by Lori Foster
Noah almost went limp. He set Kara away from him and reached for Grace. Grace came into his arms without hesitation. She held him and said, “Thank God.”
Kara’s friends came to stand beside her. Noah recognized them both but couldn’t remember their names. They glared at Noah and Grace.
Ben rudely stepped in front of them. “We should talk.”
Noah nodded and allowed Grace to move to his side. She clasped his hand in comfort.
Ben drew a deep breath. “Agatha had asked me to visit her. I hadn’t said anything to you because I knew it might piss you off. Or worry you. But it was dumb. She had some half-baked idea of making you jealous over me, so you’d rush back where you belong. We were arguing and I noticed she looked more piqued than usual, but I thought it was just because she was fretting over things. You know, she’s old and all.”
Grace squeezed his hand, and Noah said, “What happened?”
Ben looked over his shoulder at Kara and the other two women, then took Noah’s arm and led him and Grace a short distance away. When they stopped, Ben propped his hands on his hips and stared down at his feet. “I told her the truth. At least part of it.” He looked up and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Noah. It’s just that at first she made me so damn mad, and then I realized she really had no clue. She sincerely wanted to make things right for you, but she didn’t understand that they’d never be right with Kara.”
“You told her about Deltorro?”
“No, not that. But I did tell her how much you care for Grace, and that it was Kara who fucked things up, not you. I think she’d pretty much figured out there was a third party involved, but then she got short of breath and looked real sickly and just…she nearly collapsed.”
Noah squeezed Ben’s shoulder. “When can I get in to see her?”
“I don’t know. The doctors are with her now.”
“This isn’t your fault, Ben.”
He rubbed his forehead. “I goaded her.”
“Knowing Agatha, she probably enjoyed it.” Noah allowed a small smile. “And believe me, she’d have expected no less from you. You two remind me of each other, did I ever tell you that?”
Ben choked. “The hell you say!”
Grace pulled free of Noah. “I’ll go get us all three some coffee. I know I can use it.”
Noah gave Grace an absent smile. She looked tired, strained, but still strong. The only flight he could get on such short notice had two connections. Grace hadn’t relaxed once. He knew she loved Agatha, too. “Thanks, babe.”
But as Grace went to ask if Kara or the others wanted coffee, one of the women confronted her. Noah heard her whisper, “You should be ashamed of yourself, coming here now.”
Grace pulled up short. “Excuse me?”
And the woman said, “Haven’t you done enough damage? You ruined Noah’s engagement and his relationship with Mrs. Harper. It’s probably the stress that’s done this to her.”
Horrified, Kara stepped forward, but she wasn’t fast enough. Noah beat her to it. He pulled Grace into his side and said to Kara, “Get them both out of here. Now.”
Kara fretted. “Noah…”
He caught her arm and pulled her closer. “I put up with a lot from you, Kara, but I won’t tolerate insults to Grace. Get rid of them or I’ll tell them the truth.”
Big tears filled her eyes.
Noah felt no sympathy. “And pull yourself together if you want to see Agatha. I won’t have you upsetting her more with your bawling.”
Kara nodded, but her friends gasped. The same woman who’d verbally attacked Grace now turned her cannon on Noah. “You don’t have a single ounce of shame, do you? I can’t believe you brought her here.” And she aimed a malicious sneer at Grace.
Grace just shook her head and rested a hand on Noah’s chest. “It’s okay, Noah. Really.”
Ben muttered, “Stupid bitch,” loud enough for the women to hear.
Noah narrowed his eyes. “I’ve had enough, Kara.”
Kara grabbed both women and hauled them away. There was a brief argument at the sliding doors before her two friends were convinced to leave.
Kara returned to them with a lagging step. “Noah, I—”
“This isn’t the best time or place, Kara. So I’m only going to say it once. I won’t have people badmouthing Grace. Set the record straight or I will.”
“What do you expect me to do?”
“I expect you to tell the truth and to act like an adult. How long do you think Deltorro will put up with this game you’re playing? Do you even care what he thinks or feels, or do you only think about yourself?”
