“You—!” He closed his eyes for a minute. “Never mind. Come on. My car is this way.”
Ronnie checked her grin as he opened the door for her. She took her time drawing her long legs into the car. If any part of her drew attention, it was her legs. Grady stared over the top of the vehicle and then shut the door. She recognized the car—his dad brought it in for regular oil changes.
She shrugged and buckled in, folding her hands in her lap. Grady was a grump tonight, and she didn’t want to cross a line by touching him. She wasn’t joking when she said he was strong. His arm was tight and big and nice, and she wouldn’t mind getting a second chance at holding on to him. But, he was throwing up walls like they came in an easy-to-assemble kit.
Grady climbed behind the wheel.
“So where are we going?” she asked. He lived in Billings, so he had to know a few good places to eat.
“Someplace with a lot of people,” he grumbled as he turned the key.
Ronnie settled back into her seat. People could be good. She’d pictured a small, intimate booth somewhere, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. Maybe, if they were around a bunch of people who treated them like any other couple, Grady would start to see them the same way.
Chapter 7
Leaving the apartment with Ronnie in the car was not the plan. Grady was going to break it to her easy, let her down gently, and then he’d been knocked flat at the sight of her. Yeah, she’d looked good in jeans—real good. But she looked amazing in that skirt and flowing top. Downright delectable. And his head had stopped sending signals to his body.
When she’d teased him about wearing a sweat shirt on a date, he had the distinct urge to race back to his parents, pull out his button-up shirt and tie, and prove he could clean up. He ran his hand around his neck. He should have gotten a haircut too.
What was worse, dating his best friend’s sister or taking her out and not being respectful? This was a no-win situation for him, and he had no way out.
Grady racked his brain for a place to take Ronnie where they wouldn’t be alone. He should never, ever be alone with her. Alone brought on ideas that he should not have about his best friend’s little sister.
Ronnie crossed her legs and Grady almost swerved off the road. He cursed silently. Where did little Ronnie Martin get legs like that? Think sister. Think sister.
He tightened his grip on the wheel, doing his best to keep Troy’s angry face in the front of his mind.
There was one place in town that always had a crowd on Friday night. He’d buy Ronnie dinner and drop her back at her door as fast as possible, and then he’d try and forget that she smelled like coconuts.
Chapter 8
“I remember this place being a lot busier.”
Ronnie tried not to laugh at the devastation on Grady’s face as he took in the empty dining room at Big C’s. “There’s an away game tonight.” She hooked her arm through his and tugged him over to the counter, where they both looked up to peruse the menu boards.
“I forgot how much Snow Valley loves football.”
“Snow Valley loves any reason to get together.”
He nodded, and then his eyes showed life. “When does the corn maze open?”
“October 5,” she replied. “They’re bringing in food trucks, face painters, and bobbing for apples.”
“That’s my mom’s birthday.”
She gave him a playful shove. “Ah—you should take her. Your mom’s a hoot.”
Before Grady could respond, Sarah Little asked if she could take their order. Her mom drove a minivan full of soccer-loving girls all over the county for games. She came in for regular maintenance and to brag about her daughter’s skills as a defender.
Grady deferred to Ronnie to go first. “I’ll have the fish and chips and a root beer.”
“And I’ll have a bacon cheeseburger with a large onion ring and …” He glanced at Ronnie. “A root beer.”
Sarah repeated their order and Grady handed over the money.
“I’ll bring your order out when it’s done.”
“Thanks,” Ronnie chirped. She grabbed two packets of ketchup and several napkins before selecting a small booth. Grady slid into the other side, and their knees touched under the table. He shifted and they brushed again. Finally, he turned at an angle and kicked his feet in the walkway. Ronnie tried not to laugh at his obvious discomfort. She didn’t think it was because he didn’t want to be with her. His whole internal-battle-tortured-soul thing was because he liked her. He liked her enough to ask her out. She just needed to get him to put away their past and focus on the here and now.
