Grace waved as Collin Waldon walked across her lawn from his father’s house next door.
“Tell me you’re not posting cast selfies on social media,” he called to her.
Collin was as close as Grace got to having a second brother. They had been tight friends since she could remember. Her mother loved to trot out photos of Grace and Collin playing together in the plastic baby pool in their diapers, and Grace knew that her parents and Collin’s father, Sam, still held a secret hope that the two of them would eventually end up together.
The idea of a match between them was comical. It would be like dating her brother, although she couldn’t deny that Collin had grown into an insanely handsome man. He was tall with a lean build, dark hair and coppery eyes with gorgeous light brown skin. As a captain in the army, he was currently stationed in Germany. His years in the military had honed his body into a network of hard planes and muscles.
“I’m working,” she told him, then glanced toward the house. “As well as getting a much-needed break from my family.”
“Jake said you weren’t going back to the hotel.” Collin climbed the porch steps two at a time.
Grace growled and made a face. “Jake is even worse than Dad right now. He’s not the boss of me, and it’s high time he figures that out.”
“Aw, Gracie, he means well.”
“Don’t even go there, Collin.” She wagged a finger in his direction. “You’re my friend, so you have to be on my side.”
“Always.” He rested a hip against the porch railing. “But you can’t believe that your parents and Jake aren’t on your side. They love you.”
“I know.” She blew out a frustrated breath. As aggravated as she was by her family’s fussing, she knew everything they did was motivated by love. “But I want to work, and I love my job at the hotel. I’d love it even more if they made me general manager when the hotel opens. I’ve worked so hard, Collin. I need a chance to prove myself.”
“Even if the hotel is being targeted?” He raised a challenging brow.
“Jake needs to stop spreading rumors,” she muttered.
“You could have died, Grace.”
“Why does everyone keep reminding me of that?” She slammed her laptop closed, once again cursing the cast and her limited mobility. There was no way she could stomp off the way she wanted. As soon as the blasted cast was off, Grace would never take walking freely for granted again.
That thought took the wind out of her sails of righteous anger in an instant. Of course Jake and her parents were extra worried and overprotective. He’d battled back after the accident, working with physical therapists and doctors and on his own for months in order to walk again. Yes, Grace had left college and come home to help, but no one could understand what Jake had been through during that time other than him. She had no doubt the accident and the ensuing long, painful recovery and legal fight over responsibility had changed her once happy-go-lucky brother.
Now she was annoyed by not being able to walk across the front porch without her crutches. She rubbed a hand over the top of her leg and nodded at Collin. “I understand how bad the accident could have been, and I appreciate my family. But I told myself when I came back to Rambling Rose that I was going to find a way to have the life I wanted, to go after my dreams and not let anyone stand in my way.”
Collin frowned. “Are you talking about your jerkwad ex-boyfriend?”
“Maybe,” Grace admitted. “We both worked at Cowboy Country, but I did my job and helped him with his. Did I tell you he got a promotion based off a marketing plan I basically wrote for him?”
“Five minutes alone in a room with him,” Collin said with a dark laugh. “That’s all I need.”
“You sound like my brother,” she told him, shaking her head.
“Great minds.”
“I’m happy to be back to work, and I can’t wait until I feel strong enough to go into the hotel and have my social life back, too.” She held up a hand when her friend would have argued. “I’ll be safe there, Collin.”
He shifted to sit more fully on the porch rail. “How do you know?”
Wiley’s handsome face appeared in her mind. “I just do. You should come by and check it out. The restaurant is going to be fantastic. I know you appreciate a good kitchen.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “My dad doesn’t exactly have gourmet tastes.”
“How’s he doing?” Grace knew it hadn’t been Collin’s plan to return to their small hometown, but when his father had taken a turn for the worse after Collin’s stepmother passed away, he’d come back. Although not officially related, Grace and Collin had the family-duty gene in common.
“He seems okay since I’ve been here, but I’ve don’t have a lot of leave time. I’m still worried about how out of sorts he’s been since my stepmom died.”
“He loved Sharon very much,” Grace said gently. “I’m sure having you here on leave helps him feel better. I only wish you could stay longer.”
They both glanced toward the street as a sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb. Grace’s heart fluttered against her ribs when Wiley climbed out of the vehicle. He wore a crisp white button-down shirt and dark pants with aviator sunglasses covering his brown eyes.
“What were you saying about a social life, Gracie?” Collin lifted a brow. “Because you’re blushing at the stranger in the fancy clothes.”
“Shut up, Collin.” Grace returned the wave Wiley gave her as he approached the house. “He’s not a stranger. He’s a Fortune.”
Collin elbowed her. “Well, isn’t that interesting.”
“Not to you,” she muttered.
“Hello, Grace.” Wiley glanced between her and Collin. “You look well.”
It was kind of crazy how two words—hello, Grace—could cause a riot of sensation to pulse through her body every time he said them.
“I’m working.” She held up her laptop. “On plans for the reception. It’s coming along really well. I’m well, too, of course. Just like you said.”