She bit her lips. “My parents…”
“Only have the control you give them. What matters the most? The man you love, or your parents’ acceptance?”
Dejected, mouth trembling, Kara nodded. “All right.”
Grace patted her back, making Noah marvel. “It’ll be all right, Kara, you’ll see. Once your parents understand how much you and Enrique love each other, they’ll be supportive. They only want you to be happy.”
Kara wiped her eyes and drew a shuddering breath. “I hope you’re right.”
Nothing more was said as a doctor approached them. “Mr. Harper?”
“Yes?”
“Your grandmother is asking for you and a Grace Jenkins.”
Grace stepped forward. “How is she?”
“Ornery.” The doctor smiled. “And surprisingly fit for her age. I have her on a diuretic by IV and I’d like to keep her a few days to monitor her. However, she’s not keen on that idea.”
“She’ll stay.” Noah would tie her down if he had to, the blasted stubborn woman.
The doctor smiled again. “I’ll get her started on some medicine that will strengthen her heart. Also, a low salt diet, so don’t let her convince you to sneak food in. She’ll need to be watched—”
Noah, Grace, and Ben all said at once, “She will be.”
They looked at each other.
The doctor nodded in satisfaction. “We’re moving her out of ICU. As soon as that’s done, she’d like to see you.”
Noah glanced at Grace and Ben. Grace said, “We’ll be right here.”
The doctor said, “Are you Ben Badwin?” At Ben’s nod, he said, “She requested to see all three of you. And Kara?”
Kara hurried forward. “She wants to see me?” She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes.
“That’s right. She said something about killing two birds with one stone, then she ordered me out here to fetch you all. When I told her she’d have to wait until we got her settled, she wasn’t happy.” The doctor appeared bemused as he added, “She threatened to have my job.”
“She’s going to be difficult,” Noah predicted when the doctor had walked away.
“Damn right.” Ben nodded. “And I intend to let her.”
“I suppose we shouldn’t upset her,” Grace agreed.
Kara dried her eyes and smiled. “I’m so relieved that she’s okay.”
Fifteen minutes later, Noah led the way into Agatha’s room. She was half propped up in bed. Her gray hair, normally styled in an elegant twist, was half pulled free, which made her look somewhat demented. Her face was more pale than Noah had ever seen it. She looked both determined and drawn. It scared him.
Agatha turned her head on the pillow toward him. “Damn it, Noah, what took you so long?”
Surprised at her vehemence, Noah sauntered up to prop his hip on her bedside. “I’ve been in the hall just waiting for you to be moved to a room. How do you feel?”
“Better than I look. Hospitals have no respect for dignity.”
“You look fine, Agatha.”
“You’re a lousy liar, Noah.” And before he could reply, she snapped, “You three, quit hiding. Come here where I can see you.”
Ben went to the other side of her bed; Grace came to stand next to Noah. Kara stationed herself at the foot of the bed.
“Now,” Agatha said, doing her best to look st
ern, “you all have some explaining to do. And Ben, don’t you dare roll your eyes at me!”
Ben said, “No, ma’am.”
“Now, as you can all see, I’m not up to my usual strength. The damn doctor pointed out that my ankles are swollen and I’ve gained some weight. I told him he was rude, but that didn’t stop him. He insists I’ll need time to rest and relax.” Her eyes were shrewd as she stared up at Noah. “Under the circumstances, you’ll certainly come back to work.” Her eyes narrowed and she added, “I need you.”
Noah sighed. Agatha was right—under the circumstances, he had little choice. Despite her bossiness and tyrannical inclinations, he did love her, and now wasn’t the time to try to prove anything. Except for his love for Grace. He had to get that cleared up. He’d come back, but he was bringing Grace with him. If Agatha had a problem with that, they still had some things to work out.
Because he wasn’t letting Grace go.
Having made that decision made every other problem seem simple. Noah grinned at Agatha and said, “Yeah, I’ll be back.”
Grinning in pleasure, Grace patted Noah’s arm.
