Embracing Her Heart

by Melissa Foster

  He took her hand, leading her out the door and around to the far side of his truck, where he wrapped her in his arms and lowered his lips to hers, taking her in a kiss so hot it should have been preceded by a warning sign. She came away a little dizzy and a lot turned on.

  “I COULDN’T WAIT another second,” Reed said, and went for more. His hands moved down her hips as the force of their kisses drove her back against the truck. Her softness conformed to his hard frame. They’d always been insatiable, but everything felt amplified, stronger, more real. He wanted to lift her into his arms and take her right there against the truck. He reminded himself they were in her parents’ driveway and reluctantly drew back. But the fire in her eyes and her grip on his shoulders brought his mouth to hers again.

  When they finally parted, he pressed his hands flat on the door, caging her in. It was safer than his hands on her body, which would have made him want to spend the entire day making up for lost years.

  “I didn’t get a wink of sleep,” he admitted. “Every time I closed my eyes I saw you.”

  Her lips were enticingly pink from the force of their kisses, and when they curved into a sexy smile, he touched his forehead to hers to keep from kissing her again. “What have you done to me, Gracie?”

  “I think you mean what have we done to each other. Whatever it is, I don’t want to stop. And, Reed, I owe you an apology.”

  He drew back so he could see her face more clearly. “For what?”

  “Last night when you told me about what happened with your ex and having to sell your business, I was so wrapped up in my own head, I didn’t slow down enough to think about how it must have made you feel. The betrayal alone must have been horrible, but coupled with selling the business you worked so hard to build? I can’t imagine how devastated you were.”

  “It’s over, Grace. Leave it in the past.”

  “I thought we weren’t hiding from our pasts anymore. By the way, my mom knew about us. She just told me, but she said she never told my father, which is really…big.”

  “How did she find out?”

  Grace shrugged. “I don’t think it was Sable, and if any of my siblings knew they’d never have been able to keep it a secret. Mother’s intuition, I suppose. But can we circle back for a second? I need you to know you can talk to me about what happened in Michigan and I promise I won’t get upset this time.” She took his hand in hers and said, “I don’t want to skip the things that made you the man you are. I don’t want anything left unsaid.”

  “Talking about Alina is the last thing I want to do.”

  “Then don’t talk about her. Tell me about you.”

  “Gracie…”

  “You don’t have to, but I know it had to hurt.”

  She embraced him, and her comfort felt so good, the truth came without effort. “Oh, Grace. When you and I broke up, I didn’t really feel betrayed because even though I gave my all to our relationship, we both always knew where you were heading after high school. We knew what was coming. But with her, I never gave my all to the relationship. So when she cheated, the betrayal was cutting, but I knew I’d dodged a bullet. The betrayal of my business partner was far worse than the betrayal of my ex. Thad and I had a bond I had given one hundred and ten percent to for years.” His fingers curled into fists. “That pissed me off to the point of no return. That’s why I sold him my stake in the business. I’d have come home either way to help my uncle, but I worked my ass off to build that business, and Thad’s actions negated everything. He broke my trust, and I knew I’d never want to work hard enough to repair it.”

  “Do you miss the work you did there?” she asked.

  “Sure, but there’s nothing I can’t do. I’ll rebuild here. I’ve got my eyes on a few projects.” He touched his lips to hers. “When I first moved back to town, I went into Morgyn’s shop to buy a gift for my aunt, and we got to talking. When she heard I’d just moved back to town, without knowing anything about the reasons, she said, ‘The universe has a plan for you, and once it shows itself, you’ll know you did the right thing.’”

  Grace laughed. “That sounds like Morgyn. She’s all about leaving things in the hands of fate.”

  He gazed into her eyes, his heart so full of her his past felt like a story he’d heard about someone else. “Don’t you see, Gracie? She was right.”

