Forbidden Kisses

by Annie Rains

  All three women laughed. It was better than crying. Grace wanted to do more laughing, she decided, mentally adding that to her list of desires.

  —

  On Thursday morning, Jack took a break from his current job and headed over to Sam’s bright and early.

  “No fishing today,” he said. “I need your help.”

  Sam continued to pull his fishing boots on. “What do you mean ‘no fishing’?”

  “I checked the books. The deliveries are caught up on and Dad can go out with a few of the temporaries. They need the kind of training that only he can provide anyway.”

  Sam gave him an assessing look. “What kind of help do you need, bro? And why not just get Tristan to help you?”

  “Because it needs to be you and Noah. Get dressed. I’ll explain at breakfast. Noah’s meeting us at the café.”

  The three men sat over coffee and bacon croissants as Jack explained what he was asking them to do. It was fifty-fifty whether or not they were going to agree or give him an old-fashioned brotherly beatdown.

  “You want us to go over to Tammy Donner’s house and build her a ramp?”

  Jack nodded. “I already bought the lumber. It’s not much different from building a pier, I figure.”

  Sam drank his coffee quietly.

  Noah chewed his breakfast, his skin turning ruddy as he clenched his jaw.

  “When you love someone, you love every part of them. Tammy is a part of Grace and, uh…” He hesitated. “Well, we all love Grace, right? She nearly died to make things right between our families. I figure we owe her this much.”

  Sam looked between them. “I’m not thrilled that you canceled my fishing today, but I think this is actually a good idea. You’re a good man,” Sam said, scooting back from the table. “I’m in.”

  They both turned to Noah, who was still frowning. “So I can’t be a good man unless I agree, too? Because I don’t like this idea.”

  “You don’t have to like it. Just do it,” Sam said, taking the role of older brother. “Let’s go.”

  Jack followed them into the parking lot. “Thanks. This means a lot to me.”

  Sam glanced over his shoulder. “Look, I can believe that people change. You’ve changed a lot just over the last month.”

  And all the credit for any good changes went to Grace. She’d changed him.

  “All right. Let’s get this done. If we finish by noon, we can be in the boat by one or two,” Noah told Sam.

  “And then some people will never change,” Jack teased, walking them out into the parking lot.

  They didn’t knock on the door of Mrs. Smith’s and Tammy’s home. Instead, they just started building. Jack wouldn’t care if they did the work and left the two women to wonder how it’d gotten done. He wasn’t in this for gratitude. He was in it because it was the right thing to do for Tammy, who’d been his family once. And after all Grace had done for him, he owed this much to her, even if she never wanted to see him again.

  That was a real possibility. He’d acted like a jerk lately—a big one.

  The three men worked in unison without a single bicker, which might’ve been a record for them. Smooth, sanded wooden planks went down over the brick steps. Next, they added handrails. This was child’s play compared to the piers and docks, kayak launches, and boat shelters that Jack was building now. As they were building the last railing, the front door opened and Tammy peeked out. Opening the door wider, she stepped onto the porch and looked at their work. “What are you…? Jack, Sam, Noah? What are you all doing here?”

  Pride surged up through Jack. It sure beat the hate that he’d felt when he’d seen this woman before. Unable to help himself, he walked right up to her and placed a sweaty arm around her.

  “What does it look like we’re doing, Tammy?”

  She brought two shaky hands to her mouth. “I don’t know what to say. This is so nice of you. I don’t deserve this kindness, but I’ll take it.” She shuffled forward, unable to pick up her feet and clear the ground. She didn’t have to bend her knees like she had when there’d been a set of steps. Now, she walked one foot in front of the other down the ramp, clutching the handrail, until she was standing in front of Sam first. She hesitated and then pulled him into a hug. Sam’s arms tightened around her, and Jack thought he couldn’t be prouder. Surprising them all, Noah didn’t wait for Tammy to come to him. He joined the brothers’ hug.

  After a long moment, Tammy pulled away. “Mrs. Smith is gone, but she’ll be thrilled as well. She’s tired of dragging me up those blasted steps. You boys come inside. I’ll make sandwiches for you.”

