Dating the Billionaire's Granddaughter

by Remi Carrington

  Ringing interrupted the country music blasting through the speakers. Nellie answered before the second ring. “Hello.”

  “Hey, beautiful. Sorry I didn’t text you back it was crazy right up until closing. I raced to your place and slid dinner in the oven before I jumped in the shower.”

  “You made dinner?”

  “Threw a casserole together this morning and kept it in the fridge at work.”

  She loved him more every minute.

  He sucked in a breath. “I hope you didn’t tell your mom about everything that happened this weekend.”

  “I told her we shared a room. Didn’t tell her about your magic cure.”

  His growl of a chuckle lit Nellie on fire. “So, we’re keeping secrets from the rest of the world now?”

  “I guess.”

  “Hurry home, darlin’.”

  Nellie couldn’t get there fast enough.

  She pushed open the front door and smiled at the sound of Coop in the kitchen singing along to the radio. Silently, she slipped off her heels and tiptoed across the house.

  He stood at the table, setting places. A vase full of colorful flowers decorated the center of the table.

  Mom’s magazine flashed in Nellie’s head and she almost had to bite her tongue. This was what she wanted.

  He was what she wanted.

  “If you are going to startle me or surprise me, you need to do it before I open the oven.” Coop didn’t even turn around.

  “But I was so quiet.”

  “Blindfolded, I could find you in a crowded room.”

  “Maybe we should put you to the test and play hide and seek after dinner.”

  “Or maybe we should snuggle on the couch, and you can tell me what your mom said at lunch.”

  Nellie dropped into a chair as he pulled dinner out of the oven. “Have your parents said anything—about me?”

  “Mom texted. She thinks you’re great.”

  “Have you had any new applicants for the office manager position?”

  “A few. Nothing hopeful.” He served up food, and the conversation died down.

  Once she’d finished eating, she poured them each a glass of wine. “Coop.”

  “Yes?” He tossed his napkin on his plate.

  “Leave the dishes. I’ll get them in a bit.”

  “That’s not what you were going to say.”

  She handed him a glass and motioned toward the living room. Once they were snuggled on the sofa, she started again, trying not to make her question sound like a hint. “I’ve never asked what you think of my house. I kept it a secret for so long, and the day I showed it to you was a tad crazy.”

  He chewed his bottom lip, then sipped his wine. “I feel very comfortable here. It’s a great house.”

  She set both glasses on the coffee table and shifted into his lap. “It’s better when you’re here.”

  Chapter 20

  Coop stuffed clean clothes in a duffle bag before running out the door. He’d spent every evening for the last two weeks with Nellie and didn’t see any reason to end the streak. Ever.

  He called her when he arrived at the shop. “Good morning.”

  “It is now. Hi.” Nellie closed a door. “I can only talk for a minute. You at work already?”

  “Yep. I’m thinking tonight we’ll throw burgers on the grill and tomorrow, we should visit another place on my list. Maybe the barbecue joint in Llano. The one named after me.” He chuckled at his own joke.

  “I like that plan. I need to go. Love you.”

  The call ended before Coop could respond. He felt caught in a loop. As much as he loved what he did, the highlight of every day was seeing Nellie. He lived from evening to evening.

  He shoved aside thoughts of Nellie and focused on work, which wasn’t easy. Every time he passed the front desk, he pictured her sitting there in her designer skirt, legs crossed, shoe dangling off her big toe, nails tapping on the keys.

  When he took a break for lunch, he called her dad. “Sir, hi. This is Logan Cooper.”

  “Hi, Coop. What can I do for you?”

  “I was wondering if we could meet for coffee this weekend? Just the two of us.” Coop clenched his shaking hand into a fist and tried not to crush his phone with the other.

  “I’m free Saturday or Sunday afternoon.”

  “Sunday would be great.” Coop hung up without agreeing on a place to meet, so he sent a text suggesting a place in Leon Springs.