Agatha surprised them both when she groused, “As for you, Grace, you’ll return as well.”
Grace blinked. “But…”
“No buts!” Agatha glanced from Noah to Grace. “I’ll give you plenty of time off to continue this courtship with my grandson. But for the time being, I need you, so you will be there for me.”
With the shoe on the other foot, Grace scowled. Knowing how she felt, Noah squeezed her hand, and Grace finally muttered, “All right.”
Ben was chuckling at their predicaments when Agatha turned to him. He gulped.
“And you,” she said, and she now sounded as demonic as she looked. “You’re my damn grandson.”
Wearing a facade of disregard, Ben cocked a brow. “Which makes you my damn grandmother?”
“Exactly.” Looking satisfied, Agatha suddenly smiled. “I like all this cursing. It’s sort of fun.”
Ben sputtered, and Agatha added, “Oh, hell, you’re too old to get tongue-tied, Ben, so knock it off.”
Ben stared up at the heavens and pretended to pray.
Strange how things had changed so suddenly, Noah thought. It wasn’t under the best circumstances, and it certainly wasn’t anything he’d planned on. But his whole family was with him, his brother, the woman he loved, a dear friend, and his crusty old grandmother.
Life was good.
Noah looked at Ben and saw he was slightly red around the ears. And he could feel Grace shaking with humor beside him. His grandmother was all vinegar at the moment, very full of herself. She probably thought she had them all where she wanted them.
She was right.
“Now,” Agatha said, looking down the length of the bed to Kara. “You’ll have to officially cancel the wedding.”
Kara didn’t hesitate, but her voice was small, uncertain. “Of course.”
Agatha continued. “Good. I’m glad you’re not going to argue with me, because Noah and Grace can’t very well set a date until that’s taken care of.”
Grace jerked hard, but Noah held on to her. He looked at his grandmother and said, “What makes you think Grace and I are going to get married?”
As if she’d been saying it all her life, Agatha growled, “I love you, Noah, I really do, but you can be horribly dense at times.”
Noah was speechless.
Grace said, “He is not dense!”
“No? Has he told you yet that he loves you?”
It was Grace’s turn to fall silent.
Agatha snorted. “That’s what I thought. It’s a failing he no doubt got from me.”
Ben muttered, “Yeah, one of many,” and without looking, Agatha swatted him upside his head.
Ben pulled back and laughed.
“Well?” Agatha demanded. “God knows I’ve been remiss in saying it, but Noah, I do love you. The years have been better because of you. Don’t make the same mistakes I made. Tell Grace.”
As usual, Grace started to object, more than ready to defend Noah. But Noah beat her to the punch. “Yeah, I love her.”
Grace blinked at him. Her mouth fell open and she clutched his shirt. “You do?”
Agatha snorted again. “Grace, you’re not an idiot. Too tenderhearted maybe, but not dumb. Of course Noah loves you. It’s as plain as the nose on my face.”
“Now that is obvious,” Ben quipped, then ducked before Agatha could get him. To Noah’s surprise, Agatha appeared to enjoy Ben’s needling, and judging by the grin on Ben’s face, he was having a ball.
Noah opened his hand on the small of Grace’s back. “Your turn, Gracie, and no, Agatha, don’t say a word. I won’t have her coerced.”
“Coerce Grace? Ha. She’s like an old-fashioned white knight where you’re concerned, Noah. I doubt anyone could coerce her.”
Grace turned pink. Her gaze darted around the room from Agatha to Ben to Kara and back to Noah. Their gazes caught and held. Noah could feel her uncertainty, her embarrassment at being the center of attention.
And he could feel her love even before she spoke.
She touched his jaw, and a tremulous smile bloomed on her pretty mouth. “I’ve always loved you, Noah.”
Very slowly, Noah felt himself relax. His heart expanded, his soul filled with joy. “Always, huh?”
“Noah.” She threw herself against him and held on tight.
Agatha tried to discreetly dab at her eyes. She saw Ben smiling at her and grumbled, “The stupid medicine is making me maudlin.”
