by Deanna Chase
They spent the rest of the meal talking about their new jobs, places they’d like to explore along the northern California coast, and the various residents of Keating Hollow.
“Clay and Rhys from the Keating Hollow Brewery invited me to a barbeque next week. It’s out at the Townsend farm,” Grayson said. “I was hoping you’d be my date.”
Amelia smiled at him. “I’d love to. The Townsends are great. Yvette’s the one who hooked me up with the job at the fire station. I always enjoy spending time with her.”
“It’s a date, then.” Grayson said.
“It’s a date.”
They locked eyes and Grayson felt the world tilt. It was just the two of them and finally, for once, there was no question that his life was moving in the right direction. But as soon as the thought filled his mind, his phone buzzed with a text. After pulling it out of his pocket, he glanced at the notification and grimaced when he saw Kira’s name flash on his screen.
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh?” he asked, glancing up at Amelia, taking in her big brown eyes and worried expression. “Oh, it’s nothing.” He shut his phone down and shoved it in his pocket. He’d meant it when he told Kira he was done. There was no reason for her to message and even less for him to answer.
“It doesn’t look like nothing,” she pressed. “You look like you want to murder someone.”
“Nah. I’m just annoyed a client is interrupting my date,” he lied, not having any idea why he didn’t just tell her it was Kira. It was second nature to never talk about her to anyone after all the privacy issues she’d had over the years, but Grayson had already told Amelia about Kira. Or at least a version of her.
“It is late for a work call,” she said. “It’s not like you’re a first responder.” She chuckled softly. “Well, I guess some people would think it was an emergency if they ran out of their favorite wine.”
Grayson laughed, relieved she wasn’t pushing him about the text. If Kira kept texting, he’d find a way to tell her about it. But for now, all he wanted to do was enjoy his dinner with her.
“Hey, Grayson!” a vaguely familiar female voice called from a few tables away.
He jerked his head up and spotted Georgia Exler headed straight for them. She was an author he’d met at the Keating Hollow Brewery when he’d last been there talking to Rhys about distributing his ciders outside of town. The tall, dark-skinned woman had a warm, open face, gorgeous dark curls, and was dressed casually in a long skirt and formfitting T-shirt. “Georgia, hi,” he said and then nodded to his date. “Have you met Amelia Holiday?”
Georgia gave Amelia a kind smile. “I don’t think I have. You’re a friend of Yvette’s though, right? Fire witch?”
Amelia nodded and held her hand out to the other woman. “You must know Yvette from the bookstore.”
“Yep. She’s been kind enough to let me sign there a few times. Now that I’m living here in Keating Hollow, I hope to make it a regular thing.”
“You’re a newbie, too?” Amelia asked, her eyes lighting up. “I’ve only been here a couple of months.”
“Yep. Just moved in last week.” She studied Amelia for just a moment before she added, “Looks like we have no choice other than to be besties. Got time for coffee tomorrow at Incantation Café?”
Amelia blinked at her. “Uh, what?”
Georgia’s eyes crinkled as she laughed. “We newbies need to stick together. As near as I can tell, other than Miranda, all the other women in this town have either lived here forever or are related to the Townsends. It’s easier to make friends with outsiders than it is to breach that inner sanctum.”
It was Amelia’s turn to laugh. While she was friends with Yvette and her sisters, it was true that none of them had a lot of free time to really form new relationships. They were all newly married, getting married, or having or adopting kids. That didn’t leave a lot of time for gab sessions or girls’ night. “Coffee it is. Can we do it in the afternoon? I work until four.”
“I’ll meet you there after work,” Georgia said with a smile and a nod. She turned to Grayson. “Be good to this one. I can’t have you messing with my new bestie’s heart.”
Amelia, who’d been taking a sip of her after-dinner coffee, sputtered as she laughed.
Grayson held three fingers up in a Boy Scout salute. “You have my word.”
“Good.” She ruffled his hair as if she were twenty years older than him, winked at Amelia, and then strode away.
“I like her,” Amelia said.
He let out a soft chuckle. “I just bet you do.”
Chapter 11
Amelia was on cloud nine as she walked with Grayson down Main Street. The night had been filled with good conversation, great food, and new connections. She was very excited to spend time with Georgia. Amelia made casual friends relatively easily, but she hadn’t had a close friend since she lost Victoria. She missed being able to confide in someone who wasn’t her brother. She loved Rex and they were close, but there were some things she just couldn’t tell her brother.
“Tell me about your family,” Grayson said. “Didn’t you tell me you have something like nine siblings?” There was astonishment in his tone.
Normally, Amelia resented talking about her giant family. Most people were judgmental and made snarky remarks about so many mouths to feed. But knowing Grayson’s history, she imagined he was curious about her life that was the polar opposite of his. “Ten actually, including Rex. But he’s the only one I’m close with.”
“Really? Why?” He twined his fingers with hers and guided her along the path that led to the enchanted river.