  Chapter Ten

  AS GRACE DROVE down the main drag of Meadowside toward Amber’s bookstore Monday afternoon, tingles of anticipation crawled up her limbs and chest. Meadowside was a quaint small town, much like Oak Falls, known for its rural setting and close-knit community. But to Grace it would always be the place where Reed lived. As a kid, she’d get shivers of anticipation about the possibility of running into Reed when she was out with her friends or family. Just catching sight of him had been enough to hold her over for hours back then. But now, if this morning was any indication, catching sight of him would never be enough again.

  Grace parked in the lot beside the drugstore and walked down the block to Story Time, Amber’s bookstore, which was located between the Catch Up Diner and Magnificent Gifts. Amber’s storefront window displayed a mix of recent releases, a select few of her customers’ favorite books, and a mix of bookish gifts and dried flowers. As much as Grace had always wanted to escape small-town life, most of her siblings never had. Amber embraced it and had dug her roots so deep in both Oak Falls and Meadowside, it was a wonder she hadn’t begun sprouting saplings. She had a knack for making everyone feel as though they were an integral part of her bookstore, holding contests for the front-window displays, sending birthday wishes, and taking every customer suggestion to heart. She put energy into the community in the same way Grace put energy into each of her productions.

  A bell chimed above the door as Grace walked in, greeted by hints of cinnamon and the kick-off-your-shoes-and-read-for-a-while aura Amber had expertly created.

  “Hey, Gracie,” Amber said from behind the counter, where she was ringing up a purchase for Haylie Hudson, Scotty’s mother. “I’ll be done in a sec. Make yourself at home.”

  “Hi, Grace.” Haylie embraced her. “I heard you’re teaching a screenplay writing class. I wish I could take a fun class like that, but between the center and Scotty, I barely have time to breathe during the week. But Boyd’s fiancée, Janie, is excited to attend. Her first romance novel was a huge success. She’s so creative. She’s always trying to hone her craft.” Boyd was Haylie and Chet’s brother.

  “I can’t wait to meet her,” Grace said. “It’s great to see you.”

  Amber handed Haylie her bag of books and came around the counter wearing a cute pair of jeans and colorful leather boots. Reno pushed to his feet and ambled over.

  “Thanks, Amber.” Haylie smiled at Grace and said, “Scotty mentioned seeing you and Reed at the fair. Are you two going out? He’s a great guy.”

  “We are.” It felt wonderful to admit that so freely.

  “Does that mean you’re moving back?” Haylie asked.

  “No,” Grace said quickly. “My life is in New York now.” Her annoying life, as of this morning. A director she adored and had hoped to work with for the next production had spent the morning trying to push her into taking a huge risk on an unknown playwright. He swore the production would do well, but Grace had been down iffy roads before, and they usually led to more headaches than they were worth. She wasn’t sold on the idea and had left things up in the air.

  “Long-distance relationships can work if you want them to, but I think it’d be tough after a while,” Haylie said. “I have to get back to the center before they think I ran off for good. Good luck with the class.”

  After Haylie left, Amber said, “So it’s true? You and Reed are an item?”

  “Yes. It’s true.” She trusted Amber, and she was bursting at the seams to share her happiness, so she said, “Please don’t tell anyone, but we dated in high school. I need to tell Dad at some point. Apparently Mom knew the whole time, but for some reason I�
�m really nervous about telling Dad I lied to him.”

  “Because you’re not a liar.” Amber smiled and said, “But you kind of are! Oh my gosh, Gracie. You and Reed had a secret fling?”

  “Not a fling, no. He was my first love, and I swear, not much has changed. Does that make me sound ridiculous?”

  Amber sighed. “No. It makes you sound happy.” She hugged Grace. “I wondered why you hadn’t found a real boyfriend in New York after all this time. I mean, you’re gorgeous, smart, and successful. You could have any man you wanted. Sophie once told me you were just too picky. But that wasn’t it, was it? You were waiting for Reed.”

  “I wish I could say that romantic notion was true, but I wasn’t waiting,” she admitted. “Or at least I didn’t know I was. But the second we kissed, it was fireworks all over again.”

  “I want that!” Amber said with wide eyes. “I want fireworks. Just once in my life I want a kiss that makes me see stars.”

