Page 24 of Cowboy of Convenience
The old woman stood stiffly, as if she was frozen in shock. Good. Shock gave him the advantage.
Grady leaned back, offering the easy grin he used to disarm the problematic people who crossed his path. "Well, I can see where she gets her good looks from."
He wasn't trying to charm her. Based on the expression etched into the small lines around Gram-Gram’s lips it wasn’t possible anyway. But irritating the shit out of her would be almost as much fun. Maybe more.
"Evelyn," her grandmother kept her sour face pointed his way for a second longer before shifting it to her granddaughter, "can I have a word with you inside?"
Evelyn glanced at him, looking a little terrified as she shifted on her feet. He left Gram-Gram behind, reaching out to trace Evelyn’s cheek in a gentle touch, hoping it conveyed what he couldn't directly say: He had her back. However this shook out, he was there for her. Willing to do whatever he could to make sure at least one of them could be free.
Evelyn took a breath, her shoulders lifting on the inhale as she faced down her grandmother. "Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of Grady." She swallowed hard, the muscles of her neck working. "He’s going to be my husband, after all."
Sasha laughed, his head falling back. "Come on. We all know this is a fucking lie." He leaned into Gram-Gram’s ear. "You and I both know she would never date someone like him, let alone agree to marry him."
Evelyn's grandmother held up one hand, palm facing Sasha. "One shouldn't allow their own emotions to color their assumptions." She flattened her palm against his face, pushing him away. "Obviously, I was surprised to hear you were engaged." Her cool gaze flicked to Grady before moving back to Evelyn. "So I chartered the next flight available hoping I could learn more about your future husband for myself."
Grady swallowed down a laugh. Evelyn’s grandmother was as full of it as they were. If she didn’t come to Moss Creek planning to shut shit down, he’d resign. Turn in his badge and admit he wasn’t cut out for the job.
But that wouldn’t happen because he was right. He could see it in her face.
Luckily, something had changed Gram-Gram’s mind. What it was, he wasn't sure yet, but things like that always had a way of coming out.
And they usually came out quick.
"Oh." Evelyn was obviously surprised by her grandmother's declaration. "Where will you be staying? Is your hotel close?" They were smart questions. Designed to outline the limitations they would now be working with, without offering up too much in return.
He was impressed.
"Well I'm staying here, of course." Her grandmother plastered on the fakest, most uncomfortable looking smile he'd ever seen. "I knew my lovely granddaughter would want me close so we could spend some quality time together."
Damn. He'd expected Evelyn's grandmother to be a little shady after the whole Sasha thing, but this woman was a snake in the grass. Luckily he wasn't scared of snakes.
"We would love to have you." Grady feigned disappointment. "But we've only got one bedroom set up."
Evelyn nodded along, the movement a little too quick. "The spare is empty since I didn’t need all that space, so I don't actually have anywhere to put you."
The stiff smile froze on her grandmother's face. "Well I'm sure you have a sofa."
Hell. This woman was not giving it up.
Evelyn’s eyes widened. "Of course I have a sofa, but I didn't think you would want to—"
Her grandmother's chin lifted. "I'm perfectly capable of sleeping on a sofa for one night. I'll simply have everything I need delivered tomorrow so I can be comfortable for the rest of my stay."
She said it like it wasn’t up for debate. Like she was used to getting her way, no questions asked. It fell in line with everything Evelyn told him, but it also fell in line with his own desire to keep this situation going.
So he was going to let it slide. Let Gram-Gram think she was the one in control. The one calling the shots. It would make it a hell of a lot easier for Evelyn and him to pull their own strings.
Evelyn shifted on her feet beside him, obviously unaware how well this was going for them. "Of course. That would be fantastic." Her smile was shaky. “Come in, then.”
She shoved a section of dark hair behind one ear as she opened the front door. He held the screen wide as her grandmother walked in, but the second Sasha stepped forward Grady blocked his path. "Not you."
Sasha barked out a laugh. "You can't be ser—"
"As a fucking heart attack. You are not coming in here." Grady stared the other man down. He might have to let Gram-Gram in, but there was no way in hell this fucker was coming inside Evelyn's home.
Sasha's nostrils flared as he leaned to try to peek over Grady’s shoulder, like he thought someone else was going to override his decision.
Wasn't happening.
