“Not sure. Looks like he tangled with barbed wire. But I had the boys look for loose wire or a downed fence, and they couldn’t find anything.”
Grant placed a boot on the bottom rail. “Any changes in our plans for the rest of the week?”
“Nope. You’ll be doing all of your cooking at the chef’s patio. No trail rides. Lunch and dinner today. Dinners only the rest of the week.” Chet straightened and patted the yearling’s neck. “Do you need help? Sam’s around if you want him to join you.”
“No, thanks. I’m good.” He took a few steps back as Chet reached for the gate. “But I was wondering if you had a minute to talk.”
“Sure. What’s up?” Chet came out of the stall.
“I . . . I . . .” Grant took a slow, deep breath. “It’s about Skye Foster.”
Chet cocked an eyebrow. “What about her?”
“Well, I—” Why did he feel so tongue tied? Spit it out already. “To tell you the truth, Chet, I think I’m falling in love with her.”
“Yeah?”
“No. Not quite right. I think I’ve fallen in love with her. Past tense. Already happened.”
“And the problem is . . .?” Chet leaned a shoulder against the stall.
Grant removed his hat and ran a hand over his hair. “I don’t know that there is one. But it all happened so fast. I’ve never known anyone like her before. And I knew plenty of girls before I came to Idaho. I hooked up with someone different at every party, without any intention of ever seeing any of them again. That’s why I haven’t dated since I got here. I thought it better to give all women a wide berth while I turned my life around. I didn’t want to fall into my old patterns.”
“I know. I thought it was a sound plan.”
“Chet, I never planned to get married. I figured I’d stay a bachelor the rest of my life.”
His friend chuckled. “But you’re thinking about marriage anyway.”
“Yeah. I guess I am. I mean, that’s the only place love can lead for a Christian couple. Right?”
“I’d say that’s true. If that’s what God has for you and Skye.”
Grant walked to the far end of the barn and looked out at the paddocks beyond the open doors. “If that’s what God has for you and Skye.” If marriage was what God wanted for them, then everything would work out. The things he worried about now wouldn’t matter anymore.
Chet arrived at his side.
“When I’m with her,” Grant said softly, “I don’t have any doubts. Except about my dancing.” They both chuckled. “When I’m with her, all I want is to stay with her. To be with her all the time. To hear her laughter. To listen to her talk . . . about anything. She’s interesting and funny, and we like the same music and books. We both like the outdoors. She’ll always want to own horses and so will I. Having them will probably keep us strapped for cash, but neither of us will care. We don’t have expensive tastes. It’s like—” He shrugged. “It’s like we were meant for each other.”
“Maybe you are.”
Grant finally cracked a smile. “But you’re not going to tell me what to do, are you?”
“No.” Chet shook his head. “You’ll have to wrestle through your questions with God. I’m not in the matchmaking business.” He chuckled again. “But I will tell you this: when I fell in love with Kimberly, I didn’t think it was going to work out between us. Unlike you and Skye, we had lots of differences that seemed certain to keep us apart. But God has a way of cutting through the stuff we think is impossible. He’ll do the same for you, if you’re listening to Him.”
“And you don’t think this has happened too fast between us?”
“It all depends, I suppose. But I’ve known more than one couple who fell in love in a matter of days or weeks and who are still married after thirty or forty or even fifty years. I know another couple that courted for years, and they were divorced before the first year was out. I’m not saying you should rush. I’m saying there’s no set timetable. God’s timing is what matters. Not yours.”
Strange, the calmness that fell over him. As if all of his questions had been answered. As if all of his worries had been swept away.
“Thanks, Chet. You’ve been a big help.”
Skye rode River out of the arena and walked him toward the lean-to. Once there, she dismounted and quickly set about removing his saddle and bridle.
“You’re going to be a champ,” she said as she slipped his halter on. “Aren’t you, boy?”
The horse’s ears flicked forward and he turned his head away from her. She had to follow right along with him in order to fasten the buckle. That’s when she saw Grant walking toward her.
An already perfect day got instantly better.
“Hey, Skye.” Small clouds of dirt rose behind his boots as he walked.
“Hey, Grant.” Her heart did a little trill in her chest.
They had spoken on the phone several times since his last dance lesson, but this was the first she’d seen him in person in several days. It surprised her, how the sight of him made her feel.
“River looked great out there,” he said, stopping nearby.
“You saw?”
“Some. I stayed in my Jeep. Didn’t want to take a chance of disturbing him.” He paused. “Or you.”
One more thing to love about Grant. He knew better than to interrupt a horse in training. He was willing and able to be patient.
She said, “I thought you were working all day at the Leonards’.”
“I am. But I wanted to see you before I start cooking again.”
She didn’t know if she should be delighted or worried. Was it something urgent? Or was it something he’d rather not say over the phone? Such as he couldn’t go to her parents’ home for Sunday dinner. Her mom would be disappointed if that was what he’d come to say.
“Come here, you.” He took hold of her upper arms and drew her to him. “There. That’s better.” He embraced her, holding her close.
“I’m all horsey.”
“I like horsey.” He kissed her on the forehead.
