Paige’s heart sputtered and stalled before slamming against her ribs. “You’re leaving me your ranch?”
“Every acre.”
“Oh, Grandpa.” Her voice quivered and tears stung her eyes.
Though she had no clue how to run the ranch, take care of the cattle, or bale the hay, she was shocked and touched that he loved her enough to want to provide for her future. She now understood why he’d hired Johnny…the man knew how to run a ranch.
“This is everything.” Johnny’s muscles bulged and flexed as he clutched several suitcases and duffle bags under his tanned arms.
His smile was dazzling. His sparkling eyes, inviting. He was rugged, handsome, and manly…but Johnny Tassel didn’t ignite a single hormone in Paige’s body.
“Good. Good. Follow me,” her grandpa instructed.
As Johnny plodded beside the old man, Paige headed toward the house, and climbed the stairs to the porch.
“You’re a fine-looking fellow.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You got a girl?”
“No, sir. I dated a couple in high school, but nothing serious.”
“What do you think about my granddaughter? She’s mighty pretty, isn’t she?”
What the actual…
“No, sir. She’s not pretty…she’s beautiful,” Johnny said, slyly glancing her way.
Paige felt her cheeks get hot.
“Yes, she certainly is. How old are you, son?”
“Twenty-five.”
“Ah, I started courting my late wife when I was twenty-five, God rest her soul. Tell me, what’s your opinion of marriage?”
Are you shitting me? No. Oh, hell no!
“I believe God put us on this earth to marry and procreate.”
“I believe you’re right.”
As grandpa glanced back at her over his shoulder with a cagey grin, Paige slashed her hands through the air like an umpire calling a runner safe at home plate while furiously shaking her head and mouthing the word, “NO!”
“I’m going to kill him,” Paige growled, slamming the front door closed behind her.
Fuming, she sat on the couch while Grandpa’s and Johnny’s laughter floated through the open window across the room. She couldn’t hear their conversation, but that was probably for the best. Paige had heard all she’d needed on the porch. Grandpa might be pissed she’d danced with Austin—and a whole lot more—but his blatant matchmaking ploy had her seeing red.
“Paige?” the old man called from the foyer.
“I’m in the family room.”
When he strolled through the doorway, she pinned him an angry glare.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lied.
“Don’t waste your time trying to fix me up with Johnny. I’m not interested.”
“You’re being hasty, Paige. You two just met. Once you get to know him—”
“Who says I want to?”
“I hope you’ll at least try…for me.”
“Grandpa—”
“Wait. Hear me out. Two weeks ago, when I was lying in that hospital bed, I…well, I came face-to-face with my own mortality.”
His quiet confession took the wind out of her sails. Sadness replaced her anger and Paige could practically feel the sands of time he had left on this earth slipping through her fingers. Emotion clogged her throat, and tears stung her eyes.
“As much as I hate to admit it, I ain’t gonna live forever, sweetheart. And I sure as hell can’t leave you to try and run this big ol’ ranch by yourself.”
“I’m sure Johnny can do a fine job of running it for you, but that doesn’t mean I should marry him.”
“I realize that, but I’m not gonna lie. I brought him on board now so you two kids could get to know each other. Time will tell if he’s simply the foreman or the best thing that’s ever happened in your life. God knows you deserve some happiness after the years of hell your momma’s put you through.”
“But I don’t even know what I want to do with my life.”
“I understand that. I’m not throwing you to the wolves here, and I’m not trying shove that handsome young man down your throat. I’m simply trying to do what I can to provide for you with what time I have left on this side of the grass.” His sad smile only made the ball of sorrow grow bigger.
“I can’t leave this world knowing you’re sneaking around behind my back, cavorting with that thieving Carson bastard. Whatever you think you feel for that dirty scoundrel, flush it from your system now. Understand?”
He was asking the impossible. Paige couldn’t simply forget or ignore how alive, free, and wanted she felt around Austin.
When Paige didn’t reply, her grandpa arched a brow and sent her a look of warning. “Understand?”
“Under one condition.”
“Do you really think you’re in any position to bargain?” he asked in a tone equal parts caution and sadness.