  “You’ll get one, Amber. And if my life is any indication, it’ll happen when you least expect it.”

  “I hope so.” She took Grace by the arm and led her toward the back of the store. “Come on. Let me show you your options.”

  While the front of the store boasted floor-to-ceiling shelves, with several rows of bookcases in between and a few displays, the back of the store was more casual. The children’s section took up the right rear corner, with a cylindrical bookshelf made out of stacked wooden crates. The top of the shelving unit was home to a multitude of potted plants and ivy, giving it a treelike appearance. Over the years, Amber had added fake vines and flowers, which made it feel eclectic and alive. There were dozens of small carpet mats that children could move around and sit on to read.

  A nook of comfortable couches and mismatched armchairs took up the center of the rear of the store, surrounded by more bookshelves and displays.

  “There are three places where you can teach. I have several lap desks in the storage closet, so if you want to teach in the reading nook, you can. But I also set up this table.” Amber walked around the couch and motioned toward a long wooden table with several chairs. “This offers a little separation from the rest of the store, and a place for everyone to sit. But if you want more privacy, you can use my office. I set up a table in there, too.”

  Her office was separated from the rest of the store by a wall with bookshelves on the bottom and glass on the top, giving Amber a view of the shop from inside.

  “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble. Why don’t we start in the office, just to make sure everyone is comfortable. I’ll have a better idea of what will work after the first class. I hear Nana’s coming.”

  “Oh, yes.” Amber tucked her hair behind her ear and said, “Don’t make the same mistake I did. I called her Nina, because that’s the name she used when she signed up, and she gave me a ten-minute diatribe about how ‘kids’ my age are only allowed to call her Nana. She signed up with her friend Hellie. You know how wild those two can get. I heard them talking about what they wanted to write about.” Amber smiled and raised her brows. “It’s either going to be wicked fun, or you’ll have more trouble with them than the high schoolers who are coming.”

  “After the morning I had arguing with a director…” Grace rolled her eyes. “I can use a little fun to remind me why I got into this business in the first place.”

  They headed into her office, and Amber said, “I have no idea how you can keep so many balls in the air with each production. I have a hard time with my one little shop, and you’ve got to oversee financing, casting, choosing the script, sets, and Lord only knows what else over and over again, like an endless sea of decisions and headaches.”

  “Oh, please. You do just as much as I do.” She set her messenger bag on the table. “I hope you’re not disappointed with the size of the class. I know you hoped this would bring more attention to the bookstore.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m thrilled that you agreed to do it, and with so many people reading ebooks, I think any attention I can bring to the store is good. Besides if five people have fun in the class, they’ll talk about it, and you know how gossip spreads. Maybe we can make it an annual thing. You never know; it could be the next best thing in Oak Falls.”

  Her enthusiasm made Grace glad she hadn’t let her down and gone back to New York. The bells chimed over the door to the shop, and Grace said, “I really hope it helps. I’m going to set up. Go ahead and do your thing, and, Amber, thank you. I’m glad we’re doing this together.”

  Amber hugged her. “Me too!”

  As Grace prepared for the class, setting documentation in front of each seat and mentally going over her plans, she grew more excited by the minute. She found herself thinking about her eleventh-grade English teacher, Ms. Devonshire. Grace had always enjoyed theater. She had taken part in drama club throughout elementary, middle, and high school. She had dabbled in writing, but she hadn’t taken it seriously until Ms. Devonshire had challenged her to do an extra creative writing assignment and write a play for the elementary schoolers. Grace hadn’t realized it until years later, but it was Ms. Devonshire’s nudge in that direction that had fueled her love of creative writing. Ms. Devonshire had since retired and moved south, but Grace never failed to send her a holiday card. It was amazing what the attention of one person could do for another. She was excited to pay it forward and help others find their creativity.

  “Gracie!” Nana said as she came through the door, carrying a large fabric bag that said GOT LIFE? in big red letters. Hellie was right behind her. Nana looked like a sweet and proper grandmother, dressed in a stylish pair of linen pants and a smart top. Her short, layered hair was mostly white, with a few strands of blond mixed in. She hugged Grace too tight and stood back, visually appraising Grace from head to toe.

