Embracing Her Heart

by Melissa Foster

  “Brett’s great, and he’s madly in love with Soph. He’s from New York City. The fact that he built her a house here and he’s staying here for her maternity leave, which is, like, three months, I think, says it all.”

  “I’m glad she found a nice guy.” Reed picked up a box and read the side. “Check this out. It’s an activity gym, and it says it not only helps develop the baby’s fine and gross motor skills, but this musical mobile will help enhance the baby’s problem-solving skills and turn your baby into a little Einstein. What the…?” He showed her the box. “Who’s thinking about enhancing their infant’s problem-solving skills?”

  Grace read the boxes of several other toys. “They all say things like that. Every toy is supposed to make your baby smarter. And here I was looking for something soft and cuddly.”

  “Oh no, you can’t go soft and cuddly when there’s this.” He picked up a musical toy and read the box. “This one ‘invites your little maestro-in-the-making to tune in to classical music.’” He set the box down and picked up another. “This one teaches cause and effect.” He scanned another box. “And this one helps with identifying animals.”

  “All baby toys help babies learn.” Grace picked up a stuffed puppy and brushed the silky ear over her cheek. “Feel this.” She rubbed it on his arm. “This one teaches them about the importance of snuggling.”

  “We need sheets made of that.” He waggled his brows. “Seriously, though, Gracie. We had sticks and rocks, and we turned out just fine.”

  “I remember making things out of paper cups and using my mom’s pots and wooden spoons to make music with my brother and sisters.”

  “I need to call Ella. She obviously raised me wrong. I could have been as skilled as Mozart or as brilliant as Galileo if only I’d had these toys.”

  “When they’re toddlers, it doesn’t matter what toys you give them,” she said. “They always like the box best.”

  “All infants need is love. To be held and talked to, to know they’re wanted.”

  Grace’s heart squeezed. Was he thinking about his father? Or was he thinking about having never been held by his mother? She wanted to ask, but just in case he wasn’t thinking about those things, she didn’t want to bring him down, so she kept those thoughts to herself.

  “But when they’re older, they’ll get a spinning top,” he said with a smirk. “Those things hardly ever spin, and when they do, they stop before you can get anyone to look over and see it. That’s a lesson in frustration and self-control right there. I remember wanting to bean those things across the room.”

  “I remember wanting to bean my siblings across the room,” she said jokingly.

  “Yeah, but you love them. It’s written all over your face.”

  “You think you can read my face?” She forced a serious expression. “What am I thinking right now?”

  He grabbed her ass. “You dirty girl. We can’t do that here.”

  “Such a man.”

  “I’m your man, and the quicker we buy a gift, the faster we can get to all those dirty things going through your mind. What will Sophie’s kid need help with? She was pretty smart, right? Is Brett smart? Creative?”

  “He’s wicked smart, and as far as his creativity goes, all I know is that Sophie is always satisfied and never bored.” She ran her finger down the center of his chest and said, “So maybe we need to get her baby something to keep it occupied for more than a few minutes at a time so she can enjoy Brett’s creativity.”

  “I like how you think.” He waved at the display. “We’ll scour the shelves until we find a box that says the toy will occupy the baby for hours so Mommy and Daddy can enjoy their own playtime.”

  They left the store with two bags full of gifts, still laughing about how creative and smart Sophie’s baby would be and how she and Reed missed out by not being given expensive toys that promised to make them brilliant.

  “With these time-consuming, brain-sharpening gifts”—he lifted the bags—“Sophie will be on baby number two before you know it.”

  While he put the bags behind the front seat of the truck, Grace took the gift she’d secretly purchased while he was busy talking to a salesperson out of her purse. “I got you a little something. I want all your dreams to come true, too.” She handed him the toy piano. “Now you can learn to be as musical as Mozart.”

  He drew her into his arms with an awestruck expression. His lips brushed over hers like the wind, time and time again, until she was barely breathing in anticipation of the real thing.

  “Thank you,” he said softly.

