Chapter Twenty-One
Despite everything, Stacey was curious to meet Troy’s parents. She really wanted to know where this compelling warrior came from. When she met Joe and Georgia DeLance, the pieces fell into place.
It didn’t matter that Georgia was wearing a black leather jacket and jeans—it was clear she was a class act. She took off her helmet, and soft blonde hair floated around her shoulders and over her baby-pink off-the-shoulder top. She had refined bone structure, big, expressive dark eyes, and a welcoming smile.
Next to her stood a tall bear of a man with thick black eyebrows over coal-colored eyes, his face framed with a bushy beard. There were never two more opposite people than Troy’s parents. But it was clear where Troy had gotten his fine looks and strong build.
He kissed his mother on both cheeks, then gave his father an awkward man hug. After greeting his parents, he put a protective arm around Stacey. “Pa and Mom, meet Stacey Martin. Stacey, these are my parents, Joe and Georgia DeLance.”
“Welcome,” Stacey said, shaking Georgia’s hand nervously. “I’ve been practicing my Cajun cooking. I hope you like it. Come into the kitchen and Troy will fix you a drink.”
“Cajun. That’s my favorite,” Georgia said.
“Troy told me.” She gave Georgia a big smile, grabbed Troy’s hand, and led him up the hall, mainly to avoid shaking hands with Joe. She still didn’t quite trust the man.
In the kitchen, Troy fixed his mother a glass of wine and put a beer into Joe’s hand, but his father barely looked at Troy. Instead, both his parents’ gazes were glued on her.
To hide her nerves, she got busy. While Troy and his parents sat at the table chatting, she took the bowl of marinated shrimp out of the fridge, lined a plate with lettuce leaves, and started spooning them onto it.
Georgia was still watching her. “I’ve never met a special girlfriend of Troy’s before,” she said. “He’s always kept them hidden away.”
Stacey dished up the cocktail sauce. “Hopefully, I’ll knock some of the secretiveness out of him.”
Troy raised his eyebrows at her.
“Good luck with that.” Pa coughed into his beer.
“I know he can’t talk about his work,” his mom said, “but it would be nice if my son brought his lovely girlfriend around once in a while.”
“I am sitting right here, you know,” Troy drawled.
“So are you going to tell your parents our news, darling?” Stacey said, trying to look the part of a blushing future bride.
“Troy?” His mom turned to him.
“We’re engaged, Mom,” he said.
Stacey held up her hand to show off her amazing ring. “Jean-Paul helped us choose the ring. Isn’t it beautiful?” The diamond sparkled in the light, gleaming with lies.
Joe’s eyes widened, and he started choking on a swallow of beer.
Karma. So good.
Georgia tore her shocked gaze from the ring and thumped him on the back until he settled. Stacey refrained from offering him a glass of water.
“Troy. This is quite a surprise,” Georgia said, her big dark eyes doubtful, but also filled with hope.
“I told Pa earlier today that we’re engaged. That’s what this dinner is about,” Troy said, squirming in his seat.
“And you failed to tell me this, Joe?” Georgia scolded her husband indignantly.
“Yeah, sorry, honey,” Joe managed to get out.
“I’m his mother. Why am I the last one to know?”
“Thought he was pulling my chain.” Pa glared at Troy, who sat back with a grin on his face, clearly savoring his father’s shock. She sensed Joe was the kind of man who expected everyone to know their place, and it was always going to be under him. Trouble was, Troy was pure alpha.
Stacey bit her lip and twisted the ring on her finger. “I would have been happy with the smallest diamond in Jean-Paul’s shop, but Troy insisted on this one.”
Pa took her hand and examined the ring. “That is a big diamond. You come into money, son?”
“Never had anyone special enough to spend it on. I do now,” Troy said, staring straight at his father.
Joe opened his mouth to speak but started choking again. Stacey relented and brought him a glass of water, which he gulped down.
“I’ve never seen Pa drink water before,” Troy said. “Guess this really is a surprise for him. He’s never thought I was capable of falling for someone. Thinks I’m cold.” Troy winked at her.
“No way. He was the most loving little boy.” Georgia patted Troy’s hand.
Troy grinned at his mother.
“Oh, he’s anything but cold,” Stacey murmured.
Georgia was smiling ear to ear. “I told you our boy would be all right if he met the right girl.” She stood up and turned to Stacey. Now, come here and give your future mother-in-law a big hug.”
Stacey stepped into Georgia’s embrace and exchanged a warm hug with her. It was genuine and heartfelt, bringing with it a real feeling of acceptance.
Then Georgia turned and gave her son an even bigger hug. “I’m so happy for you, son.”
Troy returned his mother’s embrace. It was so loving that Stacey’s heart warmed. It was nice to see this side of him.
“I’m glad you always believed in me, Mom,” he said.
Stacey smiled at him, fascinated to see him be affectionate. Somehow, she hadn’t imagined him having a soft side, but clearly he adored his mom.
