Those thoughts had to end there. It was a long drive, and he aimed to be back tonight.
“I want to set things in motion.” He offered her a plate of bacon and eggs, which she took, perching on the edge of the bed to eat it. “I’m excited about it all, and want to begin as soon as we’re back from our honeymoon.”
She nearly choked on her food. “Honeymoon!”
“Yes. There’s no reason to wait. The papers will call it a whirlwind romance, that I was ensnared by your bad girl charms.” He grinned at her horrified look. “Don’t worry, it will be news one day and then they’ll move on to some celebrity, once they realize there’s no real scandal here.”
“I don’t know if I have any idea what I’m getting myself into,” she said.
“That is probably a good thing.” He stood up and fetched his suit jacket from the closet, and put it on, pleased when her eyes cast an admiring glance over his body.
“I’ve never gone for men in suits before. But you are one sexy businessman.”
“Thank you.” He came to sit next to her. “One thing I realized early on, is that the business world is just as corrupt in some ways as every other part of society. The difference is money talks. You can pass a bribe here, pay a person there, who in turn keeps their mouth shut, or rubber stamps a deal that should never be sanctioned.”
“You mean you’re all crooks too?” she asked, smiling at him. He smiled back. Her irresistible scent, coupled with the way her dark eyes danced, was nearly enough for him to drag the towel off her body, throw her back on the bed and make love to her once more before he left.
With a groan, he got up and opened his briefcase, checking he had everything he needed. It was all there, in order, but he checked it all the same: anything to distract him from the vision of Grace dressing behind him. Pulling on the work clothes she had brought with her in an overnight bag, she was a distraction unlike anything he had ever known.
Meeting his mate was a double-edged sword. One side meant he was consumed with thoughts of her, the other left him driven to make their lives perfect. As he’d held her in his arms last night, he’d thought of rings and wedding dates, houses and furniture. How he and Grace would make a garden for their young children where they could run and play.
“Are you daydreaming?” Grace asked, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling on her work-boots.
“I might be,” he said. “I might be imagining what it will be like to have kids of our own. A home of our own. When I get back, we should start looking.”
“You don’t believe in taking things slow, do you?” she asked, standing up.
“Not when I know what I want,” he said, standing by the door and waiting for her. He hated to leave, but the sooner he got in his car and headed back to his old life, the sooner he could complete his business and come back to this new, exciting life with Grace.
“Well, while you are in your business meeting, I am going to erect a fence with Jed. I’m sure I’ll have blistered hands and aching muscles by the end of the day.”
“Then I’ll make sure I’m back to massage your aching muscles, and kiss your blisters better.” He took hold of her hand and kissed the palm. “Shall I meet you at your place?”
Grace blushed and fidgeted, pulling her hand back. “It’s so small.”
“I don’t mind.” He kissed her mouth, a long lingering kiss that was going to have to last him the rest of the day. “I just want to see you. Or I can come and pick you up and we can come back here.”
“Text me when you’re back in Bear Bluff. If it’s too late I might be in bed.”
“Then I will snuggle up next to you.” He opened the hotel room door. “I don’t care where we are or what we do, as long as I’m with you.”
“You save that sweet-talking flattery for your other women.”
“I don’t have any other women,” he protested as they headed for the elevator, hand in hand.
“A secretary? PA?” she asked.
He smiled. “Ahh, those other women. Those I most definitely sweet talk, and buy gifts for. So, if ever you come across a receipt for flowers that I haven’t given you, that’s who they are for. They organize my life.” He looked at his watch. “Speaking of which, I need to hurry if I’m going to make my first appointment.” The PI he’d talked to had information for him; it was one of the reasons he was going back to his office on short notice, but Grace didn’t need to know that, not until he knew what information he had on Tessa.
The elevator arrived and they went down to reception together, and then out into a beautiful fall morning. Matt breathed in the clear, cool air. “I can’t wait to make this place my home.”
