Her Texas New Year's Wish

by Michelle Major

  “Thank you,” Grace answered, swallowing around the emotion clogging her throat. “A lot of people would be happy for an excuse to spend a few weeks binge-watching television, but it’s a testament to all of you and how amazing this hotel is going to be that I just can’t stay away. The Hotel Fortune will be the crowning jewel of this town, and I’m grateful to be even a small part of our success.”

  Another round of applause greeted her words, and Callum’s grin broadened. He was such a serious man, focused and driven, so Grace felt particularly grateful that he seemed satisfied with her impromptu speech.

  “We’re the ones who are grateful to you,” he told her, and then stepped aside so that other employees could greet her. It was almost fifteen minutes later before Grace was alone in the lobby with just Jillian and Jay. She stifled a yawn, wondering if her mom had been right and she was taking on too much.

  How could talking make her so tired? She blamed it on the emotions of the morning, from returning to the hotel to the warm welcome she received and then being asked to recount the accident for her curious coworkers.

  “You’re like the mayor of this hotel,” Jay said with a laugh as she turned to him and Jillian.

  That comment earned a scowl from Jillian. “We have a meeting with Nicole to discuss restaurant logistics for the grand opening.” She eyed Grace’s leg. “I’m sure it will take a while for you to get up to speed. So much has happened since you’ve been on vacation.”

  “I wouldn’t call it a vacation,” Grace said, forcing her tone to remain steady.

  Jillian waved a hand in front of her face. “Whatever. You practically just admitted that you’ve been doing nothing but watching television.”

  “And planning the preopening event,” Jay added quietly.

  “Busywork,” Jillian muttered.

  Grace smiled. Kill them with kindness, she thought. “I appreciate the two of you taking care of things while I was recovering. If there’s anything you need me to pitch in on now that I’m back—”

  “Part-time.” Jillian sniffed. “No, I’ve got it handled. In fact, our meeting with Nicole is about to start.” She gave Grace a condescending smile. “I scheduled us to meet in the banquet room upstairs. You probably don’t want to deal with all those steps. They’re doing maintenance on the elevators today, so they aren’t an option.”

  Grace’s heart sank as she glanced over to the bank of windows that overlooked the lobby from Roja’s private room. The staircase was just off the entrance to the restaurant and would indeed be difficult for her to manage.

  “How about if we switch the meeting to the first floor?” Jay glanced between the two women.

  “There are things we need to discuss about seating arrangements upstairs,” Jillian insisted. “Grace can check the hotel’s email inbox while we’re doing the important stuff. Of course, every little detail is important. You know what I mean.”

  Grace resisted the urge to grit her teeth. As difficult as she sometimes found it to stick up for herself, she had to start acting like a manager if that’s what she wanted to be. “Jillian, I want to be part of the meeting. I’m sure Nicole will understand if we change the location.”

  At that moment, Nicole appeared at the Roja entrance situated off the lobby. She punched something into her cell phone, then shoved it into the back pocket of the stylish trousers she wore. “Did I hear you talking about a venue change?” she asked the three of them.

  “Yes.” Grace spoke before Jillian had a chance to. “Would it be okay if we met down here so that I don’t have to contend with the stairs? I have some ideas I think you’ll want to hear.”

  “Great idea,” Nicole said easily. “I want everyone to contribute.”

  Jillian’s face went blank. “But we have seating charts to discuss so we should be upstairs if—”

  “We’ll manage. We can review the charts on the digital floor plan.” Nicole gave a pointed look to the tablet Jillian carried. “Grace, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on plans for the grand opening. You’ve done such an amazing job so far with the pre-event.”

  “Thanks,” Grace whispered. Clearly annoyed and just as clearly trying to hide it, Jillian followed Nicole into the restaurant. Jay held open the door for Grace, who wheeled forward, proud of her tiny victory in derailing Jillian’s attempt at undermining her. Grace was no longer going to fade into the background for anyone.

  * * *

  “Thank you for the ride,” Grace said later that afternoon as Wiley pulled out of the hotel’s parking lot. “My mom or Jake could have picked me up.”

  “It’s not a problem,” he told her. “I’m heading back to the Fame and Fortune anyway to work on some contracts that came in for review earlier.”

  She rolled her head on the seat back to look at him. “It must be difficult to balance everything you’ve taken on at the hotel with the work from your regular job.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

  “Because it’s temporary?” She couldn’t help but ask, needing the reminder not to get used to Wiley’s presence in her life, no matter how much she wanted to.

  “Because I like the work I do at the law firm, and I enjoy helping my family.”

  His magnanimous answer made her feel petty and small. There was no reason to goad Wiley, especially when he’d been so kind and helpful.

  “That’s nice,” she said when her exhausted brain couldn’t come up with anything better.

  “Are you okay?” He reached across the console and placed a warm hand on the top of her thigh. “Did you have a good morning at the hotel?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I liked feeling productive, and it was so nice of everyone on staff to welcome me back.” She stifled a yawn. “But it makes me mad to get so tired after only working a few hours. I’m used to being able to go all day and still have energy left over. Now I feel like I just ran a marathon.”

