The vastness of Montana didn’t really hit me until we started our descent into the small airport at Great Falls. Even though Colorado is just as vast with mountain ranges and snow-covered peaks, it’s different. Andie’s excitement at being nearly home and to her family makes me realize that she’s loved here and that this is home to her. It begs the question as to whether she’d want to return here after she graduates.

Sighing heavily, I glance across the car to Andie who is practically bouncing in her seat as she drives the rental to her mom and Diego’s place. “You’re like a little kid.” I raise my brows and she bursts out laughing.

“I’m excited to introduce you to my family, and I can’t wait to see how big my mom is with my sister or brother.” She laughs. “It’s kinda weird really when you think about it. I’m twenty-four and I’m going to be a sister to a baby.” She bites her lip. “I wouldn’t change it for anything though because it settles me knowing that she’s finally really happy. She hasn’t been truly happy since my father died while she was pregnant with me. Diego brought light back into her life.”

She quickly glances to me before concentrating on the road again. “Even as a small child I’d catch her crying while staring at their wedding photograph. She’d always say ‘you’re daddy was so handsome in his uniform’ and then I’d see the sadness in her eyes.” Sighing, she adds, “He was older than my mom and a police officer. Killed while on patrol.”

“It sounds like she really did wait a long time to find happiness again, although I bet you helped her more than you think.”

Andie’s thoughtful. “Maybe. All I know is that Diego loves her and she loves him. That’s all that really matters to me.” She smiles as she takes a right turn. “Because of her marriage with Diego she’s given me the large family that I’ve always wanted. I’m closest to Kasey really. He’s about your age and a few months ago he finished out his contract with the New York Mavericks. Him and Felicity moved back here so I can’t wait to see their new home.”

“So I have no reason to be jealous, right?” I ask, but I’m only half joking.

“None what so ever, besides,” she adds, “my heart only wants you, so I promise you don’t have anything to worry about.”

“That’s good to know.”

“All the De La Fuente’s are married anyway.” She chuckles. “They are betting on how long it takes Blake, Felicity’s brother, and his physical therapist, Violet, to finally get together.”

I laugh. “I take it the attraction between them is obvious?”

“To everyone except them.” She looks thoughtful. “To be honest, I think it’s Blake holding them back.” She shrugs. “He was hit by a car that left him paralyzed from the hips down so he’s in a wheelchair. He thinks he doesn’t have anything to offer anyone and I know he’s struggling with depression because of it all...I don’t know if they’ll make it, but I really hope they do. It’s obvious how much they care about each other.”

“So there’s even more extended family then?”

“There is.” She pulls into a driveway and my heart hits my toes. “Don’t look so nervous. You’re only going to be meeting Diego and my mom.”

“They’re the important ones, Andie,” I grumble and climb out of the car when Andie does.

The minute we do a man about my height with broad shoulders and a huge grin approaches. The minute Andie realizes he’s there, she runs straight into his arms. The man wraps his arms around her and holds her tightly—and yes, a bout of jealousy curls in my stomach.

Andie looks giddy as she drags the man who I presume to be Diego, by the hand to where I’m standing. She lets go of him and wraps her arm around my waist, snuggling into my side. My arm rests on her shoulders, as I hold my hand out to the man.

“You must be Diego.”

He takes my outstretched hand. “And you must be Sawyer Lawrence, her Professor.”

My stomach drops, but Andie waves him away. “Diego, you promised to behave.”

Diego grins. “I’m behaving, but it’s the stepfather’s prerogative to put the boyfriend on the spot.”

Andie reaches up and kisses my cheek. “I love him Diego, so please give me a break okay. It’s taken a while to get us to this point. I don’t need you pointing out the obvious.”

“Andie, it’s okay.” I kiss her on the forehead and slip my hand into hers and face Diego. “I do have something to say about your comment, but I’d rather say it once, so I’ll wait until your wife is present.”

A few seconds later, he nods and I’m sure I see respect in his gaze. “Rae’s waiting inside.”

“Impatiently,” we hear shouted.

Diego laughs. “She’s been told to rest up. The heat and her age,” he whispers, “doesn’t go well with high blood pressure.”

“She’s okay though, right?” Andie asks, her voice strained with worry as she moves toward him.

“If she does what the doctor orders then yes.” Diego pulls her back into his arms. “She’s going to be fine, Andie. The last thing she’d want is for you to worry about her.”

Pulling back Andie looks worried but resigned. “She’s stubborn.”

“There is nothing wrong with my hearing.”

Andie laughs and dashes into the house leaving me to follow behind Diego who seems eager to get to his wife.

I’m surprised when I see her because she’s nothing like I expected, and certainly doesn’t look old enough to be Andie’s mom, sister maybe.

The small redhead with a large pregnant belly, looks me over from feet to head before she grins and pats her daughters hand. “You’ve done good, honey.”

