“I’m sure they are.” Jace looked pointedly at Grace’s mussed-up hair and red face. He pushed out a breath. “But I’m under strict instructions to get your backsides downstairs for treats and Beauty and the Beast.”
“You’re going to make me sit through a movie when I could be kissing my girl? Who could possibly watch a movie at a time like this?” Harrison asked. He hoped he wasn’t being too bold. Grace wasn’t his girl, but he would do about anything at this point to make that phrase be true.
Grace was blushing prettily, like she had earlier today when Turk had called her his wife.
“I’m sure you’ll get plenty of kissing in later.” Jace pumped his eyebrows at Grace, then turned and led the way out into the hallway.
Harrison wrapped his arm around Grace and escorted her after Jace. He didn’t mind spending the night cuddled with Grace watching a movie. He hoped he hadn’t scared her away with his bold statements, but she’d been pretty forward, pulling him into her room and pushing him against the wall like that. He smiled at the remembrance. They could recreate that any time and he would be a happy man.
12
Moriah walked the two of them up to bed that night, their conscience and chaperone rolled into one. Grace didn’t mind, as she absolutely adored Moriah. It was late enough that Grace didn’t dare push her luck with her hostess and sneak into Harrison’s room. She was shocked she’d been so bold with Harrison earlier, pulling him into her room and kissing him, but she didn’t regret the time spent with him or the kiss. She lay down and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of that kiss and all things Harrison.
The next day, Turk had them up early and Moriah had a delicious breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls waiting for them. They went to church together, and Grace should’ve been embarrassed at all the people she didn’t know staring at her when she walked in with Harrison, but she was too happy being with him.
Harrison’s parents came to church as well, and so did Moriah’s close friends, Trin and Zander. Harrison’s mama and Moriah both sang in the choir, and their beautiful voices brought emotion to Grace’s heart she’d tried to ignore. She’d never blamed the good Lord for taking her parents, but she’d felt such emptiness. Their praises to the Lord and adoration filled up the spots she thought would always be empty. She wouldn’t be alone if she trusted in Him.
Harrison’s leg brushed hers, and she glanced over at him. Had the Lord sent him to her? She wanted to never be alone again, but even more than that, she wanted it to be Harrison who filled that void. He reached for her hand and covered it with his, resting their clasped hands on his muscled thigh. Grace leaned against his shoulder and felt more than content just being close to him.
After church, they all went back to Harrison’s parents’ humble but well-kept split-level home for a barbecue. Harrison’s mama was as round as his daddy was tall. His mama was just as friendly and open as Moriah. His daddy was much more reserved but very kind and welcoming. Moriah’s friend, Trin, was a tall, gorgeous redhead, and her husband, Zander, was a lean, athletic-looking guy. They owned the bed and breakfast that Moriah used to work at, but also had a Southern mansion not far away from Moriah and Jace’s. It seemed both the younger couples were ultra-wealthy.
They were about halfway through their barbecued chicken, coconut shrimp, corn on the cob, barbecued beans, and corn bread—delicious like only a Southern mama could make them—when Zander grinned at something his wife had said and Grace gasped out loud as recognition flooded her. “Oh my goodness, you were on The Bachelor, weren’t you?” She hadn’t missed an episode of that season, enamored with the handsome bachelor who’d seemed to have so much pain in his eyes.
Zander’s smile froze. Trin was happy to answer for him. “Yes, and even with all those women chasing him, he came looking for me.” She winked and squeezed his hand.
His grin came back again. “It was tough to run away from them all … but worth it.” He leaned over and kissed her.
“Good thing you’re a fast runner,” Trin said.
Moriah watched them with a broad grin on her face. “I had to do a little manipulating to make sure they didn’t mess up the romance, but it all worked out in the end.”
“I can’t imagine you manipulating anyone, love,” Jace said with a straight face.
She pushed at him. “Go on, you’re the happiest man I know, no matter how I manipulate you—or rather, keep you in line.”
