Embracing Her Heart

by Melissa Foster

  He held the flowers tighter to keep from reaching for her, because once she was in his arms, he wasn’t going to let go. “I have never had the opportunity to pick you up for a real date. I’m not missing out on that again. Now, get your fine ass back in the house and let me knock on the door like a gentleman.” He smacked her butt and said, “Go.”

  “That’s not very gentlemanly,” she said with a sexy laugh.

  “Neither are most of the things on my mind right now, so you’d better take the chivalrous acts when you can get them.”

  She glanced over her shoulder before walking inside, and in that split second, his world tilted on its axis. Grace was here, within reach, and right that second nothing else mattered.

  He tried to clear his head, but it was no use. Grace had taken up residence. He knocked on the door and her father opened it, a smile at the ready.

  “Hello, Reed. I hear you sent my daughter back inside.”

  Reed nodded. “Yes, sir. When I take a woman on a date, I like to pick her up properly.”

  “I told you I liked him,” Marilynn said as she came to Cade’s side. “Reed, come in, please.”

  Grace stood off to the side, watching with amusement as he stepped inside. He’d seen the inside of their home when he’d first started working on the porch, but Grace made it look even brighter.

  He smiled and handed her the bouquet of pink and white orchids. The same flowers he’d left anonymously on the porch by her bedroom door on every thirty-day anniversary while they were dating. “You look gorgeous, Grace.”

  If a melting heart had a face, it would be Grace’s at that very moment. She lifted the bouquet to her nose, smiling as she smelled them. “They’re beautiful.”

  He was aware of her parents exchanging a glance but didn’t want to miss a second of Grace to catch it. “I’ve been wanting to get you flowers since”—he noticed the warning in her eyes, but he was done hiding. He’d just have to be creative in his honesty—“I first saw you standing on the sidelines of the football field back in high school.”

  Another dreamy look washed over her. “That’s a long time.”

  “It is.” Reed couldn’t resist stepping closer, vaguely aware of Marilynn reaching for Cade’s hand. “But some things are worth waiting for.”

  Grace lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushing.

  “Why don’t I put those flowers in a vase so you two can get on your way.” Her mother took the bouquet from her.

  Reed put his hand on Grace’s lower back and said, “I won’t have her back too late.”

  “Keep her as long as you want her. Overnight if you’d like,” Marilynn said.

  “Mom!” Grace said with a laugh. “Nothing like offering your daughter up for a good time.”

  “You take care of my girl, you hear?” Cade said with a friendly wink.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Once they were alone on the porch, Reed hauled her into his arms and kissed her deep and slow, until their mutual laughter turned to passion. She was so sweet, so eager, he didn’t want to stop, but they were on her parents’ porch. Clinging to her arms, he reluctantly drew back.

  “Thank you,” he said, and pressed his lips to hers again in a quick, tender kiss.

  “For the kisses?”

  He took her hand in his and said, “For allowing me to experience what I was never able to all those years ago.”

  Chapter Seven

  THE AIR BUZZED as rides soared up toward the night sky, alive with bright colored lights, their riders screaming, arms flailing, mirroring everything Grace felt as she and Reed meandered through the crowds. For the first time in forever, Grace felt carefree and truly happy—and it scared the heck out of her because where would she be three weeks from now when she went back to New York? She couldn’t go through another heartbreak, but being with Reed, even just being around him when he wasn’t kissing her dizzy, was everything she’d remembered. He was real, and he didn’t put on a front, pretending, or hoping, to be something he wasn’t. She’d always admired that about him.

  They stopped for cotton candy, and Reed pulled a piece of the sticky sweetness off and held it up to Grace’s lips. “Open up, beautiful.”

  She opened her mouth, and he set the cotton candy on her tongue. “Mm. I haven’t had cotton candy in ages.”

  He gathered her in his arms and lowered his lips to hers, the sugary goodness giving way to his unique, heavenly taste.

  “Well, well, well, look at my big sister making out like she’s not Miss Buttoned-up City Girl.”