  Mr. Davis answered right away: Sounds good. See you Sunday.

  Feeling especially sappy, Coop shot off a quick text to Nellie: You take up a lot of space in my head.

  You take up all the space in my heart. She followed the text with a kissing emoji.

  Coop watched the coffee slosh around in his cup as he bounced his knee. Breathing took concentration. He had no reason to believe his request would be denied, but his nerves hadn’t gotten the memo.

  When Mr. Davis stepped into the coffee house, Coop jumped up, knocking the table and sending his mug flying.

  “Crap. I’m so sorry. Have a seat. Let me grab a towel.” He shook Mr. Davis’s hand before running to the front counter. “Could I—”

  “I’ll take care of it. Be there in a sec.” The woman patted his hand. “Maybe coffee isn’t a great idea for you right now. Need something stronger?” She winked.

  “I’ll let you know.” Coop walked back to the table. “You’re probably wondering why I asked to meet you for coffee.”

  “Not really. And please, call me Jeff.”

  “The reason is—you know?”

  “I have a good guess.” Mr. Davis leaned back and crossed his arms. “But tell me.”

  “I’m crazy in love with your daughter, and I want to marry her. But having your blessing is important to me.” Coop held his breath.

  “You have it. Nellie loves you. That’s easy to see.” Jeff held up two fingers and nodded to the waitress. “Ruthie and I couldn’t be happier that the two of you found each other.”

  “Thank you.” Coop took a breath, the hardest part over. “Okay, so, I’d love to propose in a way that means something to Nellie, and she really looks to you and Ruthie as a picture of true love—not that I disagree.”

  Jeff chuckled. “Continue.”

  “I could rig her car so that it wouldn’t start and tape the proposal under the hood, but that just doesn’t seem very romantic. Besides, she’d probably just have it towed to the shop, and I’d be the only one to see it.”

  Jeff laughed, which Coop took as a good sign.

  “Anyway, I wondered how and where you proposed. I thought about proposing to Nellie in the same place.”

  “You might make her cry.”

  “She hates that, but I’m going to risk it.”

  “Thanks.” Jeff accepted the coffee mugs from the waitress. “After we finish our coffee, let’s grab dinner if you’re free.”

  “Okay?” Coop wanted to check with Nellie about her plans, but explaining might be a problem.

  “Ruthie is taking Nellie out tonight, so she won’t be lonely.”

  “Then I’m free.” Coop would just have to go see Nellie after dinner.

  “Ruthie’s mom died not long after we started dating, but she knew. One day, when Ruthie, her mom, and I were sitting out by the pool, Ruthie ran inside for a minute.” He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath before continuing. “Her mom told me to take care of her girl. She knew.”

  Coop waited as Jeffrey sipped his coffee.

  “Anyway, I waited months before asking Ruthie to marry me and skipped asking her dad, altogether. After saving my pennies, I made reservations at a small, very nice restaurant in Grey Forest.”

  “That little town near Helotes?”

  “That’s where I’m taking you.”

  “I thought you said it required a reservation.”

  “I made one as soon as you asked me to coffee.”

  “You did know.”

  “I’ve been expecting this call sin
ce the day you came over for steaks.”

  “I was thinking about it then.” Coop relaxed his shoulders. “So, did you just ask? Did you surprise her somehow? I’d love to be able to surprise her.”

  “We ordered one piece of cheesecake for dessert to split. The waiter brought out two plates. He set the cheesecake in front of me and a plate with a ring box sitting in the center in front of Ruthie. While she was staring at the box, I dropped to one knee.”

  “I really appreciate this.”

  Jeff checked his phone, then tapped out a message. “Ruthie is a tad excited.” He pulled out his wallet.

  “Let me get this.” Coop didn’t want any of Nellie’s family to ever think he was in it for the money or think of him as a mooch.

  Jeff waved off the offer. “Today is my treat. You save your money and use it for the big surprise.”