Collin straightened from the porch rail and leaned in. “You’re babbling.”
“Go away, Collin.”
He threw back his head and laughed. As much as he was annoying her in this moment, it was good to hear him laugh. He’d done far too little of it since returning home.
Collin gave the swing a little push, then turned to Wiley. “Collin Waldon,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m a good friend of Grace’s.”
Wiley’s chest expanded as he nodded. “I’m Wiley Fortune. Grace and I—”
“Are working together on the hotel event,” Grace said, planting her foot on the wood porch to stop the swing. “In fact, we’re discussing plans this afternoon. Collin was just leaving.”
Her childhood friend grinned at her over his shoulder. “I’ll talk to you later, Gracie.”
She shifted on the porch swing as Collin headed back to his father’s house, moving her cast leg to the ground.
“Would you like to sit down?” She patted the cushion next to her and offered a smile.
“Does he live next door?” Wiley asked as he moved toward her.
A shallow line of tension had appeared between his brows.
“Since we were babies,” she confirmed. “We grew up together—best friends for as long as I can remember. Collin’s in town on leave to visit his dad. He’s been in the army for years.”
Wiley took a seat next to her. “And now you’re staying with your parents. How convenient for catching up.”
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. If Grace didn’t know better, she’d think Wiley sounded jealous of Collin. A thrill passed through her at the thought of that. She really didn’t want the attraction she felt for the handsome attorney to be completely one-sided.
“Collin’s a good guy,” she said, and maybe she kept her phrasing slightly cryptic just to
gauge Wiley’s reaction.
She wasn’t disappointed. His jaw tightened for several seconds before he finally turned to her with a smile that was patently forced. “It’s important to have good friends in your life.”
“Yeah.” She tried to keep her mouth from twitching in amusement, but Wiley’s gaze narrowed on her.
“What’s funny?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy to see you.”
He visibly relaxed at her words. “I didn’t really come here to discuss the hotel event. Although I’m happy to talk about it if you want. Nicole and Megan said you’re doing an amazing job already.”
Pride blossomed in her chest at the praise. “We’re just getting started, and I still wish I was coordinating everything on-site. I hope by next week I’ll feel strong enough to come to work at the hotel.”
“That’s great.” A breeze blew a few curls across Grace’s face and before she could push them away, Wiley reached out and with a gentle touch, tucked her hair behind one ear. “You have the most beautiful hair.”
She swallowed back a nervous giggle. “I used to hate having wavy hair. When I was growing up, the popular style was sleek and straight. No matter how much product I used, mine would never behave. But I’ve gotten used to it, although it’s a rat’s nest when I wake up.” She raised a hand to her mouth when she realized she was babbling again, but Wiley didn’t seem to notice.
“I’m sure it’s beautiful in the morning, too.”
The rough timbre of his voice tickled her skin as she thought about waking up with a man like him next to her. Good Lord, that would be something special.
She cleared her throat and gave herself a mental “down, girl” command. “If you aren’t here to talk about the event, is there something else? Do you have more information on who was behind the balcony collapse?”
“I wish I could say I did. Not yet, though. I stopped by to... I wanted to see you.”
Oh.
Grace felt heat flame her cheeks. Wiley Fortune wanted to see her. She could definitely get used to that.
A tapping sound came from the house, and she turned to see her mother standing at the living room window looking out at them. Grace suddenly felt like she was a teenager again with her nosy parents trying to insert themselves into her business. Wiley waved at her mother, who returned the wave and gave him a beaming smile. At least her mother was being friendly. Grace didn’t want to think about what would happen when her dad realized Wiley was here.
“Would you like to go for a drive?” She stood as she asked the question.
“Sure,” he answered, quickly straightening to join her. “If you have time?”
She hopped toward the front door, laptop tucked under her arm. “All the time in the world. Just give me a minute to tell Mom I’m leaving and grab my shoes and crutches.” She didn’t really like using them, so she typically hopped around her parents’ house.
“I’ll be here.”
Great. Wiley would be waiting for her.
Her mother opened the door as she reached for the handle. “Wiley is here,” she stage-whispered.
“Yes, I saw you watching us from the window.”
Barbara winced. “Sorry. That was too much.”
“It’s fine. We’re going for a drive.” Grace made her way past her mom and gently closed the door. “Can you grab my crutches from the family room?”
“Where are you driving to?” Her mother placed a hand on her arm. “Do you need something, sweetie? Your dad is in the garage. He’d be happy to get you—”
“Wiley came to see me.” Grace covered her mother’s hand with her own. “Not to talk about work or the balcony. To see me.”
Her mother’s mouth formed into a small O.
“Exactly.” Grace bit down on her lower lip. “We’re going for a drive. I don’t know where.” She checked her watch. “Maybe out for dinner. Maybe...it’s a date.”
“I’ll get the crutches,” her mother said with an enthusiastic nod. She gently pinched Grace’s cheeks and smoothed a hand over her hair. “There now. You look so pretty with a little color in your face.”
