Lucy McConnell's Snow Valley Box Set

by Lucy McConnell

  “This is fun.” He lit up, delighted.

  Ronnie tried not to be offended that he was somewhat surprised. “This …” She twirled her finger over the pumpkins. “Or this?” She swirled her hand between the two of them.

  “This.” He copied her swirl between them and tugged her closer.

  She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder.

  “I’m not sure about your vampire.”

  She lifted her head, properly offended. “Excuse me? My vampire is the perfect mix of scoundrel and gentleman. See the way his eyebrow lifts? That means he knows he’s pushing the limits, but he’s going to suck your blood anyway.” She hoisted her project. “And he’s going to look great on my porch.”

  “Do you have room for this one too?” Grady tucked his pumpkin pie under his arm and took her free hand with his.

  “I could make room.”

  He grinned. “Sounds like a plan.”

  They talked all the way home, catching up on the gaps in their lives. Grady held her hand, stroking her palm with his thumb or drawing circles. By the time he pulled into the parking lot to her condo, the stars were out, and her body couldn’t take any more teasing.

  They walked slowly to her door, dragging their feet and extending the date until the very last moment. “Are you driving back to Billings tonight?”

  He gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it to set his pumpkin on the front corner of her porch. “I’ll stay at my parents.”

  “Are you coming to church tomorrow?” They’d only been on one official date, and already she hated the hour commute between them.

  “I can’t. We have trucks coming in.”

  “Well …” She took a deep breath of his perfect woodsy scent. “Thanks for the pumpkins.”

  He leaned close. Close enough that he had to be able to hear her heart pounding. He pressed his lips to her cheek. “Night,” he whispered, all husky.

  Ronnie grabbed the strings dangling from the front of his hoodie. “What was that?” she giggled.

  “A kiss.”

  She shook her head. “That was not a kiss.”

  He lowered his eyebrows. “I’m trying to show you I can be a gentleman. I’m not sure I was one the last time I kissed you.”

  She gasped, tossing his strings. “Grady Owens!” she said in mock astonishment.

  He scooted closer, closing off the autumn chill and pushing her back against the door. “I blame your coveralls.”

  She tipped her head back and laughed. “Coveralls are the new booty shorts.” She wiggled her shoulder and winked.

  “I can see why.” He hesitated.

  She crossed her arms and gathered the bottom of her jacket in her hands ready to pull it over her head. “You should see what I can do with a hoodie.”

  His hands were on her arms and his lips were on her lips and she forgot all about teasing him and melted into his tender embrace. He worked over her mouth, slowly and with care, and she responded happily. This kiss was different from his last but no less intense. His fingertips brushing her cheek and her neck were hints of the feelings growing between them. He moved to kissing her cheek, trailing his hot lips to her ear.

  “That was a very gentlemanly kiss, Grady Owens.”

  He pulled back to reveal a lopsided grin. “I’ll call you tomorrow?”

  “I’d like that.” She slipped inside her condo, barely letting the door latch before she melted against it and sighed. Happy. Happy. Happy.

  Her phone rang.

  She almost didn’t answer because she wanted to let this amazing cloud of happy kisses carry her all the way to bed, but it was Grady’s number on her caller ID.

  “Hello?”

  “I couldn’t wait till tomorrow,” he confessed.

  Ronnie giggled. “And you have such a long drive out to the ranch that you wanted to spend it talking to me?”

  “Not really. I’m still on your porch.”

  “What?” She wrenched the door open and sure enough, Grady was grinning down at her. He grabbed her up in his arms and her phone fell to the floor as he kissed her like he would never let her go.

  That was just fine with Ronnie—she could spend the rest of her life in Grady’s arms.

  Chapter 20

  The road out to his parents’ ranch was deserted. It was a good thing, too, because Grady didn’t remember the drive. He didn’t remember walking through the front door or brushing his teeth or falling into bed.

