by Lynn Shannon
If Harmony was right about that, maybe she was also right about Grant’s feelings for her. Sara knew Grant cared about her, and there was definitely an attraction between them, but that wasn’t the same as making a commitment.
Grant could have his pick of women. Smart, sophisticated, sexy women. What made Sara think he’d want a small-town librarian with a list of problems and responsibilities? It was absurd to think, for even a moment, he would. Utterly absurd.
Too bad her heart couldn’t manage to remember that.
14
Grant
Grant couldn’t stop thinking about Sara. From the time he woke up till the moment Grant laid his head on the pillow at night, Sara invaded his thoughts. While working on his dad’s truck, while taking care of his mom, while repairing Aunt Suzie’s backyard fence. In desperation on Thursday afternoon, he decided to do a twenty-mile run. It was supposed to exhaust his body and clear his mind.
It did neither. His feet pounded the pavement, but his mind refused to stop churning.
Yesterday’s ice cream outing had been a taste of what life could be like. Chatting with Ben, laughing and telling jokes, holding Sara’s hand as they strolled down the street in the sunshine. Grant couldn’t stop thinking about it. Nor could he deny wanting more of it. Sara’s discovery of his family secret and their subsequent conversation seemed to have unlocked something inside him. It’d freed him to admit some hard truths to himself.
He wasn’t happy as a SEAL. He hadn’t been for a while now. Things were missing in his life. For the first time, he was considering staying in Hidden Hollows. Permanently. The reenlistment paperwork sat in his email, still unsigned. It was possible he could get out now. But was that what he wanted?
Grant turned onto Main Street. Sweat dripped off his forehead, but his breathing was steady and even. Several neighbors waved and he waved back. It felt…good.
He didn’t have to run from Hidden Hollows anymore. Pop’s memory was still here, but it didn’t rub the wound raw. Instead it soothed the hurt inside him. Working on the truck had taken the edge off his grief and helped him feel a connection to his father. It was a connection Grant had sorely missed.
Grant paused outside the car repair shop. He’d called last night and talked to the owner, Mr. Howard. The man had bought it from Grant’s dad but subsequently decided to move closer to his grandkids. Mr. Howard was thrilled at the prospect of selling the shop back to the Edwards family. He’d quoted Grant a fair price.
Could he quit his job? Grant realized he never considered a life outside of the military. Not really. But he couldn’t stay a SEAL forever. The constant traveling, the lack of a personal life, the sacrifice and weariness—it came at a cost. He was proud of his military service, but did he want a career over everything else?
Grant wasn’t sure anymore. His relationship with Sara made him question everything.
He picked up his pace and ran back to Aunt Suzie’s. He took a quick shower and headed into the kitchen. To his surprise, his mom was sitting at the kitchen table, nursing a cup of coffee. She glanced up as he entered the room and smiled. “Are you going to work on the truck today?”
“That was the plan.” Grant grabbed a cup from the cabinet and poured a cup of coffee for himself before topping off his mom’s. “Want to join me?”
She bit her lip. “If you don’t mind.”
“Mom, I’d love your help. Come on.”
Her smile returned, crinkling her eyes at the corners, and she rose from the chair. They crossed the street together, and Grant raised the garage door. They got to work, talking about different car parts and his strategy for the next section of work.
His mom ran a hand over the workbench. “Your dad loved being out here. There wasn’t a day of our marriage his hands didn’t get dirty. And it was a struggle to get the grease out of his overalls. I complained at the time, but I loved it.”
“He knew you did. Pop used to laugh whenever we were at the shop and oil got on his clothes. He’d say, ‘Your mother is going to yell at me. Better get some flowers on my way home.’”
She laughed. “At some point it looked like our house was the flower store. Then he started bringing live plants. That rose bush in the back…” Her smile dropped. “It died. I didn’t take care of it well enough.”
The pain in her voice made Grant’s heart ache. “I can get you a new one. We can plant it together. I think Pop would like that.”
She nodded and then licked her lips. Her shoulders were drawn down, and Grant could almost see the dark thoughts slithering through her mind.
“Here, Mom, can you hold this hose for me?” Grant pointed to it. “I need to get a clamp.”
She blinked. “What? Oh, yes. Of course.” She stepped forward and stuck her hand in the open front end of the truck. Her fingers gripped the hose. “How’s Sara? Did you see her yesterday?”
“I did. We had ice cream with Ben.” He stepped away to grab a clamp from the bag of supplies on the workbench. “It was nice.”
“She’s sweet. Your Aunt Suzie is hoping there’s more than just friendship between the two of you.”
Grant returned to the truck. “There is. Sorta.”
“What does that mean, son?”
“I think…I think I’m falling in love with her. Or maybe I never fell out of love with her.” Saying the words out loud was strange, but it also felt good. Real. “But it’s complicated.”
His mom released the hose and pulled her hand out of the truck. “Because of Jared?”
“For starters. I don’t trust myself completely to do the right thing by Sara. I’m not like Jared. Or Pops. I disappoint the ones I love.” He pulled the clamp tight around the hose, securing it. “I’ve let you down.”