“I’ll see you later.” She kissed him quickly, and ushered him to his car. “Drive safely, and I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”
“I love you, Grace,” he said, and smiled when she looked around to see if anyone heard. “I’ll shout it down the street.”
“Please don’t,” she said, shutting his car door. Then she looked up, and waved. Across the street, Jed pulled up, and Matt watched with a hint of jealousy emanating from his bear, as their mate ran across to the truck and got in.
Matt hated the thought of leaving her, but as he let his urge to keep her to himself go, he was thankful that she at least had people in town to look out for her, even though he knew she would insist she could look after herself.
Chapter Fifteen – Grace
“Someone looks happy,” Jed said, as she climbed in next to him.
“I am happy,” she said, flashing him a smile.
“Is this where I say I told you so?” he asked.
“That depends on if you want any sugar in your tea,” she said. “Because I might forget.”
He chuckled. “It seems as if it’s good news all around.” He glanced sideways at her. “You disappeared quickly last night. After Tilly’s news.”
“Sorry. It was great news. Dylan must be happy.”
“I think he is, or he will be when the dust settles. When you’ve worn something like that as a badge for so long, it must feel strange having the weight lifted.” Jed drove out of Bear Bluff, taking the turning to Bear Creek.
“I’ve never been to Bear Creek,” she said.
“It’s like Bear Bluff, only without the Bluff,” he said easily. “We have a fence to put up, and then I’ll treat you to lunch.”
“Wow, you are in a good mood. Buying me lunch, that’s a first.”
He shook his head, and reached for a lunchbox, and passed it to her. “I didn’t say I was buying you lunch. Just treating you to it. Amanda made me two. She forgot about the first one, and made one more.” He looked serious for a moment. “I’d appreciate us working flat-out to get this work out of the way. The twenty-minute drive seems too far away for me right now.”
“Hey, she’ll be OK. Has Amanda gone to work?” Grace asked.
“Yeah, she’s training her replacement. Sonia, poor thing. Sonia will be put off having children for life after a day with Amanda and her hormones.”
“If Amanda hears you saying that, you’ll be looking for a new place to live.” Grace opened the lunchbox and peered in. “I’m hoping Amanda makes you two lunches every day, she spoils you.”
“Yeah. She does.” He turned left and they drove along a narrow road, before turning left again. Jed parked the truck and looked out of the window. “Let’s hope it doesn’t rain.”
“It won’t. Come on, let’s get it done fast and then you can go back to the yard.”
***
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to move my arms in the morning,” Grace said four hours later. “I need a long soak in a hot bath. It’s a shame my place only has a shower.”
“Want to go back to my place for a soak? After I’ve picked up Amanda, of course.”
“No, I’m good, honestly.” She heaved herself into the truck, and sat back carefully, feeling her muscles complain. “Matt’s going to call when he’s back in town, so I
want to be home.”
“Listen, why don’t I drop you off on the way back to the yard? I’ll call Dylan and tell him I’ve worked you into the ground.” Jed pulled the truck over and was calling their boss before she could say no.
As Jed talked to Dylan, she stared out of the window at the open countryside around them. If she got back early, she could shower and then go for a walk down to the real estate agent and see what houses were for sale. She liked the idea of a house with a bath.
“Now who’s daydreaming?” Jed said. “Dylan says it’s OK for me to drop you off. He’s going to let Amanda leave early too.”
“Is everything OK with her and the baby?” Grace asked, seeing the concern on Jed’s face.
“Yes, at least I hope so. Amanda’s been having twinges. Like, not the usual twinges.” Jed put the truck into drive and they headed back to Bear Bluff.
“Do you mind a brief detour so I can pick up Amanda’s favorite chocolates and some flowers?” Jed asked.
“No, listen, I’ll get out here too.” She undid her seatbelt and slipped out of the truck, her muscles instantly complaining.
“Are you sure? You look like you’re going to be crawling home.”
