by Loraine, Kim
How can I compete with a dead-hero-almost-fiancé? I’m sure he’s perfect in every bloody way.
He felt bad for thinking ill of the dead. After all, he didn’t even know the man. Grace had loved him and that meant he must’ve been worth it. She wasn’t the type to give herself to just anyone. He smiled at the thought. The memory of holding her tightly as they moved together sent a hot rush of arousal through him and he had to get up and walk around the office to staunch it.
His phone rang and rapidly deflated his mood as he saw it was Sarah calling. She’d called non-stop since they’d bumped into each other in London.
“What, Sarah?”
“Oi, don’t you know how to charm a lady?” Her voice was sultry and seductive, as always. It used to do him in, but now it only evoked annoyance.
“I’m busy.”
“I need your help. I’m in trouble.”
He sat at his desk and put his head on the tabletop. “What is it now? Unpaid parking fines? Assault a meter-maid again?”
“Drew, seriously. I’m starting a business, but need to cut ties with my partner.”
“So, what’s the problem I need to help with?”
“Well, you’re a solicitor.”
He ground his teeth. “Not anymore, Sarah.”
“You just don’t work for a firm, Drew. You know you’re still a solicitor.”
“I can’t help you. I’m very busy.”
“How busy can a greengrocer be?”
His blood boiled at her words. She demeaned his family’s profession at every turn and still expected him to pander to her?
“Very busy, actually. Stop calling. I’m happy here. I’ve met someone, the shop is doing well, things are better without you mucking it all up.”
“Met someone, have you? Drews, you know I’m the only one who will ever really love you.”
“Goodbye, Sarah.” He hung up without waiting for a response.
His heart was racing and he could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. She made him so angry every time he spoke with her. Good to get out of that one. Why did I ever love her to begin with?
He couldn’t remember a time with her when he was actually happy. She was always pushing him to be different, to be more than he was, more than he wanted. He just wanted to live a comfortable life. If that meant having loads of money and high society friends, he was fine with it, as long as he was happy. Work had become his entire life and Sarah had started planning their dates around a list of important people they might run into. The unease had seeped in during those days of Sarah’s attempted social climb. He’d changed his life the day he caught her with another man. He never wanted to go back.
A simple happy life. That was all he wanted.
Grace’s face flashed in his mind when he thought of the peace and contentment he now had and the one thing it lacked. He wanted a life full of easy conversation, tea and coffee in the morning, sitting quietly on the couch watching a film, and her hair splayed across his pillow every night. The realization scared him, made him worry he was falling uncontrollably for her, rather than easing himself into a life with her.
She’d already lived that life with John. Why would she want it with me?
He shook his head at the jealously pouring through him. John was a problem. He figured any other man would be. Drew knew his faults. After Sarah, he couldn’t open up and trust anymore. Even if there was no reason to be jealous, he always found a way. His hands clenched tightly as he took a steadying breath.
I’ll just have to show her how much more I can give her. How much more I can be.
Chapter 11
“Thanks for the call, Mick.” Grace hit the end button on her phone a little too forcefully and slammed it down on the tabletop.
“God! Damn-damn-damn,” she cursed to the empty house. Another delay. Another ridiculous problem that Mick should be handling.
She picked her phone back up and dialed Valerie.
“What’s up?”
“Sorry to bother you on lunch. Mick called. Yet another accident on the site. Some structural issues need to be looked at and changes need to be made. Can you head over and take photos for me?”
Valerie sighed and Grace could hear the familiar sounds of the café near their house. “Yep. Can I bring you something?”
“Sure. Maybe an iced coffee?”
“All right. You know, if they don’t start getting it together, we’re never going to finish by deadline. I’d like some time for a social life.”
“I know what you mean.”
Valerie chuckled. “Whatever. Don’t even try to pretend you have no one keeping you warm at night. I see Drew creeping home in the early hours.”
That brought a blush to her cheeks. She was thankful Valerie couldn’t see her. “It’s not all wine and roses, you know.”
“Sure it isn’t. I bet you two will be heading down the aisle within a year.”
Her heart flipped. “Whoa, Val. Slow down. We’re nowhere near that serious.”
“You’ve fallen, hard. I know it’s complicated, but the writing’s on the wall, Grace.”
“Fine, whatever you say. We’ll talk more when you get back.”
The line clicked as Valerie hung up, leaving Grace alone with the gravity of her friend’s insightful observations. Before long, she realized that her friend was right; she was deeper into a relationship with Drew than she realized. She thought about him when they weren’t together, watched for him any time she was out in town, and hoped each text or call was from him.
Guilt hit her as she thought about John. She felt like she was replacing him with a copy. Granted, Drew was his own person. But if they were standing next to each other, she didn’t think she’d be able to tell them apart.