“Do you play any football these days?” she asked, hoping to get him talking. They’d been able to talk easily before he got all stressed about her family relations.
“Naw, that was just something to do in high school. Kept me out of trouble.”
“You were good. Why didn’t you play in college?” She’d always wondered about that, why he didn’t take the scholarship.
“I enrolled in the tech and got my commercial driver’s license. Troy asked me to go in with him on the business. We worked like dogs at first, but it seems to be paying off now.”
Their food arrived, and they situated their meals in companionable silence. The awkwardness Ronnie expected when he begrudgingly agreed to one meal didn’t unfold. She reached over and stole an onion ring. His look said he took that as a challenge, and he stole three French fries. They smirked at each other at exactly the same time, and something woke up between them. He reached for a piece of halibut, and she grabbed his hand to stop him from stealing her dinner. A zing shot up her arm, but she didn’t let go. If anything, the zing made her want to hold on a lot longer. Good feeling… that zing. “No way is one onion ring worth a fish stick.”
“Sure it is. Onion rings are way better than fish.”
“I’ll trade you a slice of bacon and one more ring.”
“Deal.” They made the trade and grinned as they bit into their prizes.
“So, what are you doing now?” he asked. He leaned back into the booth, his neck no longer tight indicating he was under stress.
She swallowed and took a sip of root beer before saying, “I manage the shop.”
He bobbed his head as he processed the information. “I always thought Troy would take over one day.”
“Well, as you pointed out, his name is on the sign.” She wiped her fingertips with a napkin. “He took off before Dad could even think about slowing down. With me there, Dad gets Tuesdays and Sundays off, which is more than he ever had when we were growing up.”
“I remember.” And just like that, all Grady’s easygoing conversation dried up and his frown returned.
Ronnie wasn’t quite ready to give up, but she didn’t want to push. Really, she wanted the fun Grady back, the one who made her laugh. “You know what you need?”
“What?”
“Pie.” She pointed up. “Pie makes everything better.”
“That’s not true,” he said sadly.
“Is too.” She sipped her soda. “Birthday parties, family dinners, broken bones.”
“Broken bones?” he asked dubiously.
“Calcium.” She tipped her head. “It worked for me.”
“I remember that.” He leaned forward. “You crashed your motorcycle.”
Oh, no he didn’t. “Uh, I was clipped from behind by Freddie Hunt.”
Grady’s grin grew five sizes. “So was Freddie. Troy found him in the parking lot while they were cleaning you off the track.”
“What?” She slammed her cup on the table. “He was a nice guy—he even sent me flowers the next day.”
“Whose idea do you think that was?” Grady lifted an eyebrow.
Ronnie picked up the key on her necklace and ran it back and forth across the chain. “Troy made him do that?”
Grady nodded.
“Please tell me he didn’t beat up Freddie.”
Grady dropped his wadded-up napkin o
n his burger wrapper. “No. He scared him pretty good, though.”
“How?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Let’s just say that if you carry a big enough stick, you don’t ever have to use it.”
She eyed his arms, all big and strong. “I can see that.” She winked. The air between them sizzled and cracked.
Grady jumped out of the booth. “Date’s over.”
Ronnie moved slower, more gracefully. She wasn’t afraid of exploring the options before them. He’d said something about kissing under his truck—that could be arranged. “I thought this wasn’t a date.” She gathered her paper tray and leftover food to toss on the way out.
He crumbled up the burger paper. “It’s not,” he mumbled. Redness crept up his neck.
Ronnie liked getting him flustered. It proved he was interested in her as more than—well, just more.
They made their way to the empty parking lot, and he opened her car door. For a not-date, this sure felt like a date.
“How long are you in town?” she asked as he sped down Main Street. “Tuesday?”
“Why?” He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel.
“Your part won’t be in until Monday.”
“You don’t really have to fix it.”
