Giving a smile and a wave goodbye, he trotted back down the walk to his jeep, never seeing Jillian’s faded smile as she drove down the street on her way home.
*
On the old, metal bleachers of the Baytown baseball field, Jillian sat wedged between Tori and Katelyn, the tall grass underneath tickling their legs. Two more of their friends, Belle Gunn and Jade Lyons, joined them.
Katelyn looked over and shouted, “Rose! Over here!”
The others turned and saw Baytown’s new entrepreneur walking over. Rose Parker had moved to Baytown to open an ice cream parlor. She climbed up the steps of the bleachers swatting at an errant bee and greeted Katelyn before sitting down. Introduced to the ones she had not met, she smoothed her pixie cut back from her face.
“When can we expect you to open, girl? I’ve been dying to get my hands on your ice cream concoctions!”
Rose offered a tired smile toward Katelyn and shrugged one shoulder. “My bid for the first storefront I wanted was outbid by the new tattoo artist,” she explained.
“Jason?” Katelyn asked, surprised this was the first she had heard about it.
“I suppose,” Rose replied. “I’ve never met him. Then I found a nice place further down from Finn’s, still on Main Street, but it needs lots of renovations. I’ve got the money, but the town manager is really riding my ass about getting the work done by certain contractors.”
“He can’t do that!” Jillian spouted.
Katelyn groused, “I can’t stand that man.”
“Oh, it’s okay,” Rose said softly, her gentle smile calming even Katelyn’s ire. “It’ll happen when it happens.” Looking around, she added, “I’m just glad to be out on such a lovely day.”
“So why are we out here on the first day of the practice?” Jade asked, holding her hand over her forehead to shade her eyes, warily observing the rag-tag team of kids running around the freshly mowed and painted field.
Laughing, Katelyn replied, “Because this is Baytown!”
“Huh?” Jade asked, swinging her gaze from the field to the women sitting behind her.
“You’re new here, so you’ll quickly find out that anytime anything is happening anywhere…it’s the place to be,” explained Jillian. “And now that the American Legion teams are established, this league will need some people to cheer them on.”
“I’ve always liked coming to see practices,” Belle confessed softly, gaining the attention of the others. Shrugging shyly, she tried unsuccessfully to tuck her dark, wayward hair behind her ears. “It gave me something to do besides be at home. So after school, I’d come to the ball fields and watch whoever was practicing.”
Jillian and Katelyn shared a glance, both having often wondered why Belle had hated being at home when growing up. She had been younger and not part of the original Baytown group of kids, but had slowly come out of her shell, joining them now as adults.
“Well, I think it’s exciting,” Tori pronounced, her gaze following Mitch.
“God, I just hope my brothers won’t cuss too much in front of the kids!” Katelyn said as she eagled-eyed the field, her brow furrowed. “Neither Aiden nor Brogan do a very good job of watching what they say.”
Jillian tried to pay attention to the conversations around her, but her gaze continually drifted to Grant. Workout shorts and a t-shirt, stretched tightly over his chest and arm muscles, drew her eyes. The men had divided the kids into groups and were working on fundamentals with them. As she watched, she noted two boys hanging near him. Intrigued, she observed how Grant appeared to know them and take great interest as he talked to them. He touched their shoulders, drawing their attention to him when he gave instructions. Numerous times, he crouched down so that he was at their level.
Her lips curved upward as she noticed how the boys appeared to hang on his every word. I wonder who they are? I’ve never noticed him with kids before…he’s really good with them.
“What put that smile on your face?” Katelyn asked, breaking into Jillian’s musings.
Blushing, she said, “Just watching the kids.”
“Yeah, right,” came the reply as Katelyn shoulder bumped her. “I wonder who the boys are that Grant is coaching?”
“I recognize the younger one. He goes to the elementary school,” Jade remarked, “but I don’t know his name. He’s older than the kids I teach.”
“I’ve seen them around,” Belle added. “They live over near where I do in the trailer park.”