  Grace tore her mouth from Reed’s at the sound of Brindle’s voice. She tried to step away, but Reed’s grip tightened, keeping her close. He didn’t flinch, didn’t blink, as he cupped her jaw, keeping her attention focused on him as he placed a tender kiss to her lips and said, “No hiding, Gracie.”

  How could he be so calm when her insides were whirling?

  Reed brushed his thumb over Grace’s cheek and turned slowly toward the others. Brindle was tucked beneath Trace Jericho’s arm like she was sewn there, her eyes dancing with delight at catching Grace in a compromising position. Trace was a strappingly large cowboy, with dark hair and eyes and an ever-present arrogant smile. Beside him, two of his four siblings, Shane and Trixie, who helped him run their family ranch, were talking with Chet, who carried his four-year-old nephew, Scotty, on his shoulders.

  A slow grin spread across Reed’s lips as he said, “How’s it going?”

  “Apparently not as well as it is for you guys,” Trixie said with a smile. “I’d hug you hello, but it looks like your hugs are all spoken for.”

  Grace couldn’t suppress her smile, even though she hated the snarky look on Brindle’s face. “Hey,” she said, then chided herself. Hey? How long had it been since she’d replaced hello or hi with hey? She’d worked too hard to shake off those country ways to fall back into them. If that’s what Reed’s kisses did to her, she’d have to rethink things.

  As if he could read her mind, he leaned in, touching his cheek to hers, and whispered, “Doesn’t it feel good to be us in public?”

  Maybe country bumpkin wasn’t so bad after all, because heck yes, it felt amazing!

  “Oh my gosh! I just figured it out!” Brindle waggled her finger at them. “This is why you freaked out the other night. How long have you two been secretly hooking up?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Reed winked at Brindle, and Grace glared at him. He pressed his lips to hers. “Guess they figured us out, huh, Gracie? No more hiding.”

  Taking his much-needed hint to avoid any further questions about their past, she said, “You caught us, Brindle. We’ve been having a secret long-distance, torrid affair for years.”

  Brindle seemed to think about that for a minute, her brows furrowed, nose wrinkled, in that adorable way she had that Grace had always envied.

  “Man, that sounds perfect,” Shane said. “Long-distance means you see each other often enough to make the most out of each visit without having time to get sick of each other.” He was every bit the cowboy, like Trace and the rest of his brothers, but he was three years older than Trace and had never been as cocky.

  Grace liked all the Jericho siblings, but Shane had a certain gentlemanly way that made him one of her favorites.

  Trixie tugged at the knot in her flannel shirt, which was tied above her belly button, leaving a glimpse of tanned flesh above her denim shorts. “We’re going on the Ferris wheel. Want to come?”

  “Hell, yes,” Reed said. “I’ve been dying to kiss Grace at the top of it for years.”

  Her stomach flipped. He really was going for no more hiding. She made a mental note to define borders on their newfound relationship, like please don’t out me to my family. She’d never been a liar, except where seeing Reed was concerned, and she knew she needed to come clean to her family about their past before they heard about their fake multiyear relationship from Brindle.

  Falling into step with the group, Trixie nudged Grace’s arm. �
�Those boots are wicked cute. Aren’t you worried about ruining them?”

  Grace looked down at her black leather ankle boots, which were already covered in dust, and she winced. She’d forgotten how dirty the fairgrounds were, and she’d been so swept up in Reed, she hadn’t given a thought to anything other than looking cute for him.

  “You should have worn Mom’s boots,” Brindle said.

  As much as she hated to admit it, Brindle was right.

  Reed glanced down at her boots. “I’ll get those cleaned up for you back at my place. No worries.”

  Butterflies swarmed in her belly at the prospect of going back to his place, and at his confidence that that was exactly where they were heading. But weren’t they? Hadn’t she spent the whole evening trying to ignore that she was secretly hoping for the same? Apparently Brindle didn’t miss that comment either. She was grinning like a Cheshire cat as they made their way into the Ferris wheel line.

