him was painted slate blue.
While she ran off to change, he found glasses in the kitchen and poured them each something to drink. Given that a possibly deep conversation was next on the agenda, he kept it non-alcoholic.
Nellie startled him when she wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Are we okay?”
“Besides the slight heart attack I had just then, yeah.”
Dressed in leggings and a baggy sweatshirt, she looked much more comfortable and just as pretty.
Once they were settled on the sofa, he looked her in the eye. “Since you are being open and honest, I will too. I own that business, but I’m far from rich, Nellie. As it is, I’m barely making ends meet.”
“There’s no reason—”
“I’m not telling you to get your help. I just want you to know what you’re getting.”
She took the glass out of his hand and set it on the table. Moving into his lap, she laughed and cradled his face. “You need to listen to me.”
When he moved his lips to speak, she kissed him.
“I want to see your books.”
“We’re just dating, I’m not taking your money.”
“I’m not giving you money, Coop. I want to help you figure it out. From the little I’ve seen, there is no reason for you to be struggling, but you do need help in the office. If a mechanic is answering phones, you aren’t getting the most out of your employee.”
“I hired a temp to answer phones during the day. And I’m doing the other office stuff after hours and on Saturdays.”
“Which means you have less time for me.” Nellie stuck her bottom lip out. “Please let me help you.”
He nodded. “But not tonight. Tell me about your family.”
“My mom’s family is the side with money. My grandmother died before I was born. We all put up with my grandfather. Did I mention that my mom married her pool guy?”
Coop figured he’d get along just fine with her family. “You hadn’t mentioned that.”
“Tanner works with me at the company.”
“He’s your brother?”
“Yep, my younger brother.”
“So, do I need a tux for tomorrow?” Coop winked so Nellie would know he was kidding.
“No, but I’d give almost anything to see you in one. Oh, but you will need a suit.”
“Oh.” His suit needed a dry cleaning, if it even still fit.
“We’ll be out by the pool if the weather cooperates.” She grinned.
“Okay. I’ll bring my swimsuit. What else do I need to know?”
“I will do my best never to have you in the same room with my grandfather, not because I don’t want to be seen with you, but because I never want to see that look in your eyes again. He doesn’t care about people. He cares about money and status.”
Coop tangled his fingers in her hair, pulling her to his lips. No matter how different their worlds were, he’d do whatever necessary to be with her. “I am glad I got to see you in the evening gown. That was a treat.”
She kissed him again before shifting out of his lap. “Is it too late to go dancing?”
“Not a bit. Band hasn’t even started playing yet.”
“Let me change.”
When Coop slid under the covers, he couldn’t sleep. He’d told Nellie he loved her. In all his thirty-two years, he’d never said that to a woman, besides his mother—and that didn’t count.
Picturing her dark, love-filled eyes, he closed his. If they were going to go over the books tomorrow, he needed sleep. But who could sleep after all that happened?
His phone lit up, and when he saw the text, he laughed.
You having trouble sleeping too? Nellie was probably back in her leggings and sweatshirt.
Yep. Thinking about someone. See there’s this woman. Beautiful. Tonight, I told her something I haven’t said to anyone else. He waited for her response.
His phone rang.
She spoke softly. “I’d kinda like to hear it again.”
He’d happily tell her as often as she wanted to hear it. “I love you, Nellie.”
“Get some sleep, Coop. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll grab us coffee.”
“Love you. Goodnight.”
He set his phone back on the nightstand, wondering about how long he should wait before proposing. After telling her he loved her, marriage was a short jump for him. He wanted to marry Nellie, there was no question about that, but he should at least wait to ask until after meeting her parents and her brother.
As he relaxed, the frustrating parts of the evening came to mind. Her grandfather had intentionally tried to embarrass Coop. Sadly, Nellie would get the brunt of her grandfather’s displeasure for leaving the party.
How would that man react if she agreed to marry a mechanic?
After spending all morning poring over the books, Nellie helped Coop make a few changes that would keep the business in the black. She didn’t bother telling him to find an office manager. They both knew that was a priority, but finding someone good wasn’t proving easy.
“Mind if I drive?” Nellie pointed at the Jeep.
He headed toward the passenger seat. “Be my guest.”