She stretched, “I’ll walk it off.” Grace looked around, and realized she didn’t know exactly where the real estate agency office was. She was going to have to ask Jed, which meant sharing her personal life on a level she wasn’t used to. “Which way to the real estate agent’s?”
Jed’s head snapped around. “Matt’s going to buy a house in Bear Bluff?” He sounded pleased.
“Yes, we’ve talked about it.”
“Great. I mean, we were worried you might move away with him. I know he has these plans for the program he’s setting up with Dylan, but it’s not all that hands-on. He could hire people.”
“Maybe he’s going to hire me.” More sharing.
“Well, look at you. A couple of months ago you were a lost woman. Now you’re going to change the world.”
“I don’t know about that.” She sighed and looked down at the ground before sharing what was really on her mind. “What if I’m not good enough?”
“For Matt?” Jed asked with a frown.
“No. Well… Yes, OK, what if I’m not good enough for him, or this project? What if it all falls apart because of me?” she asked, voicing her fears.
“Why would it? Because of your past?” She nodded, and Jed continued. “If anything, it will succeed because of you. You know what it’s like to be on the other side. That’s why Dylan makes the construction company work. Because he knows what it’s like. Dylan knew when you came here, you would need a place to stay. So, he fixed that for you. He knew you might feel out of place, so he gets you to work one on one. We make friends, I iron out your little quirks.”
“What little quirks?” she asked, feeling self-conscious.
“You know, the not talking about yourself, the feeling as if you can’t even make a decent cup of coffee.” He grinned. “I’m not going to embarrass you any further.”
Then he did something totally unexpected; he pulled her into a bear hug, nearly crushing her ribs. So, Grace did the only thing she could do, she hugged him right back, despite having difficulty lifting her leaden arms. “Thank you, Jed,” she said gruffly. “You don’t know how much it’s meant to me. Having you as a friend.”
“There, see, one more little quirk ironed out.” He released her and stepped back. “I don’t know what you went through growing up, Dylan never shared what you went to prison for, and I don’t care. None of us do. What matters is who you are. And you’re all right, Grace. You’re all right.”
“You’re gonna make me cry,” she said.
“Crying’s OK… for girls,” Jed said, punching her arm. “Now, go get those house details. I want you to stay in Bear Bluff; it’s where you belong. If I have to get Dylan to build you a house, I will.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, gruffly, holding her breath to keep her tears in as she made her way down the street.
“Hey, the real estate agent is first left, third right,” Jed called.
“Thank you,” she said, and waved, but didn’t turn around. He had to be the sweetest man alive. Besides Matt of course, who would always be her number one man. “Houses,” she said to herself, and picked up the pace, following Jed’s directions.
She turned down the road, third right, and kept on walking until she saw the real estate agent’s. When she reached the window, she looked at the properties on display. This was going to be impossible. She had no idea how much money they were going to spend. And she couldn’t exactly go inside and ask for brochures on every house.
“Hello, Grace McIntyre, isn’t it? We met outside Matt’s room the other morning.”
Grace turned to see Tessa standing next to her, looking at the houses too. What the hell was Tessa doing there? “Did you follow me?” Grace asked.
“Why would I do that?” Tessa asked. “Oh, maybe to make sure you weren’t doing anything illegal. If you were, I’d have to report you to your probation officer. Mr. Harding, nice man. Verrry forthcoming on facts.”
Grace bit her tongue. She knew Kyle would not divulge anything to a woman like Tessa, but she wasn’t going to goad the woman either. “Kyle’s a good man.”
“Yes, he is. Nearing retirement too. His pension needed a little top-up.” Tessa turned to face Grace. “So my story is all ready to go.”
Grace swallowed her nerves, and tried to figure out what exactly was going on here. Would Tessa be telling Grace this is she really did have a story? “That’s great. I’ll look forward to reading it.”
“I expect you will. As too will all the people in Bear Bluff. What will they think having a convicted criminal in their midst?”
“They already know.”
