“Have you started dating yet?”
“Gretch!” There was no small talk about the weather or work. She just dove straight into managing his life as if it were her job now that Mel was gone. There had been plenty of times over the years he’d been with Mel that Rowe had gotten into shouting matches with Gretchen. He loved the woman, but she was pigheaded and nosy, convinced she always knew what was best for everyone.
“What? It’s been almost a year. She’d want you happy.”
“I’m happy.” The tiny woman lifted an eyebrow, not looking the least bit convinced. “I am. I’m not saying there aren’t bad days and that I don’t miss the fu-crap out of her,” Rowe corrected, catching himself at the last second. Gretchen just chuckled. Okay, so Melody wasn’t old enough to repeat his foul language yet, but he did want to see his niece and that meant at least trying to curb his swearing. “But I’m happy.”
“Good. But you didn’t answer my question. Are you dating? Or maybe you can try that hook-up app, Tinder? You just have to look at pictures and swipe, right?”
Rowe glared at Gretchen, knowing full well she didn’t care about his dark looks. He just didn’t want her noticing his pink cheeks burning with embarrassment.
She gasped with delight and swung around to face the car. “Really? Is that who brought you? I saw you get out of the passenger side. Why didn’t she walk over with you? I want to meet her.”
Well…this was going to be interesting, but maybe it was better to do it now. Turning to face the car, Rowe lifted his hand and motioned for Noah to come over. He didn’t doubt in the least that the man had been watching him closely. Gretchen knew Lucas, Snow, and the others, but she’d only ever known Rowe as a straight man. He wasn’t quite sure how the sister of his dead wife would react to this unexpected twist.
Noah pushed open the driver’s side door and stood in the opening, worry clear on his handsome face even at this distance. “You okay?” he called, but Rowe was more focused on Gretchen’s gasp beside him. Rowe motioned again for Noah to come over.
“Are you shitting me?” Gretchen slowly said, her mouth hanging open as she watched Noah close the car door and walk over.
“Hey now! Tiny ears!” Rowe snapped, moving to put his hands over Melody’s ears.
“Oh, fuck that. My daughter is going to have a full vocabulary.” She gave a little roll of her eyes and then looked at Noah again. “Are you serious? You’re dating a man?”
“Yes.”
Gretchen cackled loudly before twisting back to look down at the headstone not more than three feet from them. “Do you see this?” she started as if she were talking directly to Melissa. “Your boy found himself a hottie!”
“Oh God,” Rowe muttered under his breath.
“Tinder, hell. Did you find him on Grindr?”
“No! Oh, my God! And how do you know about Grindr?”
Gretchen laughed so loud she snorted. “I might be straight, but I’m not dead.” She turned back to the headstone again and shook her head before looking at Noah. “She has got to be laughing her ass off and you know it,” Gretchen continued, “and sitting front row when you’re—”
“Gretch! Your daughter is right here.”
She snickered, and Rowe found himself fighting back a laugh as Noah stopped right beside him. He looked a little nervous as his eyes shifted from Rowe to Gretchen and then back. He couldn’t blame the man. It was enough that Rowe had made it clear at Thanksgiving that he and Noah were together, but meeting Gretchen was a little different. Definitely overwhelming.
“Gretchen, this is Noah Keegan, my boyfriend.” So maybe they hadn’t discussed labels like that just yet, but Rowe couldn’t regret it after the way Noah’s eyes widened and then the most beautiful smile spread across his face. “Noah, this is my sister-in-law, Gretchen Patterson.”
Noah extended his hand. “A pleasure.”
“Wow. You are just gorgeous,” she said, shaking his hand.
“Gretch…”
“Seriously, I thought Lucas and Snow were sexy, but damn…you are just pushing all of my buttons with that smile.”
Noah chuckled softly.
“And the two of you together must be so freaking hot—”
“Oh fuck,” Rowe moaned. Noah smacked him on the back of the shoulder, causing him to jump.
“Watch your language!” he growled.
“She started it!” Rowe countered, pointing at Gretchen who laughed so hard, she snorted again.
“And who is this adorable princess?” Noah asked, rolling his eyes at Rowe.
“My niece, Melody Rose.”
“May I?” Noah asked, holding out both his hands. Gretchen didn’t hesitate as she easily shifted her daughter into Noah’s strong arms. Rowe watched as Noah cradled her closely with an unexpected ease. Something in his chest tightened to see Noah softly murmuring to the little girl while rocking her slowly. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the sight of Noah holding a baby, a look of pure joy filling his face.