“You don’t need to be nervous.” She started the engine and patted his hand before backing out of the space.
“Okay.”
“Seriou
sly. Relax. The house is big, but they are just regular people.”
“Nellie, my love, they are not regular people. They are your parents.” He stared out the window, choosing his next words carefully. “I need them to like me.”
“They will. I know they will.”
She passed a very upscale neighborhood and turned down a two-lane road. “It’s easier to get to their place from the back entrance.”
He’d driven by the neighborhood and heard people talk about it. Famous athletes lived there. Country music stars owned houses there, and based on the size of the neighborhood, so did a whole lot of other people.
They passed homes that could house a small army.
After winding along the main road, she turned onto a side street and punched a code into yet another gate. The house at the end of the driveway was by no means small, but it didn’t look like a resort hotel, either.
After stopping near the front door in the circle drive, she leaned close to him. “Kiss me, Coop.”
He gave her a quick peck.
“Not like that.” She grabbed his shirt.
Trying to forget that people could walk out the door at any moment, he tasted the coffee on her lips.
She pressed closer, her fingers on his neck.
The rest of the world disappeared as Nellie melted against him.
His eyes popped open as she pulled away.
“That’s what I meant.”
“I don’t always understand you.” Coop wasn’t sure why she needed a kiss right before he met her parents. “But I love you.”
“Let’s go in.”
She knocked, and a guy, who looked a bit younger than Nellie, answered the door.
Coop figured it must be Tanner. “Hi. I’m Logan Cooper.”
“Tanner Davis. And it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’d say I’ve heard so much about you, but that wouldn’t be true. Mostly, she just walked around with a silly grin on her face.”
“Is he here?” A woman with dark hair and kind eyes walked around the corner. “Logan, come in.”
“Hello, ma’am. You can call me Coop.”
“You can call me Ruthie.” She looped her arm through his. “What can I get you to drink? We have sodas, beer, and I just made a batch of frozen margaritas.”
“A margarita sounds great.” Coop wanted to meet Mr. Davis to get over the last hurdle of nerves.
“I’ll get it for you. You just wander on out to the patio. Jeffrey is really looking forward to meeting you.” She pointed toward the back door.
Nellie eased into the spot vacated by her mom.
“Nellie, you want one too?” Ruthie called out.
“Yes, I’ll come help.” Nellie patted his bicep, her eyes all twinkles and chocolate.
Coop pushed open the back door but stepped aside to let Tanner walk out first.
“Dad, this is Coop.” Tanner sounded like he was introducing a college buddy.
Mr. Davis extended his hand. “So good to meet you. Really good.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m glad to be here.” Coop wondered when his nerves would stop dancing the tango.
Tanner pointed at a chair. “She’s never brought anyone to the house before. So, we’re predisposed to liking you. She has very refined taste.”
Coop was glad he hadn’t been sipping a drink because he’d have spewed it, laughing. “Refined isn’t how I’d describe me.”
Tanner joined in the laugh. “Neither are we, so it’s all good.”
Relaxing, Coop rested against the back of the chair. Her family seemed to like him. That made him happy.
Chapter 15
Nellie salted the rims of the glasses. “So . . . what do you think?”
“I think he’s adorable. It’s cute that he’s nervous. That says a lot.” Mom filled blue-rimmed margarita glasses up to the brim. “I’m sorry about yesterday. Your grandfather can be very narrow in his view of the world.”
“You mean only people with money matter?”
Mom shrugged. “He grew up without it, and when he got it, it consumed him.”
Nellie peered out the window, wondering about the conversation outside. “He loves me.”
“Yes. In spite of his horrible behavior, deep inside, your grandfather does love you.”
“Coop loves me.”
Mom grinned. “That’s kinda obvious.”
“He said it.” Nellie carried the tray to the door and waited for her mom to open it. “More than once.”
Coop jumped up and grabbed the tray. “Let me get that for you.”
“So, you met everyone?” Nellie passed around the drinks.
“Turns out, nobody bites.” He dropped back into his lounge chair, that cute twitch of a grin hiding behind his whiskers. The nervous tension had disappeared from his shoulders, and the way he winked when she caught his eye spoke volumes.
She walked over to his chair and motioned for him to make room. He shifted and draped his legs over the sides, making room for her in front of him.