  They all started to argue, but Tammy wouldn’t hear of it. “You won’t work for free here. I can at least feed you. I’m not completely out of commission, you know.”

  Jack smiled. He could see where Grace’s toughness had come from. “All right. We can have a few sandwiches before you guys head out on the boat, can’t we?”

  Noah and Sam agreed.

  “We did this with you, so the least you can do is help us catch some fish this afternoon, bro,” Noah said, climbing the ramp and heading into the air-conditioned home. “What do you say?”

  Jack didn’t hesitate. “I say okay.”

  Chapter 22

  Grace stared at the invitation on her desk. She was invited to the Watson and Sawyer Coastal Builder’s grand opening on Friday. She’d been avoiding Jack, just like she’d done since their parents’ divorce, but maybe they could be friends.

  Grace’s chest caved at the thought of just being friends with the man she loved. But the man she loved hated her mother, and that would never change.

  Grace closed up her computer and collected her purse. It was time to go home, but first she wanted to swing by and make sure her mother was behaving. Grace couldn’t help herself. She was working on “getting a life”—even without Jack—but that didn’t mean that she had to stop caring for or loving her mom.

  Grace drove over to Mrs. Smith’s old house and walked up to the porch. She admired a new ramp that had been built where there had been a set of steps before. It was professionally done and much safer for her mom to navigate. Well, good. That was one less thing she needed to worry about for her mother.

  Grace stepped up on the porch and rang the doorbell.

  Her mom opened the door a minute later and clucked her tongue. “I’m fine. I took my medicine. I haven’t fallen, and I’m not lying on the floor unable to get up.”

  “Glad to see you still have your humor.” Grace went to walk past her into the house and her mom blocked her with one shaky arm.

  “I have company,” her mom said.

  Grace blinked. “Okay.”

  “Male company,” her mother clarified. “I love you, but you can come back tomorrow.”

  Grace’s mouth dropped. “You’re on a date?”

  Her mom shoved her hands on her hips. “You’re not the only one with secret lovers. Like mother like daughter.”

  Grace covered her ears. “Mom!” She stepped away from the front door.

  Her mom looked pleased with herself. “Speaking of secret lovers, you need to make up with yours. You were much more easygoing when you were getting some.”

  Grace nearly stumbled down the ramp. She noticed the pale blue bicycle leaning against the railing now, guessing it belonged to her mother’s new beau. Maybe her male friend was also responsible for the renovations. Grace didn’t have time to ask right now, though. She just wanted to get out of here. “That’s not up for discussion, Mom. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

  Her mother nodded. “And why don’t you call first before you do.”

  “Good idea.” Grace slunk back into her driver’s seat and started the engine. She shuddered at the thought of her mom and the mystery man inside. Then she smiled to herself. Good for her. Her mother deserved whatever was going on in there, which Grace absolutely did not want to know about. Grace drove her car back out of the driveway. One of the Donner women deserved to be happy with
a man. Apparently that wouldn’t be Grace. She and Jack were over and he was it for her. There was no one else. There never had been.

  She glanced at the invitation for the grand opening in her passenger seat. If she and Jack couldn’t be more, she’d settled for being friendly. She was proud of him for going after his dream of opening a new business and she wanted to be there to support him.

  So it was decided. She’d go. She’d be friendly and try to forget how much she loved him.

  And from now on, she’d always call before visiting her mom.

  —

  Jack put the final nail in the small boat he’d been building over the last couple of months. It could only seat two people who didn’t mind cozying up—those two people being him and Grace.

  If his plan worked.

  Standing back, he admired what he’d created. Satisfaction ran through him, thick and sweet like honey.

  “She’s a beauty,” Noah said, coming up behind him. Jack hadn’t even heard him drive up—too engrossed in his work.

  “Yeah. Thanks. I’ve been working on it on the side. Might take her out later to see if she can handle the water.”

  Noah pulled a Mountain Dew to his mouth and drank. When he brought it back down, he shook his head. “So Grace’s heart didn’t turn to mush over us fixing up her mother’s place?”