“I know.” Andie beams up at me from her position on the sofa with her mom.

Diego hovers and it’s obvious that he wants to sit with his wife, which Andie gets. She jumps up and tugs me onto the sofa opposite. “All you had to tell me was to move over, Diego.”

“Rae’s been excited to see you so I wasn’t about to do that.”

Both women laugh. “Honey, you’re about as subtle as your mother.”

He rolls his eyes but not before I catch the wince he can’t hide. “Let’s not get into that.”

Rae settles into his arms and after Diego kisses her on the top of her head, he prompts, “So, you have something to say.”

Andie places her palm on my thigh, which I quickly remove and intertwine our fingers together. She smirks and I groan inwardly when I realize that her parents are watching our every move.

Clearing my throat, I say, “I’m not sure what to say really because you’ve obviously heard about me from Andie.” I glance at her and notice the slight blush along her cheeks. “You know I’m her Professor, which is awkward, but I’ve been attracted to your daughter from the first time I met her. I did fight against it, but you know her right? She isn’t easy to forget.” I bring our joined hands up and kiss her knuckles. “I love her, this between us is more than forbidden fruit and all that. I’m old enough to know what I want and that’s Andie.”

“Oh, honey!” Rae bursts into tears and Diego just rolls with it, passing her a box of Kleenex. “I’m so happy you finally got your professor.”

Andie grins. “Me too.”

Diego clears his throat. “You do realize that the walls in this place are thin, right?”

I glance at Andie and try not to grin at the embarrassment I see on her face. “I’ve slept in my room numerous times since you moved in here Diego, so yes, I know how thin the walls are.”

Rae chuckles. “He wasn’t expecting that when he gave you a warning.”

“Hey, I’m thinking about your delicate ears,” he tells his wife.

“A train traveling through the house wouldn’t wake me with how deeply I’ve been sleeping so I very much doubt anything else will.”

“Mom, Diego, it’s okay. We have a room booked at La Quinta Inn. I want to mix family time with showing Sawyer around town.”

“But—” Rae starts.

“Andie is going to be close by.” Diego hugs his wife. “They’ll be fine there.”

I’m glad that he’s okay with us staying elsewhere because it would be too awkward staying here. I sure as hell wouldn’t be making love to Andie in her family home, which is how I persuaded her to let me book us somewhere in town.

“As my husband is going to be more comfortable with that arrangement, I’ll leave it.” Rae says. “But you better not be late for the baby shower.”

“I won’t. Where’s it being held?”

“At Kasey and Felicity’s new place. They can’t wait to show it off to you. They’ve just finished having a ramp built for Blake to use.” Rae sighs softly. “I think they planned on having Blake live with them, which I think Kasey would have been more on board with if Felicity wasn’t pregnant. Blake obviously realized it as well and he’s refused and is still living in town with violet.”

“Oh boy! I bet Felicity wasn’t happy having Blake refuse to move in. Did she know that Kasey wasn’t happy with her idea?”

“Oh yes! Didn’t last for long though when he reasoned with her.” Rae shrugs. “Blake is fine where he is and I think it would have broken Violet’s heart to have him move out.” She smiles. “They’re a right pair.”

“He needs a kick in the ass before he loses Violet to someone else,” Diego adds.

“Why Diego,” Andie teases, “I didn’t know you liked to gossip.”

Rae throws back her head and laughs. “The De La Fuente men love to gossip. I swear they gossip more than a bunch of church women.”

“Hey now,” Diego complains, his lips twitching. “If we didn’t gossip about our women we wouldn’t know half of the stuff that we do.” He smirks.

“God, I don’t even want to know.” Rae shakes her head, and focuses on me. “I’m curious Sawyer, how have you and my daughter been able to hide what’s going on between you both? Isn’t anyone curious?”

“I haven’t hid the fact that I have a girlfriend or that I’m in love with her.” I smile at Andie. “I just haven’t told anyone her name.” I look between her mom and Diego, and admit, “It hurts not being able to go anywhere together as a couple, which is why I wanted us to stay in town here. I want to be able to take Andie out and treat her to everything I’ve been unable to back in Denver, because the chances of us bumping into someone that we know is a lot higher back there.

“She deserves everything, and up to now we’ve had to hold off. My sister Pattie was staying with me and she helped us some, but now we just spend our time at my home. I have a pool that’s private, which means we’re not spending all our time indoors, hiding away...But, I’m hoping that very soon, to be able to walk down the street at the College while holding her hand.”

“Oh,” Rae gasps. “You really are in love with my daughter.”

“Jeez Rae, don’t do that.” Diego clutches his chest. “You gasp and I panic.”

“You didn’t panic last night, you—” she stops talking with a twinkle in her eyes as Diego covers her mouth with his hand.

Andie jumps up. “And, that’s our cue to leave.”