“The others are half siblings on both sides. I guess Rex and I always felt a little bit like outsiders in our own families. When your parents are having kids with their second partners and you’re both shuffling back and forth, it’s a strange existence. And with there being so many of us, it was easy to fade into the background, I guess. Rex and I were together most of the time and learned to lean on each other That was especially true when my dad died. He was a good man even if we weren’t particularly close.”
“At least you had each other,” Grayson said, squeezing her hand.
Mortification shot through her and she stopped in her tracks as she realized she was complaining about being part of a huge family. Grayson hadn’t had anyone. She must’ve sounded like a self-absorbed a-hole. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m an ungrateful jerk.”
“What? No. Why would I think that?” His brows pinched together in his confusion.
“Because of what you told me. Your situation with your foster parents. You’re right. I am lucky that I have Rex. And I have parents who love me. While we aren’t really close, I know they’re there for me if I need them.”
He turned to her and wrapped his arms around her.
She stared up at him, praying he wasn’t offended. “I’m sorry. That was just a stupid thing to say.”
“No, it wasn’t.” He kissed the top of her head. “It was your truth and your reality. I don’t want you to ever feel like you have to hold back just because your life wasn’t as bad as mine. Gods, Amelia. I’d never want that for you. Or anyone at all. Just because you have a big family, that doesn’t mean you don’t have some trauma. You’re a child of divorce and you’ve lost a parent. No matter how it turned out, it’s rough on a kid when their parents break up. I get it. It must’ve been hard being split between two new families, always feeling like the outsiders, especially since your parents were still in the picture. It makes sense that you and Rex bonded so closely.”
Amelia cupped his cheeks with both hands, feeling overwhelmed at his empathy. This was a side of him she hadn’t really seen when they’d been Back East. She’d first witnessed it when he’d been helping Levi work through his issues with Silas. And now, he was validating her feelings about her childhood even though his own had been something no one should ever experience. “Thank you. I appreciate that. Just know that I was listening when yo
u shared your past with me, and I don’t ever want you to feel like I’m dismissing what you went through.”
“I know.” He leaned down and brushed his lips lightly over hers. When he pulled back, he said, “I had a friend who lived next door. She was my lifeline through that period. Without her, I don’t know if I would’ve made it.” He stared down at his feet as he added, “She’s the only person who’s ever cared about me since my parents died.”
Tears filled Amelia’s eyes. His admission nearly ripped her heart right out of her chest, and she wanted to wrap him in her arms and never let go. But there was one thing she needed to clear up first. With her hands squeezing his, she waited until he lifted his gaze to hers and then said, “Not the only person, Grayson. I wasn’t lying when I told you I loved you back in December. It was true then, and it’s true now. You’re important to me and our daughter. Try to remember that, all right?”
Emotion flashed through his eyes, and he let out a breath as he tugged her to him, hugging her tightly. “I was afraid I’d messed that up.”
She shook her head. “You tried, but it didn’t take.”
Chuckling softly, he held her for a long moment, and when he let go, he said, “You and our daughter are important to me too. More than you know.”
“I think I have an idea.” She grinned up at him and then tugged him down toward the river where the moon was shimmering off the water. Even though there’d been two feet of snow on the ground that morning, the town maintenance crew had already cleared the path to the river. Once she found a bench, she took a seat and gestured for him to join her.
“I heard the water has magical properties,” he said as he stared at the river.
“I heard that, too.” She leaned into him, loving the new closeness they were sharing. When they’d dated before, she’d fallen in love with his generosity, gentleness, and fun-loving nature, but she’d learned more about him in just a few days since they’d reunited in Keating Hollow than during the entire time they’d dated the year before. At least she’d learned more of his history and what was on the inside instead of his favorite pastry and the way he took his coffee.
He gave her a cheeky grin before turning his attention to the moonlit river again. “Didn’t you tell me once that you had a golden retriever that was best friends with your shelter cat?”
Amelia couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips. “Yes. They were inseparable. When the cat wasn’t chasing the dog, they were sharing the dog bed, curling together as if they were the only two creatures in the world. It really was something.”
“Sounds wonderful,” he said wistfully, and she wondered if he’d ever had a pet before. But before she could ask, he stood and started waving his arms. The water rose from the river and formed in the shapes of a cat and a dog. The dog resembled a golden retriever with its floppy ears and long fluffy tail. The cat looked up at the dog and playfully swatted his nose, and when the dog shot off across the river, the cat chased after him. The two played, tormenting each other for a while, until finally the cat walked up to the dog, pressed his nose to the other beast, and then curled up next to him. The dog curled around the cat, and the image was so precious, Amelia had almost forgotten to breathe.
“It’s exactly how they used to behave together.” She pressed her hand to her chest. “Thank you. I miss them both so much.”
“I know. The way you used to talk about them, it was clear they were special to you.”
Her tears were back. He really had been paying attention to her, even when he’d been trying to hold her at arm’s length. “Thank you,” she said with an emotional sniff. “You’re something else, you know that?”
“Nah. I’m just a spirit witch who has some strange abilities. The magic in the river is helping with this surprising skill.” He conjured up the nursery, just as it was back at her house, complete with the crib and sea life mobile. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Amelia clutched his arm. “Neither can I.”