  He did remember holding Ronnie and the revelation that she was the woman of his dreams. He’d been waiting his whole life to find his match, and she’d been here all along.

  He sighed contentedly.

  There was no turning back for him. He was on this road and he never wanted to leave.

  A while later, as his eyes drifted shut, the thought that he hadn’t actually told Troy about him and Ronnie surfaced. He pushed it away again. He’d tell Troy when the time was right. They were swamped right now, struggling after having to take a loan out for a new truck. To make the payments, they had to increase their workload, and they were already pushed to the limit—taking off tonight meant he had to be back at the shop by five.

  Ronnie was worth it, though.

  He drifted to sleep with her coconut smell floating up from his skin. She’d buried her face in his neck before he left, and it had taken every ounce of gentleman inside of him to leave her porch.

  One day he wouldn’t have to leave. One day he’d have a ring and the key and her heart.

  Chapter 21

  Two weeks passed by in a blur of training Kyle, keeping up at the shop, and Grady. The most he could get away during the week was every third night. Since he didn’t make it to Snow Valley until almost seven, Ronnie would have dinner ready, and they’d eat together, flirt, tease, and say a very long goodbye. Grady would sleep at his parents’ and get up early the next morning to make the drive into Billings.

  Because her thoughts had been all wrapped around Grady, she’d completely forgotten that she’d signed up to chaperone the masquerade ball at the high school. She called Grady at the last minute Saturday morning as she scoured Dove’s for Halloween makeup.

  “Hello, beautiful,” he answered.

  “Hello, superhero,” she replied.

  He laughed. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m in a tizzy trying to find a costume for the masquerade ball tonight. I totally forgot that I agreed to chaperone, and I’m in danger of winning the award for World’s Lamest Costume.”

  “You could just go as a mechanic—you already have the overalls.”

  “Coveralls,” she corrected. “And that is half the costume.”

  “What’s the other half?”

  “Zombie makeup.”

  He tsked. “Zombies were so last year.”

  “We can’t all be superheroes.” He da-da-da’d though the phone, bringing to mind Superman in his trademark pose. “Speaking of being my hero …”

  “Um, why? Did the hair on my arms just stand up?”

  “That’s what happens before fate plops the perfect opportunity to save my day in your lap.”

  “Go on.”

  “Will you go with me to the masquerade ball tonight?”

  “Are you asking me out?”

  “I’m a modern woman.”

  “I’d love to, but I can’t.”

  “Did the Bat-Signal go up?”

  “Gotham needs me, babe.” His voice was all low and gravelly and very Bruce Wayne-ish.

  Ronnie giggled. “I guess I can guard the apple cider by myself.”

  “Shoot. I was looking forward to seeing you in coveralls again.”

  Ronnie held the phone out and took a selfie. She sent it to him. “Sorry, all you get is my secret identity.”

  “That’s you grocery shopping? You’re stunning. I’m changing my screensaver right now.”

  “That’s pretty serious. Are you sure we’re at that point in our relationship?” She used a teasing tone, but she really
wanted to know where they were. They kissed on a regular basis, though she was nowhere near used to the emotions he so easily stirred inside her. Her quest for zombie makeup was forgotten, and she leaned against the cart.

  “The screensaver step is a big one. I don’t want to scare you off. I mean, it takes like three swipes to change the picture.”

  She laced sarcasm into her reply. “Three? That could bring up some major commitment issues.”

  “Three swipes is bigger than you think.”

  “How so?”

  “It means you don’t date other guys, and I don’t date other women.”

  Her heart nearly exploded out of her chest. “Shoot. I’ll have to cancel my date with Clark Kent.”

  “You’re hilarious.” He didn’t sound happy with her teasing, but she was simply tickled at his jealousy.

  “I’m glad you noticed. So, no more Clark, what else?”

  “No kissing Clark.”

  “Well, there goes my backup plan for tonight.”

  “And no dancing with Clark tonight either—or ever.”