“Earth to Grace.” Valerie’s voice broke through her worry and an iced coffee appeared in front of her on the table.
“What? Oh, sorry. I was just, um, thinking.”
“About John?”
“Am I that transparent?”
“No, you’ve been writing his name on your notepad for the last few minutes.”
Grace looked down at her paper full of John and Drew doodled in the margins.
“It’s so weird,” Valerie observed, sitting at the table nursing her drink. “They’ve got to be twins. Are you sure John didn’t have a brother?”
“Yes. Why would his brother be adopted, but not him? The Oliver’s wouldn’t keep one and give the other away. Unless there’s something Marianne hasn’t told me.”
“Have you told Drew yet?”
“He knows about John, but not about the resemblance.”
“Grace, you really need to tell him.” Valerie chewed on her straw for a moment, clearly considering her next move. “I’m pretty sure he’s in love with you.”
Grace’s eyes widened. “Love? We’ve only known each other three months. Barely that.”
“I just call them like I see them. That man is crazy about you.”
“Well, what do you know, anyway? You’re like twelve years old.”
Valerie laughed. “Deny it all you want. He’s either in love or quickly on his way there.”
Grace got up and stretched. She was stiff from not moving and her neck was sore. As she walked into the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Valerie answered it while Grace searched the fridge for something edible.
“Grace? It’s for you,” Valerie said, a sly grin on her lips as she came around the corner into the kitchen.
Drew followed behind and Grace’s mouth ran dry when she saw him. He was wearing dark jeans and a long-sleeved gray Henley, which accented the lean muscles of his runner’s build. His hair, damp from the rain outside, fell into his eyes as he looked down at her.
Her heart sped up
when he wrapped her in a hug and dropped a kiss on her lips. The fabric of his shirt was soft against her fingertips. She buried her face in his shoulder, breathing in his heavenly scent.
“Hello, love. Might I steal you away for tea?”
Valerie nodded enthusiastically behind him.
“Sure, let me just get my coat.”
Drew seemed nervous as they sat together in the café a few blocks from her cottage. He tugged at his earlobe compulsively while she sipped her tea and filled him in on all the latest issues at work.
“Anyway, we’re finishing up what we can today because the crew is off tomorrow. We’ve had too much overtime costs and too many accidents. Everyone needs some time away.”
“Hmm.” Drew’s gaze was intent on his tea.
“And there were aliens on my roof last night.”
“That’s good.”
She threw a piece of her scone at him and he blinked up at her in surprise.
“Oi! What was that for?”
“You didn’t listen to a word I just said.”
“No, no, I did. I’m just . . . I . . .” He took a deep breath. “I want to take you on holiday. Tomorrow. I’ve been thinking about it for a few weeks now and I think we should go.” It all came out in a rush, as if she were going to run away if he stopped to breathe.
Her eyes widened as she struggled not to laugh at his outburst. “Holiday? Where?”
He visibly relaxed when it was obvious she wasn’t against the idea. “That’s a surprise. I thought I’d have to twist your arm to convince you to go.”
“Tomorrow, huh?”
“Like you said, the crew is off tomorrow. That gives us time for a long weekend, a sort of mini-break.”
She chewed her bottom lip as she considered some real time off. The stress was building and she could really use a break. “Let’s do it!”
Drew’s face broke out into a beaming grin. His eyes were bright with excitement. “Right, well I’d best be off. I’ve got some work to do. I’ll come round to pick you up first thing.”
He kissed her quickly and left, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She recalled the conversation with Valerie, wondering if he really was falling in love with her. She also considered the very real possibility that she was falling for him.
Too fast, too soon. The words ran through her mind as her heart started to race.
“Where are you taking me?” Grace asked as she put the finishing touches in her overnight bag.
Drew grinned broadly and shook his head. “Not until we get on the train. Oh, bring your passport.”
She popped up from under her bathroom sink, toiletry bag in hand. “Passport?”
“Yes, passport. Just in case. Didn’t anyone tell you to always have your passport when you travel? Now hurry it up, we’ve got two hours until our train. The taxi is supposed to be here in fifteen minutes.”
She finished packing her bag as the taxi pulled up and honked. After leaving a short note for Valerie, telling her what was happening, she wrapped herself in an oversized chunky-knit cardigan, pulled on her leather boots, and took Drew’s arm as he guided her out the door.
“Just so you know, first thing really isn’t a time. I didn’t realize you were going to be here at six in the damn morning. I haven’t even taken a shower.”
“You’re gorgeous. Now come on, in you go.”
Adrenaline surged through her as the taxi pulled onto the road and started the journey to King’s Cross Station.
Drew squeezed her hand and looked down at her. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back on Sunday. I’m not kidnapping you.”
