“Thanks for keeping an eye on Milo while I ran home and took a shower.”

“No worries,” Mom says, looking over her shoulder. “She’s out back with Duke and Diesel.”

That little fur ball loved hanging out with me today. Normally I’d look at a prissy little thing like her and think there’d be no way she’d last a minute on the ranch, but Milo is something. I had to keep a close eye on her because, well, she’s blind, but I’ll be damned if that little thing didn’t use her nose and ears to get her everywhere she needed to be.

“It smells amazing in here. What are you making?”

“Garlic chicken and loaded mashed potatoes. It’s Claire’s favorite home-cooked meal.”

“How do you know?” I ask, lifting the lid to one of the pans on the stove. There’s a white cream sauce simmering inside, and it smell delicious. “What is this?”

“I know it’s her favorite because I called her mother and asked. I made Mo’s favorite the first time we had her over for dinner after she and Rhett started dating, and I wanted to do the same for Claire.” Mom slaps my hand away and puts the lid back on the pan. “That’s a provel garlic cheese sauce for the chicken.”

“You called her mother?”

“Yes. And I even invited her and Phil to dinner. They’re out on the patio having a glass of wine and keeping an eye on Milo.”

Shit. I look down at my shirt and pants, wondering if I’m dressed up enough to meet Claire’s mother. Okay, I’m not meeting her for the first time, but that’s what it feels like.

“You look fine.” Mom stands in front of me and runs her hands down the front of my shirt. “Sharon is going to love you almost as much as I love Claire.”

“Almost?”

She smiles and shrugs. “I’m just glad you finally saw what’s been right in front of you this whole time.”

I squint, thinking back to that conversation Mom and I had in the hospital after the fire.

“There’s a girl, but your head and your heart have to be ready for her, and when they are, you’ll see her.”

“You’re obviously not there yet, and when you are, you’ll realize you don’t have to look far because she’s been right in front of you this whole time.”

“Wait. You knew about Claire?”

Mom pats my cheek. “I’m your mother, Trevor. I know everything. You think I didn’t notice the way you looked at Claire every time she came over here? When she was around, you’d trip over your own feet. And she was the same way, but I think she fought it a little more than you did. I knew if you two would give each other a solid chance, you’d have a shot at real relationship.”

“Do you think I’m relationship material? This is the first real one I’ve ever had.”

“Sit down.” Mom pulls out a chair, and when I sit down, she sits next to me. “It’s not about being relationship material. It’s about finding your other half—the one person who makes you smile and laugh, who’s there for you when you’re down and picks you back up. The person who makes you want to be better and do better. Your father is my person, and I know there’s someone out there for each of my children.”

I blink, a wave of memories washing over me.

Claire sticking up for me at the rock quarry.

Getting the nerve to ask her to dance at my freshman prom, and her saying yes.

Holding her in my arms as we swayed to the music, and the kiss she planted on my cheek when the song ended.

Teaching her how to drive the snowmobile when Rhett and Coop were too busy trying to impress other girls.

Carrying Claire down the hill after she hurt her ankle.

Battling her at Mario Brothers in the basement while my brothers and all their other friends played spin the bottle in the barn.

Kissing her that first time at Animal Haven.

And the second kiss we shared, and third and the fourth.

Touching her and making love to her for the first time.

Watching her come alive on that stage at the pier.

Curling up on the couch and watching movies.

God, the memories are endless and perfect and, “Claire is my person,” I announce.

“I know she is, darling. I can see it in your eyes. Now you have to hold on to that, and no matter what, you don’t let go. You fight for her no matter what the cost.”

“Maybe Claire and I have made it through all the shit. Maybe this is our end,” I say, recalling my conversation with Dad.

“Oh shit. You’ve already talked to your dad, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Don’t tell your dad I said this, but his theory on relationships and love is way off the mark. Next time you need relationship advice, you just come to your mama.”

“Really? I don’t think he’s all that far off the mark. Everything he said made perfect sense.”

“Okay.” She sighs and grabs a rag from the table. “Don’t tell him this either, or he’ll never let me live it down. His theory isn’t completely right, but it’s not completely wrong either.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your entire relationship will be the shit part your dad talks about, because relationships are work—hard work that doesn’t end. It never, ever ends. You’ll have good periods and bad periods, and there will be times you’ll wonder if it’s worth it, and you’ll be tempted to throw in the towel. But if your love is pure and strong, you’ll work through it.”

“So then when do you hit the end that Dad talks about?”

“You don’t. And it’s not the end that’s important anyway; it’s all the stuff that comes before it. It’s the memories and the laughter and the fights and—oh my gosh, Claire is here.”

Mom flies out of her chair, leaving me to ponder everything she said. I think there’s truth to both Mom and Dad’s theories, and they both must know what they’re talking about if they’ve made it this far, right?

