by Lynn Shannon
Working on the classic truck would reconnect him with his father. And maybe the link would help Grant figure out how to talk to his mom.
It was worth a shot. Things couldn’t get any worse.
Grant crossed the street to his aunt’s house. His cell phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and answered.
“Edwards, you loser, where are you?” Boone Smith’s east-Texas drawl was unmistakable. His SEAL buddy earned the nickname Hick based on his voice alone, although his fondness for chewing on strands of hay and love of anything barbequed hadn’t helped. “We’re all killing ourselves running training exercises every day, and you’re living the high life on vacation.”
Grant snorted. “If only. I’m in my hometown for a visit. Taking care of some family business.”
“Everything all right?” Boone asked.
“It will be.” Grant opened the door to his aunt’s house. “Listen, I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything, man.”
“Next week, the library in my hometown of Hidden Hollows is throwing a big bash to help with funding. What are the chances your brother’s band can come and play?”
Boone’s brother was the lead singer for one of the most popular, up-and-coming country music bands. If Grant could arrange for them to play at the party, it might convince the mayor to push the city council to fund the library. Mayor Stewart wanted a big bash, after all.
Grant ran a hand through his hair. “It won’t pay anything, but it would have a huge impact on the community—”
“Say no more, Grant. I can’t make any promises, but my brother and the band love playing the small-town venues. It’s great for public relations. Besides, I owe you a favor for all the things you’ve done for me. Let me get in touch with him, and I’ll let you know.”
“I really appreciate it, Boone.”
“No problem. We’re brothers. And, as luck would have it, the entire team will be on leave. I might be able to swing a visit myself during that time.”
“That would be great.”
“Yeah, it would. Talk to you soon.”
Grant hung up and stared at his phone. Then he glanced back at the street in the direction of Sara’s house. For the first time in his life, he started to feel pulled in two directions. His SEAL team were his brothers, a family he’d grown to love and respect, and he loved his job. But Hidden Hollows didn’t feel like a place he needed to run from anymore.
And Grant had no idea what it meant.
9
Sara
Sara hugged the binder to her chest and eyed the Smokey BBQ Joint on Main Street. It was ten in the morning, and the establishment was still closed, but the scent of spicy sauce hung in the air. She took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock on the front door.
Peggy Haines looked up from the booth where she was sitting. Papers and a calculator were scattered on the table. A laptop was pushed to the side. She spotted Sara through the glass and smiled. It crinkled the deep lines around her eyes.
Peggy and Sara’s grandmother had gone to school together and been very good friends. Peggy could’ve retired long ago, but as the matriarch of the Haines family, The Smokey BBQ Joint wouldn’t be the same without her.
Peggy bustled over to the door and unlocked it. “Sara, hon, what a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”
“I need to ask a favor, Mrs. Haines. I’m sorry to interrupt your work.”
“Nonsense.” She opened the door wider and waved Sara inside. “Please, come sit down. Can I get you something to drink? Or a bite of something to eat? Jacob is in the back working on the brisket, but we might be able to rustle you up some sausage.”
“No, ma’am. Thank you.” Sara slid into the booth.
Peggy gathered her papers into a neat pile. “Please excuse the mess.”
“No, I’m the one interrupting.”
Peggy took a seat across from her, a spark in her eye. “I’m so glad you stopped by. I heard about the success you had with the after-school program. It was all my quilting group could talk about. I do hope you’ve figured out a way to keep Grant Edwards in town.” She wagged her eyebrows. “You two would make a sweet couple.”
Sara couldn’t help the blush from creeping across her cheeks. Dinner last night with Grant had been wonderful. He helped in the kitchen, despite her objections, and then they’d played board games with Ben. She hadn’t laughed that much in a long time.
But it was only temporary. Soon Grant would be leaving town, a fact Sara continually had to remind herself of.
“Grant is committed to his job as a Navy SEAL. He’s been kind to assist with the after-school program, but his stay isn’t permanent.” Sara set her binder on the table. “And the library is actually what I wanted to discuss with you, Mrs. Haines.”
Sara took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and then unloaded the entire saga of the last six months. Peggy’s mouth tightened when Sara got to the part about the city council threatening to pull her funding.
“How could they even think of doing such a thing?” Peggy exclaimed. “I have half a mind to march over to the mayor’s office and give her a piece of my mind.”
“No, ma’am, please don’t do that. Mayor Stewart has been supportive. She believes, as do I, that we can turn the situation around. Which brings me to the party I’m having next week.”
Sara pulled out a flyer and showed it to Peggy. The older woman nodded, her gray hair bobbing with the movement.
“Oh, yes. I remember my quilting circle discussing this too.”
“Here’s the issue. With the financial strain the library is under, we can’t afford to pay for full catering. I was hoping The Smokey BBQ Joint would be willing to provide food for the party at cost. I would provide extra signage both during the party and inside the library. We’ll get volunteers to help distribute the food—”
Peggy raised a wrinkled hand, and Sara held her breath. She needed this. So much. Her heart thumped against her ribcage.
