“Through friends.”
“So why is this the first time you’ve brought him home?” her father questioned.
“Because I didn’t want to get the third degree,” she said, her patience thinning. “Daddy, don’t you think you’re taking the overprotective thing too far?”
“I didn’t question Javier enough and look what happened there. Forgive me for making sure that this guy is good enough for my little girl.”
“What happened with Javier wasn’t your fault, it was mine.”
She sent Dylan an apologetic look. She knew this would be a bad idea. Her father was taking his overprotectiveness to a whole new level. She wouldn’t blame Dylan if he wanted to run away from this whole fiasco.
“Why don’t you go to your room and rest, midgie? Give us men a chance to talk.”
Tilly blew out a deep breath. God, give me patience.
At one time, she’d have jumped at the chance to leave the room. The tension would have been too much for her. She’d rather have hidden than deal with any sort of confrontation.
But the last few years had shown her that she was tougher than she thought. No way would she leave Dylan by himself.
“I’m fine where I am, Daddy,” she replied.
He looked at her in surprise. Dylan squeezed her hand and gave her a small nod of approval.
“You’ve changed.” Her father studied her closely, almost as though he saw her for the first time.
“I have. I’m not the same girl who left.”
“No, I can see that. I’m not sure that I like it.”
Man, he really knew how to deliver a punch. She sucked in a deep breath and squeezed Dylan’s hand tight. “Well, I’m sorry if you feel that way. But this is who I am now. I’m in love with Dylan, Daddy. He’s a wonderful man and if you give him a chance, I’m sure you’ll grow to like him. Now, I think I would like to lie down.” She stood and reached for Dylan’s hand. “Come with me?”
Dylan stood and took her hand.
“Nice to meet you, sir,” he said to her father before she led them out of the room and down the corridor to her bedroom.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Dylan held out his arms. Tilly practically leaped into his arms and he squeezed her tight.
He just held her for a long moment before moving to the bed and sitting on the side. He pulled her onto his lap as he studied his surroundings. It was a typical teenage girl’s bedroom with posters covering the walls and a purple bedspread. Sleeping together in the small double bed was going to be interesting.
It was important that she reconnect with her family. As soon as she let go of the guilt she held she would be a lot happier.
Winning them over was going to be an interesting endeavor. He wondered if her brothers were as protective as her dad. Not that he blamed her father for his reaction. He’d be understandably wary of some man he’d never heard of coming home with his daughter.
“I’m so sorry about the way Daddy acted,” she said finally, leaning back to look up at him.
/> “Don’t apologize for him, baby,” Dylan told her gently. “I’m sure when I have a daughter, I will be just as protective.”
“He’s always been a little protective of me, being the only girl. But that was out of line.” She sent him a small smile. “My brothers will be home soon. That will be a whole new minefield. Sure you want to do this? We can sneak out the window and avoid the whole lot of them.”
“And have your dad hate me? No way, that man is scary.” He gave a fake-shudder and she laughed.
“The big, bad Marine is scared of a Texas rancher thirty years older than him?”
“A mhuirnín, every man is slightly scared of the father of the woman he loves.”
“Really, he’s a big marshmallow. He’s just extra-protective because of what happened with Javier.”
“How much do he and your brothers know about your relationship with Javier?”