  They finished their cotton candy, sharing with everyone as they waited their turn. Chet set Scotty’s feet on the ground. His face and hands were pink and sticky.

  “Be right back.” Reed gave Grace a quick kiss, then ran out of line to a nearby food vendor. He returned with a bottle of water and a handful of napkins. “Give me your hands, buddy.” He poured water over Scotty’s hands and cleaned them off.

  “Dude’s making your uncle look bad, Scotty,” Chet teased.

  “Nah,” Reed said as he tousled Scotty’s hair. “I did some work with kids in Michigan. I’m used to sticky hands.”

  Holy cow. “You just got ten times hotter,” came out before Grace could stop it.

  Reed pulled her close again with a frisky expression. “If that’s all it takes, maybe I should tell you about the time I dressed up like Santa Claus.”

  He touched his lips to hers, and Trixie said, “I’ve gotta find myself a long-distance lover.”

  “Over my dead body,” Trace said.

  “And once he’s dead, you’ll need to take me down, too,” Shane said, bumping fists with Trace.

  “I’m so glad I don’t have a pack of brothers,” Brindle said. “Trix, you go to Maryland enough. Just pick one up there. Or come help with my drama club play. There are lots of single dads there.”

  “There are?” Trace gave her a stern look. Brindle laughed and rolled her eyes.

  “No single dads for me,” Trixie said. “I need my freedom.”

  Brindle smirked. “I hear ya, sister. Being tied down is not in my plans, either.”

  Reed gave Trace a look that clearly asked what was up with that comment.

  “No strings,” Trace said with a wink. “That’s what life’s all about.”

  Brindle nodded in agreement. Even though Grace knew Brindle had no interest in settling down with any one man, it still made her sad to know she was okay with the idea of Trace being with another woman. She had no idea how she and her siblings could have been raised by the same parents when they were different in so many ways.

  Scotty tugged on Brindle’s shirt and said, “Mommy said I can be in your play when I’m bigger.” He pushed his mop of blond hair from his eyes for the umpteenth time, and it flopped right back down.

  “Darn right you can, little man,” Brindle said. “That reminds me. Grace, can you stop by rehearsal one afternoon this week? I’m having some trouble with the script. We start at three thirty. I could use your insight.”

  She and Brindle might not see eye to eye with their personal lives—Brindle flirted shamelessly, while Grace had always been very careful in that department—but when it came to their careers, they were equally as passionate. Brindle gave her all to her students.

  “Sure. I’d love to. My class starts tomorrow and runs from four to six, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Amber’s bookstore. Why don’t I come by Tuesday?”

  “That’s perfect,” Brindle said.

  Reed squeezed Grace against his side. “If you ever need help with the sets. I can squeeze in a few hours here and there.” He kissed Grace’s temple and said, “If my girl’s there, it’d be even more of a priority.”

  His girl? Everything about tonight should worry her, but being with Reed had always been easy. It was the hiding that had been torture. Warnings screamed in her head, Tread carefully! Heartache up ahead! But maybe her mother was right. She had three weeks, and it had been a long time since she’d been this happy. Why not enjoy it?

  Brindle looked up at Trace, who towered over her and said, “See? Some guys make time to help.”

  “Babe,” Trace said, “I’ve got a ranch to run. But if you want to spend the time we have together building sets, instead of”—he glanced at Scotty and cleared his throat—“our other extracurricular activities, that can be arranged.”

  “Nope! Never mind,” Brindle said, and promptly changed the subject.

  The line moved faster than expected, and before Grace knew it, it was their turn. They climbed into their car, and Grace’s pulse quickened. She loved rides, but they always made her nervous. Reed hauled her against him and pointed to Scotty safely tucked beneath Chet’s arm.

  “There’s nothing sexier than a man who watches out for children,” Grace said.

  “I was pointing to Scotty, not Chet,” Reed growled.

  “I know you were. And I was talking about you.”