The scene vanished and was replaced by a dinner table with a bouquet of sunflowers and daisies, wine glasses, and what looked to be cheesecake or some sort of dessert. Musical notes floated through the air as well as heart-shaped water droplets. It was all so cheesy, and yet one of the most romantic moments Amelia had ever experienced. He hadn’t just put together scenes he thought a woman would love; he’d tailored them to what he knew about her. It meant more to her than he’d ever know.
“Thank you,” she whispered and then leaned in and kissed him. His lips were soft and warm in the cool night air.
Grayson caressed her cheek with his thumb as he opened his mouth and deepened the kiss. She felt it all the way to her toes as her body started to tingle. It was exactly how she’d always felt when he touched her, only now it meant more. Now she knew he cared about her.
He pulled back, lowering his gaze as a flush colored his face. “We should probably not let that go any further.”
“And why is that?” she demanded, almost offended that he’d been able to stop kissing her. Because there had been no way she was going to pry herself from his embrace. She’d missed their physical connection, and now that there was an emotional one that wasn’t one-sided, she was doomed for sure.
Shifting to put distance between them, she realized that was exactly why they needed to stop. Amelia was ready for declarations and promises of forever. Grayson was just trying to navigate the shift in his existence. Sure, he obviously cared about her, but promises and forevers had been reserved for his relationship with his daughter, not Amelia. She needed to remember that, or she was in danger of getting her heart broken… again.
“Maybe we should call it a night?” she said, wrapping her arms around herself. Although it was a chilly night, it wasn’t the temperature that had made her cold. It was the realization that she was likely getting ahead of herself again. There was a reason she’d already told him they needed to give this relationship time to grow. Pushing for more would only backfire. She was sure of that.
“Yeah, I guess we should.” He pulled her to his side, giving her a sideways hug and kissing her temple. “I had a really good time with you tonight.”
“Same here.” They walked hand in hand back to Main Street and to his SUV. Once she was tucked into the passenger seat and he was driving them back toward her house, Amelia said, “Tell me more about your neighbor. The one who was there for you as a kid. Did you stay in touch?”
His expression was hidden in the shadows, but she could have sworn she saw him stiffen at her questions.
“You don’t have to answer,” she rushed out. “If you don’t want to talk about that time, I understand.”
“No, it’s not that,” he said gruffly. “I was just caught off guard.” There was silence for a moment before he continued. “The first few years at that foster home were truly unbearable. There was no effort to make sure I had the counseling I needed after the accident. I was expected to be the model child. Quiet, obedient, and most of all, unemotional. They had taken me in, so I was to be grateful or they’d send me back. Few fates are worse than the state group home where kids wait to find a forever family, so I did what they wanted. But I was numb inside. I’d lost a world I loved and got an emotional prison instead.”
Amelia’s heart ached, and she desperately wished she hadn’t asked any questions. This wasn’t how she wanted to end their lovely evening. “I’m so sorry, Grayson. I had no idea.”
“No one does,” he said simply. “Not even Kira.”
“Kira?” she asked, frowning. “The model you dated for a while?”
This time she felt it when he flinched, but she didn’t comment on it. He was talking about his past, something she knew he never did and suspected he really needed to do. “Yes,” he said. “Kira was my neighbor. We also dated for a short time but realized pretty quickly that we should just be friends.”
“That makes sense,” Amelia said. “She’s your childhood friend, the one you leaned on through everything. Messing it
up with a romantic relationship would be scary.”
He glanced at her for a moment, his brows drawn together as if he was contemplating what she’d just said. But then he shook his head. “We weren’t on the same page. That’s all. We did remain friends, but we’re not as close as we used to be. We were there for each other as kids, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful. But now? I’ll always love her because of that shared history, though we’ve both chosen two different paths and now our friendship doesn’t make as much sense.”
“I think it’s a little sad that your friendship has changed, but there are some people who move into your life for a certain time and then drift out again. It’s okay to see it like that.”
He nodded. “Yes. I think that’s right. She saved me when I needed her most, and I saved her when she needed me most. That’s enough, right?”
“Sure.” She reached over and squeezed his leg lightly. “There aren’t any rules for how to navigate your relationships, Grayson. All you can do is keep an open heart.”
He pulled into her driveway and walked her to her door. “Just so you know… my heart is open to you.”
She smiled up at him. “That’s good.”
Grayson pulled her to him, pressing his large body against hers as he kissed her lightly.
Amelia nearly melted under his touch, but then came alive as he deepened the kiss and made her head swim. When he finally stepped back, she was breathless and moments from throwing her rules out the window and inviting him in. She’d told herself they needed time to really get to know each other this time before she invited him back into her bed. But what did that matter when he made her feel so good?
“Good night, Amelia,” he said, already retreating from the porch.
“You’re not staying?” she blurted, and then she immediately regretted it when his eyes crinkled at the edges.
“Not tonight, love. Get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Amelia let herself into her empty house and watched from the front window as his taillights disappeared down the hill.