Grace watched the couples tease each other, and then talk turned to Jace’s twin brother, Nixon, who was expanding his Natural Nutrition Needs stores into the West Coast. Moriah wanted Nixon to get back home so she could set him up with a darling girl from their church.
“Not manipulative at all, my love.” Jace winked.
Everyone laughed, Moriah loudest of all.
Feeling Harrison’s gaze on her, Grace turned to him. He squeezed her hand and murmured, “Thanks for coming.”
“Didn’t have a lot of choice.” It was fun to join in the teasing mood, but she quickly remedied her statement. “Thank you for bringing me. I needed this.”
He nodded to her, looking like he wanted to say more, but Turk popped his head between them. “Uncle Hare, will you pass with me?”
“For sure.” Harrison took his nephew’s hand and left half his plate untouched. They walked a little ways off into the shady backyard and caught and passed the ball. Harrison was ultra-gentle with his passes and cheered every time Turk caught them. He dove down low and jumped high or reached to the side, whatever he needed to do to make sure he caught the ball when Turk threw it.
“That boy of mine is pure gold.”
Grace hadn’t realized Harrison’s mama had sat down next to her, as caught up as she was in watching Harrison and Turk. “He is. You’ve done a fine job with both of your children, ma’am.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. I’m mighty proud, that’s for sure.”
“As you should be.”
His mama patted her hand, and they sat in silence while the rest of the table finished eating, still bantering back and forth and sharing funny stories about Jace’s younger brother, Clay. Apparently, he was quite the overconfident crazy man.
Turk caught the ball and Harrison rushed for him, picked him up, and then tackled him softly to the grass. Turk shrieked with laughter, and Grace loved watching the interaction.
“My boy’s never brought a girl home to meet me,” his mama said in her low, melodious voice.
Grace tore her eyes from Harrison as he lifted Turk into the air, his biceps on fine display, and focused on his mama. “Is it okay that he brought me?”
“More than okay.” His mama smiled. “I just want you to know that you must be very special and you’re welcome here anytime.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Oh, go on, it’s Mama to you.”
Grace had to bite at her lip not to cry. She missed her own mama every day. “Thank you, Mama.”
Mama wrapped her up in a hug, and Grace savored the warmth and kindness of the embrace.
All too soon they were done eating, had cleaned up the food, and she and Harrison had to say their goodbyes. They’d left Uncle Mike and Aunt Geraldine long enough. Tomorrow they’d get back to work on Sycamore Bay, and hopefully the police would be able to find who was trying to burn it down. The heaviness of what they were heading back to pressed in on her, but the past day and a half had been the best reprieve she could’ve imagined. They hadn’t done anything special, but just being around Harrison’s family had been a dose of happy medicine.
“You come see me again soon, you hear?” Mama gave her another big squeeze.
“I will,” Grace promised. She shook his daddy’s hand and said goodbye to Trin and Zander, then walked out with Jace, Moriah, Turk, and Harrison.
Harrison held Turk in one arm and had the other wrapped around Grace. They stopped next to Harrison’s Hyundai and Moriah gave them a stare down. “Now you two listen to me. I know how it is to want to kiss all night and then
some.”
“Hey, wait, don’t you still want to do that?” Jace asked.
“Oh, hush, you.” Moriah fixed him with a severe glare, but Jace smiled unrepentantly. She swung back to Harrison and Grace. “But the good Lord done gave us the wonderful blessing of finding each other, and if you’re respecting his laws and waiting until marriage you’ll be even more blessed, you hear me?”
“You know I’m going to respect Grace and the Lord,” Harrison said in that deep baritone of his.
Grace was blushing again. Moriah was certainly direct. Marriage wasn’t even on her radar. Harrison was amazing, but they’d known each other such a short time and she had a lot of other things to deal with before she settled down and married—namely her house and hopefully finishing her degree. “Yes, ma’am,” she murmured.
“Oh, don’t you ma’am me.” Moriah reached out and gave her a hug. “You’re going to be all alone in that house, and I know how temptation goes.” She winked at Jace.
“I was too much temptation for her to ever resist,” he said.
“Hush!” Moriah said, though she was laughing along with everyone else.