  Jack looked over. “That’s not why we helped Tammy. Tammy needed those things done and we took care of it. Out of the goodness of our hearts,” he added. “Thanks for helping, by the way.”

  “Of course, bro.” Noah grinned. “Tammy wasn’t the monster I’d thought she was. She was actually pretty nice.”

  A smile twitched on Jack’s lips. “Bunch of stubborn brothers we are. Only took us fifteen years to forgive her. We must be growing up.”

  Noah gave his head a hard shake. “Never!” he quipped playfully. “So, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be groveling at Grace’s feet or something? Thought you wanted her back.”

  “I do.”

  “So what’s the problem? You still scared I’m going to kick your ass for dating my sis?”

  Jack stepped up to the boat and ran his hand over the smooth wood as he talked to his brother. “I was never scared of having to kick your ass back.”

  Noah laughed. “Good. You’re two of my favorite people. You deserve each other.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way, because I’m going to need your help getting her back.”

  Noah set his Mountain Dew down. “First you ask me to do hard labor for an ex-stepmother I used to loathe and now you want help getting back with my sis?”

  Jack didn’t cringe when Noah referred to Grace as his sister anymore. It was weird, yeah, but it didn’t matter. Grace deserved a brother. She also deserved a man who was willing to fight for her, and that man was Jack.

  “I invited her to the grand opening. I’m hoping she’ll come, but I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to. Do you think you can ask Krista to help make sure she shows up?”

  Noah grinned. “Of course, man. Krista will make it happen. No worries.”

  Jack nodded. “I need your help, too.”

  “What do you need me to do?” Noah asked.

  Jack clapped a hand on his back. “You know that ex-stepmother that you used to loathe?”

  Noah’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah.”

  “I want Tammy and Mrs. Smith at the grand opening, too.”

  “You want me to chauffeur two old ladies to your event?” Noah asked.

  “It’ll help the cause, bro. Please.”

  Noah grabbed his drink and headed toward the door. “Fine. But you’ll owe me and I’ll collect when you least expect it.”

  Jack laughed. “Thank you,” he called as Noah disappeared.

  —

  Checking her reflection in the mirror one last time, Grace headed out the door to wait for Krista, who’d insisted on driving today. She didn’t trust that Grace wouldn’t change her mind about going to the grand opening at the last moment and leave. And Krista was probably right.

  Grace wanted to be there today, though. For Jack. He’d accomplished a dream for himself and his late friend. She was on her way to doing the same. She’d gotten word yesterday afternoon that she’d been officially enrolled in the local community college. She could start for the winter semester. She’d need to get a student loan, of course, but with any luck she’d also get a scholarship.

  Krista pulled around to the curb where Grace was standing—absorbed in her own thoughts, mostly of Jack—and honked. Hopefully Grace would be able to rein in her thoughts before classes started. Otherwise, she’d be sure to flunk out.

  “Ready?” Krista asked as Grace plopped into the passenger seat and shut the door behind her.

  “I guess. He’ll probably be too busy to notice I’m even there.”

  “You and Jack are like magnets. He’ll notice,” Krista said, which didn’t make Grace feel any better. She didn’t want him to notice. Nothing had changed between them. There was nothing left to say or do. All they could hope for was friendship now.

  Ten minutes later, Grace and Krista pulled into an empty lot, the future home of Watson and Sawyer Coastal Builders. A nice-sized crowd had already formed around the ribboned-off area where Jack would be talking.

  Grace’s heart sped up at the thought of seeing him. She was so in love. How was she ever going to move on?

  “Look. There’s even a news van here,” Krista said, pointing across the parking lot at a BB News media van.

  “This is great.” Grace smoothed her hair nervously. Krista was wrong. Jack would be too busy to notice her. They got out and crossed the lot where Abby was standing with Joey. Grace spotted other people she knew from town. Even Tina from Castaways was here.

  “I’ll be right back,” Grace said. “I want to say hello to Tina.”