“They know Dylan hires young offenders.” Tessa looked Grace up and down. “You aren’t exactly young, though, are you? You should have known better. I don’t know what a man like Matt Hargreaves sees in you. And his family, they will be shocked.”
“Neither do I,” Grace said, and turned back to look in the window, catching her own reflection and grimacing. Compared to Tessa, she looked almost masculine in her work clothes, her black hair scraped back off her face in a messy ponytail. Grace couldn’t help reaching up and trying to smooth her hair down.
“It’ll take more than a comb through your hair to stop you looking out of place on Matt’s arm.” Tessa smiled benevolently. “If I was you, I would save you both some trouble and get out of town. Go and find someone more your type.”
“Matt is my type.”
Tessa laughed. “Does he know? Does he know what kind of woman you are? What you did…” Tessa took in Grace’s expression and laughed. “No, I thought not.”
“He won’t care.” But his family might.
“Won’t he?” Tessa asked. “You see I heard he was planning a new project with the guy from Bear Bluff Construction. I’ve been doing some digging and you have no idea what I’ve unearthed on that little setup. But I don’t want to destroy all these lives. So, maybe I might not print my story. It’s quite an exposé. Why don’t you talk it over with him? You see, I might like to buy one of these houses.”
“Are you blackmailing me?” Grace asked.
Tessa laughed, sultry and sexy. “Oh no, honey, trash like you doesn’t have anything I want.” She pointed at the window. “That’s the kind of house I want. Get Mr. Hargreaves to arrange a meeting when he’s ready.”
“When he’s ready for what?” Grace asked.
“Oh, sweetie, don’t tell me you’re dumb too.” Tessa looked Grace up and down. “What does he see in you?” She took a card out of her purse and handed it to Grace. “Let the grown-ups deal with business. He can call me anytime.”
With that, Tessa walked off, looking so smug, Grace wanted to smack her in the face, but that wasn’t who she was anymore. It wasn’t who she wanted to be anymore, despite the overwhelming need to
seek revenge for what Grace knew she had to do.
Chapter Sixteen – Matt
He was later leaving his office than he hoped, but he was happy with how the day had gone. Very happy. He’d organized the funding for the first part of the program, met with his parents, who had traveled to have lunch with him, and picked up a very interesting dossier on a certain freelance journalist. Very interesting.
Matt was now driving down the highway, with Bear Bluff only twenty miles away. He’d texted Grace earlier, and that was the only thing to dent his mood, his mate didn’t seem herself. Going over their conversation once more, he tried to pinpoint exactly what was wrong with her. Subdued, that was the nearest he could get to describing her tone. She’d blamed it on the hard day she’d had working with Jed, but he sensed it was more than that.
He’d decided to wait until he saw her to question her further. Phone conversations sometimes led to misunderstandings, and he couldn’t afford one of those this early in their relationship. It was hard to think that they had only known each other a few days. When he was with Grace he could imagine they’d always been together. And that they always would be.
The road sign up ahead steered him towards the lights of the small town he was beginning to think of as home. Soon he would be kissing Grace and she could tell him what was bothering her. Maybe it was cold feet, because of how quickly their relationship was moving. Mentioning marriage might have scared her off.
Taking one hand off the steering wheel, he pressed his palm against his inside pocket, feeling the reassuring bulge there. He’d have to gauge his timing very carefully; he didn’t want her to say no when he proposed.
When he proposed.
That thought made him more nervous than anything else he had ever done in his life. Because it was the biggest thing in his life. He wanted Grace as his wife; she might not have a choice in being his mate, but she did have a choice as to whether she wanted to wear his ring.
Arriving outside the dry cleaners, Matt looked up to see the lights still on in Grace’s room. Switching off his ignition, he then picked up his phone and called her. As he waited, listening to the endless ringing, he got an uneasy feeling. Surely, Grace would be expecting him to call. He looked at the time, he’d made good time on the journey here, but it was still late. Perhaps she had gone to bed. Matt was just about to give up, when she answered.
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