Jillian digested the tidbit of information, tucking it away while telling herself she had no interest in what Grant did. Yeah, right…he’s still gorgeous even if he’s not into me. Heaving a sigh as the practice came to a close, she said, “I’m heading back to the shop, girls. See you later.”
Stepping down off the last bleacher, she startled as a hand reached out to offer assistance. Still standing on the first riser, she came eye to eye with Grant. Blinking under the intensity of his gaze, she bristled. Looking down at his outstretched hand, she placed her hand in his, not wanting to appear peevish. The familiar jolt from his touch zinged through her, irritating her even more. Why does it have to be his touch that my body reacts to?
“Jillian,” he said politely, his voice whisky smooth.
Making the step down to the ground, she worked to hide the hurt that always threatened to creep out, trying to protect her heart from getting trampled. Pulling her hand back, she looked up sharply as he held fast to her fingers. “What are you doing?” she hissed, glancing around to see if anyone could hear as she dislodged her hand from his.
“If you have a moment, I’ve got someone I’d like you to meet. Well, actually two someones.”
Narrowing her eyes, she was surprised when he twisted around and called out, “Boys! Over here.” The two boys that Grant had been coaching so carefully came forward, their shy smiles toward her mixed with their obvious adoration of the large coach.
“I’d like you to meet two friends of mine,” Grant said, one hand now resting on the shoulder of the tallest boy. “This is Junior Montwood and,” moving his hand to the smaller boy, “this is Bobby Montwood.”
Her smile beamed brightly over the boys as she greeted them enthusiastically. “I saw you out there playing. Did you have a good time?”
Junior, trying to emulate Grant’s manners, answered her politely while Bobby merely nodded.
“Bobby is interested in art,” Grant added, his gaze darting to Jillian’s quickly. “I thought maybe sometime, you would allow me to bring them to your galleria and let them look around.” Grant felt the unfamiliar pang of nervousness, remembering the last conversations he had with her. He really wanted to show Bobby the displayed artwork and wanted to spend time with Jillian. God, I hope she doesn’t shoot me down now. Or at least only shoots me down, not the boys. As soon as the thought ran through his mind, he quickly dismissed it. One thing he knew—he might have messed up his chances with Jillian but she would never take it out on a child.
True to her spirit, she beamed even brighter, eyes shining with enthusiasm as she spoke to Bobby. “Would you like to see my showroom? I have all kinds of artists who live close by showing off their art in my building.”
Bobby’s eyes widened and he darted his gaze between her, Grant, and his brother, nodding all the while.
“I don’t know what plans you have this afternoon,” Grant said, wiping his palms on his shorts. “I don’t have to have the boys home for a while and was going to take them to get a bite to eat and…well…”
Shooting him a curious look, she finished his sentence. “Well, there’s no time like the present. I’d love to show the boys the artwork.”
Grant released a breath, feeling lightheaded…and lighthearted. “Okay, then. Let’s go. We can take my SUV.”
“I’ll take my scooter and meet you there,” she said, looking at the other kids and coaches packing up the equipment. “By the time you get finished, I’ll be there and will have the shop opened.” Without giving Grant a ch
ance to argue, she waved as she turned around, walking to the parking area. So distracted with her own musings, she did not hear Katelyn’s footsteps pounding the gravel behind her as she made her way through the weed-infested lot.
“Hey, slow down!” Katelyn puffed.
Twisting around to see her friend hustling, she slowed down to wait on her.
“I just saw Grant talking to you. What did he want?”
Sliding her eyes sideways, biting her bottom lip, she wondered what Katelyn would think of Grant’s plan. She rushed in to say, “He wants to bring those two boys to my shop to check out the artwork.”
Katelyn said nothing, but Jillian could feel the waves of disbelief pouring off of her. Sucking in a breath, she said, “What could I say? There was no way I could turn down the kids.”