“You better get to Mom before she tackles your girl.”

I blink up at Coop. He’s leaning against the counter with an easy smile and two beers. He hands me one. “Huh?”

“Mom,” Adley says, walking into the kitchen. She nods toward the front door.

Sure enough, there’s Mom, bouncing on her toes by the front door with her sights set on Claire.

“She did this same thing with Mo, and you have about thirty seconds to intercept her before it’s all over,” Rhett says, joining us.

“I’ve got this.” Dad claps a hand on my shoulder as he walks by. He wraps an arm around Mom’s shoulders and pulls her farther into the room.

“What are you doing?” She nudges Dad in the side, but he just laughs.

“Let the poor woman get out of her car.”

“I just want to talk to her and welcome her into our home.”

“And you can greet her with a handshake and friendly smile like most normal people would do.”

“I’m not normal.”

“We know that, sweetie.” He kisses the side of her head, and all of us laugh. “Let’s get the table set.”

There’s a soft knock on the door. I set my beer down and stride across the floor with purpose. Mo smiles up and brushes past me as she walks into the house.

“Hi.”

I look at Claire, and the words fly right out of my mouth. She’s wearing a blue sundress that hits just above her knees. Her hair is wrapped in a loose bun at the base of her neck, with red tendrils framing her face. All I can do is stare at her and wonder how in the world I got so damn lucky.

Her smile slowly fades, and she glances nervously at her dress.

“Oh God, it’s too much, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“The dress.” She’s got a horrified look on her face. “I knew I should’ve worn jeans like Mo.” Spinning on her heel, Claire steps off the porch, but I catch her arm as she hits the grass.

“No,” I say, swinging her around. She falls awkwardly against my chest, which is really quite perfect because I like having her in my arms. I cup her jaw and kiss her. “You look perfect.”

Her shoulders relax. “Really? You’re not just saying that? Because you were looking at me funny back there and—”

“There you go thinking again.”

My lips on hers stop everything. Claire melts into me, her tongue pushing between my lips, and when we hear a catcall, she pulls back and holds her fingers to her lips. Her cheeks turn pink, and just like every other time, it turns me on.

Claire leans to the left, looking around me. Her eyes grow wide. “Your entire family just saw us making out.”

“Not my entire family. Beau isn’t here. And now’s probably a good time to mention that your mom and Phil are on the patio.”

“What?” she hisses.

“Hey, look at me.” I smooth my hands down her arms, and she follows my command. “These people are our family. They love us and support us, and there’s no reason to be nervous.”

“I just really wanted to make a good impression on your parents, and now my mom is here, and you’ve got to make a good impression on her and—”

“Claire.”

Her mouth snaps shut.

“My parents already love you. You have been here more times than either one of us could ever count. As for your mother, don’t worry about it. I know I’m not,” I lie. Hell yeah I’m worried about making a good impression on her mother. What man wouldn’t be? Claire’s father is gone, so I have one shot at this.

“You’re right.” She takes a deep breath, and I watch the heat drain from her cheeks. She straightens her back and squares her shoulders. “Let’s do this.”

We take a step toward the house and Milo barks. Claire stops in her tracks, her jaw dropping as Milo walks around from the back of the house.

“Oh my gosh, what is this?” she says, kneeling down, undoubtedly to look at the small rope I used to hook Milo’s leash to Duke’s.

“She kept running into things and stumbling, so I hooked her up to Duke and let him guide her around.” The contraption Rhett and I came up with has enough slack to give each dog room to move. Essentially, it’s no different that Milo being on a leash, only it’s Duke who’s walking her. “He’s her eyes. Watch this. Duke, come here, buddy.”

Duke might tower over Milo, but the second I hooked them together, he became hyperaware of her, walking more slowly and taking extra precautions to ensure her safety.

When Duke starts walking, so does Milo, and when he stops at my feet, she stops, too. “Sit.” Both dogs sit. Milo’s head is tilted in the air as though she’s looking up at Duke, waiting for him to make his next move.

“Trevor,” Claire breathes. “This is absolutely fantastic. I can’t believe this. She’s like a different dog. He’s her navigation.” She gives Milo a pat on the head and scratches Duke behind the ear. “I’m going to have to get another dog.”

I squat down next to Claire. “I don’t think she needs a guide all the time, but it would be nice when you take her places where she could get hurt—like Animal Haven, or if I bring her here.”

Claire gives me a teasing look. “You mean you’d want to bring my prissy dog to the ranch more often?”

“She’s not so bad,” I say, petting the dogs. “She’s got a huge personality that I’m sort of falling in love with. Kind of like her owner.”

Claire leans toward me. “That was smooth, Mr. Allen, using my handicapped dog to get to me.”

“Did it work?”

“Oh, it so worked.”