by Lynn Shannon
“Amazing. It was hard, don’t get me wrong, but my mom and I were finally able to be honest. She told me that I’m not a disappointment, and that Pop would be proud of me. Hearing those words…I can’t begin to explain how much it changed me.”
“You’ve spent a long time beating yourself up.”
Grant nodded. “Now it’s time to turn a page.”
He was leaving. That’s what this was. Now that his mom was going into treatment, there was nothing to hold Grant to Hidden Hollows. Sara’s chin trembled, and her heart ached. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye. But whether Sara liked it or not, the moment she’d been dreading was here.
She tightened her arms around his neck and drew closer. Tonight was their last date. Within a few days, Grant would be heading back to his military base and then to a war zone. A sliver of fear slid through her.
Jared’s death had taught her that falling in love was perilous. But it had also shown her how fragile happiness could be. If this was all Sara was going to get, then she wasn’t going to have regrets.
She lifted her head from Grant’s chest. The warmth in his eyes urged her to her tiptoes. Grant’s breath hitched, and his gaze dropped to her mouth.
Sara drew the moment out. Grant was strong and tough, but she had the ability to make him weak in the knees. Knowing that did something to her. It made her feel desirable and wanted. Her heart rate increased. She closed the distance between them, brushing her lips against his. Soft and light.
“Sara, you’re killing me.” Grant dipped a hand in her hair, holding the nape of her neck gently. The arm around her waist pulled her even closer. “I’ve been dying for you to kiss me, and then you tease.”
He was hard edges and rough planes. The softness of her curves melted to him, like they were made for each other. Sara sighed with pleasure. “You think you can do better? Then kiss me, Grant.”
He accepted the challenge, dipping his head to capture her lips, and the world stopped. The kiss was tender and passionate. Warmth spread through her as Sara turned molten in his embrace. She clung to him, unable to weather the barrage of pent-up emotion breaking free on her own. It was need and desire wrapped up in a desperate hunger.
Grant arms tightened around her, bringing her even closer, and she welcomed it. His hand gently cradled the back of her head, his fingers tangled in her hair. The kiss deepened and sent her spinning.
Sara pulled back, breathless. Their eyes met. Grant’s thumb played with the curve of her lip. “I love you, Sara.”
She blinked, still affected by their kiss. “W-what?”
“I love you.”
She pulled away from his embrace. Then took another step. Her back hit the railing behind her. The warmth of his touch fled her skin, leaving her covered in goose bumps. “No, you don’t. How can you say that?”
“Because it’s true.” He stepped closer but stopped when she edged away. “Listen to me, Sara. There was a mix-up with my paperwork, and I haven’t reenlisted, which makes it possible for me to leave the military. I want to buy my dad’s shop. I’ve already talked to Mr. Howard, and he agreed to sell it to me.”
She gripped the railing, the wood cutting into her palm. “You said that was for an investment.”
“I changed my mind. I want a new life, Sara, and I want you and Ben to be in it. I love you. I love you both.”
It was the words she’d secretly dreamed of hearing, but now that Grant was actually saying them, all she felt was unbridled panic. It wasn’t real. He was living in a fantasy. A vacation in Hidden Hollows was a long way from actually living there. Grant was used to travel, high-pressure situations, and saving lives. How would he manage parent-teacher conferences and yard work?
He wouldn’t. Grant would get bored, and then he would leave. She swallowed hard. “This isn’t how it was supposed to go.”
“I know, but…” He shrugged. “I can’t do this anymore without being honest. This is me sharing my feelings and telling you the truth.”
Her gaze bounced around the gazebo, desperately seeking to grasp onto something logical. “You can’t fall in love with me over the course of two weeks. That’s insane.”
“It’s not two weeks. Sara, I’ve had feelings for you for a long time.”
She froze. “What are you talking about?”
Grant cleared his throat and then straighten his shoulders. “I’ve had feelings for you since our sophomore year of high school.”
Sara laughed. It came out hollow and a touch hysterical. “You’re lying. That’s a lie.”
“It’s not.”
She shook her head, holding up a hand, as if to ward off his words. “You were dating other women in high school. And after. You can’t tell me you haven’t been dating all these years.”
“I didn’t think there was a chance for us. Ever. You were in love with Jared, and he was in love with you. I respected that. You were both my friends. I buried my feelings and vowed to never tell you the truth.”
“Oh, but now that Jared’s dead, you can?”
Grant went pale. Sara wanted to snatch the words back. They were harsh, unfair, and unnecessarily cruel. Tears welled in her eyes, and she stumbled down the steps of the gazebo. “You don’t mean any of this, Grant. Not one word. I can’t do this.”
She had to get away from him. Sara grabbed her purse and took off across the park. Grant called her name, and she ignored him.
Her heels stuck in the grass. She ripped the shoes from her feet and clasped them in her hands, picking up the pace and then breaking into an all-out run. Grant called her name again. It sounded closer this time, as if he was running after her, but she didn’t dare look behind her. Tears streamed down her cheeks and blurred her vision. It wasn’t until she got to the edge of the park, Sara realized her fatal mistake. Her vehicle was still at the library.
There was no way she could sit in the car with Grant. No way. Her pulse was racing and her breathing shallow. Was this a panic attack? She’d never had one before, but it sure seemed like one.
Sara heard Grant call her name again. She darted into the street and ducked into the deli. Keeping her head down, she escaped to the women’s bathroom. Inside, her hands shaking, she located her phone and dialed her sister’s number.
“Rachel, I need you to come and get me.”