She reared back. “How do you figure that?”
“You said it yourself the other day. I haven’t taken care of you for the last ten years. And you were right.”
April put a hand on his arm. “Grant, no. I didn’t mean it like that.”
He frowned. “What?”
“I meant that you were out living your life, not stuck here concerned about me. I don’t want you worrying about me. I’m your mom. I’m supposed to be the one fretting over you.” She sighed. “Although I haven’t done a very good job of that.”
Grant blinked, trying to make sense of her words. “Wait. So, you’re not disappointed in me?”
“Honey, no. What on earth would I have to be disappointed about? You’re an amazing man. Your dad…” Her eyes filled with tears. “Grant, he’d be so, so proud of the person you’ve become.”
Something inside him twisted and cracked wide open. His chin trembled and for the first
time since his father died, Grant felt tears pricking the back of his eyelids. Pop would be proud of him. Proud. He wasn’t a disappointment, and he didn’t let down the people he loved.
He gathered his mom into his arms and hugged her. “Thank you for saying that, Mom.”
“It’s the truth, Grant. You are your dad’s son through and through.” She pulled back to cup his cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t do a very good job after your dad died. I loved him desperately, and I was lost. I’ve been lost.”
“But you don’t have to stay that way.”
She twisted out of his embrace and went over to the workbench. Aunt Suzie came up the driveway. She had her shawl around her shoulders to ward off the chill.
Suzie stopped at the edge of the garage. “What’s going on?”
“Mom and I are having a conversation about Pop,” Grant said. “And his death.”
“Have you told him?” Suzie asked.
Grant’s gaze shot to his aunt. “Told me what?”
“No, Suzie, don’t you dare.” His mom turned toward her sister. She trembled. “I can’t do it.”
“Tell me what?” Grant took a step forward. “It’s time we stop keeping secrets in this family. They’re eating us alive.”
“They are.” Suzie turned to face him. “Grant, yo
ur mother thinks it’s her fault your father died. On the night of the accident, she’d sent him to the store to get milk.”
Grant inhaled sharply. His gaze went to his mother as things started to make sense. No wonder his mother’s depression had spiraled out of control. She’d been blaming herself all this time.
Tears streamed down her face. “I’d forgotten the milk at the store earlier that day. If I hadn’t…if I’d been a better wife and mother, he wouldn’t have been out on the road. He never would’ve been hit by that drunk driver and killed. It’s all my fault.”
“No, Mom. That’s not true.” He closed the distance between them and gently clasped her shoulders. “Forgetting the milk was a mistake. Nothing more. You aren’t to blame for Pop’s death, and it would break his heart to hear you talk like this. He loved you with everything he had.”
She placed a hand on his chest, and her shoulders shook with the force of her tears. “You don’t hate me?”
“I could never hate you. I love you, Mom. All I want is for you to be happy.” He hugged her again. “It’s what Pop would want too. It’s what he would want for both of us.”
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Grant knew they were true. He pulled back. “Mom, I’m going to buy Pop’s old shop. I’m going to stay in Hidden Hollows.”
Suzie’s hand flew to her mouth. “You are?”
“Yes.” The decision was right. He could feel it in his bones. “I’m ready to quit the SEALs. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I wasn’t sure when the right time would be. But it’s now. I want a new life. A different life.”
One that included Sara and Ben. They were his future. If Sara would have him.
Grant turned to his mom. “I think you want a different life too. But you have to reach out for it, Mom. You have to choose.”
She scanned his face, and Grant held his breath. He wanted her to accept the help, but he couldn’t force her to do it.
Suzie came up next to them. “Grant’s right, April. It’s time.”
“You’re right. Both of you.” She took Grant’s hand and then Suzie’s. “I’m ready to get help. Is the offer for Helping Hands still available?”
Grant nodded, relief uncoiling the tension in his stomach. “Yes, Mom, it is.”
Tears welled in Suzie’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. “I’ll take you there. We can book the tickets right now.”
“Let’s.” Grant’s mom hugged him and then wrapped her arm around Suzie’s waist. “Thank you for taking care of me all this time.”
“You’re my sister. I love you. There’s no one else I’d rather grow old with than you.”
“So that’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to be two old biddies together.”
“Of course. Squabbling and complaining the whole time, too.”
The two women laughed and walked down the driveway together. Grant took a deep breath and stepped out of the garage. His mom had a long road ahead of her, and it wouldn’t always be easy, but they’d taken a huge step forward.
He was grateful.
Sara had been right. Grant needed to be honest with his mom about his feelings. Doing so had changed everything.
And now, it was time to be truthful with Sara. About everything.
15
Sara
Sara clicked off the computer and tucked the pen in the cup holder on the counter. The library was quiet and still. Closing time. She had to get home and make dinner, but then she could put her feet up.
Flipping off the lights, Sara headed for the exit. Her purse banged against her hip. She really needed to clean it out. The thing was ridiculously heavy.
The sun was setting, painting the sky with beautiful pinks and deep purples. Sara locked up, shifted her purse on her shoulder, and turned to admire the view. Gorgeous.
“Simply beautiful.”
