“Yes, sir.”

He backed the SUV onto the road and shifted into drive, heading in the direction that would take us to my parents’ house. For the first few minutes, we were both silent, but then he finally spoke.

“You know, Ms. Gable—”

I interrupted him because whatever he had to say, I wasn’t sure I could handle hearing it.

“I would really, really appreciate it if you could spare me the lecture about how I’m not good enough for your grandson, and that he’s destined for better things and a woman who doesn’t have my last name. It’s been a shitty night, and he’s already made that fact perfectly clear. I have no designs on your grandson. He’s safe from me.”

The old man glanced at me and returned his attention to the road.

For some reason, I wanted him to know the truth. I wanted him to know that I wasn’t some gold digger who was going after his grandson.

“I told him it was a mistake from the moment I found out his last name. He’s the one who pushed me to change my mind and give him a chance.”

“The boy could charm a rattlesnake if he put his mind to it,” the old man remarked, and I nodded in silent agreement. “He’s also quite rebellious.”

I rolled my eyes at that statement. “So I’ve heard. Along with the fact that I was his method of getting back at you for making him come home before he planned. That was great to hear, by the way.”

“And who did you hear that from?”

“Your son and daughter-in-law.” I looked at him. “I hate to say this, sir, but they’re both assholes.”

Instead of slamming on the brakes and throwing me out of the car, he burst out laughing. The deep rumbles seemed to come straight from his gut.

I studied his profile. Despite his snow-white hair and thick beard, it was obvious to see where Lincoln got his features. His grandfather was probably a good example of exactly what Lincoln would look like in about sixty years.

“You’re bold, girl. I respect that. And you’re also right. My son didn’t follow in my footsteps the way I’d planned.”

I sensed that this wasn’t something he would normally say, but nothing about tonight was normal. “What do you mean by that?”

“Riscoff men have always been faithful. We’ve always married not just for money but because our partner makes us better men. My wife was a good woman. Fiercely loyal and as smart as she was beautiful. She was the kind of woman who, in a different day and age, would have been an incredible force to be reckoned with at the bargaining table, mostly because she was so damn stubborn. She kept me on my toes. Made me look forward to waking up every day. That’s what I wanted for my son, but that’s not what Sylvia turned out to be.”

“It sounds like Lincoln’s mom doesn’t care about any of the things you did either. It sounds like she only cares about him marrying for a name and prestige.”