“Tempting me,” Turk sang out.
“This conversation is probably too much for a four-year-old,” Harrison said.
“Okay, give us hugs.” Moriah hugged them both again. Jace gave Harrison a manly hug and a quick squeeze to Grace. Turk had the hardest time, clinging to his uncle’s neck, then looking at Grace and saying, “I’m losing my beautifulest girlfriend.”
“We’ll see you again soon,” Harrison promised.
Jace finally had to almost pry Turk off of Harrison. Then they were driving away and Grace already missed her new friends, who felt like family to her. The past two days hadn’t just been a break from her reality; they’d been a huge change to her relationship with Harrison. He took her hand and hummed quietly along with the Christian radio as they drove. The time passed quickly as they reminisced about their childhoods, and before she knew it they were pulling up her oak-lined drive.
She sighed. It was good to be home, but a little overwhelming. She noticed more shingles missing on the roof, the lawn needed to be mowed again, the entire exterior needed repainting, and the porch railings sagged. She wasn’t even close repainting the interior and paint was the least expensive material she needed. She couldn’t fathom tackling the projects of replacing porch railings and the roof. How could her daddy let things get so run-down? The mansion was a mess and nothing close in size or details to Jace and Moriah’s sprawling home, but it was hers and with time and money she could fix it all up. She frowned. She didn’t have any money, and the house might not be hers much longer if she gave in to all the pressure to sell.
Uncle Mike and Aunt Geraldine gave them hugs but left pretty quick, though Uncle Mike found a moment to remind her that she was welcome to live with them anytime if she decided to sell and go back to school. Grace gave him the respect her parents would expect of her, but told him no uncertain terms—No, thank you. She was sick of the gentle reminders that selling would be best for her. She loved this house too much.
After they left, Uncle Mike acting more than a little put out with her and Aunt Geraldine soothing him as they walked away, Grace wasn’t sure what to do with the evening. She was still full from all the lunch she’d consumed at Harrison’s mama’s, and they’d found a cooler full of food in the back of the car, next to their overnight bags. Moriah had sent leftover roast, potatoes, and veggies, as well as homemade bread, jam, cookies, and a stuffed pepper casserole. They wouldn’t have to cook for a while.
Grace tried not to work on the house on Sundays so she couldn’t keep busy painting or fixing up. If she’d been alone, she would’ve read a book, but she’d rather spend time with Harrison.
They unpacked the cooler, then took their bags to their rooms. She unloaded her clothes quickly. Pulling out her still-damp swimsuit, she had an idea. She walked down the hall to Harrison’s room. The door was open and he was leaning over his suitcase. Dang, he was a fine-looking man.
He turned and saw her. “Hey.” His slow smile spread.
She held the suit aloft. “Do you want to go swimming?”
“Sure. I was wondering if you ever swam in the bay, but then you never take any time off from working.”
She laughed. “You got me there. Yeah, our bay is safe. Just the occasional alligator wanders over from the yonder swamp.”
His eyes widened slightly. “So I might get the chance to fight an alligator for you?”
“You could only be so lucky.” She batted her eyelashes at him.
“It’s high on my list of lucky events.”
“I’ll just go change.” She twirled the suit on her finger and turned toward the door. Harrison was by her side before she could exit the room. “Dang, you move fast.”
He grinned and took her shoulders, backing her up into the wall. “I just wanted to tell you that I really liked seeing you in your swimsuit last night.”
“Well, then.” She flushed from the compliment. “I’d think you’d want to let me go and put it on again.”
“Later.” His eyes swept over her face, lingering on her lips. He lowered his head and tenderly caressed her lips with his own. “Much later,” he muttered huskily.
Grace dropped her swimsuit, wrapped her hands around his strong back, and didn’t care if they ever went swimming.
13
It was much, much later when they made it to the bay. The sun was probably only half an hour from setting, but Harrison and Grace waded into the lukewarm water and he once again thoroughly enjoyed watching her swim in her one-piece suit.