  Coop wasn’t sure how he’d keep the secret from Nellie. “Yes, sir.”

  Hiding things from Nellie wasn’t easy. But doing his sneaking during work hours was the only option for avoiding suspicion. Every evening, he spent time with Nellie. For three weeks, the streak had continued, and he was more than ready to pop the question.

  But not tonight.

  After checking the lasagna, Coop chopped veggies to sauté.

  He threw a red checkered tablecloth over Nellie’s table and glanced at the clock. Usually, she was home by now.

  He jumped when a knock sounded at the back door. Tanner peeked in the window.

  “Come in.” Coop wondered if he should add a third plate to the table.

  Tanner grinned at the flowers on the table and the tablecloth. “I’m not staying. Just wanted to tell you that Milo is busy tomorrow, so Art will be your chauffeur.

  “Thanks, Tanner. I appreciate it.”

  “Can I ask—how did you know?”

  “That I wanted to marry Nellie?”

  “Yeah, when did it change from it’s-kinda-nice-having-her-around to I-don’t-want-to-live-without-her?”

  “I’ve known for a while. If you’re asking when I knew I loved her—a couple weeks into dating.” Coop wasn’t sure if he wanted to say more, to give advice that hadn’t been requested. “You’ve been seeing Angela longer than I’ve known Nellie.”

  “I guess my question was pretty obvious.”

  “A little.” Coop felt for Tanner. “My advice: Don’t marry someone you don’t love.”

  A door closed outside, and Tanner waved as he slipped out the back door.

  “I’m home!” Nellie dropped her purse on the counter and shrugged off her jacket. “Smells good in here. Giving you a key was the best idea I’ve ever had.”

  “The best?”

  She rolled her eyes. “One of the best.”

  “Have a seat. Want some wine?”

  “Please.” She kicked off her heels and sat down.

  He set a glass of wine in front of her and massaged her shoulders. “How was work?”

  “It’s great if I manage to stay away from Grandfather. He’s still miffed.”

  “Because of me.”

  She laid her hand on top of his. “I love you more than my job, Coop. You know that, right?”

  He kissed her cheek and went to pull the food out of the oven. “Food’s ready.” He hoped she never had to choose between him and the job.

  Chapter 21

  When the limousine pulled up in front of the house, Nellie tempered her hope. Coop said they were going out to celebrate because her suggested changes at the shop had made a difference to the bottom line. While she was glad things were better, she really wanted to celebrate something else.

  Art opened the door of the limo. “Evening.”

  Dressed in a dark blue suit, Coop grinned from the backseat. “Surprise! I thought it might be fun if neither of us had to drive.”

  She slid in next to him. “This is nice, and I haven’t seen Art in a while. How are you?”

  “Just staying out of trouble.” Art winked and clicked a button, making the divider slide up.

  “Where are we going?” She usually knew the plans before they left the house.

  Coop draped an arm around her. “Dinner and then we’ll see.”

  She trailed her hand down the front of his dress shirt. “You look amazing. This suit new?”

  “Not really. Just don’t get much occasion to wear it.”

  “Is this an occasion?” She watched for the slightest twitch in his expression.

  He rested his forehead on hers. “It’s the eighty-seventh day that I’ve loved you.”

  “You’ve been counting?” She flipped through calendar pages in her head, trying to figure out what day he meant, but his roar of laughter derailed her thoughts.

  “I’m not counting. Every day feels like the first day.”

  “You can stop now.” She shook her head, knowing her smile gave her away.

  “Have you traveled much? We haven’t really talk about that.”

  “Some. I’d love to go back to Europe now that I’m older. We were there when I was a kid. What about you?”

  He brushed his thumb back and forth on her arm. “I’ve been to most of the Southern states.”

  “And you know where all the good barbecue is.”

  “Right.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I still haven’t taken you to all the places on my list.”

