Page 180 of Tangled with the Tight End

“She was there.”

More silence.

“Winona, Dad. It’s Winona.”

“The nurse?”

“Yes. She works for the home health agency.”

“Declan.” He sounds like he’s about to head into one of his speeches.

“Dad.” My tone holds a note of warning.

“Son, it’s not uncommon for a man—one who is alone and lonely and vulnerable from injury—to have an attraction …”

I cut him off before he can go any further. “That’s not what this is. I wanted to tell you sooner, but you and Mom weren’t exactly open to her—even before you knew we were dating.”

“We were cordial.”

I’m not here to argue with my dad. “Well, I was going to tell you in person.”

“And then the news leaked before you had a chance.”

“Exactly.”

“Declan, a man of our status and means … a woman can …”

I cut him off again. “Dad, you don’t know her. Please don’t insult her. She might be a part of my life for a long time. Whatever you say now will stick with both of us, and you don’t want to say something you’ll come to regret. Choose your words wisely.”

“Very well.”

He doesn’t say anything else.

I want to tell him all about Winona—to help him see her. But I know I can’t control how my dad views people, so I leave it alone.

“I’ll tell your mother,” Dad finally says.

“Do you want me to tell her?”

“No.”

“Okay. Well, I’ve got to get to some calls.”

“Be careful, Declan.”

“She’s not Ginger,” I say, naming the elephant in the room.

“We’ll see.”

Dad and I hang up. For some reason, I hear Winona’s voice in my head saying something about how my dad’s just looking out for me and I should be grateful he cares so much.

I smile. I’ve developed an inner Winona. When did that happen?

Last, but not least, I open the group text. The guys are all going crazy.

Delaney: Declan, my man. Looking sharp.

Pierce: He’s not looking nearly as sharp as our girl Winona.