  “Wow. There are a lot of rules to this screensaver relationship thing.”

  “I told you—big!” He paused before quietly adding, “So, what do you think?”

  He was so darn cute when he was vulnerable! She could just imagine his hands tucked into the front of his hoodie and his feet shuffling. If he were right in front of her, she’d run her hand over his scruff—because it was Saturday and he wouldn’t shave today—and kiss away all his worries. “I think I’d enjoy having a new screensaver.”

  She could practically hear his smile crinkle. “If you were here right now, I’d kiss you.”

  She laughed because they were on the same wavelength. “I’d let you.”

  “Rain check?”

  “Definitely!”

  “Sweet. I gotta get going. We’re down a driver today and I have to fill in.”

  “Go save the world one dump truck full at a time.” They said goodbye and hung up the phone. Ronnie clutched it to her chest, wishing there wasn’t an hour between them. If they really were getting serious, they needed to have more serious talks about who was going to live where. She could move to Billings for him, do some work on the side, raise a family. That would be a good life. She’d miss Snow Valley more than pie, but Grady was more important, and they were only an hour away.

  She smiled. Why did an hour feel so far when it was between them, but not far at all when they were together?

  Chapter 22

  Ronnie didn’t have a chance to see Grady over the weekend, which meant she had to steal one of Dad’s cookie dough tubs from the freezer to console herself. The missing driver really put a damper on their plans. Grady promised to have someone hired by Halloween so their holidays would go smoothly. She wanted that—wanted to bring him home for Thanksgiving dinner and walk the Christmas carnival together. Snow Valley was so romantic at Christmas.

  Halloween day was full of little kids in costume following their parents into the garage for oil changes or quick fixes. Candace and Ronnie dished out the candy to every princess and Jedi that walked through the door.

  Because Snow Valley’s community was spread far and wide, they congregated around the elementary school parking lot about 4:30—their trunks open and decorated—and kids walked the parking stalls to gather candy and show off their costumes. Ronnie hadn’t gone for a few years, but her mom represented the family every year. She was known for her creative trunk decorations ranging from a coffin with an undead corpse (Dad) to an Egyptian tomb complete with moaning mummy (also Dad).

  The shop shut down at noon to get ready for the festivities.

  “What are your plans?” Candace asked as she gathered her purse from under the counter.

  “I’m going to head into Billings and pick up those rims.”

  “I can’t believe it’s taken you this long to pick those up.”

  “Me either. I’ve been a little busy lately.”

  Candace laughed and shimmied her hips. “You mean you’ve been getting busy lately.”

  Ronnie rolled her eyes. “That was horribly punny.”

  “Are you going to be busy in Billings tonight?”

  “Since you asked … I’m planning to surprise Grady and take him to dinner.” He’d been working so hard she felt bad for the poor guy. He thrived on work, but someone had to make sure he ate. Ronnie happily took the job.

  Candace’s shoulders slumped. “I wish I had a cute vampire to go out with tonight.”

  “Hey, there are plenty of men out there who—” Ronnie held her arms up, her hands dangling. “Vont to suck your blood.”

  Candace smiled. “If only they wanted more than my blood.”

  “Aw. There’s a good guy out there for you—we just have to hunt him down and set a trap.”

  Candace punched Ronnie’s arm. “Jerk.”

  Ronnie laughed. “Have a good night.”

  “You too.”

  Ronnie turned up the custom radio she’d installed the Christmas before and sang along to Eric Church and Florida Georgia Line and Niall Horan. Their lovely voices had her head focused on kissing Grady for a very, very long time. This was going to be the best Halloween ever.

  Her rims were ready, and she had them loaded in the trunk faster than you could say BOO. Grady and Troy’s shop was twenty minutes away in light traffic. The closer she got, the tighter her nerves hummed. Grady said that screensaver girlfriend was a big jump in the relationship, but this was the first time she’d come into Billings for him. That felt huge—like she had to have the confidence that he’d be happy to see her out of the blue. He would be happy, if history was any indication. And she was leaning heavily on that history as her nerves jumped.