“Mom, have you become a Fortune fan?” Grace asked as she bent to retrieve her shoes—or shoe—from under the front table.
“I’m a fan of seeing my daughter happy,” Barbara said. “You look happy for the first time in a while, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
With a nod, her mother headed down the hall while Grace sat on the chair in the foyer and tied the laces of her sneaker. They weren’t the most exciting choice in footwear, but she was still getting used to the crutches. Better to be practical than wind up on her back end in front of Wiley.
She glanced at the front door while she waited for her mom. It was probably rude to leave him standing out there, but Grace had needed a minute to compose herself. He’d said he wanted to see her. It wasn’t some grand profession of devotion, despite the way her heart reacted. Other than his family, he probably didn’t have many friends in town. Maybe he was just bored, and she was a distraction.
A short-term distraction, she reminded herself, even though her body ignored the warning. Her mother was right. Grace hadn’t felt this excited in a long time.
Her mother returned with the crutches. “Have a good time on the drive or dinner or whatever you do.”
Whatever. Grace couldn’t even entertain the possibilities of “whatever.” Not with her leg in a cast and her mother standing next to her. She grabbed the crutches and smiled. “I appreciate that,” she told her mom, then scrunched up her nose. “I’d also appreciate if you not mention it to Dad or Jake—”
“Go have fun with your friend.” Barbara reached around her to open the door. “Your dad and brother don’t need any details.”
Wiley turned as Grace hopped out and closed the door behind her. She arranged the crutches under her arms and started forward. “Sorry about the wait.”
“No problem.” He glanced between her and the porch steps. “But speaking of problems...”
“I can manage.” She gave him a bright smile. Okay, so she hadn’t actually dealt with steps other than when she’d returned from the hospital, but she would make it work. “I appreciate you taking me out for a bit.” She got to the top step and handed him the crutches. “Could you hold these for a moment?”
“Of course. Are you sure you can manage it?”
No. “Yes.”
“I could help you...”
“I’ve got it.” Grace was probably a fool for refusing an excuse to get close to Wiley, but she wanted to prove to herself that she could handle a flight of stairs on her own—even if it was just five wooden porch steps. If she was going to head back to work the following week, she’d need to get a lot more proficient at moving around on her own.
She grabbed hold of the railing for support and hopped down each step, proud when she didn’t once lose her balance. “I didn’t fall,” she announced with a wide smile as he returned the crutches.
“You did great.” He looked at her with a huge smile.
“That was silly,” she said as they started down the walk toward his car. “Maneuvering down a few steps isn’t a big deal, but this is the farthest I’ve gone on my own since the accident. If my parents had their way, they’d encase me in Bubble Wrap for the rest of my life to make sure I stayed safe.”
“It’s an understandable sentiment from people who care about you.”
“But not what I want.”
He opened the car door for her, and she gave him the crutches to stow in the back seat. The whole process was slow and awkward. By the time Grace was buckled in next to Wiley, sweat dripped between her shoulder blades, and she felt like she’d run a marathon. How could less than a week of inactivity make her feel like such an invalid?
As if sensing her frustration, Wiley placed a gentle hand on her
arm. “You’ve been through a lot, Grace. Your ankle and the cast are the biggest outward signs of the accident, but you fell from the second story.”
She offered a wan smile. “I have the bruises to prove it.”
“Give yourself a bit of...well, grace.”
“I never thought of attorneys as naturally comforting people,” she admitted. “But you’re good at giving support.”
“It’s a hidden skill.” He released her hand and pulled away from the curb. “We lawyers don’t like to let anyone know about our human side. It ruins the reputation of being coldhearted, and then people aren’t afraid of us.”
“You’re the opposite of scary.”
“Where are we headed?” he asked when he got to the stop sign at the end of the block.
“The highway,” she said without hesitation. “As much as I love Rambling Rose, I need a break. Let’s get out of this town, Wiley.”
Chapter Seven
Wiley sensed the change in Grace as they cruised down the open road. She’d given him directions to the highway, and they were headed west out of Rambling Rose, destination unknown—at least to Wiley. He liked giving control to Grace. Wiley’s life was normally a rigid list of schedules and meetings, so the idea of not having to worry about anything for an evening was strangely liberating.
The sun was just beginning to set, and fluffy clouds filled the sky overhead, swaths of cotton candy against the blue of the sky.
He couldn’t explain how right it felt to have Grace next to him, to finally be alone with her, even on a drive to nowhere special. He wanted to make whatever time they spent together special. She deserved that, and he had a primal urge to be the man to give it to her.
Tiny remnants of jealousy still quivered in his stomach, out of character for him. Even when he dated, Wiley had never been the jealous type, but seeing Collin Waldon lean close to Grace had made him want to lose his mind. She’d described him as a friend, but their connection was obvious. What man in his right mind wouldn’t want more from Grace?
Wiley certainly did.
“I love this time of day,” she murmured, splaying her hand against the passenger window. “It’s amazing how we take for granted the little things in the hustle and hurry of regular life. I never thought about it being a treat to leave the house whenever I wanted.”
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