Free Her Texas Family by Jill Lynn Page B

floor—where Lucy assumed Graham’s and Mattie’s rooms were.
    Not that she’d be requesting a tour.
    The living room was to her left. Wood floors, leather couches, a flat-screen TV on the wall and a small table in the corner covered with pink and purple Legos gave the space a homey feel. A large island was the only thing separating the kitchen from the living room. The older home had been remodeled...the charm of a midcentury house but with new amenities.
    Graham came from the kitchen and met her in the living room, looking casual in jeans and a long-sleeved gray shirt. Lucy had got used to seeing him in business attire at work—dress pants and a shirt and tie. Unfortunately, she knew Graham’s clothing habits way too well. By ten in the morning he loosened his tie, and by two in the afternoon he rolled his shirtsleeves up.
    If Lucy was in an admitting sort of mood, she’d admit that she liked today’s casual look on Graham. Truthfully, she liked all looks on him. Her employer happened to be a very good-looking man. Thus, the Hollywood nickname that had quickly come to fit him.
    Only, today he looked a bit more rumpled than he normally did. His short, dark hair disheveled. Eyes sporting some red. Was he stressed? What about? Work or personal life?
    â€œThanks for dropping her off. I could have picked her up.”
    â€œIt’s not a problem. I was going by anyway, headed out to the ranch.”
    â€œYou’re going to the ranch?” Mattie chimed in.
    â€œYep.”
    â€œCan I come? I want to ride a horse.”
    Graham’s hand rested on Mattie’s shoulder. “Matilda Grace. You can’t just invite yourself places. Lucy has her own life. She’s got plans today.”
    Mattie looked crushed. Lucy knew her sister would be fine with Mattie tagging along. They didn’t have any big plans—just hanging out.
    â€œIf your dad says it’s okay, you can come.”
    â€œPlease?” Mattie started tugging on Graham’s arm. “I’ll do anything. I’ll clean my room.”
    â€œYour room’s already clean.”
    â€œPlease, please, please?”
    Graham’s exhalation ricocheted through the first floor of the house. Finally, after a few more jumps from Mattie, he nodded.
    â€œI’ll go change!” She ran up the stairs, leaving Lucy and Graham alone.
    â€œI don’t want her—”
    â€œGetting hurt. I know. I’ll ask Cash to give her a ride. You trust him, right?”
    Graham nodded slowly.
    â€œOkay, then. Why don’t you tell Mattie I’m in the car? I can wait for her there and you can get back to...” Whatever it was he’d been doing. What exactly did Graham do in his spare time?
    Again, not her business. She turned to go.
    â€œLucy, wait.”
    Drat. Escaping sounded so much better. With a super-sized sigh, she faced him.
    â€œI know things have been weird since last Saturday with my in-laws. I’m sorry they acted that way. I think they were just—” He shrugged. “They weren’t very nice and I’m sorry. They’re not usually that way.”
    Only for her. Comforting thought.
    â€œThey thought we were...” Graham looked at the television that wasn’t on. He looked at the floor. Anywhere but at her. “They thought we were together .”
    â€œLike dating?”
    He finally met her gaze. Nodded.
    So they hadn’t been upset about her being around Mattie—though that sentiment probably wasn’t far behind this one. They’d been upset about her being with Graham.
    They must have thought she was encroaching on their daughter’s turf. Lucy fought the desire to hunt them down and tell them she didn’t have any plans to get involved with their son-in-law. The Wellings could keep Graham. Lucy would stay away from him as long as she got to continue having a relationship with Mattie.
    â€œWell, I’m sure you set them