Tanner jumped up and ran toward the door. “I think Angela’s here.”
Once he was out of sight and earshot, Nellie wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like her.”
“Be nice.” Mom waggled a finger. “But I agree with you.”
Nellie leaned back against Coop’s chest. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I like your family.” He slipped his arms around her waist. “Maybe we can have everyone at your place one day, and I’ll deep-fry a turkey—or do a shrimp boil.”
“You cook?” She hadn’t expected that.
“I’m full of surprises.”
Nellie hoped one of those surprises would include a ring.
Late that night, when Nellie dropped Coop off at the shop, she jumped out. “I know I’ve said it multiple times but thank you for going today.”
His gaze made her toes curl. “I’m glad I did.”
“Everyone seemed to like you.”
He backed her against the side of the truck. “You free tomorrow?”
“What did you have in mind?” She looped her arms around his waist.
“Thought we might—I don’t even know. But whatever you had planned for tomorrow, could we just do it together?”
Nellie nodded against his chest. “Sounds perfect. I need to go to the grocery store.”
“You don’t have a live-in cook or something?”
“I don’t have a live-in anybody. I’m not keen on strangers in my house.”
“Then what do you eat, if you don’t cook?”
Nellie groaned. “I order out or eat something I can throw in the oven or microwave.”
“Not if I can help it.”
“Really? You’ll make me dinner?”
“Can’t promise home-cooked food every night, but even if we order out, we should eat together.”
“Deal.” And just like that she had something to look forward to every night of the week.
Monday morning, she slipped into the office early, hoping to get work done before Grandfather made it into the office. Her plan worked, but at half past nine, she was summoned.
“Ms. Davis, Mr. Hunter would like to speak with you.” Her administrative assistant stood in the doorway, staring at the floor.
“Thanks, Lucy.” Nellie sucked in a cleansing breath. “Is he in his office?”
Lucy nodded but avoided eye contact.
Nellie was in for a royal mauling. Based on Lucy’s demeanor, he must have stumbled into the office in a sour mood.
When Nellie had one foot into the room, he snapped at her. “Close the door.”
After making sure it was shut, she sat down. “You wanted to see me?”
“How could you embarrass me like that? Leaving my birthday party?”
Nellie no longer cared if she ruffled feathers. “I’ll go to your next one. And while we are asking ‘how could you’ questions—how could you try to humiliate Coop like that? Why did you think it was okay to go behind my back and then have him show up underdressed
for the occasion? Why? What kind of a heartless person are you?”
“You hadn’t mentioned him, so clearly you were embarrassed. I was trying to make that point. I thought that when you saw how he didn’t fit in your circle, you’d come to your senses.”
“My senses are fine. And—you know what—I was embarrassed. Of you. I didn’t want him to meet you.”
Hurt registered on Grandfather’s face then it quickly morphed into anger. “Who you date reflects on this company.”
“You want my resignation?” Nellie couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth.
He crossed his arms. “No. But I don’t want to see him in the building or at company events.”
“Not a problem.” She walked out of his office before she said something she’d really regret.
In the lounge area just inside the ladies’ restroom, Nellie sat and composed herself. She could just quit. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t contemplated the idea many times before. She didn’t need the salary. Her trust fund was substantial, big enough that work was optional.
Nellie texted her mom: Remind me again why I work here and put up with that man.
You don’t have to, Nellie. Mom wasn’t the person to ask if Nellie was looking for a reason to stay.
It’s been in the family so long. I hate to walk away from that. Nellie thought about the portrait of her great grandfather hanging on the wall downstairs.
Lots of things in life matter more than business. Mom sent a heart.
Nellie didn’t want Mom to get the wrong impression. Nothing is more important than Coop.
Nellie shut down much earlier than normal and slipped out of the office without bumping into her grandfather. She made one quick stop on the way to the garage.
The lot at the shop was considerably more crowded than normal. She hurried in.
Several people waited in line.
Coop spoke with a woman at the counter, settling the bill and printing the receipt. His hair stood up in places, a sure sign that he’d been running grease-covered fingers through his hair.
When his gaze landed on Nellie, his lips curled into a smile.
Dating the Billionaire's Granddaughter Page 7