“Sara, hon, not one more word.” Peggy’s mouth broke into a smile. “We would be happy to provide the catering for your event. It would be an honor.”
Tears pricked the back of Sara’s eyes, and a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. For the first time, she started to believe everything was going to turn out okay. “Thank you, Mrs. Haines. I cannot…” Her throat closed as a lump formed.
The older woman patted her hand. “You only needed to ask, Sara. Whatever you need, I’m behind you. You’re making your grandmother proud. Very proud.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
For the next twenty minutes, they crunched numbers and decided on a menu. When Sara stepped back out into the sunshine, she felt a thousand pounds lighter. There were other things she had to take care of—like arranging the volunteers and finding a band—but she could do this.
Things were going to be okay. She started down the sidewalk toward the library.
Grant had been right. She’d only needed to ask for help. It seemed foolishly simple, and now that she’d done it, Sara couldn’t figure out what she’d been so scared of.
“Penny for your thoughts?” A familiar voice asked.
Sara glanced up, and her heart skipped a beat. Grant stood on the sidewalk in front of her. He wore aviator glasses which gave him a bad boy edge, along with black jeans and a button-down with the sleeves rolled up halfway on his forearms.
It boggled Sara’s mind that Grant could look so effortlessly sexy.
He removed the sunglasses and gave her a devastating smile. “Have you decided to stop talking to me?”
“What?” She blinked. Oh, right. He’d asked her a question. Sara gave herself a mental shake. “Sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“I noticed.” He came closer. “Everything okay?”
“Better than okay. The Smokey BBQ Joint has agreed to cater the library party.” She grinned. “And it’s all thanks to you. I took your advice and asked for help. Mrs. Haines jumped at the chance.”
; “Yes!” He pumped a fist in the air. “I’m thrilled for you. I also have some good news to share about the party, so I’m glad I ran into you. I spoke to a fellow SEAL of mine yesterday. His brother is the lead singer for The Dixie Kings. The band has agreed to play—”
Sara let out a holler. “What? Do not tell me they are performing at the library party next week.”
His smile widened and his dimple flashed. “Okay. I won’t tell you.”
She leapt into his arms and hugged him. “Oh, my goodness, Grant. You are amazing. They are one of the best new bands. I love their music.” She pulled away, her mind going a mile a minute. “Mayor Stewart is going to go insane when I tell her. For sure they’re coming? You aren’t just pulling my leg?”
“One thousand percent, they’re coming. The Dixie Kings are on tour and, as fate would have it, they are driving through Hidden Hollows anyway on the night of the party. They’re thrilled to perform here because it gives them great PR, and they love helping out small town causes.”
She pressed a hand to her heart and blinked back tears. “I might just pull this off after all. But I never would’ve done it without your help. Grant, what can I say—?”
He pulled her close for another hug. She breathed in the scent of him, reveled in the feeling of his warm embrace.
“You don’t need to thank me.” His lips brushed the top of her hair. “We’re friends, and helping out is what friends do. Besides, I owe you one, Sara.”
She pulled away enough to look him in the face. “What are you talking about?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He released her and stepped back.
She immediately longed to get close to him again. Warning bells clanged in her head. They were supposed to be keeping this light. Friends who flirt do not cling to each other.
Sara noticed the bag in Grant’s hand. It had the logo of the hardware store. She pointed to it. “What’s that?”
“Oh, I bought some tools I need. You gave me some good advice too, and I’ve decided to start working on the truck again.”
Oh, maybe that’s what Grant had meant by owing her a favor. Sara didn’t think her advice compared to all of the things he’d done for her. Not even close.
“I’m glad, Grant. I think it would make your dad happy.” She threaded her arm through his. “We deserve to celebrate. What do you say about getting a coffee and cookie with me over at Coop’s Coffee? My treat.”
“I’d love to.”
He bent his arm, bringing Sara closer to his side. Her stomach fluttered. Grant had a way of making her feel feminine and beautiful. Cared for. It couldn’t last, but it was nice for now.
Flirting and dating someone else was going to be hard. He’d set the bar high.
When they reached the coffee shop, Grant held the door open for her. It was crowded.
The scent of fresh ground beans mingled with the hiss of the espresso machine. They joined the line weaving to the order counter.
“When did the coffee shop become such a hangout?” he asked. “I think the whole town is here.”
She laughed. “Cooper started offering deals like a coffee and a cookie. He gets the cookies from Millie at the bakery, so they’re amazing, but she only makes them specially for him.”
“What kind of cookies?”
“Chocolate chunk with nuts and a bit of toffee. They’re huge, too.” She made a round shape using two hands. “And served warm. Paired with coffee…it’s a little slice of heaven.”
He smirked. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
They reached the front counter. Cooper greeted them with a wide smile. His blond hair was spiked, and his apron had a coffee stain on the front. “Morning, Sara. And hey, Grant. Long time, no see.”
Cooper offered his hand, and Grant shook it. “Good to see you again, Cooper.”
“Couch Burns was in earlier talking about how you helped out during little league baseball practice. And your military service. You’ve gotten several awards. Must’ve seen a lot of action, huh?”
