Page 79 of Where the Blacktop Ends

“Georgia, Kent Marshall,” the man says, stepping forward with a broad smile. “Pleased to finally meet you. I have a feeling you’re the reason Troy’s bringing Liam home when it’s not even a holiday.”

I smile as Mr. Marshall pulls me into a hug. “I can’t take credit for that,” I say, feeling a bit flustered by that. Has it really been that long since Troy’s’ brought Liam home to see his family?

He waves his hand dismissively. “Oh, I guarantee you have everything to do with it.”

I feel my cheeks flush as Troy watches me, his expression unreadable but his hazel eyes soft.

Then another figure strolls in, this one wearing worn jeans with holes and a snug black T-shirt. He looks like a younger version of Troy—someone I might have gone for at one time before I realized I preferred the depth and maturity of an older man like Troy.

“Ah, the hot nanny. Every romance lover’s favorite trope,” he drawls with a teasing grin. “Cash Marshall,” he says, holding out his hand. “Middle child of the family.”

“And acts like it, too,” Troy grumbles from next to me.

“I don’t think we paid him enough attention when he was a kid, so he makes up for that now,” Kent mumbles, shaking his head.

I take his hand, but before I can shake it, he yanks me forward, pulling me in for a hug. I bounce off of his hard chest, my breath catching. “We don’t do handshakes here. And I heard you’re a rancher, so I know you don’t, either. Strength of the hug relates to the strength of the cock.”

I grin and hug him back, just as firmly. “I must have a massive one then.”

Cash barks out a laugh while Regan and his dad chuckle and Troy let’s out a loud groan. “Can you please stop, Cash?”

“You know what, I’ve never been to North Carolina before, but I think I’ll fit in just fine with the country folk. New York people haven’t been cutting it,” I respond, egging Cash on.

Cash lets out a snort, glancing over my head at Troy but not letting me go just yet from his vice like grip. “You hear that, big brother? The guys in New York aren’t doing it for her.” I can feel the tension rolling off Troy as I look up at Cash who’s still smirking over my head. “Maybe I’ll take you out to see the baby chicks,” Cash says with a wink. “Country girls always love that. Their little furry bodies and cheeping noises are adorable. It’ll melt your heart.”

Troy growls as he tugs me away from Cash who throws his head back and barks out another laugh before stooping down to grab Liam and toss him over his shoulder playfully. “Uncle!” Liam squeals.

Troy’s lips move to my ear as we take in the adorable scene. “You’re not going anywhere alone with him.”

“Why not?” I whisper back.

“Because I’m Big Papa.”

I chuckle softly, trying not to draw too much attention to us, but I catch Kent Marshall’s eye. He shoots me a wink, clearly enjoying the sight of me with his eldest son. I wonder if Troy’s ever brought anyone else to his family home before, but before I can think about that, the final Marshall sibling walks into the house.

“Hey, Georgia. I’m Lawson Marshall, the oldest Marshall—well, only since Troy’s basically always been our dad,” he says with a grin. Lawson’s lighter brown hair is almost a dark blonde, twinkling brown eyes, and his smile is far easier than Cash’s.

I shake his hand politely with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you. Nice to meet all of you.”

“I’m sorry about the whole paparazzi situation. I’m guessing Troy’s already handled it. He always does. He’s good at looking out for all of us.”

I raise an eyebrow and look between them. “I guess that’s their job—harassing people for a story. But thank you, it was terrifying.”

Lawson gives me a sympathetic nod, but Troy remains stoic.

“I met with the lawyer,” he says, still avoiding my gaze. “We’ve filed charges.”

So that’s why he was gone all weekend... My heart warms at the realization—he wasn’t just absent for work, he was out there, taking care of us. Me and Liam. I can’t help but think of us as a package deal now. The three of us.

Our adorable little family.

I glance at Troy with new appreciation, noticing the slight touch of gray at his temples, the fine lines under his eyes, and the way his smile has softened since we touched down in his home state. He’s lighter here in his childhood home, surrounded by people who don’t see him as Mr. Marshall or the man running for governor, but just as Troy. Their big brother who’s like a father figure to them all.

He looks younger in this lighting, somehow even more handsome, and he hasn’t even taken off his suit yet. A wild idea crosses my mind—maybe it’s time to provoke him a little. He’s been teasing me, telling me he won’t sleep with me because once he does, he’ll make me his. But that’s never sounded like a bad thing to me. In fact, that sounds like exactly what I want.

I watch as Kent Marshall bends down with a slight groan, his knees cracking as Liam runs into his arms. He scoops him upwith ease, laughing, “My only great-grandson. Your papa going to win this governor race so that you two can move back home?”

“That’s the plan...” Troy sighs, running a hand through his hair before his eyes connect with mine. Without product, it’s just loose, dark strands, brushing the collar of his shirt. He sounds tired, and I can hear the weight of it all—the family business, Colt, the campaign—resting on his shoulders. Will he really leave his whole life behind in New York for this?

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