“And gritty.”
“I’ll take my chances.” He lowered his head so their lips could meet. A long, slow, luscious kiss.
River snorted hard, spraying them both.
They broke apart. Neither of them spoke. Then, in unison, they laughed.
“River,” Grant said, “you’re a real killjoy.” He reached for Skye’s left hand and drew her away from the lean-to and the horse. “I’ve got something important to say, and I need your full attention.”
She sobered. “Okay. You’ve got it.” Her mouth went dry, and she found it hard to swallow.
“Skye Foster, since the day I met you, I haven’t been able to think straight.”
Now she didn’t seem able to breathe.
“But I feel like I know you better than some people I’ve known my whole life. I told you last Sunday that I wanted to see where things might go between us. That’s not quite true anymore.”
“It isn’t?” she whispered.
“No, because I already know where it’s going. I already know what I feel.” He took a half step closer to her. “Call me crazy if you want, but . . . I love you.”
He loves me?
“I’ve never said that to a woman before. Never said it to anybody who isn’t a member of my family. Never.”
You haven’t?
“I’d like you to become a member of my family, Skye. Will you marry me?”
Vision blurred by unexpected tears, Skye’s happiness bubbled over into laughter. Grant took a step back from her, and she realized he thought she was laughing at him, at his proposal.
“Wait. Grant. No. I mean, yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“You will? Wahoo!”
He picked her up underneath the arms and spun her around and around. Her legs flew out like swings at the carnival. The first thing he did when he set her down was kiss her again. Only the kiss was different this time. The kiss claimed her for his own. She
felt winded by the time he straightened.
“I’ve gotta get back to work,” he said. “I don’t want to, but I’ve got to.”
“I know. It’s all right. Go.”
“I don’t have a ring for you yet.”
“It’s okay.”
“Can I come to your house tonight when I’m done at the Tamarack? It’ll be late.”
She grinned. “That’s okay too. I’ll wait up.”
It was close to midnight before Grant pulled his Jeep into Skye’s driveway. The light above the front stoop was on, shedding a warm yellow glow several feet in all directions. Another light inside the house told him he was expected.
He hopped out of the vehicle and strode to the front door. Rather than ring the bell, he rapped lightly. The door opened in seconds. Skye looked up at him, eyes sleepy. Or would he call them dreamy?
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hi.” She shoved tousled hair back from her face.
“You were asleep.”
“On the sofa.”
He cupped the side of her face, leaned forward, and kissed her. “I shouldn’t have asked you to wait up.”
“Yes, you should have. I needed to see you. I needed to know I wasn’t dreaming earlier today.”
“You weren’t dreaming.”
Holding on to the front of his shirt, she drew him over the threshold. He caught the open door with his fingertips and swiped it closed. He became instantly aware of how alone they were in this little bungalow. He remembered how easy it could be—with the right words, with the right look in his eyes, with the pressure of his lips—to help a girl let down her defenses.
Careful, he warned himself. Be careful.
“Would you like something to drink?” she asked, intruding on the silence. “There’s Coke in the fridge, or I could make some decaf.”
He wasn’t thirsty, but a little distance between them might be a good thing. “Decaf would be great.”
“I’ll get it for you.”
She turned and headed into the kitchen. He followed a few moments behind. On the opposite side of the kitchen bar, he sat on a stool and watched as she filled the carafe with water and poured it into the coffeemaker’s reservoir.
“Did you tell anybody?” he asked at last.
She faced him but stayed where she was. “No. I didn’t know if you wanted me to yet.” She tipped her head slightly to one side. “Did you tell anyone?”
“No.” He smiled. “But it was hard not to with so many people in and out of the kitchen tonight. I thought I’d explode with the news. I didn’t expect that. Then again, I didn’t expect any of this. People tried to tell me it would be like this. My parents. My brothers and sisters. Have I mentioned the Nicholses are a romantic lot? I didn’t think I got that particular gene, but I was wrong.”
“Not sure you told me about them being romantics. However, I can tell your parents raised you with good manners. When I’m with you I feel . . . protected.” She returned his smile. “Cherished.”
Who knew it would feel this good to hear her say something like that? And it made him determined to keep her feeling protected and cherished, determined not to hurt her or abuse her trust in even the smallest of ways.
“Grant?”
“Hmm.” It was hard not to get off the stool and go take her in his arms again.
“Let’s wait to tell anybody here in Kings Meadow until after we have dinner with my parents on Sunday. Is that all right with you? I’d like the two of us to tell them in person first.”
The sounds and scent of coffee brewing filled the kitchen.
“Sure. That’s fine with me. Do you think they’ll take it all right? It happening so fast, I mean.”
She nodded. “I think so. As soon as they really get to meet you, they’ll know we’re right for each other.”
“I’ll wait to call my parents until Sunday night.”
“Will they take it all right?”
He chuckled. “All they’ll want to know is when do they get to meet you and how soon is the wedding.” Surprise shot through him when he realized how he wanted to answer them. “Can I tell them it will be soon?”
Her large, dark eyes widened, all traces of sleepiness long gone. “How soon?”
“How about at the end of September or early October?”