  “It will get better. Your body is still healing.”

  “I hate it,” she grumbled, then blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not the best company right now. And the physical therapist is supposed to be at the house in an hour. All I actually want to do is take a nap and then watch movies in bed for the rest of the night.” She tapped a finger to the top of Wiley’s hand. “I think I might need to reschedule the PT appointment.”

  “Nope.” He shook his head. “It’s set.”

  “I can call her back.”

  “But you won’t,” he insisted. “The only way to get stronger is to work at it.”

  She folded her arms across her middle, irritation crawling through her like an army of spiders. Wiley was right, of course, but that didn’t mean Grace wanted to hear it. “I think I liked you better when you were bringing me flowers and being all sweet and romantic.”

  “We’re saving sweet and romantic for after the therapy session,” he promised. “Right now, I’m being your friend.”

  She opened her mouth, then shut it again, his words wiping away the irritation. As much as she enjoyed the kisses they shared, the thought of being Wiley’s friend was just as appealing. “Friend or drill sergeant?” she asked, not bothering to hide the sarcasm from her voice. Sarcasm was an easy mask to hide behind.

  “A little of both, actually.” He pulled onto her parents’ street. “Text me after the PT leaves, and I’m happy to come over or pick you up.” He stopped at the curb. “Or if you just want a night alone with Netflix, I understand.”

  She snorted softly. “If it weren’t for this stupid cast, I’d be all about the Netflix and chill with you.”

  He laughed. “We’re in no hurry.”

  Those words splashed cold water on the flame that ignited inside her every time she thought about being with Wiley in an intimate way. Maybe there was no hurry, but they did have a built-in end date, and she’d do well to remember that.

  “Sure,” she wh
ispered.

  “Grace.” He took her hand, and just that gentle touch sent shivers across her skin. “I mean it. No pressure.”

  Oh, heavens. He thought she was upset because he might be pushing her for something she wasn’t ready to handle. What would he think if he knew that without the cast, she’d be tempted to crawl over the console and attach herself to him like a barnacle? Maybe not the most romantic image, but that’s how she felt.

  “I appreciate it,” she answered, and placed her hand on the door handle. The thought of attaching any part of herself to Wiley had her feeling a bit unhinged. She was tired. And frustrated. And she wanted him more than she cared to admit. “I should go.”

  Wiley looked past her out the passenger window and gave a little wave. “Your mom is coming.”

  All thoughts of desire vanished into thin air. Grace sighed as her mother headed down the front walk toward them. She opened her door and called out a greeting as Wiley went around to the trunk of the car to retrieve her scooter.

  “How was your day?” her mother asked as Grace climbed out.

  “I texted you, Mom.” She tried to keep the impatience out of her voice. “It was fine.”

  “You look tired.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “She’s tired,” Wiley confirmed. “After the physical therapy appointment, she should rest. If there’s anything she needs—”

  “I’ll ask for it,” Grace said through clenched teeth. She knew he was trying to be nice and she didn’t want to take his generosity for granted, but being smothered with caring chafed at her, even if it was done with the best intentions.

  Barbara bestowed a beaming smile on Wiley. “I appreciate you looking out for her. It makes me feel better about her going back to work before she’s fully healed.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” Wiley answered. “Everyone at the hotel was happy to see her return.”

  “The photos you sent were adorable,” her mother told him, reaching out to pat his arm.

  Grace blinked. “Wait.” She looked from her mom to Wiley. “You sent photos? You’re texting my mother?”

  “I asked him to, sweetheart,” her mom explained. “I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “So you bothered him instead?” Grace snapped, shaking her head.

  “It was my pleasure,” Wiley assured her.

  “Not the point.” Grace placed her purse and files into the scooter’s basket with more force than was probably necessary. “I’m going into the house. Thank you for the ride, Wiley. I think after my appointment, I’ll rest for the night after all.”

  His gaze clouded. “Whatever you want.”

  “Other than managing my own business,” she muttered, and scooted toward the house as fast as she could manage.

  “Gracie, don’t be mad.” Her mother caught up with her in a couple of quick steps. “Wiley was only doing what I asked. I know your father and I are overprotective, but you’re our daughter. Please.”

  The catch in her mother’s voice wound its way around Grace’s heart. Of course she understood why her parents worried so much, even if she didn’t like it. “I know, Mom,” she said softly, pausing just before the front porch. “Give me a minute out here, okay?”

  Barbara nodded and waved to Wiley before heading back into the house.

  Grace turned the scooter, not a graceful move by any stretch of the imagination. As always, her breath caught at Wiley’s pure physical perfection. She liked that he always dressed a touch more formally than his brothers, retaining his city polish even in Rambling Rose.

  “You sent photos to my mom,” she said, more a statement and less an accusation this time.

  He took a step toward her and nodded.

  She appreciated that he didn’t try to make excuses or mansplain his behavior.

