Page 76 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“What’s your type of guy?”

The comment broadsided her and she began blinking so fast that it was a wonder her eyelashes didn’t take flight. “You’ll have to earn the right to an answer to that question, mister.”

“Ah, so that’s how it works,” he mused, a smile tipping his lips. “I guess I’ll have to see what I can do.”

Magnolia liked this side of Lucas. He could be the picture of charm when he wanted. She threw out her next questions with laughter coating her voice. “How about you? What’s your type?”

A low, throaty chuckle sounded in his throat. “Oh, no, princess. This street goes both ways. I’ll tell you when you tell me.”

“I guess we’re at an impasse.”

A grin stretched over his lips. “I guess so.” A minute or so later, he threw her a glance. “What was the clown like?”

“Clown?” she asked dubiously.

“The slime ball who cheated on you.”

The disgust in Lucas’s voice was gratifying. “Oh, that clown.” She pursed her lips, compiling a profile of Roman. “He’s good-looking, charismatic, driven for success, runs in my same social circles.”

Lucas grunted. “In other words, he would’ve been a shoo-in to take to North Carolina.”

“Yeah,” she admitted, “on paper Roman Abbott looks perfect.” A sour taste rose in her mouth. “It’s the real-life, commitment part where he needs some work.”

“Any man stupid enough to cheat on you should be hung up by his toenails and horse-whipped,” Lucas muttered.

Laughter gurgled in her throat. “I agree.” She tried to dissect the meaning of Lucas’s words. Had he given her a compliment? Or was his wrath coming from his own experience with his cheating ex-wife?

Lucas switched gears. “Tell me about your grandfather.”

“My grandfather’s tough. He’s not quite as aloof and rigid as my grandmother, but he comes pretty close. Already, he’s questioning how the two of us could’ve fallen in love so quickly. He was expecting me to bring Roman to North Carolina, andnow he’s having to get used to the idea of there being someone new.”

“Interesting.”

“What?”

“Your grandfather knows the conditions of your trust fund. Meaning, that he knows the kind of pressure you’re under to find a husband. And yet, he’s faulting you for it.”

The truth of Lucas’s words was a punch in the stomach. The injustice of the situation was a perpetual thorn in her side. “Yep, that’s my grandfather.”

“So, the money came from your grandmother’s side of the family?”

“Yes. My grandfather’s parents were affluent, but their wealth wasn’t even a drop in the bucket compared to my grandmother’s wealth.”

“That’s right. The money originally came from oil.”

She nodded.

“Did your grandparents marry for love or duty?”

She tilted her head. “You know, I’m not sure. I do know that they loved each other. My grandmother wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, but my grandfather adored her. He was devastated when she passed away.”

Snowflakes were falling on the windshield. The wipers flicked them away in a methodic rhythm.

“What did your grandmother die of?”

“A heart attack. It was totally unexpected.”

“How did your grandparents feel about your mom and dad’s marriage?”

---