  His hand was warm on her neck as he caressed her lips with his own, teasing and tantalizing masterfully. He knew just how to make her body crave him and her mind surrender to him. He backed her up against the side of the truck, taunting her with whispered promises against her lips. Her heart pounded erratically. She was this close to begging for a real kiss when his mouth finally covered hers, demanding and possessive. Desire seared through her as she shoved her hands into his back pockets, keeping his powerful body against hers as she gave herself over to their passion. Her knees went weak, and he eased his efforts.

  “Love you, Gracie,” he said tenderly, and trailed kisses along her cheek. He glanced down at the piano still in his hand and said, “You’re going to make a great mom someday.”

  Someday…

  A flicker of worry breezed through her. Their lives really were hundreds of miles apart. This time together was a gift. Sure, she was growing tired of dealing with arrogant actors and the headaches of producing, and she wanted more time to write, but she wasn’t ready to put it all aside. She knew Reed well enough to realize he wanted kids one day. He had so much love to give. He always had. How would that work if they were commuting back and forth?

  She was getting way ahead of herself, and when he brushed a loose strand of hair from where it had fallen over her eyes and flashed a boyish grin, she pushed those worries aside, vowing again not to let future worries steal a second of the time they had left.

  “Do you want kids, Gracie? Or is your life too full for them?”

  “Someday,” she answered honestly.

  “Someday,” he whispered. Then louder, “Someday sounds good to me.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  REED FOUND WHAT he was looking for in the attic Sunday morning and took a moment to gaze out the window at Grace’s car in the driveway. Their lives had fallen seamlessly into sync. They’d played Frisbee at the park last night, and then they’d walked into town, where they’d run into Sable and Amber, who were on their way into the pizzeria, and they’d joined them for dinner. Grace had laughed so much with her sisters, she seemed like a different person from the woman he’d seen standing with them at the party that first night. After coming home, they’d thrown a blanket down in the backyard and stargazed, kissing and talking until they were both too tired to think, and then they’d finally gone upstairs to bed. His house had felt like something was missing for all these months, and now he knew exactly what it was. Grace. They’d loved this house all those years ago, and just like he’d never forgotten her, he’d only buried those memories. They were as much a part of him as the blood that ran through his veins.

  He went to the window on the opposite side of the room and looked out at the creek, thinking about the walk they’d taken earlier that morning, reminiscing about the past and dreaming about the future. They’d come home and showered together, and then they’d gone out to the veranda, where he’d worked on his plans for the theater and Grace had taken notes on scripts. He went there now and stood in the doorway, watching her. She looked relaxed in her cutoffs and T-shirt, writing in a notebook. It was the perfect start to a beautiful, sunny day, and Reed wanted more. More sexy nights and loving mornings, more of Grace relaxing and coming into her own. More days to hold her hand and more nights to fall even more madly, passionately in love.

  Hiding his surprise behind his back, he joined her on the couch and tucked her beneath his arm. Sh
e tipped her face up with a sweet smile and set her notebook in her lap.

  “I love writing here.” She dug her hand into a bag of M&M’s and popped a few into her mouth.

  “Did you find a good script?”

  “No. I stopped looking a while ago. When we were at the park playing Frisbee last night, I had an idea for a story. I thought I’d take some notes so I didn’t forget it, and look how much I’ve written.” She turned her notebook toward him and began flipping pages.

  “That’s one benefit of playing Frisbee over going jogging.”

  “I had more fun last night than I’ve had in a long time. It’s inspirational. This story has already taken on a life of its own, which proves that I really do need to get outside more often. Clearly, sunshine and Reed equals inspiration.” She sat up and snuggled closer.

  “We spent so much time outdoors when we were younger, I can’t imagine you living your life any other way. I think that’s why the gym comment seemed strange to me. And I’ve got just the thing to help you get inspired to go outside when you’re in the city. Give me your shirt.”

  She laughed. “You think sex will help me remember to go outside more?”

  He shook his head as he lifted the hem of her shirt. “Close your eyes, and keep them closed.”