“I know. I’m not upset, I’m excited. I’ve been so busy with work that all I’ve seen is Braley and the little bit of London we were in for the first few weeks.” She leaned into him and snuggled her head against his shoulder.
By the time they arrived, King’s Cross Station was already bustling with people rushing around, trying to catch their trains. It was overwhelming. The station, a beautiful example of new and old architecture being brought together in harmony, made her feel like a kid in a candy store. She kept lagging behind so she could stop to get a better look at the various design elements.
“Grace, love. I’m glad to see you’re enjoying the station, but if we want to get our trip started, we’ve got to go,” Drew coaxed, gently pulling her toward the platform.
He pulled their tickets from his jacket and handed her one.
“Scotland?” She was hardly able to control her elation as she read the destination on her ticket.
“You’ve never been, correct?”
She shook her head and kissed him. “I feel just like Harry Potter,” she said, smiling like an idiot.
“I hope that doesn’t mean I’m Hagrid,” Drew teased. “You Americans. It’s all Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes with you.”
She smacked him playfully on the shoulder.
“Oi, watch it. That’s abuse, you know.”
As they boarded the train, realization hit her that somewhere along the line she’d stopped comparing Drew to John at every turn. When did he stop looking like John to me?
She couldn’t recall how it had happened, but the painful reminders of John had become less frequent. There were still the occasional flashes. A look, a smile, sometimes things he said would catch her off guard and leave her heart aching. More and more she just saw Drew. Handsome, intelligent, funny, and frankly adorable at times.
She smiled to herself as they settled in for the four-and-a-half-hour ride to Edinburgh. Drew gave her a quizzical look when she reached into her purse, pulled out her cell phone, sent a quick text message, and turned it off.
“No interruptions,” she said plainly.
He nodded. “Quite right.”
Drew offered her the window seat, citing many trips on the train as a child. She spent much of the ride watching the scenery change from bustling city to countryside, with rolling hills of green and fall foliage still visible even at the end of October. Drew pulled a novel from the pocket of his jacket and settled in next to her. They rode in comfortable silence together, each of them tending to their own interests without feeling the uncomfortable pressure to talk.
She wasn’t aware that he’d fallen asleep until she felt a warm, heavy pressure against her shoulder. His head had drooped and rested on her. He was clearly out cold and she couldn’t bear to move him, so she scooted herself closer to the window and enjoyed the feel of his warmth. Before she knew it, the gentle rocking of the train lulled her to sleep as well.
“Drew, wake up. We’ve arrived.” She shook him lightly when she realized the train was no longer in motion.
His eyes opened slowly and he smiled at her. “What a nice way to wake.” He kissed her and rose to disembark the train.
Her heart swelled as she watched him walk, leading the way off the train. As he stepped out the door and looked back to her, she saw John clear as day for a moment.
A lump formed in her throat as the sinking feeling in her stomach twisted. Just when she’d started to feel at ease, he was there again, haunting her.
God, what am I doing?
The hotel was an old manor house that had been converted; a prime example of proper restoration work. She was enchanted from the moment they stepped inside. A large amount of the woodwork in the foyer was original and the restored pieces around the modified front desk were done with such authenticity that it would only be distinguishable to the trained eye.
“What are you so pleased about, you daft woman?” Drew asked, taking in her expression.
“This is amazing. There’s so much history here, just in this one building.”
“I thought you might like it. It’s one of the oldest structures in this area—that’s not a church anyway. It’s called a guest h
ouse.”
“I love it. I’ve never gotten to go anywhere like this just for fun. I mean, I traveled when I was in school to study, of course, but we never got to stay anywhere like this. It was all youth hostels and scheduled tours.”
“Well, I’ve only got one or two things planned for us. The rest of the weekend is yours to do with as you will.”
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. “Thank you,” she said softly, as she pressed another kiss to his lips.
This kiss was more heated. She was surprised at how quickly her passion for this man ignited. Here she was, in front of God and everyone, lusting after Drew.
The soft sound of a throat clearing behind her broke the spell. Embarrassment had her blushing when she turned to see the manager of the guest house waiting with a key in his hand.
“I’m so sorry Mister and Missus . . .” He consulted the register. “ . . . Tensley. The room you reserved was mistakenly double-booked and is occupied I’m afraid.”
Drew’s body tensed at the bad news and she flushed a deeper red at the manager’s assumption they were married.
“But, we’d like to offer you an upgrade to our Highland suite at the same price for the duration of your stay. On behalf of the entire staff, please accept our apology.” The manager finished his statement and held out the key.
“Well, I suppose that’ll do. Thank you.” Drew took the offered key with a wink at Grace.
As the door to their room opened, Grace found herself feeling nervous about being alone with Drew for such a long period of time. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the enormous four-poster bed, which dominated the room. The carpet was plush and deep, causing her feet to sink with each step.