  When the limo stopped, she looked out the window and gasped. “This is where—”

  Telling Coop this was where her parents got engaged would be like begging him to ask, and it would heap undo pressure on him. She’d tell him the story another time, sometime after he proposed.

  “What’s that?”

  “I’ve heard good things about this place.”

  He held out his arm. “I hope all those things are true.”

  Nellie loved every minute of dinner.

  When the waiter took their plates away and asked about dessert, Coop ran his thumb along her knuckles and asked, “Want to split something?”

  “Cheesecake.”

  “We’ll have one slice to share and two cups of coffee.”

  “Very well. I’ll have it right out.” The waiter nodded before he hurried away.

  Minutes later, the waiter returned with only one plate. Nellie had secretly hoped for the second plate with the ring box on it. She’d heard the story many times.

  After laying two forks next the plate, the waiter set their coffee cups on the table. As he set one in front of Nellie, coffee nearly spilled onto the saucer. The cup was tilted.

  “Can I get you anything else?”

  “I think we’re good.” Coop picked up his coffee.

  Nellie tasted the cheesecake, savoring the creaminess. “This is really good.”

  “I like the coffee. Taste it.”

  She picked up her cup and sipped it. “It is good.” When she set it back on the saucer, it nearly fell over. “What is wrong with this cup?” She ran her finger along the bottom.

  “Maybe it’s the plate.”

  Peeking around the cup, she spotted the ring. “Coop!”

  Laughing, he dropped to one knee. A hush fell in the dining room, and all eyes were on Nellie.

  “Will you marry me, Nellie Davis?”

  She cradled his face. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes.”

  He picked up the ring and wiped off the spilled coffee. “I decided adding my own twist was the only chance of surprising you.”

  Dabbing at tears, she grabbed his hand. “I love you, and I love this. When we pulled up . . .”

  “I know.” He kissed tears off her cheeks. “But you didn’t say anything because you didn’t want to bring it up, make me feel bad, right?”

  She nodded. “Right. But you set me up.”

  “I did fib a little about tonight.”

  “Oh?” Nellie couldn’t imagine any better surprise.

  “We’re having drinks at your parents’ house. And my parents will be there.”

  “Do they know? Does my family know?”

>   “Why do you think my parents drove up? And your family can keep secrets amazingly well. Maybe I should be concerned.”

  “They love you. The secrets will always be in your favor.”

  Chapter 22

  Coop held open the front door and let Nellie enter first. Cheers greeted them. The door barely closed behind him when his mom wrapped him in a hug, which felt a little like a tackle.

  “I’m so happy for you. I just knew she was the one.” She patted his cheeks. “I can’t wait for the wedding.”

  “That makes two of us.” He extended his hand to Jeffrey, who pulled Coop into a hug. “Thanks for everything. She was really surprised.”

  “You make her happy. I’d do anything to help.” Jeffrey stepped aside, letting Coop swap hugs with Ruthie and his dad.

  “Everyone in the kitchen. Jeffrey is going to open the champagne.” Ruthie beamed and wiped her eyes.

  Tanner stood next to the counter, grinning. “Congrats, y’all!”

  Art waved as he slipped in the back door. “I’ll skip the champagne, but I want to celebrate with you. After all, I did play a part.”

  Nellie shook her head. “You’re a regular cupid, aren’t ya?”

  Coop pulled Nellie aside and wrapped his arms around her. They watched as Ruthie warned Jeffrey not to let the cork go flying and Mom wiped lipstick off Dad’s cheek. “That’ll be us someday. You’ll be telling me what to do and what not to do, cleaning my face. We’ll be acting like an old married couple.”

  She spun to face him. “We’re meant for each other. And I’m pretty good at telling people what to do. Being a big sister gave me lots of practice.”

  “I’m sure Tanner can attest to that. Which reminds me . . . I still haven’t taken him to lunch.”

  “Hopefully he won’t say anything that’ll change your mind.”

  “I’d only change my mind if I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”

  “That’ll never happen.” She inched up and brushed her lips on his.