Beside Sara, Grant stiffened. “I’ve been deployed many times, yes. So, we’d like—”
“The Distinguished Service Medal for example. What did you do to get that?”
His hands tightened on the counter. “If I tell you, I’d have to kill you.”
It was a joke, but there was a sharp edge underlying his tone. Cooper didn’t mean any harm, and Grant was clearly cutting him some slack, but it was also clear he didn’t want to discuss it.
Cooper laughed. “No really—”
“Cooper. I’m dying over here,” Sara interjected. “I’m sure the people behind us are too. Can we get two orders of your coffee and cookie special? I’ll take a double mocha latte.”
Grant breathed out. “I’ll take a large black coffee.”
He reached for his wallet, but Sara inserted her credit card into the reader before he could pay. “My treat, remember?”
They maneuvered their way over to the pickup counter. Sara edged closer to Grant and lowered her voice. “Sorry about that. Cooper tends to be a bit nosey.”
“It’s okay.” His gaze skimmed the room. “I know he’s just curious, but I don’t like talking about it. Most of my commendations have painful memories attached to them.”
Her heart wrenched to think of Grant in the center of combat. She couldn’t imagine what he’d been through, and it was completely understandable for him to avoid discussing it. In fact, there was no need to take this conversation any further. It was supposed to be a celebration.
Sara picked up her coffee from the counter. “Let’s take these outside. There’s a park bench free, and the day is so pretty.”
“Great idea.”
Once they were settled in the sunshine, Sara removed one of the cookies from the takeaway bag. The large dessert was wrapped in wax paper and still warm. “Here. Try this, and tell me it’s not the very best cookie you’ve ever had.”
“The very best?” He snorted, and a smile played on his lips. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Never. Not when it comes to sweets.”
She held his coffee cup for him while he unwrapped the cookie. Grant took a bite, and his eyes fluttered close. He groaned. “Wow.”
She smirked and handed him back his coffee. “Told ya.”
Grant took another bite, pegging her with his blue gaze. Her breath hitched. A cookie crumb rested on the corner of his mouth, and without thinking, she reached up to brush it away. Her thumb drifted against the soft skin of his lip and then the slightly prickly edge of his chin. It was mid-morning, and his five o’clock shadow was already evident.
His eyes darkened, the blue becoming deeper. More mesmerizing.
“Sara…” His voice was husky, and it shot straight through her. She wanted him to say her name again. And again. With just that inflection. Like he was one heartbeat away from losing all control and kissing her.
Did she want him to kiss her?
A momentary flash of panic sent her backward. Sara nearly spilled her coffee in the process, and heat flooded her cheeks. What was she doing? Things were getting muddled and complicated. They weren’t going to kiss. That would be crossing a serious line. One Sara had no interest in testing. She needed to be careful. Grant was her friend, and having fun together was one thing. Kissing was something else entirely.
“Hey, Sara. Hey, Grant.” Rachel waved from across the street, then looked both ways and joined them. “What are you guys up to?”
She let out a sigh of relief. Her sister’s arrival cut the tension into something manageable. “We’re celebrating.” Sara held up the coffee and cookie in her hand. “Grant arranged for The Dixie Kings to come and play at the library party.”
Rachel’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding?”
“Nope. And the Smokey BBQ Joint has agreed to cater. All that’s left is rounding up volunteers.”
“I can help with that. Lots of people at the hospital also live in Hidden Hollows. I’m sure many of them would love
to help.” Rachel glanced at Grant before focusing back on her sister. “You guys have had great success in only a couple of days. The celebration should be more than just a cookie. Why don’t you go out together tonight? Go dancing. Ben can stay at my house.”
Sara swallowed. Going out dancing was a bit different than having a meal at her house with her five-year-old. Dancing sounded like a real date. “Oh, uhhh…”
“Yes, go out. You never get to have any fun.” Rachel turned to Grant. “Sara loves dancing, and Miller’s Tavern is a blast on Friday evenings. I’m headed to Hailey’s Hair Hut for a haircut. I’ll tell Hailey and Kensie to expect you guys tonight at the tavern.”
Grant blinked at Rachel, clearly as caught off guard as Sara. “Well—”
“It’s settled. Sara, don’t worry about a thing.” Rachel started down the street. “I’ll call you tomorrow morning when Ben wakes up. Have a great time.”
Sara was sure her face was fire engine red. This brought humiliation to a whole new level. Her hand tightened on her coffee mug. “Okay, so my sister just blew in like a matchmaking hurricane.”
Grant chuckled. “Well, you were trying to dissuade the town busybodies from setting you up. Going out on a date with me—your fake boyfriend—would go a long way to making that happen.”
“So you…you want to go?”
He smiled. “I’ll put my dancing shoes on. Pick you up at seven?”
She nodded, not trusting her own voice. If Sara was having a hard time keeping her attraction to Grant within the flirting-friends boundary now, what would happen when they actually went out on a date?
She was in trouble. Deep trouble.
10
Grant
Grant nearly cancelled the date half a dozen times. He kept pulling his cell phone from his pocket and scrolling to Sara’s name, but he couldn’t bring himself to hit call.