Free Royal Secrets by Traci Hunter Abramson Page A

years. In reality, they had only known each other a few months.
    Garrett stepped aside as Mary and Kevin exited the limo behind them, Kevin holding the car seat baby Lindsay was still strapped into. Mary hurried up the front steps onto the wide front porch and reached for the door just as it swung open and a broad shouldered man stepped out. His short, dark hair was peppered with gray, and his eyes were the same deep green as Janessa’s. A smile lit his face as he scooped Mary into his arms, and Janessa rushed forward to be hugged in turn.
    A moment later, an energetic blonde woman joined them on the wide front porch. They exchanged greetings, and the proud grandparents took the time to ooh and ah over their baby granddaughter. Then Janessa turned and motioned for Garrett to join them.
    “Mom and Dad, this is Garrett Fortier. Garrett, these are my parents, Scott and Donna.” Garrett stepped forward, amused when Donna offered something between a bow and a curtsy. Fighting a smile, Garrett shook hands with Janessa’s mother. Then he turned to offer his hand to Scott and immediately sensed the man’s reservation.
    “I’m pleased to meet you both,” Garrett said formally as Scott reluctantly shook his hand, his eyes shifting to the limousine in the driveway before focusing more fully on Garrett.
    “Please come inside,” Donna said, waving everyone toward the open door.
    “Are your other children home?” Garrett asked as he walked into a tidy living room.
    “It’s the middle of the day. There’s work to be done,” Scott said gruffly.
    Donna sent a stern look in the direction of her husband and then added, “Our son Pierce is serving a mission right now in the Philippines, so he won’t be here this weekend, but everyone else is working the fields today. They should all be home by supper.”
    “I need to check on the cattle in the west pasture.” Scott motioned toward the door. “Maybe Prince Garrett would like to ride out with me.”
    The way he said the word prince , with the hint of a sneer in his voice, suggested that while many men would be thrilled with the prospect of their daughter marrying into royalty, Scott Rogers apparently wasn’t one of them.
    “I would like that, thank you,” Garrett said, determined to rise to whatever challenge Janessa’s father had in mind. He turned to Janessa. “If you’ll direct me to somewhere where I can change.”
    “Maybe I’ll come with you,” Janessa said, eying her father suspiciously.
    Garrett reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “You should stay and visit with your mother. I’m sure your father and I will get along just fine.”
    * * *
    The two men rode their horses in silence as they left the barnyard and skirted a field of wheat nearly ready for harvest. Garrett wasn’t sure what he had done to warrant the cold welcome from Janessa’s father, but he had a feeling he was about to find out.
    When they came to the top of a bluff, Scott reined in his horse and waited for Garrett to stop beside him. “We keep a small herd of cattle to help hedge against a bad growing season.”
    “It always pays to be prepared,” Garrett commented then hesitated a moment before plunging in to what had been running through his mind during their ride up the bluff. “I know this is late in coming, but I want you to know I am very much in love with your daughter. I hope you can give our marriage your blessing.”
    Scott shifted in his saddle to face Garrett more fully. “You know, around these parts, men ask for the young woman’s hand before her family reads about his intentions in the newspaper.”
    “I’m sorry that events unfolded as they did, but I’m here, and I’m asking now.” Garrett kept his eyes on Scott’s as he pressed on. “Can you support Janessa and me and give me her hand in marriage? I know having your blessing would mean a lot to both of us.”
    Scott stared at him for a moment and gave a subtle shake of his head. “I don’t know that I