“If I don’t, who will?”
“I’ll have Troy come get it.”
“That’ll take forever, and you need it for the auction. You’re kind of stuck with me.”
“That’s a lot of work for a dinner at Big C’s, and I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
She touched his arm. “I made a deal, and I don’t back out of deals. I promise you’re not taking advantage of me.” She’d meant to add the double meaning to the last part with her lowered, sultry voice. At least, she hoped it sounded sultry. She’d never tried sounding seductive before, so maybe it came across as back-woods-at-night-creepy.
The point where her hand touched his skin was warm—so very warm. Grady wasn’t taking advantage of her at the garage, and dating her wasn’t going to take advantage of her either. She was able to make good decisions in life, and Grady Owens was a good decision.
Grady rolled down the window. “It’s hot for September, don’t you think?”
She pulled her hand away. “If you say so.” He was affected by her touch—just as much as she was affected by his. There was something happening between them no matter how much he tried to fight it. She wished he wouldn’t resist so adamantly and give in to the fun part of finding someone to have and to hold.
They got to her building and he walked her to the door. She clutched her purse in front of her to keep her hands to herself. She was willing to push and tease a bit, but she wasn’t going to plaster herself all over him. At the last possible second, before they settled in to look at one another and things became awkward, she put her hand on his arm. “Thanks for dinner.” Feeling brave, she pecked a kiss to his cheek.
She only meant for it to be a quick moment of contact. Something for him to think about as he drove home. But she found herself unable to pull away, tucked up against his warm body because his arm was around her back. Her breath hitched ,and he traced her cheek with his fingertips, searching her face and then connecting their gazes.
It was hot for September! Grady was like a giant space heater pulsing heatwaves right through her clothing, and her body was a perfect fit against his.
His brow furrowed, and a line appeared between his eyebrows. Even though she wanted the kiss, he debated longer than she did over those fancy rims for her Pontiac, she pulled away and slipped inside with a little wave of her fingers.
The latch clicked, and she let out the breath she’d been holding. “I think that went pretty well,” she said to the empty room. With a quick brush of her palms, she headed off to bed, wondering if she’d ever see him again.
Chapter 9
Grady stared at Ronnie’s door for a good five minutes. He just stood there, unable to think about moving his feet. Her lips on his cheek were a revelation—the kind where heavenly angels sing and your soul is turned toward a new path.
And yet, his brain knew dating Ronnie was a bad idea. The baddest of ideas. Troy was his best friend and business partner. He’d built his adult life and planned his future around the idea that the two of them would always work together. Their loyalty to one another was a given. Something he could always count on—would bet money on if he were a gambling man. And here he was, gambling with that trust.
Troy was an overprotective brother—when he was around. What Grady had said about Troy going after Freddie for clipping Ronnie’s back tire was completely true.
That was ten years ago, though. Maybe he’d lightened up. Maybe, now that his sisters were in their twenties, Troy was chill.
Grady could only hope that was the case, because he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stay away from Ronnie.
A cold breeze swept between the buildings as if an old woman had a broom out and was trying to get him off Ronnie’s porch. Just as well. He needed to get some sleep and then figure out a way to date Troy’s little sister without ticking off his best friend.
Chapter 10
Ronnie was the first one in her family to make it to church. Pastor John was standing by the conclave talking to Buster, a man who lived in town and enjoyed collecting WWII memorabilia. The choir’s soft voices as they warmed up added to the overall hush that kept the kids under control before and during the meeting.
On the fourth row up, Grady’s parents sat with their younger sons, Lance and Brett. Lance was leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, working hard to keep his eyes open. The guy would be asleep before they said amen for the opening prayer. He must have had some date last night.
Speaking of dates … Ronnie looked for her unwilling date in the congregation. He wasn’t around. Maybe she’d scared him off with all her teasing last night. Then again, he’d held on to her. Maybe he was trying to call her bluff. She grinned. He could try that again and just see what happened. She’d plant a kiss on him that would light the fires of desire.
