Free Season for Love by Marie Force Page A

failed relationship with Abby had taught him that much. “I want her to be happy.”
    “I want that, too. More than you know. She gave up a big chunk of her life trying to get my sorry ass sprung from jail.”
    “She’d do it again in a heartbeat. You know that.”
    “She’s a good kid. She deserves better than what she got from her mother and me.”
    “From her mother, maybe. You saved her life. I don’t think she feels you owe her anything.”
    “I owe her everything ,” Charlie said, his eyes flashing with a rare show of emotion. “She’s the only one who gave a shit about whether I rotted in prison for the rest of my life. She deserves the whole world served up on a silver platter.”
    A knot of emotion lodged in Grant’s chest. He couldn’t agree more. “I want to give her that. If she’ll let me.”
    “She’ll fight you if you try to do too much for her.”
    “Believe me,” Grant said with a shaky laugh, “I already know that.” He forced a deep breath into his lungs. “Would I have your blessing?”
    “Does it matter so much to you that an ex-con approves?”
    “Yes, it matters. Very much so.”
    Charlie picked up a rag off the bench and wiped the dirt from his hands. “I’ll give you my blessing if you promise you’ll always be good to her, put her needs before your own and be faithful to her. Can you do all that?”
    “Yes.” He cleared his throat again. “Sir.”
    “In that case…” Charlie extended his hand to Grant.
    Grant shook his hand. “Thank you.”
    “No, Grant,” Charlie said, calling him by name for the first time. “Thank you. I’ll never have the words to properly thank you for what you did for me—and for Stephanie.”
    Overwhelmed by Charlie’s rare show of emotion, Grant said, “All I did was make a few calls.” Charlie’s fortunes had changed dramatically when Grant asked his celebrity lawyer friend Dan Torrington to take on the case. A call to Grant’s uncle, Superior Court Judge Frank McCarthy, had also helped the cause.  
    “They were the right calls, and they made a huge difference.” Charlie shook his head in disbelief. “I wake up every morning to the sound of the ocean and seagulls, and I still think I’m dreaming.”
    “I’m really glad it worked out—for your sake and Stephanie’s.” He paused before he added, “When you’re ready, I’d like to talk to you about the movie.”
    “I’m not there yet.”
    “Whenever. I’d better get back before Steph starts to wonder where I am.”
    “When will you propose?”
    “In the next few days. When the time is right.”
    Charlie nodded. “Good luck.”
    “Thanks. I’ll see you.” As Grant walked back to the motorcycle, he picked over the conversation in amazement. It was, without a doubt, the most substantial conversation he’d ever had with Stephanie’s stepfather, who’d seemed wary and suspicious of him from the day they met.  
    He was puzzled, however, about why Stephanie had never mentioned her dream to open her own restaurant. He’d have to find a way to bring that up.
    Riding the bike back home to her, Grant tried to think of the perfect way to ask her to marry him. It had to be as special as she was. Once she had his ring on her finger, maybe she’d stop worrying that what they had wouldn’t last. Maybe they both would.

Chapter 7
    After they enjoyed the delicious dinner he’d made, Owen and Laura settled in to watch a movie. Somehow, she ended up reclined with her feet in his lap and was treated to a divine foot massage. The last thing she remembered was the feel of his thumbs pressed against her arches. She awoke to him carrying her upstairs.
    “Did I fall asleep again?”
    “Yep. I can set my watch by it. Fifteen minutes—tops—and you’re out.”
    Laura curled her arms around his neck, enjoying being pressed against his chest. “I’m not always this much fun. Only when pregnant.”
    “I’ll have to take your word for that,” he said in a teasing tone.
    “Do