“Uh-huh, and don’t you think Grant knows that? I mean what’s his game anyway? He throws you in the friend zone forever and now that you finally gave him his walking papers, he’s sniffing around.” Stopping on the sidewalk, they stood, facing each other. Katelyn placed her hand on Jillian’s arm, her voice contrite. “I’m sorry, honey. I just want you to be able to move on from Grant…to someone who’ll appreciate you.”
The image of Oliver flashed through Jillian’s mind. “I know. And…well, I’m working on it.” She just wished he made her heart rush the way Grant always had. Plastering a smile on her face, she threw her arms around Katelyn, giving her a hug. “Don’t worry…I’m just spending some time with Grant, as a friend, and showing off the art to some kids who might appreciate what I’ve done.”
Ignoring Katelyn’s dubious expression, she hopped on her scooter. Puttering down the road, she wondered what Grant was up to. Is he really just interested in showing the boys my galleria?
Chapter 7
If Jillian had any doubts about Grant’s sincerity, they flew out the window as soon as she saw Bobby’s face when he rounded the corner at the top of the stairs in her shop. His wide eyes swept the room and his smile beamed.
“Come on over, boys,” she encouraged. “You can look at everything up close.” She walked Bobby and Junior to each painting, many of ocean dunes, boats in the harbor, pier scenes, or herons and gulls. By the time they made their way to the far side, Bobby was in awe of the other crafts. The woodcarver’s work included tiny replicas of gulls, herons, pelicans, and other birds. The metal-work artist’s pieces were usually more modern and Bobby grew bold enough to ask questions about what he was viewing. They made their way to the pottery Oliver had displayed, and the boys were fascinated by the blend of colors in the bowls.
Grant bent to read the artist’s information card next to the pottery and “humphed” as he stood back up. So this was the man Jillian was with the other day. He said nothing to her, but news of the lunch Jillian had with the new stranger in town had reached his ears.
While Bobby was clearly the one most interested, Junior hovered near Grant as the two of them walked behind Jillian, listening to her explanations as well. Bobby’s mouth gaped open as he viewed Lance’s perfectly balanced mobiles made from sea glass.
“Have you ever found sea glass on the beach?” Jillian asked him, noting his interest.
He shook his head shyly. “We don’t get to the beach much,” he replied. “Dad has to work most every day.” His face brightened suddenly as he remembered, “We’ll get to go on a field trip to the beach this year.”
Jillian’s heart ached for the little boy who lived so close to the water and rarely got to see it. “Well, sea glass comes from the ocean. It’s actually pieces of glass bottles that have been discarded from ships that sail in the bay.” Seeing the boys’ surprise, she continued. “The glass is broken into tiny pieces that gets tumbled by all the sand and waves before it ends up on shore.”
“But they’re so smooth,” Junior said, leaning closer to inspect the shards, for once moving away from Grant.
“That’s because as the waves and sand beat against each little piece, the rough edges get smoothed out. And by the time it washes up on shore, it’s a smooth bit of glass.”
Holding the boys’ attention, she continued, “People can be a lot like sea glass, you know.” Seeing their faces upturned toward her, she smiled. “Life can be rough…just like the waves beating on the glass. But it is from the rough treatment that our edges can be polished out and we can become as smooth and shiny as what you see here.” Squatting down to their level, she held out two pieces of sea glass in her palm.
“Here, take these. Keep them to remember that it is often the difficult times in our lives that shape us into the people we can be.”
As the two boys reached out their hands to take a piece of sea glass and hold it reverently in their hands, it was Grant’s face that captured her attention as she stood. His normally cavalier manner was replaced by something much more raw and she cocked her head at him in question.
Blinking rapidly, Grant cleared his throat and said, “Okay, boys, I need to get you back home.” His voice, unusually gruff, caught their attention. Junior moved back over to Grant’s side with Bobby following much more slowly.
Smiling at the children, Jillian said, “You can come by anytime you want to look at the new work.”
The four of them walked back down the stairs and through the empty coffee shop, and she noticed the boys glancing toward the display case of pastries. Smiling, she called a halt to their progress long enough to bag several of the treats and handed them to Junior and Bobby.