The sun had set when they forced themselves out of the water and walked hand in hand up the long stretch of grass. “You work pretty hard for all those muscles?” Grace tilted her head to the side and studied him.
Harrison flexed his arm slightly. “Naw, I’m just built like this naturally.”
Grace ran a hand over his shoulder. “How are you going to sit behind a desk all day? I can’t imagine any of these muscles being dormant.”
They reached the house. The night was warm, as usual, but they weren’t being eaten alive by the mosquitoes yet. Harrison wrapped an arm around her thin waist and turned her to face him. The idea had been stewing for the past couple of days, but Moriah had pushed it to the forefront with her parting comments. Grace initiating the kiss last night and saying she couldn’t imagine him behind a desk spurred his bravery to actually say something. This seemed like his moment.
“Grace, I enjoy numbers and I wouldn’t hate being an accountant the rest of my life, but I have to tell you … I love being here with you more. Much more.”
She smiled. “I love having you here.”
“I’ve been thinking about your problem—you know, with the house—and I just came up with the perfect solution.” He wanted to tell her that he loved her, but she might not believe him. They’d only known each other a week and he didn’t want it to seem insincere when he confessed how he’d fallen for her, but this needed to be said now. They needed to act so she didn’t lose her house, and they needed to stay together so he could protect her and find whoever was trying to either scare her into selling or burn her house down.
“I think we should get married.” The words came out in a rush, and he felt immense relief. He’d done it. She’d know this was the solution and soon he’d get brave enough to confess his love for her as well.
Grace took a step back from him, her brow wrinkled, her eyes cloudy. “You didn’t just say that.”
Harrison hurried to explain. “It’s the perfect solution. You’ll get what you need for Sycamore Bay and I’ll be here to take care of you, to protect you, and you can adopt as many children as you want and I’ll help you.” He stopped, not sure why she was shaking her head at his reasoning. He hadn’t even gotten into how he wouldn’t be stuck behind a desk and she could finish her schooling and he could someday pursue his own dreams of coaching football.
She studied him with tight lips, then finally said, “No.”
“No?” That single syllable was a sledgehammer to the gut. She didn’t want him.
Grace stared at him for a few seconds, then whirled and banged through the back door and into the house. Harrison stood there. She’d turned him down. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there, feeling weak and dejected and wondering how he would ever get over Grace. Apparently his brilliant idea wasn’t so brilliant. He probably should’ve slowed down and thought it out, expressed it a little better, or had some patience. Gotten to know her for longer than a week, maybe?
He pushed out a long breath, then let himself in the back door, wearily climbed the stairs, and gathered his stuff. He assumed Grace was in her room, but he didn’t go check. What did he have left to say? She had plenty she could say. She could stop him. She could explain why she said no. She could say yes, she’d marry him. But the house was quiet and chilly—for the first time since he’d been here—as he packed, still wearing his damp swimsuit. He could shower when he got back to Montgomery.
He’d spent most of his life being admired for his looks or his athletic prowess. He’d assumed Grace had seen past all of that to the real him, cared about how he treated her, how great they got along, his willingness to work hard, and talk through things with her. He’d been wrong. Apparently, he’d never be more than the stud who could look good and run fast. He grunted in disgust, not liking his pity party but unable to stop it.
He carried his suitcase past her room without stopping, down the stairs, and exited through the back door where he could lock it. Each step hurt, not physically but deep down inside. He hated to leave her, but she didn’t want him, didn’t need him. He couldn’t stay here with her “no” ringing in his head. The outside nighttime air was warm, stale, and reeked of hopelessness.
He climbed into his SUV, grateful to push the start button and blast the air conditioning, though the noise was too loud and abrasive right now. Harrison dialed the police detective they’d worked with and explained quickly that he had to leave, and could he please send someone by to be here with Grace tonight? The detective promised they’d be there within half an hour. Harrison would hire a private security company himself in the morning. No matter how viciously Grace had ripped him apart, he didn’t want anything happening to her. The detective agreeing to his request helped him feel marginally better.
Saving Sycamore Bay (Destined for Love: Mansions) Page 8