Grandpa Noah nodded. “It just so happens there are a number of new, single females who’ve come to town just lately. Now, if you want some advice on how to proceed, I’d suggest you talk either to Samantha—or Grandma Kate.”
Ian grinned at his grandpa. “Maybe you should do the same thing, there, Gramps.”
“Don’t be cheeky, young’un. I’ve had my one and only. And while I was always happy with just my Margaret, I have to say I understand that wanting something different runs in the family.”
“We’re not telling either of our parents until it’s a done deal.”
“Now, Ian, you have to know that your folks would only wish you happy.” Then he turned to Ken. “And yours, while your mom will likely fuss a bit, they’ll come around, eventually, too. And if she doesn’t, I’ll have a word with your Aunt Teri.”
He might be older, and no longer living close to the others, but there was no denying one more fact that cheered Ian immensely.
Grandpa Noah knew his family and had everybody’s number. Ian knew that their Aunt Teri had a lot of influence over Ken’s mom. He also knew that grandpa especially had her number.
“I guess we do know that, Grandpa,” Ian said. “The thing is we wanted to be here and have it all a done deal before they found out.”
Grandpa Noah looked from him to Ken and then just shook his head. “You can’t order up a life’s mate with the same methods that you’re using with your ‘business plan’ to expand your business. It doesn’t work that way.”
“We’re not. At least, not exactly. But there are similarities. We’ve talked, Ian and I, about the qualities we want our future wife to have. Some are absolutely non-negotiable.”
“I’m probably going to regret asking, but would you mind sharing a few of your criteria with me?”
“Number one—she has to not give a rip what anyone thinks, except us.” Ian was as adamant about that as his cousin, and for the same reason. He didn’t want someone like Ken’s mother, a woman who swayed toward the strongest personality in the room. Of course, his Aunt Lorna loved her kids, and she meant no harm. She just was a…a magpie. With Aunt Lorna, it was a case of loving the woman but not liking her very much.
He wanted to love and like his future wife.
“Well, I can see where you get that from,” Grandpa said. “and I have to tell you, a woman with a backbone and a mind of her own is a very good thing. What else?”
“Right up there with that,” Ken said, “she has to have good critical thinking. She has to be able to think outside the box.”
“We both do. When we wanted to have the business we have, we had to decide if we wanted it badly enough. Once we knew we did, then it was just a matter of finding how to get it done. If you want something badly enough, there’s always a way.”
“All right. That sounds good, too. Any other points?”
“Well, there has to be chemistry between us.”
“That’s absolutely crucial,” Ken said. “We have to click, and of course, she has to be the sort of woman who wants and needs two husbands instead of one.”
“No physical parameters? Blond hair, blue eyes, big boobs?”
“Grandpa!” It was a good thing Ian had already swallowed his tea, or he’d have spit it out. He laughed loud and long, and man, did that feel good.
“I know we’re not very old,” Ken said. “But we’re old enough. We’ve met some women in our lives who were stunningly beautiful. The kind who’ve mastered the smoky look and know how to use their bodies to make a man forget his name.”
“And the truth is, Grandpa, every single one of them has been ugly inside,” Ian said. “We don’t care about looks. Looks fade. Skinny? A woman has a baby or two, and her body becomes a woman’s body. Appearances, even, to a great extent, physical shape, that’s just a matter of genes.”
“We’re not looking for a date to enter a wet tee-shirt contest for the weekend,” Ken said. “We want a wife who will love us and whatever children we’re blessed with. A wife who will make a life with us and grow old with us.”
Ian knew, when he saw their grandfather’s smile, that they’d pleased him—and maybe surprised him a little.
“It’s good to know that none of my grandsons here in Lusty, Texas, are assholes.”
“That’s high praise. We’re honored, deeply honored.” Ian said that with a totally straight face.
“We’ll have to petition the Town Trust to see if we can erect a plaque to this moment,” Ken said. “Maybe put it out there beside the front door.”
“Smartasses, yes. Assholes, no.” Noah Kendall the elder nodded once and folded his arms, signaling a finality to the conversation.
Ian loved his grandpa with all his heart, but he never let him have the last word.
“Well,” he said, “we are your grandsons, after all.”
Chapter Two
“I’m very grateful for your help with those roses.” Bailey grinned as she opened the door to Lusty Appetites. “It was nice for a change, working with someone who knows what they’re doing.”
“I love my brothers,” Alice said. “But they’re still men, and unless they’ve chosen a certain activity as a hobby or career, I think they’re pretty much not able to do a lot to assist in said activity.”
“I think you’ve been here long enough that I actually followed that.” Bailey met her gaze.
Alice could see that her sister-in-law was struggling not to laugh. So she grinned, to let her know she didn’t mind the bit of teasing in the least.
“That said, I have a serious question to ask you. What I need to know is, should I be worried about that little thing?” Bailey asked.
“Not unless either or both of your husbands begin to call you ‘squirt.’ Then, you might have a problem.”
“Ha,