Grant watched her, offering a fake pout when she did not hand him one. Rolling her eyes, laughing, she bagged another pastry for him. Handing it over, she felt his fingers linger on her hand, the familiar warmth exuding from their touch.
Grant felt it also, but this time observed the flash of sadness rush through her eyes and longed to take it away. I’ve screwed things up with her by pushing her away for so long. His mind jumped to the sea glass story—one he had heard all his life, but had never considered the analogy of the smooth shards to life before. Leave it to Jillian to teach me something about myself.
As they reached the door, he told the boys to head on to his SUV and he would join them momentarily. Watching to make sure they stopped at his vehicle, he turned back to the beautiful woman standing in front of him, observing her furrowed brow. The breeze whipped her hair about her head and he reached out, tucking blonde strands behind her ear, noting her slight shiver at his touch. She’s still affected by me…as much as I am her. I can make this right…I have to make this right.
“It was…um…nice of you to bring the boys here,” she said, unsure why Grant was standing so close, staring at her.
“They’re good kids and I wanted them to see something of beauty.”
“The art is beautiful,” she agreed, her gaze lifting to his. “I’m glad they can appreciate it.”
His hand slid down her arm, linking his fingers with hers. “It’s not the only thing of beauty in here,” he said.
The sight of her pinched lips jolted him as she pulled her hand away from his. Before she could back away, he quickly added, “Jillian, thank you for the sea glass story.” He watched as she viewed him cautiously, her forehead scrunched adorably as she stared back at him.
Dragging his hand through his hair, making the very front stand up, his breath puffed out. Looking down at his boots for a moment, he lifted his eyes to hers. “Jillian, the truth of the matter is that you make me want to be a better man and I want you to know that I’m working on it. Kind of like the sea glass.”
Reaching back to capture her hand once more, he gave a little tug and rejoiced when she did not jerk it away. “I know I’ve screwed up. Please don’t give up on me. Please give me just one more chance…to prove to you that I can be what you need. I’m getting help dealing with some of the things that happened to me…in the military.”
At that, she visible startled, her eyebrows raised in surprise. “Grant, I don’t know—”
He placed his finger softly on her lips, stilli
ng her words. “Please, Jillian. Just one more chance.”
“One more chance for what? To hurt me again? To pull me close just to push me away? No. No,” she said, stepping back, needing to put some space between them. Wrapping her arms around her waist protectively, she said, “If you’re getting help, that’s great, Grant. I’m happy for you, but I told you before…you wanted just friendship, then that’s what we can have.”
Running his hand through his hair, he whispered, “Is there a chance for more?”
Pressing her lips together in anger, she retorted, “What about Ginny?”
Rearing back, his brows came together. “Ginny? Huh?”
“I saw you two and thought…” she said, now perplexed with his obvious surprise.
Shaking his head, he said, “No, no. She’s a fellow officer and Legionnaire. That’s all. Honestly, that’s all we are.”
Searching his face, she knew he was telling the truth. She could always count on Grant to be honest, even if it hurt her feelings.
He took her silence as a good sign and pressed his luck once more. “Please. Go out with me on a date. A real date. I’ve got evening shifts for a couple of nights, but we can go out on Wednesday night. I’ll pick you up at six.” He watched her hesitation and held his breath in anticipation.
“I should tell you no,” she admitted, but was curious about the help he was getting. Sighing, she knew her heart would always want the best for him. “I’ll think about it, Grant,” she said, her eyes tormented. “I…I just can’t jump in and take another chance.”
Disappointed, he swallowed hard, hating the slash of pain he observed in her eyes. At least she didn’t say “no”. Reaching up, he brushed another wisp of hair behind her ear, fighting the desire to pull her in close. “Okay, Jillian, please think about it. Promise?” he pleaded.
Forcing a slight smile, she nodded. “I promise.”
Before she could move back further, he leaned down quickly and planted a kiss on her forehead before he headed toward his SUV where the boys were waiting wide eyed.
Just One More Chance: Baytown Boys Series Page 7