She waited until he was ready to drive before she commented on his remark. “You don’t have to tell me about young people and their judgment. I work with teens five days a week. Most of the students are good kids. I have to admit I’m fond of those in the club. After all, they like a subject I enjoy.”
He tossed his hat on the dashboard. “Your call. We’re going back the way you’ll bring the students. Watch and remember.”
She opened her purse and pulled out a notepad and pen, jotting down a significant marker for each turn. Although, to her, range land looked like range land.
In spite of his sardonic remark, he pointed out landmarks to her. “You use a school bus for trips like this?”
“Afraid not, all the buses will be in use delivering kids home. There’ll be two other chaperones and we’ll take four students per car.”
“Isn’t that risky? Leaves you open to lawsuit if anything happens.”
“A lot does, but this is modern education, Mr. Grayson. Teachers do the best they can with what they have.”
“Yeah, so do ranchers.” He wheeled up to her car and parked.
She slid out before he could come around. When he reached her side, she held out her hand. “I want to thank you for taking me to the dig and for helping me down those steps. I hope to see you on Wednesday.”
He settled his hat on his head then took her hand. Instead of shaking it, he simply held on, sending tingles throughout her body. “Look, why don’t you come here and I’ll lead you to the dig. Lots of ways to get lost out here.”
She withdrew her fingers from his. “All right, that sounds like a plan. I’ll see you Wednesday about four.”
“Wait. Um, Tory, will you go to dinner with me this evening? We can go into Lubbock for a relaxing meal.”
She couldn’t prevent her smile at the invitation. “That sounds nice. What time?”
He looked at his watch. “Half past six all right?”
“Yes. I live with my grandmother. You know where Rose Webb lives?”
He nodded. “She was one of my favorite teachers.”
“Grandma’s house is the one directly across the street and looks very much like Miss Webb’s, a red brick in Craftsman style.”
He tilted his head and wrinkled his brow. “Wait. Is your grandmother Emily Stafford? She was another one of my teachers and also a favorite.”
Hearing he liked her grandmother pleased her. “That’s Grandma, but I thought she might have retired before you were in high school.”
He held his hands out at his side. “Guess I finished her off because the year I was in her class was the last year she taught.”
“Oh, my, I wondered why she retired.” She laughed. “Well, I’ll see you later.” She opened her car door, waved, and climbed inside. Careful to avoid Elvis, she drove on her way.
Chapter Two
Thinking about the gorgeous blonde he’d be taking to dinner, Grant couldn’t believe his luck. Not that he was desperate for feminine companionship. But, lately he’d avoided any romantic entanglements. Whoa, he was getting ahead of himself—this was only dinner.
He couldn’t get over seeing her on his doorstep. Until she’d banged on the screen he’d been sound asleep. When he’d opened the door, he hadn’t been sure she wasn’t his imagination working overtime.
Oh, man, she’d looked gorgeous but cold as ice. When, instead of getting mad at Elvis, she laughed at his slobbery kisses, she’d disproved the snow queen impression he’d gotten. Recalling her sparkling blue eyes and beautiful features heated his body.
He’d spied her left hand and been relieved there was no ring there. Of course, that didn’t mean she wasn’t involved with someone—even engaged. Accepting his dinner invitation meant she was at least open to a new man in her life.
He rang the bell, wondering what Mrs. Stafford had said when she learned he was calling on her granddaughter.
Tory answered the door. “Come in and say hello to Grandma.”
He stepped inside the Craftsman-style home. Mrs. Stafford was seated in an armchair by the unlit fireplace. She’d aged considerably since he’d last seen her, but her blue eyes still twinkled.
“Hello, young man. How nice to see you again.”
“I’m happy to see you looking so well, Mrs. Stafford. When you retired after I was in your class, I thought maybe I’d soured you for teaching.”
Her laugh peeled away years and she became the woman he remembered. “No such thing, as you must know. I had enough years to retire, so I did. My husband and I had always wanted to travel. We took some wonderful trips and created many happy memories.”
Tory leaned down to kiss her grandmother’s cheek. “Eat the dinner I left in the oven. And a salad is in the fridge. Don’t wait up for me.”
Mrs. Stafford swatted Tory on her rear. “Run along with you, Miss Bossy Pants. Have a nice evening, you two. I’m going to eat and go to bed as soon as my show is over, so be quiet when you come in.”
Tory grabbed her purse from a table, closed the door behind them, and tested the knob. “No cracks about locking the door. A house on the next street was burglarized last week.”
He grinned at her and cupped her elbow to guide her on the walk. “I didn’t say a word. By the way, they caught that burglar.”
“I know but that doesn’t mean he was the only one around. I want to be careful with Grandma.”
“You need to be as careful with yourself as you are with your grandmother.”
She stopped and stared at his Lincoln Navigator. “Oh, you have a different car.”
He shrugged but he was proud of his new car. “The truck is good for the ranch but this is nice for other times.” He opened the door.
This evening, she’d traded her business suit for a blue sundress and left her golden hair down, which he liked much better than the bun-like twisty thing she’d worn this afternoon. Instead of the killer heels she’d worn earlier in the day, she wore low-slung white sandals.
