She hadn’t thought about that. Back in Seattle, the chances of running into someone you knew at a restaurant were slim. Recognizability: one more perk to small town life. “That sort of puts a damper on the evening.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to tell your parents about us than to have to sneak around?”
“You either had really understanding parents or you’ve forgotten what lectures and guilt trips are like.”
“Maybe a little of both,” he allowed.
More likely, he was the sort of son who’d never given his parents a minute’s worth of grief. He tapped the steering wheel with his thumb, a sign he was irritated.
“We can still see each other,” she said. “We’ll tell Dewayne you agreed to help me out with a few things on the ranch in exchange for me redecorating your place. Then I’ll have an excuse to be over at your house too.”
More tapping on the steering wheel. Judging by the crease in his brow, you’d think she’d asked him to do something illegal. “It’s not that we’re being dishonest,” she emphasized. “We’re just being private. That’s okay, isn’t it?”
“I suppose so.” The eyebrow crease disappeared. She’d hit upon the right angle. Landon didn’t want to be anyone’s dirty little secret, but he understood the value of privacy. “I guess no one else has to know our business right now.”
And that is how they ended up having a late-night picnic of take-out lobster while sitting in his truck bed underneath a full moon. The stars were bright, the food was good, and the kissing was even better.
Chapter Twelve
“So you’re sayingyou’re ashamed to be dating Kitty?”Dillon asked, head cocked. “That’s why you don’t want us to tell people about the two of you?”
Landon sat at the table with Dillon, Jaxon, and Preston eating breakfast before church. Landon had just explained the need for secrecy to his brothers, but he must not have done a good job.
“No, I’m just saying you can’t tell people about our relationship.” His gaze slid to his niece. She lay on the couch, her attention riveted to the TV. Audrey especially shouldn’t know anything, since six-year-olds weren’t known for keeping secrets. “Kitty’s parents are worried I’ll influence her in our favor.”
Jaxon nodded. “I actually think that’s a good idea. I mean, you influencing Kitty in our favor.”
Landon rolled his eyes. “What sort of man would that make me?”
“One who still has a job.” Preston skewered some eggs on his fork.“One who cares about his family.”
Before Landon could respond, Preston plowed on. “I haven’t read a single one of the classics assigned in my English classes, and I laughed at all my friends who were plodding throughWalden, because I always knew what I was doing after high school—and it didn’t involve writing some hyped-up college application essay. I was going to run cattle. Now I’m wondering what I should do with my life because we might not have this ranch for long. And all because you’ve got the hots for the wrong woman.”
Landon put down his fork. “You haven’t been reading your English assignments?”
Preston huffed. “That isn’t the point.”
“Oh, it is,” Landon said. “You’re readingWaldenas soon as we get home from church. I’m making that a point right now.”
Preston looked to Dillon for help. “Make him see sense.”
“You don’t need to worry about him dating Kitty,” Dillon said, ever the calming voice of reason. “Landon never gets serious about anyone or sticks with one woman too long.”
Jaxon swiped butter across his toast and nodded sagely. “That’s true. He’s got commitment issues.”
Landon straightened, offended. “I don’t have commitment issues. I just haven’t found the right woman yet. And I’ve been busy. I’ve had my hands full with running the ranch and raising Preston and Audrey.”
Jaxon grunted. “I’m pretty sure I’ve done most of the Audrey-raising.”
“And I’ve always been your backup.” At least Landon had since their parents died. Jaxon hadn’t had anyone else. Ethan and Dillon had both been at college.
Preston finished a bite of eggs. “You don’t have to stay single on my account. In fact, I’d rather you get married. Maybe having your own kids would keep you from breathing down my neck all the time.”
“I don’t breathe down your neck all the time. And that reminds me, I’m checking your grades today. If they’re not all considerably close to the front of the alphabet, you won’t be hanging out with your friends for a while.”
“See?” Preston lifted his arms as though offering proof of his suffering. “This is exactly what I’m talking about. I’m being suffocated by your neck-breathing.”
Dillon silenced Preston with a wave of his hand. To Landon, he said, “He’s a teenager, and that means he’s required to be moody and obnoxious, but he’s also partially right. After Mom and Dad died, you put your life on hold. Maybe we all needed that back then, but it’s been five years. Neither the ranch nor the family will fall apart if you have a serious relationship.”