  Krista glanced across the crowd. “Tell her hello from me, too. We should invite her to sit with us for one of our Thirsty Thursdays.”

  “Then who would serve the drinks?” Abby asked, pulling a pair of dark sunglasses over her eyes as the sun rose higher in the sky.

  Grace laughed. “I’ll be right back.” She headed over and tapped Tina on the shoulder.

  “Hey!” Tina said, wrapping her arms around Grace.

  After a quick hug, Grace pulled back and smiled. “How’s it going?”

  Tina beamed. This was maybe the first time that Grace had seen her ex-coworker without the dark circles under her eyes. “Loving the new job and it’s all thanks to you, my friend.”

  “That’s terrific.”

  “How’s it going for you?” Tina asked.

  Grace shrugged. “My job is good. And I got a new dog.”

  “Aww! That’s great! What happened to the guy?”

  “Dogs are better,” Grace said, forcing herself not to look around the crowd for Jack.

  Tina frowned. “I wouldn’t know. I have neither. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you, though. I’m rooting for you to be happy. You deserve it.”

  “Thanks. It’s for the best.” Grace put on a smile. “Anyway, I’m going to head back over to the friend I rode with, but I’ll see you soon. Maybe we can do dinner or something.”

  “Sounds great.”

  Grace started to walk back to where Krista and Abby stood when she caught sight of someone from the corner of her eye. “Mom?” Grace walked faster. Was her mother completely crazy? Jack would flip if he saw her at his grand opening. “Mom?” Grace called in a harsh whisper, weaving through the crowd of people.

  Her mother looked up and smiled. “Oh, hi, honey. I wasn’t sure if you’d be here.”

  “What are you doing here?” Grace asked, looking around. She saw Mrs. Smith standing nearby talking to Noah. Grace froze, wondering if she’d entered the twilight zone.

  “I’m here for Jack’s grand opening, of course. Isn’t that why you’re here, too?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Jack was so sweet to send lit
tle Noah over to get us.”

  Grace’s brow furrowed. “Jack knows you’re here?”

  “Well, of course he does. He invited me.”

  Maybe Grace was losing her mind. “Jack invited you?” she asked. Her mother nodded. “My Jack?” she asked without thinking. Because if she were thinking, she’d remember that he wasn’t hers anymore. Maybe he’d never been hers at all. “When?”

  “The other day. After he left Mrs. Smith’s house.”

  Grace nearly fell over. “He was at your house?” Why was this the first she’d heard that Jack had been to visit her mother?

  “I assumed he would’ve told you that,” her mother said.

  Grace shook her head as the crowd thickened around her. The turnout for this grand opening was a big one. The community loved the Sawyer family. So did she.

  “Jack, Sam, and Noah came over the other day,” her mother continued. “They built me a ramp to walk up. Don’t you remember seeing it?”

  Grace’s mouth dropped open. She’d seen the ramp, but she didn’t know how it came to be. She’d been too rattled by her mom’s visitor the other day. Then, when they’d spoken next, she’d been fixated on making sure her mom was taking care of herself. “They what?”

  “And Jack fixed a loose footboard on the floor. He changed the lightbulbs. He’s a regular handyman, that one.” Her mother winked. “A good thing for a woman to have around.”

  Grace’s head was spinning. Jack had done all of these wonderful things, but hadn’t mentioned a word of it to her—not that she’d spoken to him or given him a chance. “I just assumed your new friend did all that work for you.”

  Her mother waved a hand. “No. Tim has other talents, dear.”

  Grace’s face soured. “Okay,” she said, backing up. Well, if you need me I’ll just be standing in the back with Krista.” Hiding. Because she didn’t know how to feel or act around Jack anymore. She was so confused. He’d helped her mother and then invited her here. What did that mean? If he’d done it for Grace, wouldn’t he have told her?

  Someone tapped a microphone at the front of the lot, soliciting the crowd’s attention.

  “I’ve got to go, Mom. Love you.” Grace kissed her mother’s cheek and started weaving away from the commotion. A moment later, she took her place standing next to Abby.