She walked toward him, stopping with the bar still between them. “Yes. The colors will be turning by then. A perfect backdrop for a wedding. It will be beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.” He leaned across the kitchen bar and kissed her. “It may sound corny, Skye, but you’ve made me the happiest guy on earth.”
The way Skye felt, she couldn’t believe the entire congregation couldn’t see the truth for themselves. It was a wonder everyone didn’t come over at the end of the service and start shaking Grant’s hand and congratulating them both.
But if anyone guessed she and Grant were engaged, no one let on, and the couple made it to her parents’ home with their secret still intact. The next half an hour was pure agony while her mom and dad asked Grant questions and he answered them. But Skye could only hold back the announcement for so long.
When a lull in the conversation occurred, she reached over and took hold of Grant’s hand. “Mom. Dad. Grant and I have something to tell you.” She tightened her grip. “We’re getting married.”
“What?” her dad exclaimed.
Her mom shushed him. “Let her talk, Rand.”
“We know it seems fast,” Skye said. “We’ve only known each other a few weeks. But we’re sure, Dad. We love each other. And we aren’t rushing straight to the altar. We thought this fall would be a good time for the wedding.”
Grant cleared his throat. “Sir, I love your daughter.” He looked at her father with a steady gaze. “I’m as sure of that as I’ve ever been sure of anything. I promise I’ll take care of her, be a good husband to her, cherish her always. You’ve got my word on it.” He put an arm around Skye’s shoulders and hugged her close.
Her dad was quiet for a long while, then said, “Neither one of you are kids. You’re old enough to make decisions for yourselves. I don’t know you well, Grant, but I respect the men who are your friends. That says a lot about you. And Skye, you know your own mind. I never had to worry about you the way I worried about your brother and sister. You were always more focused and self-disciplined than they were. So if this is what you want, then God bless you. I hope you’ll both be as happy as your mom and I have been all these years.”
Tears slipped down Skye’s cheeks as she got up to hug her father. When she turned toward her mom, she saw that she was sniffling. Happy tears, judging by the smile on her lips.
After they’d exchanged a hug, too, her mom said, “I’d best get that roast out of the oven before it turns to charcoal.”
“I’ll help.” Skye took two steps toward the kitchen, stopped, and turned to look once again at Grant. After several heartbeats, she mouthed the words, I love you. Then she left the room, her heart tripping with joy.
The meal was over, but they lingered at the dining room table over cups of coffee. Grant felt accepted by Skye’s parents. No small thing. It was easy to envision a future full of friendly dinners like this one.
Midge rose from her chair and began to clear the table. Skye got up to help her. Soon, running water and the clatter of plates and clink of glasses could be heard from the kitchen.
“I’ll get the rest of these dishes,” Grant said to Rand.
When he arrived at the doorway, he paused to look at the two women, mother and daughter, as they worked. It reminded him of home and his mom and sisters.
“I can hardly wait to meet Grant’s family,” Skye was saying. “Especially his mother. She raised ten kids, Mom. Ten. She must be full of advice, and I plan to ask her all kinds of questions when we get to meet. You know how I’ve always dreamed of having a big family like the one Grant grew up in. Oh, Mom. I can hardly wait until we have babies of our own. We’ll have a big old house wit
h a rope swing in the tree in the backyard and ponies for the kids to ride when they’re little.”
Grant went cold all over. He knew Skye and her mother continued to talk, but their voices were more like a buzz in his ears now.
He and Skye had crammed a lot of information, questions, and answers into the short time they’d known each other. Whenever together, they’d talked. About everything. How was it possible she’d never said anything about wanting a big family like his? Never a clue that she was eager to add to the overpopulation of the world. But then, he couldn’t lay the blame at her feet. He should have made his own sentiments clear when he proposed. Or better yet, before he proposed. Why hadn’t he thought to tell her how he felt about it?
A sick knot formed in his gut.
Midge Foster caught sight of him in the doorway. “Oh, thank you, Grant. That was nice of you to bring those to us.”
Feeling stiff, he moved forward and set the dishes on the counter next to the sink.
As he turned, Skye touched the back of one of his hands with her fingertips. “I’ll help Mom clean up, and then we can go.”
He nodded.
To her mom, Skye said, “We’re going to call Grant’s parents with the news after we leave here.”
“Grant, I look forward to meeting your parents. I hope your whole family can come down for the wedding.”
The whole family. Thirty-two of them, counting spouses. Where would they all stay if they did come? Kings Meadow didn’t have a motel. Only a bed-and-breakfast that had three available bedrooms. He knew because that’s where he’d stayed upon his arrival in town.
His head began to throb.
Maybe he hadn’t prayed about this marriage idea enough. Maybe he hadn’t heard God’s answer after all. He’d given Rand Foster his word that he would take care of Skye, that he would make her happy. They weren’t even wed yet—not even home yet—and he was about to break that promise.
Tension emanated from Grant. Almost like a third entity in the Jeep.
When Skye dared to glance at him, his eyes were locked on the street ahead, his mouth set in a hard line. His hands gripped the steering wheel as if he might try to break it in two.
I Hope You Dance Page 6