Free It Had to Be Love (An It Had to Be Novel) by Tamra Baumann Page A

cute enough, I guess.” Tara’s mom tried to hide her disgust at a dog in the house, but her nose still wrinkled. “What will you do with it while we eat?”
    It? She started to remind her mother that his name was Sherlock, but picking her battles seemed more prudent. Long night ahead.
    “He’s coming along.” Tara ignored the mortification on her mother’s face. “You guys didn’t have to get all dressed up. We’re just going to Ryan’s house. Would you like to change?”
    Her mom wore something fit for a state dinner and her dad looked handsome in his crisp, dark suit and red tie.
    Her mother shook her head. “One should always dress for dinner, Jamie. Maybe you should change too? Surely you’ll want to look your best for Ryan.”
    Her father rolled his eyes. He was happiest when dressed for his golf game. “Jamie looks fine, Eva. Leave the girl alone.”
    “That’s Tara to you guys. And Ryan won’t care. He’s a casual, laid-back kind of guy.”
    Her father mumbled, “That’d be a nice change from our usual dinner partners,” and earned an arm swat from her mom.
    Tara stifled her grin. “Let’s go.”
    Any man who’d cook for her parents and let her bring her rambunctious pup to his newly remodeled house without hesitation got extra points from her. Maybe she and Ryan could end up being friends after all.
    After she grabbed the wine and locked up, her father asked, “Where’d Jimmy go?”
    “I sent him to a hotel in the next town. We can walk to Ryan’s house. It’s just down the hill.”
    Her dad nodded sharply. “A walk sounds good. Love the way the air smells. Clean and fresh.”
    “Walking is out of the question.” Mom looked down at her skyscraper Louboutins.
    “Fine.” Tara handed the bottles of wine in the cloth carrier and Sherlock’s leash to her father. “We’ll drive.”
    She went back inside to get her BMW out of the garage, realizing she hadn’t driven her car in weeks. It probably needed to be started anyway.
    After they were all loaded up and on their way, she glanced in the rearview mirror. “Ryan just remodeled his home and it’s beautiful, Mom. You’ll especially appreciate all the cherry wood built-ins. And the view of the lake is stunning.”
    Before her mother could answer, they were at Ryan’s house and heading down his drive.
    “Is this it? A cabin?” Her mom’s forehead knitted as much as a forehead could when filled with Botox.
    Tara pulled around the back of the house and parked in front of Ryan’s garage. “Just wait. You’ll see.”
    As they unloaded from the car, Ryan walked onto the deck and lifted a hand in silent greeting. He wore a snowy white dress shirt, charcoal slacks, and black leather loafers. She’d never seen him in anything but his uniform and running gear. The action hero she’d been starstruck by the day before had nothing on Ryan, even with the bruises on his face.
    When he smiled, her heart nearly stopped.
    Tara’s mom whispered, “See? Ryan changed for dinner too. And so handsome on top of it? I think I like him already.”
    Ryan walked down the steps from the deck then slipped beside her as she tried to wrestle Sherlock out of the car.
    “You drove?” he whispered.
    “Don’t ask.” She leaned down and tugged on Sherlock’s leash, but he dug his paws in, refusing to budge. It was another new situation, and her puppy was already at his limit for the day. “Come on, Sherlock. Please?”
    After a few more failed attempts and much pleading, Ryan reached in and scooped Sherlock up. “Let’s go, bud.”
    Her dog wagged his tail and happily snuggled against Ryan’s chest, already best of friends.
    “Little traitor.” Why hadn’t she just done that? She was totally off her game.
    “You have to show a dog who’s in charge, Tara.” He turned and smiled at her parents. “Eva. Joe. Nice to see you again. Please, come in.”
    As she followed behind them, Tara glanced down at her slacks and silk shirt, suddenly feeling way