  He took off her shirt, slipped his high school football jersey over her head, and guided her hands into the sleeves. “Okay, babe. Open your eyes.”

  She glanced down and squealed. “Your jersey!” She threw her arms around him. “I’m wearing this today, and I don’t care what we do or where we go. In fact, this might just have to be my Sunday outfit from now on. Can I keep it?”

  “Of course, babe. It’s yours.”

  “I can’t believe it’s mine after all these years.”

  “Just like me.” His lips descended slowly upon hers, and he felt her smiling into the kiss.

  “I have a great idea!”

  “You’re going to put on your cheerleading outfit and let me go for a touchdown?”

  She laughed and straddled his lap. “That wasn’t my idea, but…I bet my mom has that outfit in a box somewhere.”

  “Have I told you lately how great your mother is?” He kissed her smiling lips.

  “If we’re going to do the long-distance relationship thing, then let’s agree not to work on Sundays like my parents do. They’ve never worked on Sundays. I mean, they take care of the animals, but they don’t do any real work. It’s always been a family day for us.”

  “I love that idea, but I thought you had to work some weekends with your productions.”

  “I do, but that’s usually just at the beginning. Once the production is underway, I’m on to the next for selection and prep, but Sundays aren’t mandatory. That’s just been how my life has evolved, I guess.” She ran her finger along his jaw and said, “I’ve never had a reason not to work on Sundays, but now I do, and I don’t want to miss out on days like this.”

  “That sounds perfect to me. There’s not a property in the world that I’d rather work on than spend time with you.”

  “Speaking of properties, do you think we can see the inside of the theater before I go back? I can’t stop thinking about it.”

  “Sure. I want to show it to you. I’ll make arrangements with Meggie Tipster, my real estate agent.”

  “You’re working with Megaphone Meggie?” Her smile got even brighter. “I cheered with her. She could cheer louder than anyone on the team. I haven’t seen her in so long. Is she still as tiny as a waif?”

  He shook his head. “I wouldn’t call her tiny. I mean, she’s got a nice figure, but she’s not waiflike, and she’s still as loud as a megaphone. She’s been great, really on top of things.”

  The sound of car doors caught their attention.

  “Expecting company?” Grace asked as they pushed to their feet.

  “No,” he said as they went inside and headed downstairs. He pulled open the front door as Nana, Hellie, Janie, and Janie’s guide dog stepped from the car. A second later, two younger girls climbed out of the backseat. Nana wore a pair of big, dark sunglasses. She squared her shoulders and looked at the others, as if she were the leader of the pack. Hellie smoothed her dark tunic over her hips. Her colorful skirt swept around her legs as she and Nana led the others determinedly toward the porch.

  “What the heck are they doing here?” Grace descended the porch steps while simultaneously tying the hem of his jersey into a knot at her hip.

  “There you are,” Nana said, and glanced at Hellie. “I told you they were busy making out.”

  Reed chuckled.

  “We were not making out,” Grace said sharply. “How did you even know where I was?”

  She looked so damn cute in his jersey, he wanted to…Why not? He pulled his phone from his pocket and snapped a picture of her.

  “After movie night at the Majestic?” Nana waved her hand dismissively. “As if you’d be anywhere else?” She ducked into the car again.

  One of the younger girls, a redhead, said, “Sorry to interrupt. We tried to call.”

  “It’s okay,” Grace said. “Reed, this is Lauryn.”

  The girl smiled sheepishly.

  “And this is Phoenix.” Grace motioned to the other young girl, who waved.

  “Nice to meet you both.”

  “If Grace had answered her phone, we wouldn’t have had to interrupt your lovefest.” Nana handed Reed a bag. “We brought breakfast since everyone knows you don’t have a functioning kitchen.”

  “How does everyone know that?”

  “Never mind how,” Nana said with a sigh. “Just say thank you.”

  “Thank you.” He peeked into the bag at the Tupperware containers. “Did you cook us breakfast?”