  “Aw, Gracie.” His lips touched hers in a feather of a kiss as the ride began and they were lifted into the air. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you, too,” she said honestly, and was surprised at how much she felt herself opening up to him. “I want to know all the great things that have gone on in your life.”

  As their car sailed toward the sky, Reed pointed beyond the fairgrounds. “See that road over there? It leads to the theater, where I lost my virginity to a very special girl. That’s also where I first told her I loved her. See the high school? The football field? That’s where I first saw her.”

  Grace snuggled closer, the breeze stinging her eyes. Or maybe it was nostalgia. It had been so long since she’d felt anything other than rushed and lonely, she couldn’t decipher which. “I was there for all those things. I want to know what’s happened since then.”

  He gazed deeply into her eyes, and she felt the emotions she saw there climbing beneath her skin and burrowing in.

  “Don’t you get it, Gracie? You’re all that matters.”

  THEY HUNG OUT with their friends, riding roller coasters and bumper cars, and raced down an enormous slide in burlap bags. They played darts, and Trace won a small stuffed dog for Brindle. When Grace gushed over it, Reed spent fifty bucks playing a shooting game until he won her an enormous stuffed bear. She hugged it tight, looking cute as hell.

  “Show-off,” Trace teased.

  “I love it!” Grace exclaimed as she tried to figure out how to carry it. “What should I call him?”

  Reed stole another kiss and said, “Greedy Boy, of course. That way you’ll think of me every time you see him.”

  She tugged him down by his shirt for another kiss. “Thank you. How will I be able to not think about you again after such an amazing night?”

  “You won’t, if I can help it.” He hoisted the stuffed animal onto his shoulders and put his arm around her as they followed the others toward another ride. After a while they parted from their friends, and finally, Reed had Grace all to himself again.

  “I love being here with you,” she confessed. “We missed out on a lot as kids, but I think it made our relationship deeper because we spent so much time alone, really getting to know each other.”

  “We’ll make up for those missed things,” he assured her. “I have to admit. I was jealous of the little things we didn’t get to do, like going on real dates and wearing those boyfriend-girlfriend beaded bracelets everyone had. I would have loved to see you wearing one of my football jerseys on game day, too.”

  “We missed prom, the homecoming dance…”

  “We’ll make new memories,” he promised.
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br />   “One dollar! Guess your weight or height!” a man called out from beside a tall scale.

  Grace dragged Reed away from it. “Give that man a wide breadth. That’s the scariest thing at the fair.”

  He chuckled as they ducked into an arcade tent and made their way to the photo booth. Surprisingly, there was no line. He set the stuffed bear in the booth and they climbed inside, closing the curtain behind them. Serenaded by whirring machines and ringing arcade games, he pulled Grace down on his lap, and a sense of completeness flooded him. It had been so long since he’d felt anything remotely close to that, it took him a second to identify it.

  “Remember the pictures we took in the photo booth in Wishing Creek?” The town of Wishing Creek was about half an hour away from Oak Falls. They’d gone there when they were younger so they could spend time together without worrying about their friends seeing them.

  “I still have mine,” she said happily.

  “Me too.” He pulled out his wallet and withdrew a few bucks for the pictures. Then he handed Grace the wallet. “Look inside.”

  She opened it with a confused expression.

  “Go on. Look through these.” He pointed to the plastic credit card holders.

  She flipped through them, pausing with uncertainty.

  “Keep going,” he said.

  A small sound escaped when she came to the pictures they’d taken in Wishing Creek. They were gazing into each other’s eyes, with smiles as bright as their newfound love.

  She ran her finger over their faces. “We were so young.”

  “And you were so beautiful.” He withdrew the picture and unfolded it, revealing another picture of them kissing and a third of them making silly faces.

  “You’ve carried them all this time?” she asked.

  “No. There was a time I didn’t, right after we split, but I always had them with me. When I decided to move back, I put them in my wallet. The universe must have known we weren’t done.”

  He fed the money into the slot and slipped the picture back into his wallet, tucking it into his pocket. “Time to make new memories.”