Olivia’s Ride(19)

“I do,” I assured him. “And he loves me too. So be nice.”

I knew it would take a whole lot more than that, but at least it was a start.

When my dad held his hand out to Keeton, I watched as they shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. “This doesn’t mean for a moment that you’ve earned your right to date my daughter.” And then my father had to go and ruin the moment. “The jury is still out on that. Between my brothers and me, we’ll see if you make the cut.”

Keeton surprised me by nodding his head and giving back just as good as my dad dished it out. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, sir. Olivia is a special girl and she deserves the best. I intend to prove to you as well as your entire family that she means the world to me.” He smiled and gave me a wink. “I’m up for the challenge, because nothing would ever make me walk away from Liv.”

When I looked back at my dad, I couldn’t determine if the look he held was that of adoration or irritation. I could guarantee he hadn’t expected that response.

“It looks like you two are about to takes ten steps, turn, and whip out your guns.”

I turned to find Bailey standing in the doorway of the bakery with a knowing smile on her face. “Damn, Ryan, you need to cut this boy some slack.”

She stepped past me, bumped my hip with her own, and walked toward Keeton. “You must be the guy I’ve heard so much about. It’s good to see you got your shit together,” she said, in more of a hushed whisper.

Keeton’s cheeks reddened just a bit and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Hi,” he held out his hand out to her. “I’m Keeton and I sure hope I’m the guy you’ve been hearing about.”

“Oh, I’m sure you are.” Bailey looked back at me and winked. “I’ve gotten some explicit details over the last couple of months, and I can assure you the description was dead on.”

Oh my god, not right here in front of my dad.

One of the reasons I loved my stepmother so very much was because she had impeccable timing.

“Liv,” she squealed as she rushed from the bakery and engulfed me in her arms. “Sweetheart, I’ve missed you so damn much.”

I hugged her in return and told her how much I missed her as well. I may have asked her to save my boyfriend from my father’s evil eye, too.

She turned on my dad and put her hand on her hip. “I thought I told you to be on your best behavior?”

“I am, darlin’,” he cooed, and once again I rolled my eyes. She was not blind, ol’ man.

“Oh yeah?” she replied. “Is that why you’ve already started on him and he’s been here less than ten minutes?”

She reached out and took Keeton’s hand in hers. “If you have any problems with him while you’re here, you let me know. I know how to handle him,” she assured him.

She dragged him toward the bakery, leaving behind my father—who looked stunned, Bailey—who couldn’t wipe the smile from her face, and me—thinking of tossing Keeton in the back of the truck and driving back to Texas without a single look in the rearview mirror. I wasn’t sure this idea was one of the brightest I’d agreed to.

We hadn’t even met the rest of the gang, and I was already exhausted.





Chapter Twenty-Two





Keeton



I decided I loved Amber, and Bailey was a damn hoot. Neither one of them gave me a single second to feel unwelcome from the moment they saved me from the still scowling Ryan.

Even though Bailey was just dying to share the details she was harboring, I silently prayed the woman would just let it all go. But something told me I wouldn’t get that lucky.

After the girls closed down the bakery, we moved to the ranch. I had to admit it was truly one of the most beautiful places I had ever visited.

I was immediately swarmed by little kids the moment I exited the truck. Two little boys I instantly recognized as Rory and Rogan. Olivia had so many pictures of the two of them, and I overheard so many conversations with them, I felt like I already knew them.

Quickly I learned the sweet little girl with pigtails belonged to Bailey and Jackson, who I had yet to meet. But I had a feeling that would soon change, as I looked up to see a man with some pretty impressive arms exiting the barn and walking in our direction. Not to mention the way Bailey was salivating only assured me this was indeed the infamous Uncle Jackson. The guy was slightly intimidating. He looked fucking mean as hell.

He walked right past me and tossed Olivia over his shoulder as she squealed and kicked her feet. “Put me down, you damn gorilla.”

“It’s about time you showed up,” Ryan grumbled.

