She blanches but recovers in a breath, offering a soft smile. “Yes, Grady. Understood and appreciated. You’re intense and don’t mince words. I like that. You care for her. I like that, too. I can’t fault you for having doubts about me. But I love her, too. I’m fiercely determined to win my daughter back, and you better not stand in the way. Is that understood?”

Her brow cocks, and her lips curl, and I can’t help but warm to her. Not only did she match my intensity, but she also seems sincere. Hell, I’m even rooting for her.

I hold my wine glass up, and she grabs her diet soda, meeting me in the middle. “To Marina, then.”

“To Marnie.” She takes a healthy sip. “Let’s get another thing clear. Is it love or guilt driving your intentions with her?”

I scrub my slackened jaw over the surprise question, and that Marina must’ve opened up to her. “Love, obviously.”

“Is it obvious?” Her narrowed eyes focus on me. She flicks her fingernails like sweeping a bug out of the air before pointing at me. “I don’t want my daughter heartbroken again when you feel like you’ve paid your penance and decide you want kids the ol’ fashioned way after all.”

I scoff. “Mothering on her behalf already? You’ve got some nerve.”

“Told you. I’m in. For good. What about you, Grady Tripp?”

I lean forward with my sternest glare. “All that I have, all that I am, is hers. Now. Forever. I love her. Never question that again.”

Her eyes widen, and her hands go up submissively. “Gosh, I felt that in my bones. I guess time will prove it for both of us, then. Huh?”

Marina and Tilly arrive, arms full of plates, and the subject drops. Leonie has won my respect, somewhat, and bothered me at once. I adore Marina—that won’t go away. But I wonder if she has doubts like her Mom. I wonder if she trusts it yet, if she has faith in me. In us.

My mission isn’t just to show Leonie what family means, but to assure Marina that’s what this is.

“Your boyfriend was just telling me how crazy he is about you, Marnie,” Leonie coos. “He’s a sweetheart. Any other single Tripps I should know about?”

“Mom!” Marina and Tilly snap at once.

“What? We’re here. Might as well see what Seagrove has to offer, right?” she laughs.

Marina settles beside me, her hand squeezing my thigh under the table. “How about we explore other amenities first? Like housing? The library?”

“The school!” Tilly chimes in.

The chocolate cake melts in my mouth—definitely worth the drive. But even sweeter is Marina’s hand locking with mine under the table.

44. Marnie

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Marnie