  She pulled into the gravel side yard, parking next to Troy’s truck. Not only was this the first time she came after Grady, it was the first time she and Grady would be together in front of Troy. She could only imagine the amount of teasing Troy had gathered together in the last few weeks. With a sigh, she unbuckled her seat belt. Better to get Troy’s teasing over with so she could enjoy her time with Grady. She didn’t have a place to sleep in the city and would have to make the drive back in the dark.

  Maybe, now that Grady saw her as an equal, her brother would, too, and they could become friends. She could even crash at his place when she came to Billings. That would be pretty cool. Troy was a nice guy—at least, she thought he was.

  Troy came out of the office door and waved. “Hey.”

  She climbed out and waved back. “Hey—check out my rims.” She popped the trunk and he headed to the back of her car.

  “Those are fancy.” He let out a low whistle.

  “I know. I think I’m a little in love.”

  He cuffed her shoulder and laughed. “My kid sister and her puppy-dog crush.”

  Ronnie chuckled uncertainly. Was he making fun of her and Grady or just joking about the rims?

  “I’m headed out to pick up a part before the supply store closes.”

  Ronnie stuffed the disappointment down. She couldn’t expect them to be best friends in a day. “’Kay. I’m going to run inside.”

  “You know where the bathroom is. Are you staying in town long?”

  She hadn’t told Grady she was coming, so she didn’t expect Troy to know what their plans were, and she didn’t want to spoil the surprise. “Just for dinner.”

  “’Kay. I’ll see you later.”

  “Later.” She headed inside, letting her cowboy boots give her a little sass and sway. She’d worn a lace skirt that hit above her knees, a teal T-shirt, and a jean jacket with a warm scarf. The temperatures were definitely on the down swing, and she hated getting caught in the cold without a scarf. She’d worn her hair down, straight as the highway for something different.

  She entered the office and had to wait a second for her eyes to adjust to the low lighting. There were several light bulbs out. She rolled her eyes. Men! Grady wasn’t in the office, so she
crossed to the shop. She was greeted by the sound of a broom against the concrete floor. Swish. Swish. Swish-swish. The office may have been dark and messy, but the shop was organized and clean and just plain pretty with the tools all lined up. Troy’s hand was all over this place, but it was Grady who was sweeping up. She watched him for a second, enjoying the movement of his muscles and the contented look on his face.

  “If I’d known you could use a broom, I would have put you to work a long time ago,” she called.

  Grady’s head snapped up. The broom hit the floor with a crack and he sprinted across, throwing his arms around her and spinning them both. Ronnie dug her fingers into the hair on the back of his head and pressed her lips to his. He loosened his grip and she slid down his body. Her feet touched the ground, but she could have sworn she was still floating.

  “I missed you,” he moaned.

  “I missed you more.”

  “You couldn’t possibly.”

  “Hmm.” She couldn’t speak when he kissed that soft spot under her ear. That place was like a button that cut out the wires between her brain and her mouth.

  “Hey!”

  Ronnie felt herself torn away from Grady. “Wha—?” She blinked, and Troy was in front of her, doing his best Incredible Hulk impersonation. His shoulders went up and down with every breath, and the back of his neck was deep, deep red.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” He shoved Grady.

  Grady held up both his hands. “Let me explain.”

  “She’s my sister.” Troy thumped Grady’s chest. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

  Grady craned his neck to see Ronnie, but Ronnie ducked behind Troy. Troy shouldn’t be this angry. He knew—wait… her thoughts stuttered to a stop.

  Grady never told Troy.

  She cursed.

  Troy threw her a dirty look for the language, but they were in a shop, and this hurt much worse than smashing her hand with a starter motor as it dropped out from beneath a car.

  “This isn’t happening.” Troy pointed back and forth between Ronnie and Grady.