The forty-mile drive to Lubbock passed quickly with talk of archaeology and travel to ancient ruins.
As they entered the city, he asked, “Do you have a food preference?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want liver or Brussels sprouts. Anything else is fine.”
A laugh erupted from deep inside him. “I don’t like liver either. How about a steak house with a variety of food?”
“Your call, Grant, because I’m not familiar with what’s available. I’ve been reclusive this year. Except for school functions, I’ve spent evenings and weekends with Grandma.”
He chose a restaurant on 82nd Street and pulled into the parking lot. “Monday evenings are not especially busy, so we shouldn’t have trouble getting seated.”
He guided her inside and they were shown to a table.
After they’d placed their orders, he asked, “Your grandmother, is she all right?”
“Grandpa died last spring. She’s not ill, just frail and deeply in mourning. I was lucky there was an opening in the school.”
“Where did you teach before?”
She offered a wry smile, almost as if embarrassed. “Assistant professor at Texas A&M.” She shrugged and tilted her head. “I realize it appears I took a backwards step, but I was the one who could rearrange my life to move here. Fortunately, I genuinely enjoy teaching high school history.”
“So your grandmother is sad rather than ill. Does she get around well?”
She raised her eyebrows and nodded. “In fact, she can keep up with me. After Grandpa passed away, she was so heartbroken that we were afraid her health was deteriorating. Actually, it was. She wasn’t eating properly and not sleeping well. Or, she was staying up most of the night and sleeping most of the day. With me here, she keeps regular hours and we have breakfast and supper together.”
He reached across the table and laced his fingers with hers. “But not tonight.”
She met his gaze and smiled before she slid her hand to her lap. Disappointment claimed him
at the loss of her touch.
“I stopped by the store on my way home and bought her a chicken pot pie in a brand that’s healthy. I only hope she’s doing as I asked and having that and a salad for dinner.”
After they’d eaten, he drove under the speed limit on the way back to Post. Her company fascinated him and he wished he could prolong the evening. When they reached the edge of the Caprock above Post, he pulled over at a wide space on the shoulder and opened the sunroof.
“I love this spot. You can see the lights of our little town below and the stars above.”
She relaxed against the seat and head rest. “The almost full moon tonight obscures many of the stars. This is a beautiful vantage point, though. As if we’re divine and are hanging above the world. I could almost reach out and touch the moon.”
He reached for her hand and entwined their fingers “Should I grab it for you?”
She offered a whimsical smile. “Let’s leave it there so everyone can enjoy the moonlight.”
“Tory, I’m having a hard time resisting making a move on you like some teenager. I think we’d better get you home.” After releasing her hand, he shifted to drive and pulled back onto Highway 84.
In the moonlight, her eyes shone like stars. “I don’t need rescuing, Grant. I can fend for myself.”
Did that mean she wouldn’t mind if he kissed her? He sure hoped so. Not that he was the sort who thought dinner out deserved a tumble in bed. But, this woman affected him differently than anyone he’d ever met. In spite of their meeting only today, he felt they’d been friends forever.
You’re going soft in the head, Grayson.
Once they reached Post, he turned off the highway onto a residential street. After a couple of blocks, he parked in front of Mrs. Stafford’s home. A low light burned from the living room, but the rest of the house was dark.
“Grandma always leaves a lamp on so I won’t break my neck” Her expression held uncertainty. “Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee?”
Hot damn and hallelujah! “I’d love to.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and hurried around to open the door for her.
As they walked up to the house, she asked, “Do your parents live at the ranch too?”
“They did but they died when I was in junior high. Grandpa, and at first Mamaw too, raised Brad and me.”
“Oh, that must have been a difficult change for you.” She fished in her purse for her key.
He took it from her and opened the door. “At the time, we were crushed. Remaining in the same house probably made the loss easier. Then, Mamaw died three years after we lost our parents. Grandpa pitched in and has been great. He didn’t let us get away with much but he always had our backs.” Grant tried not to clomp his size 14 boots on the hardwood floor.
Tory must have noticed. “Don’t worry, Grandma is a sound sleeper. You won’t wake her. I doubt a foghorn in the bedroom would.”
He shook his head. “Naw, I’ll bet she hears more than you suspect. Unless she’s changed a lot, nothing gets past her.”
“Since Grandpa died, she’s had to take an antidepressant at night. The pill knocks her right out and she sleeps soundly until about six the next morning. But she’s happier and I’m so glad she’s emerging from her depression.” She filled the coffee filter and started the coffee maker.
He pulled her into his arms. “I’ve wanted to do this since I first saw you.”
Resting her hand on his chest, she met his gaze. She raised her face and leaned in to meet his mouth. Her lips were as soft and sweet as he’d imagined. When he pressed his tongue along the seam of her mouth, she opened for him.
His blood pressure shot up a hundred points and he pushed her against the counter. She smoothed her hands across his back. When he did the same, he caressed the skin bared by her halter sundress.
From her luscious mouth, he rained kisses across her face and down her neck. “You’re killing me. I’m acting like a randy kid but that’s how I feel. We’d better cool down or I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
“Oh, here I am practically attacking you in front of the kitchen windows. Dear heavens, there’s a morals clause in my contract.”