Pa, however, shot Troy a deadly glare. Sweat had beaded at his temple. He coughed again.
“Joe, are you okay?” Stacey asked as sweetly as she could. “Or, would you mind if I call you Pa? My own father just passed away, so it would be a comfort to me.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Georgia said sympathetically.
Troy, on the other hand, closed his eyes for a moment, and his mouth tightened as if trying not to laugh. Not about her father, of course, but because she’d asked his Pa so sweetly when he knew damn well she was not a fan of the old man. She hoped she wasn’t overdoing it, because she felt it was a bit like poking a rattlesnake.
Joe’s eyes were still watering, his face mottled, so he just nodded. Stacey didn’t know whether he was giving permission for her to call him Pa, or if he was saying he was okay. She got him another glass of water, and he gulped it down.
After he settled, his expression turned suspicious. “Where did you two meet?”
“Right here in this kitchen,” she answered. “My brother introduced us.”
Joe scowled and swung his gaze to Troy. The tension crackled between them. But she figured she may as well acknowledge the giant elephant in the room.
Georgia put a restraining hand on Pa’s knee. “How long have you two known each other?”
“Eight months,” Troy said, his gaze heating as it flickered over Stacey. The man had acting skills. He actually looked like a man in love.
“That long?” Georgia appeared surprised. “Troy! You never even told me you were serious about someone.”
“Aw, Mom. Guys don’t talk about that stuff. Besides, I know how excited you get about marriage and stuff like that. What if it didn’t work out? I didn’t want to let you down.”
Georgia glanced at Pa, an expression of dismay in her large eyes. “You should have told me, old man.”
“First I’ve heard of it was this morning,” he said, holding his hands up in surrender.
Georgia’s mouth wobbled. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me something so special, even if you did only hear it this morning.”
Joe guzzled his beer. “Thought it was a joke.”
“Anyway, you know now.” Stacey put her arms around Troy’s shoulders, kissing him on the cheek. “I’m totally in love with your son. At first, he seemed scary in all that biker gear, but he has been really sweet to me, especially since Dad died. Troy tells me Pa is the same way with you,” she said to Georgia.
Georgia looked at Pa, and she reached over and took his hand. “I first saw Joe when I was fifteen, riding that big motorbike of his. It was love at first sight. He changed my whole life for the better, didn’t you, darling?”
Joe grunted, “Sure,” into his beer.
“It’s a very romantic story,” Georgia said. “I’ll tell you sometime when we’re alone together, Stacey. If Joe tells it, he’ll just say he wanted to get laid.”
“I did,” he said gruffly.
“Hmm. Sounds familiar,” Stacey said, winking at Troy.
Georgia gave out a tinkling laugh. “TMI, girl!” She took a gulp of her wine and the tension dissipated. “This is such a nice surprise. I’m glad something good has happened to lighten the mood. Since Lizzie left home so suddenly, I’ve been nothing but worried.”
Stacey ignored Pa’s sudden scowl and said brightly, “I’m sure she’ll come back soon. And I know my brother, Brian, will look after her until she does,”
Taking a deep breath, she put the plate of Cajun shrimp on the table and went to fetch the steaks and rice.
“But why did she leave?” Georgia asked. “She and Snake were about to announce their engagement. It’s not like her to take up with another man so soon.”
Stacey saw the deadly glimmer in Pa’s eyes as he swung his intense gaze on her. “I’m not sure,” she lied, heeding his clear warning. “Lizzie spoke to Troy, not me. I’m sorry you’re worried, Georgia, but I promise, your daughter will be safe with Brian. He’s always been very respectful with women.”
Joe’s mouth tightened to a thin, mean line, but he kept it shut.
The frown on Georgia’s brow eased, and she gave Stacey a weak smile. “It’s okay. Lizzie told me what happened with Snake. She said she needed to get away and think. She also said your brother was good to her.”
Ah, Stacey thought. So, that had been some kind of test. Hopefully she passed.
She smiled back. “He’s good to talk to if you can get him to stay still. Brian’s a good listener.” Stacey held up her glass. “Well. Cheers to lightening the mood.”
Even Joe raised his glass to her toast and drank, but he was still looking at her with those hard, dead eyes, so she averted her gaze to the waiting dinner.
“Dig in everyone,” she said, and started passing plates.
She knew she had won over Georgia, but it would take a lot more than a fancy dinner to convince Troy’s father she was trustworthy. She definitely understood why Troy wanted her to move back to New York, far away from Pa and the brothers.
Yet, one look at Troy eating his Cajun shrimp with gusto made her heart fill with joy. Tonight he was being even sweeter than the time he’d taken her out on the bayou. Obviously, him being cheerful and caring was no aberration. Under the harsh, tough-guy exterior, Troy was a gentle man, protective of those he loved.
The kind of man a woman could easily fall in love with.
But God help her if she did. Because like it or not, she’d have to become part of a family and a club that, frankly, chilled her to the bone.