Sara spun to find Grant leaning against his SUV. He was dressed in slacks and a deep blue shirt which drew attention to the stunning color of his eyes. She was entranced by them, unable to form a thought, and when he smiled, she grinned back.
Grant pushed off the vehicle and strolled toward her. Her skin prickled in anticipation of his nearness, and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Each step made her more aware of him. The broadness of his shoulders, the sharp curve of his jaw, the cleft in his chin. Her attraction to this man was primal and uncontrollable, fueled by friendship and a shared past.
She swallowed hard. “Th-the sunset is fantastic.”
Grant’s smile widened. “I wasn’t talking about the sunset. I was talking about you.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “You’re a sweet-talker, Edwards.”
“Only when it comes to you, Sara.” He stopped in front of her. “I’d like to take you to dinner, if that’s all right.”
“I have to pick up Ben—”
“I’ve already called Rachel and asked her to keep Ben for a few more hours.” Grant slipped his hand into hers and pulled her toward the passenger side of the SUV. “I promise to have you home by eight. I know tomorrow is a work day, and Ben has school.”
She did have responsibilities calling, but it would be nice to table them for a few hours and spend time with Grant. She hopped into the SUV. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
He shut the door, and Sara latched her seatbelt. She waited until he was pulling out of the parking lot before asking, “I don’t even get a hint?”
“Nope.”
She arched her brows. “You do realize the last time you surprised me was Halloween when you jumped out at me from the bushes, right? After that I refused to go anywhere with you unless I knew exactly what was happening.”
He laughed. “There won’t be any jumping out of the bushes. Scout’s honor.”
“You were never a scout.”
Grant opened his mouth, then paused. He slanted a look her way. “That’s true. I dropped out the first year. Too many rules.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “How did you ever make it in the military?”
“They let me run through the mud and trained me to shoot a gun. It offset the rules.”
They both laughed. She glanced down at her skirt and blouse. They were wrinkled. Hopefully, wherever he was taking her wasn’t too fancy. Sara smoothed a curl back behind her ear and debated pulling out a compact to check her makeup.
As if he’d read her mind, Grant reached across and took her hand. “You look beautiful. Perfect. Don’t change a thing.”
His hand was deliciously warm. It was also rough with calluses. They created a sweet friction Sara found incredibly attractive. It was the hand of a man who was used to hard work. And there she went again. Obsessing over Grant’s hands. Seriously, she had issues.
“You like the tired librarian look?” Sara asked, focusing back on their conversation.
He flashed her a sexy smile. “I love the way you look, always. The skirts that show off your legs, the soft colors of your shirts. I love the way your eyes light up when you smile, and, even when you’re tired or stressed, you dig deep to find strength and kindness for those around you. Especially Ben. There isn’t a thing I don’t like about you, Sara.”
She considered herself a modest person but hearing how Grant saw her was intoxicating. He made her feel so good. Beautiful. Capable. Sara liked who she was with him.
“How were things at the library?” he asked. “Jennie didn’t go into labor in the middle of the mystery section, did she?”
“Goodness no, and don’t even joke about that. It nearly happened a few years ago. Not in the mystery section, in the periodicals, but same thing.”
His eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. EMS was able to load the mother into the ambulance in the nick of time. She had the baby in the parking lot though. Cutest little girl you’d ever laid eyes on.”
He arched his brows. “You were in the ambulance, weren’t you?”
“Someone had to hold the m
om’s hand and help her through it. Her husband works at the hospital with Rachel. He met them when they arrived. I’ve never seen a doctor so pale. Poor man.”
They laughed. Grant pulled to a stop beside a small park at the edge of town. In the distance, a gazebo was strung with lights and candles flickered. Grant released her hand and killed the engine before jumping out to open her door.
A figure stepped off the gazebo. Sara squinted. “Is that my sister?”
“I needed a bit of help to arrange everything. The kids are with her husband back at the house.”
Grant waved, and Rachel waved back before turning and jogging to the other side of the park. Sara glanced up at him. “I’m not sure how I feel about you and my sister conspiring together.”
“Understandable.” He took her hand again and led her across the grass. “Your sister is devious. In the best way possible, of course.”
“Exactly. You and her plotting is trouble.”
Serious trouble. The closer they got to the gazebo, the more romantic the setting became. A table was set up in the center with a white tablecloth. Two covered dishes sat on delicate placemats. Candles were arranged on the table and around the edge of the railings. Rose petals were sprinkled everywhere. Soft country music played.
Sara’s heart melted. “What’s all this?”
“Our second date.” Grant smiled. “And a thank you.”
“A thank you? For what?”
“My mom agreed to go to treatment today. She and my aunt bought the tickets this afternoon. They leave in the morning.”
“Oh, Grant, I’m glad. I’m happy for you and your mom.”
“It’s all because of you.” He pulled her into his arms and started swaying with the music. It was a soft song about love. “I would’ve still been knocking my head against the wall if you hadn’t barged into my garage and forced me to share my feelings.”
She laughed. “I didn’t barge into your garage. I walked.” Sara lifted her hands and twined them around his neck. “And how did it feel? To share your feelings?”