Suddenly realizing her thoughts weren’t exactly church worthy, she cleared her throat and made for the bench in front of Grady’s family.
“Hello, Mrs. Owens, Mr. Owens.” She gave them a small wave. They both smiled back. Lance lifted his head and nodded, and Brett smiled. Brett had been a year younger than her in school. He’d played football and worked at the IFA. She’d spent her high school years in the shop room with the other grease monkeys, so they hadn’t run in the same circles. Lance was two years younger than Brett, and she didn’t know him at all. From what she could remember, he graduated from USU in agricultural science and now worked the ranch with his dad.
Mom and Dad arrived shortly after Ronnie settled herself onto the bench.
“Jan! It’s so good to see you.” Mom turned in her seat and patted Grady’s mother’s knee. Because Troy and Grady had been such good friends growing up, their parents had also been close—or maybe it was the other way around. In any case, the families didn’t do much together anymore. However, if Mom and Jan were in the same building, they were together.
Jan returned her enthusiastic greeting. “You know, with Grady here, it feels like old times.”
“I know. Troy’s coming out for a couple days too.” Mom beamed.
Ronnie’s heart sank. She’d hoped he would cancel his visit at the last minute like he normally did. Dang. Her older brother could really cramp her style when it came to Grady. She could just picture Troy hooking her around the neck and rubbing his knuckles into her hair. Nothing said independent woman like being mauled by your older brother and coming out looking like a chipmunk lived in your hair. Troy wasn’t even here yet, and she wanted to disappear into her condo until he left.
Grady’s dad leaned forward. “Your family should come over for chili. Jan put on a batch before we left.”
“Yes.” Jan put her hand over Mom’s. “We’d love to have you.”
“I’ve got a bat
ch of rolls rising. I’ll bring those,” Mom agreed for everyone.
Ronnie sat back and let them work out the details. On any given Sunday, she would have looked forward to Jan’s chili—the woman knew her way around ground beef. Being a rancher’s wife had turned her into an expert. Maybe Ronnie would stop in for some chili and a few sidelong glances with Grady.
Just as Pastor John headed to the pulpit, the handsome man slipped into the pew next to his dad. He looked so good in his charcoal-gray slacks, navy-blue shirt that made his ice-blue eyes pop, and paisley tie; she couldn’t help but stare. In a hoodie and jeans, he was the type of man to turn her head, but all cleaned up and sharp, it was all she could do not to climb over the pew and kiss that frown upside down.
He nodded hello to everyone, his eyes lingering on Ronnie. She’d revived last night’s curls and outlined her eyes with deep brown liner for a dramatic look. Her tan cowboy boots landed just below her knee, and her navy wrap dress landed just above. She winked all sassy-like to keep him guessing at her thoughts before turning her attention to the front, where Pastor John welcomed them to Sunday services.
Staring straight ahead and not glancing over her shoulder at Grady took every ounce of her will and determination. She could feel him watching her. Like steam from a boiling pot, his gaze made her face flush and her scalp tingle, reminding her of what it felt like to be close enough to kiss him.
She waved her hand in front of her face, praying Pastor John wasn’t in a mood to pontificate today. She needed a dose of Grady and she needed it right quick.
Chapter 11
The old church was still standing. Grady hadn’t meant to be late, but he’d forgotten how long it took to feed the cows. And he couldn’t come to church smelling like he’d just fed cows. By the time he got out of the shower, everyone had already left.
Grady took in the stained-glass windows, the nicked and scratched wooden pews, the pulpit and the pastor. Pastor John had been at the pulpit clear back when Grady was a kid. He had a few more lines in his face, his eyes weren’t as clear blue as before, like a pair of jeans that had faded in the wash. However, his voice was still soothing and his words well chosen.
Lucy McConnell's Snow Valley Box Set Page 44