  “We baked as we worked,” Lauryn said. “Nana and Hellie taught me and Phoenix how to make corn bread and cinnamon rolls.”

  “Kids these days are so busy with phones and Facebook, they don’t learn the basic skills of life,” Hellie said.

  “The reason we’re here is that we’re just so excited, we couldn’t wait to tell Grace our news,” Janie explained.

  “News?” Grace turned to Reed and said, “Sorry.”

  Amused by the whole scene, he said, “It’s all good. And now we have breakfast.”

  “We finished our script!” Phoenix blurted out.

  Hellie handed Grace a folder. “It turned out even better than we hoped.”

  Grace opened the folder and scanned the contents. “You finished the entire script? You must have worked all day and through the night.”

  “Yes, ma’am. We practically had ourselves a slumber party. Worked right up until midnight and started at the crack of dawn again this morning. Now we’re here, and we’re going to make our masterpiece into a play.” Nana lifted her chin and said, “And you’re going to produce it.”

  Grace smiled, studying the script. Without taking her eyes from the papers, she said, “Uh-huh. Sure. This is really good, you guys.”

  “I tried not to sex it up too much,” Janie said, “despite Nana’s prompting.”

  Nana threw her hands up in the air. “What is it with you kids and your hang-ups about your bodies? Sex is as much a part of love as compromise and that squirrelly feeling in the pit of your stomach. It all goes hand in hand. And, Janie, I saw you and Boyd smooching at the ice cream shop the other night. You can’t tell me you don’t love to touch that man.”

  Lauryn giggled.

  “Yes, but I wouldn’t want to be up onstage doing it,” Janie said.

  Nana mumbled something Reed couldn’t hear, and then she said, “Let’s get down to business. Grace, can you produce this for us?”

  Grace’s brows knitted. “Well, I’m leaving in less than two weeks, but that gives us time to go through the script and tweak it. Maybe we can think about doing it as a community play when I come back over the holidays. Do you have friends in mind for the cast? And what about a venue? Do you want to do it in one of your backyards or someth
ing? We’ll need sets and props, and—”

  “The holidays?” Nana shook her head. “Oh no, that will not do. We’re ready to do it now, and this is not a play for a yard.”

  “This story is worthy of a bigger venue. A huge audience,” Hellie said. “And it’s not a winter play. It’s a summer story. It really must take place in the summer, regardless of where we do it.”

  “What about next summer? Will the Majestic be done by then?” Grace asked Reed.

  “It’s a huge project,” he said. “A year might be enough, but it’s hard to say until we’re inside.”

  “But that’s such a long time. We don’t want to wait a year,” Phoenix said. “Can’t we do it before you leave, Grace?”

  Grace’s expression softened, and she closed the folder. “I wish we could, but productions take time. Even elementary schoolers have several weeks to prepare. The cast has to be chosen, and they have to memorize their lines. You know that can’t happen overnight. And if you want to try to hold it someplace…” Her eyes lit up. “Like the Jerichos’ barn?” Her voice escalated with excitement. “Or maybe the No Limitz community center? I could ask Haylie. They have a great auditorium. Or the high school auditorium? Brindle might be able to pull some strings.”

  “The community center!” Lauryn clapped her hands. “That’s a great idea. They have lots of room.”

  “I like the barn,” Janie said. “The story revolves around a small town. What’s more small town than a barn?”

  “I like the barn, too. But, Lauryn, if you’re set on the community center, we can consider that,” Hellie said.

  “No. I think Janie’s right. The barn is even better,” Lauryn said.

  “That’s set, then,” Nana said. “I’ll talk to Nancy Jericho, and my granddaughter Lindsay can throw together a party in a heartbeat!”

  “A party? You’re getting way ahead of yourselves,” Grace said. “There’s costumes, seating…” Her brows knitted again. “Morgyn might be able to help with costumes.”

  “And my knitting club gals can pitch in.” Hellie withdrew a phone from the pocket of her skirt and began typing a text.