“Let’s forget about the coffee for a while and move into the living room. That couch looks comfortable.”
“First, let me pour us each a cup of coffee. How do you take yours?” Her hands shook as she reached for the creamer.
“Cream, no sugar.” He accepted a cup from her and walked into the other room.
He hoped hot coffee would cool his ardor. Hell, he’d just met the woman and he was thinking things he hadn’t thought about any woman in a long time. He groaned. Maybe he should have asked for ice water instead.
After setting his cup on the lamp table, he dropped onto the couch. She sat beside him, cradling her mug in her hands.
He took it from her and set it on the low table in front of them. “That’s why they call that piece of furniture a coffee table.”
“Very funny. I needed that mug in my hands so I would keep them off of you.”
“In that case, I’m glad I removed it.” He held his arms out and grinned at her. “Feel free to roam about my body.”
She chuckled and slugged him gently. “You wish, Cowboy. Although, I was doing a lot of that in the kitchen.”
He put his arm around her shoulders and tugged her closer. “Then how about we take up where we left off?”
Tipping her chin up, he gazed into her eyes. Lordy, she was gorgeous. He slanted his mouth across hers. She tasted of coffee and something else as sweet as honey.
How could he fall for anyone so fast? Until today he hadn’t even known her yet he felt he’d known her forever. More, he sensed they had a lot in common.
And a lot separating them. She’d been a university professor and her doctorate topped his Bachelor of Science degree by years. Would she be going back to College Station once her grandmother was all right?
He pulled her onto his lap. “What are your plans? I mean, once your grandmother is all right? Will you stay here or seek another university position?”
“I don’t know. I took a leave of absence because at first I’d planned to only be here a year to see Grandma healthy again. But I enjoy my job and I like this area. I don’t know if I’ll just live with Grandma or get my own place or go to a university.”
She sighed. “I’ve signed my contract for another year at the high school. The head of the history department at A&M was understanding, but he expected me back in June. I’ve lost my job there and I can’t blame him.”
He nuzzled her neck. “At the risk of sounding mean-spirited, knowing you’ll be here another year is a relief. Do you have a lot of papers to grade?”
“At times, yes. Students are doing a term paper for half their grade. I’ll have to read all of them carefully but they’re not due until the end of the week. Why?”
“I was hoping you’d be free to go to dinner and a movie in Lubbock tomorrow.”
She leaned back to meet his gaze and her eyes twinkled. “Another school night, Mr. Grayson? Don’t you have cows to look after?”
“Not that I know of, Dr. Fraser. ’Course that sort of thing takes me by surprise like it did Sunday night. You never know what problems will crop up with calving.”
He was hard as a fence post and hotter than a branding iron. So much for conversation. He kissed her again, this time sliding his tongue across her lips. She opened for him and their tongues danced.
Kisses led to his hand on her perfect breast. She responded by caressing his chest then running her hands through his hair. He lay on the couch and pulled her on top of him. She kissed the opening of his shirt at his throat.
His breath was ragged with desire. “I want to make love to you, bury myself inside you. All the way, honey. You’re on the pill, aren’t you?”
She raised her head and blinked at him, a slight frown marring her lovely face. “No. Don’t you have a condom?”
Her question was
a bucket of ice water on his flaming ardor. “No, do you?”
“Of course not.” She placed a hand on her chest. “Why would I have one? I thought guys carried them in their billfolds.”
He plowed his fingers through his hair. “Not in years. Dang. What a predicament.”
She straightened and scooted off his lap to sit beside him. “You must have mesmerized me to turn my brain to mush.” She put a hand on either side of her cheeks. “What must you think of me? Grant, I’ve never made out with a man I’ve just met. In the last couple of years, I’ve been so busy I haven’t even dated.”
“It’s been a while for me, too.” He took her hands in his. “Look, can we have a do-over tomorrow night? I’ll pick you up at five-thirty and we can go for dinner and that movie in Lubbock.”
She sighed and he saw regret change to a twinkle of humor in her eyes. “All right. That sounds like fun. I’ll be ready at five-thirty.”
He stood and adjusted his slacks. “Don’t worry about fixing something for your grandmother. I’ll bring her supper. What’s her favorite?”
She chuckled as she rose to stand in front of him. “That’s easy to answer, barbecue brisket with potato salad, beans, and a thick slice of Texas toast. And peach cobbler for dessert.” She walked with him to the front door.
“She’s a sensible woman.” He leaned down for a gentle kiss. He dang sure wasn’t going to risk getting himself all primed again. With a gentle caress of her cheek, he said, “Good night.”
“Good night. Thank you for dinner and… an entertaining evening.” He left with a spring in his step, contemplating tomorrow evening.
Chapter Three
Tuesday morning Tory greeted her grandmother at breakfast. Grandma had already prepared bacon, toast and was scrambling eggs. Tory poured them both coffee and juice then sat down.
Grandma plated the eggs and brought the plates to the table. “That Grant Grayson sure is a good looking man. You have a nice time last night?”
Grant Me The Moon Page 2