  “You are even more gorgeous than you were at Sophie’s wedding. I hear you and Reed Cross are an item.” Nana waggled her brows. “If you’re smart, which I know you are, you’ll give that hunk of a man anything he wants. He is too fine to pass up.”

  “Mm-hm,” Hellie agreed, tossing her wild silver locks over one shoulder. Her long colorful dress, caramel-colored skin, and hazel eyes gave her an exotic look. She and Nana had grown up in Oak Falls, and they knew all the town’s secrets.

  Grace suddenly wondered if Nana knew hers. She’d never given Grace any indication of knowing about her and Reed, but Grace knew better than to rest on her laurels around Nana. She ushered them toward the seats as two teenage girls arrived, chatting as they entered the room.

  “Hi. Is this the screenplay writing class?” the taller of the two asked. Her pitch-black, pixie-style hair was highlighted with streaks of vibrant blue, and her eyes were made up as dark as her black shirt and shorts. Her lace-up leather boots added a big-city, trendy touch to her rebellious outfit.

  “Yes. Come in. I’m Grace, and I’ll be teaching the class.” She motioned toward the seats. “Sit wherever you’d like. What are your names?”

  “I’m Phoenix,” the raven-haired girl said. She nudged the freckle-faced redhead beside her, who was busy texting, and said, “This is Lauryn.”

  Lauryn looked up, and her soft green eyes widened. “I’m so excited to meet you. My parents took me to see Summer Fever two years ago, and it was so good!” Summer Fever was a play Grace had written and produced. It had won several local awards and ran for more than a year.

  “Thank you,” Grace said, glad to see she wasn’t like many teenagers, solely focused on her phone. “That was a really fun play.”

  As the girls settled into their seats, Janie, a cute curvy blonde, and her guide dog arrived. Grace’s mother had trained her dog.

  “Janie? Hi. I’m Grace. It’s nice to meet you in person.”

  “Thank you for sending the documentation early,” Janie said. “I’m excited to get started. Do you have room for Friday, my dog, near my seat?”

  “Absolutely.” She showed Janie to her seat. “Everyone is sitting around this
table. You each have plenty of space.”

  Janie began setting up her laptop and braille device, and Grace helped her find the outlets. Once Janie was settled with her pup at her feet and the others were prepared, Grace said, “I think we’re all here. Let’s go around the table and introduce ourselves. I’d love to know what brought you to the class and if you’ve done any other sort of writing. I’ll start. You all know I’m Grace Montgomery. I grew up in Oak Falls and always had a love of theater and later developed a love of creative writing. I’ve been producing in New York City for a number of years, and I’m excited to share my knowledge with you. Janie, would you like to go next?”

  “Sure,” she said cheerfully. “I’m Janie Jansen, soon to be Janie Hudson.” She held up her left hand, displaying a gorgeous engagement ring, which everyone admired. “I’m sure you noticed my guide dog, Friday. He’s very friendly, but he’s trained to hang out beside me. If you’d like to pet him, feel free as long as I’m not roaming around and needing his help. I’m an erotic romance writer, and my second novel is being released later this year.”

  “Hi, Janie. It’s me, Nana. I loved your first book, Sinful Fantasies,” Nana said with a waggle of her brows. “I wonder, do you and Boyd do hands-on research? Because that would explain those steamy sex scenes.”

  Janie laughed. “Nana Roberts, that is not something I want to admit to in public.”

  “You two know each other?” Grace asked.

  “Honey, I know everyone in this room,” Nana said proudly. “I changed Lauryn’s mother’s diapers, got Phoenix out of trouble when she was caught making out behind the Stardust Café, and Hellie and I knew Boyd’s parents before Boyd and his family lost them in a fire, the poor things. That was devastating. Janie’s a big deal to most people because she’s an author, but to me she’ll always be the girl who brought Boyd back home to his family, where he belongs.”