“What? I had shit to get done.” Jackson lowered Liv to the ground and wrapped his arms around her tight. When he released her, he kept one arm over her shoulder and turned to face Ryan. “It ain’t my fault you needed backup to find your balls.”

I chuckled as he spotted Amber and a wide smile spread out over his lips. “I found them,” he hollered out pointing in her direction, “Am has them in her hand.”

“Smartass,” Ryan said in return before flipping him the bird.

This entire family was like a comedy show. They went back and forth one minute and the next they were ganging up on one innocent party.

Like right now.

I was smiling at their banter until both men turned their full attention on me. And suddenly, the ranch that had hundreds of acres of space, felt as if it was closing in on me. I was fully on display with no hope of escaping.

“So this is Keeton.”

I looked to my left to see another man. I hadn’t even noticed him standing there.

“Yep,” Ryan replied.

“Honestly?” Olivia groaned as she stepped in front of me. “You three will be nice, and if not, I swear to you I’ll get your wives to put you all in place.”

“Oh, Liv,” Jackson said, with a smile I wasn’t sure I liked. “We just want to get to know the guy who…what was it?” He pretended to think and I suddenly felt sick. I had a feeling I already knew what he was remembering, and the conversation he overheard from Olivia was one I was positive I didn’t want her father to be a part of. “Oh, I remember,” he smirked. “The guy who made your toes curl and your body hum.”

“What the hell?” Ryan got up from his chair and my heart began to beat faster than it ever had before.

“I’m just messing with ya, Ry,” Jackson assured him, but the look he was giving me told me otherwise. I was sure a conversation would take place between the two of us later; that thought alone made me consider calling this trip complete.

“Will you three let that poor boy relax?” Olivia’s gran hollered from the porch. “I’m about to beat each one of you with a broom. You’re acting like a bunch of damn animals.”

She rescued me by whisking me away to the house where Duke was in the center of the kids as they played. He looked like he belonged, as if a kid using him as a pillow while they read a book was something that happened daily. One of the boys, I still wasn’t exactly sure which one was which yet, was cuddled up next to him flipping through a book, mumbling as if he was truly reading.

“They love him,” Olivia said as she leaned into my side. “I’m sorry about all that.”

I didn’t have to ask to know she was talking about her dad and uncles. “Sweetheart, you got nothing to be sorry for. They love ya, Liv, and in some weird way I find it comforting that they are so protective of you. It means the chances of you being hurt are less likely and that, pretty girl, makes me happy.”

Without even thinking I leaned in and kissed Olivia. I had spent months kissing her without a second thought, and when someone behind us cleared their throat I took my time pulling away. It was time I stopped feeling so intimidated by my love for Liv. They needed to understand I was here to stay, because nothing would keep me from this girl.

When I looked behind me, I found the guy I had not yet met, but knew had to be Uncle Noah. “I don’t think we got a proper introduction.” He held out his hand. “I’m Noah, and though I may not be quite as overbearing as the other two I do still hold that one right there—” he pointed toward Olivia, “—very dear to my heart.”

“I completely understand,” I assured him. “And I’m Keeton; it’s nice to finally meet you.” He shook my hand with a firm grip. “And I can assure you I have nothing but the best intentions when it comes to Liv and her heart.”

He seemed pleased with my response, even though I knew I had not convinced any of the Sawyer men that I was worthy of Olivia. That would take time.

Time I was willing to put in to prove I adored her. She had become a very important person in my life, and I would do whatever it took to show each one of them that I loved her.

I had only been in Livingston for a few hours, and already felt as if I’d been run through the damn ringer for weeks.



***



I woke up to Duke laying across the foot of the bed, staring up at me, panting. His ears were raised and his front paws were kicked out in front of him.

Last night after a very long and in-depth conversation with three grown men, who were, in my opinion, quite intimidating, I convinced Olivia to give in, and I stayed at the ranch. She went back to her childhood home with her dad, but she wasn’t pleased.