Ben said, “Uh huh.”
Kara dabbed at her eyes, too, then she leaned forward to touch Noah’s shoulder. “Can I be the first to congratulate you both?”
Noah hooked an arm around her and dragged her up to his other side. He kissed her cheek and said, “Thanks, Kara, for helping me to come to my senses.” Grace gave a watery, tear-filled laugh.
Kara smiled. “You’re most welcome. I’m so glad it’s worked out for you, Noah.”
Agatha gave an impatient sound. “If all of you are done with your effusive shows of affection, I have more to say.”
Ben folded his arms. “Oh, this ought to be good.”
Agatha ignored Ben. “Kara, I love you like a daughter, you know that. But it’s past time you got some backbone. Here’s what I think you should do.”
As Agatha spoke, Kara looked horrified. But she listened.
Noah thought his grandmother was, for once, exactly right.
Epilogue
“Say please,” Grace murmured, and then kissed Noah’s abdomen again.
Noah tangled his hands in her hair and growled, “Please.”
Grinning to herself, loving the power of it, Grace cupped his testicles gently and prompted, “Pretty please.”
“Grace,” Noah moaned, “paybacks are hell.”
“Is that a threat?” She licked him at the base of his shaft, right above where her fingers curled around him.
“A promise,” Noah assured her, and then directed her so that her mouth was at the head of his erection. “Grace…”
She opened her lips wide and drew him in, tasting the heat of him, the salty secretion, his urgency. Noah’s body went rigid and he arched hard. Grace slicked her tongue over him, around the head, down—and Noah jerked her away.
“I’ve created a monster,” he muttered thickly and quickly positioned her over his lap. “I need to come, Grace. Bad. I’m shaking like a virgin, but you’ve got some catching up to do.”
That wasn’t true. Grace was so turned on, she felt ready to explode.
Noah held her gaze as his cock prodded her slick opening. “No barriers, Grace.”
“No.” Though they’d only been married a month, they’d decided to try for children right away. Agatha was thrilled with their plan. She wanted great-grandchildren before she was too dotty to enjoy them.
“I’m going to fill you up,” Noah promised and slowly began to penetrate.
Grace gasped at the burning, enticing sensation. “I love you, Noah.”
He stilled at her words, his every muscle flexing, straining. He cursed low, laughed roughly as he lost control. “Witch.”
In the next instant Noah gripped her hips hard and thrust fast, deep, over and over again.
Grace watched the pleasure darken his beautiful features, watched his blue eyes turn vague and smoky, heard his rough sound of release.
She closed her eyes, dropped onto his chest, and joined him. Sometimes she thought the pleasure was so intense she couldn’t bear it.
Noah’s heart was still thumping beneath her cheek when he said, “I’ll always love you, Grace.”
Despite her repletion, she smiled with confidence. “I know.” After a few more minutes of recuperation, she pushed herself to her elbows.
Noah gave her a sleepy look and smoothed her hair. “For most of my life, I’ve been trying to plan things, to ensure that no one and nothing would ever take me by surprise again. Agatha took me in and I liked it. I didn’t want to end up homeless again, or alone.”
Grace gently kissed his mouth. “So you planned things. Like your life with Kara.”
“Yeah. But I never planned on you. I had things all mapped out, exactly how my life would run, what I needed, what I wanted.” He shook his head. “All I really need and want is you.”
“You have me.”
Noah cupped her bottom and leaned up to give her a long, leisurely kiss. “At first,” he said against her mouth, “I just wanted to get you into my bed and keep you there.”
“That was easy enough, huh? It was where I wanted to be.”
Noah laughed. “Yeah, well, you didn’t just stay there. From that first night, you were in my head, crowding my thoughts all day. And you were in my dreams, and in my heart.” His voice went husky when he added, “You are so goddamned sexy.”
Grace grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Every man thinks so.” His expression darkened. “You’ve got guys salivating over you at the diner every damn night. But it’s not just how you look, Grace. Like me, they see beyond your great bod.”