  “I appreciate you looking out for me,” she said quietly, looking down to the end of the block when the intensity of his gaze was too much. “But it’s important to me that you understand I can take care of myself.”

  He moved closer slowly, as if approaching some feral creature. In truth, that’s how Grace felt on the inside. Frustration and fatigue combined to sharpen her edges.

  “I understand,” he said. “You’ve proven yourself to be one of the most competent women I’ve ever known. You don’t need my help, because you can handle anything.”

  “Right now it doesn’t feel that way,” she admitted. “It hasn’t for a while. I let my prior relationship, and before that my family, dictate what I did in life. People around me were my priority, and I thought I had to put the needs of others before my own. I’m trying to change that.” She reached down and massaged a hand along the top of her thigh. “Current circumstances aren’t making it easy.”

  “I want to make it easier, Grace.”

  She studied him for a moment, the sophisticated attorney who seemed intent on making her feel special. It still boggled her mind that Wiley would be interested in a woman like her. In truth, that’s part of why she resisted his involvement. She didn’t want him to see her as a charity case.

  “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.” She crooked a finger, beckoning him closer. “I’m grateful for your help at the hotel. I’m grateful for you.” When her voice threatened to crack, she swallowed back anything else she might say to him. Her feelings were too raw, too new at this point.

  He laced their fingers together. “That goes both ways.”

  She felt a smile tug one corner of her mouth as butterflies fluttered across her stomach. “I want to kiss you right now, but we’re standing on my parents’ front lawn.”

  “Rain check?” he asked, leaning in close.

  As an answer she brushed her lips over his, unable to resist. She drew back quickly, still cognizant of being on display for half the neighborhood. “I’ll text you after my PT appointment.”

  The look of relief that filled his bourbon-hued gaze surprised her. It was as if he actually worried she might push him away. That he truly cared about her feelings.

  He carried the scooter up the steps to the porch, and it was difficult to watch him walk toward his car again. Grace could imagine how much good it would do her exhausted spirit to spend an hour napping in Wiley’s arms. But that certainly wasn’t an option living with her parents.

  It might be time for a change.

  Chapter Eleven

  Are you free for dinner?

  Wiley blew out a relieved breath when Grace’s simple text appeared on his phone screen the following afternoon. He’d gotten stuck on a series of conference calls with his Chicago colleagues that morning and then had a meeting at the county building inspector’s office, so he didn’t arrive at the hotel until after lunch. Grace had already left for home.

  He couldn’t tell why not seeing her for twenty-four hours made him feel anxious. Normally, Wiley set strict limits on his relationships so that the women he dated didn’t get the wrong impression about his level of commitment.

  Grace had practically accused him of trying to run her life yesterday, a clear sign that he was in too deep with her. He never got involved with women at that level. Flowers and other gifts—like the ones he’d given her after the accident—were...well, Wiley wouldn’t describe them as meaningless. But they were superficial in a way that felt comfortable. He liked boundaries and limits. He liked control, especially after feeling he had so little of it as a kid in his overlarge blended family.

  But the tiny town of Rambling Rose, and Grace in particular, made him want more.

  He replied to the text that he’d pick her up at her parents’ around six and received an immediate response with an unfamiliar address along with a message to come hungry for pizza.

  The rest of the afternoon seemed to tick by in slow motion. He resisted the urge to google the address she’d sent him to see if they were meeting at a restaurant or something that would c
lue him in to her plan for the night. It occurred to Wiley that he might have a bit of an issue with control if he couldn’t relinquish it long enough to allow Grace to surprise him with plans for the evening.

  He left the hotel after checking progress on the balcony reconstruction. The painter had put the finishing touches on it, and the structure looked as good as new. Part of why Wiley had gone to the inspector’s office was to discuss the possibility of sabotage in more detail. The man had assured him that they couldn’t make a definite determination on what had caused the collapse. For now they believed the accident to be just that—an accident.

  Wiley breathed a little easier at that news, although the cynic in him had a hard time totally trusting it. He would reserve judgment until the hotel opened without incident. But the relief on the faces of his brothers and sisters when he’d shared the news that the balcony may not have been tampered with made him want to believe. There was enough stress in putting the finishing touches on the hotel to have it ready for opening in less than a month. The idea that right now they wouldn’t have to worry about sabotage on top of everything else clearly helped everyone. He also knew that the security system Kane had installed was top-notch. Nothing was going to get past them.

  Anticipation continued to build in him as he drove to the ranch to change out of his suit and then headed back to town, following his car’s GPS to the address Grace had given him. He parked in front of a nondescript brick fourplex in a residential neighborhood that he’d never been to before. Why would Grace have sent him there?

  Frowning as he surveyed the block, Wiley was about to pull out his phone to text her when she called his name. He glanced toward the house to see Grace waving at him from a second-floor window.

  “Come on up,” she shouted. “I’ll text you the code for the front door.”

  “How’d you get up there?” he asked as he approached the house.

  She grinned, looking more relaxed than he’d seen her since that first night. “It’s amazing what a girl can manage with the right motivation.”