16
Grant
Grant royally screwed up. There was no other way to describe it. Hitting Sara with “I love you” straight out the gate, probably hadn’t been the best way to explain that he wanted to change the dynamics of their relationship.
He shouldn’t have kissed her. Not until he’d explained things. That kiss had rocked him straight to the core and solidified what he already suspected. Not only was Grant in love with her, he was wholeheartedly committed to her. Committed, as in a marriage, raise-a-family, love-you-forever kind of way. There was no other woman in the world for him. Sara was it.
Their relationship was supposed to be casual and fun, and then he shocked her with the news that he’d been in love with her for years. Grant winced remembering the terrified look on her face. Sara had literally bolted.
She still wasn’t talking to him. He’d tried calling, but she wouldn’t answer the phone. Nothing more than a simple text to let him know she’d gotten home okay. Then another saying she’d found someone else to run the after-school program today.
Sara was taking a page from his book and avoiding him.
He leaned against the wall of Coop’s Coffee, waiting for his fellow SEAL buddy, Boone, to arrive. The scent of cookies kept wafting out every time someone opened the door. It only reminded Grant of the day he’d had them with Sara, which made his stomach hurt. He wanted to set things right but had no idea how.
A pickup truck with oversized wheels pulled into a parking space outside the coffee shop. Grant shook his head and pushed off the wall. Boone always brought a taste of Texas with him.
His fellow SEAL climbed out, grinning. Boone’s boots hit the asphalt, and he
adjusted the cowboy hat covering his brown hair. “Hey, Grant.”
The two men shook hands and clapped each other on the back. Grant waved toward the truck. “You’re gonna get some attention in town driving that thing around.”
“Good. You know I always love attention.” He wagged his brows. “Especially from the ladies.”
Grant laughed. “Not many cowgirls in these parts.”
“Never mind. They just have to like a cowboy.” Boone spun in a circle, taking in the sights of Main Street. “Nice little hometown you got here.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you think so since I’m moving back.”
His friend’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding. You’re quitting the SEALs?”
“It’s time. I can’t keep hunting bad guys forever.” Grant flashed him a grin. “These old bones won’t take much more.”
“This decision wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with a certain librarian that lives here, would it?”
“I won’t deny Sara’s a big part of it. But there’s more to it.” He pointed to the coffee shop. “Wanna grab some caffeine? We can catch up.”
“Sure do.”
They went inside, ordered, and snagged a table in the back. Boone’s gaze drifted around the room, settling on Harmony Phillips who was at the counter ordering. He whistled. “Who is that blonde-bombshell?”
“Trouble. High school prom queen, divorced, and extremely high-maintenance.”
“Divorced? So she’s single.”
“Did you not hear any of the other words I used to describe her?”
“Yep.” Boone smiled. “I heard prom queen.”
Cooper announced their coffee order was ready, and Boone went to retrieve it. He ambled to the counter and struck up a conversation with Harmony. Based on the number of times she flipped her hair, there was serious flirting going on. Grant chuckled to himself. Boone never failed to turn on the charm and rarely got shot down for a date.
Harmony bounced out of the coffee shop, and Boone returned to the table. “She’s lovely. Offered to be my tour guide around town.” He grinned. “We’re meeting for dinner later.”
“Of course, you are.” Grant rolled his eyes.
“Well, I gotta do something. Not like you’re going to take me to the bar for dancing tonight, especially with that long face you’re wearing. Tell me what’s going on.”
Grant spent the next hour filling Boone in on everything that had happened, from his mom to Sara. By the time he was done, Grant’s voice was hoarse, and he was exhausted.
Boone leaned back in his chair, stretching his long legs in front of him. “So you told Sara you love her, and she ran from ya. That’s…not encouraging.”
“Nope. It sure isn’t.”
“What happens if Sara decides she isn’t in love with you? Are you still moving to Hidden Hollows?”
Grant nodded. “It’ll suck, and I hope Sara decides otherwise, but that doesn’t change what I want. The decision to get out of the navy has been a long time coming. It takes a toll, and I’m ready for a change. Coming home and everything that’s happened gave me the final push I needed.”
“I get that.” He took a swig of his coffee and set it back down on the table. “But did you bother to explain that to Sara?”
“I didn’t get the chance. Why? Do you think it makes a difference?”
“A big one. You’ve spent all this time telling Sara that living in Hidden Hollows isn’t for you. Then you make a complete one-eighty. Can’t blame the woman for having whiplash.”
Grant’s eyes widened. “Sara can’t trust the decision.”
“Nope. And, my friend, let me share something about being brokenhearted. It makes you gun-shy. Love is a dangerous proposition when you’ve had it fall apart before.”
He slanted a glance at Boone. “It sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
“This ain’t about me. It’s about you and Sara. Keep your focus.”
Whatever was in Boone’s past, he clearly didn’t want to discuss it. Grant would let it go. At least, for now. He had other problems to handle.
“I need to do something to show Sara that this move is permanent.” Grant stood and threw his cup in a nearby trash can. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“The hardware store. I have an idea.”
17
Sara
Sara carried the pastries into the library conference room and set them on the table. It was Friday, and the last after-school program of the month was this afternoon. She pressed a hand to her eyes as fresh tears threatened to spill over. Again. Since running away from Grant last night, Sara hadn’t done much more than cry.
She took a shaky breath to steady her emotions, and then she squared her shoulders before leaving the conference room and heading into the children’s section of the library. The door to the break room swung open, and Rachel appeared, carrying a carafe.
Ben looked up from the book he was reading on a green beanbag chair. He ran to her. “Mommy, when is Coach Grant coming?”
She pressed her lips together. “He isn’t. Aunt Rachel is going to run the program this afternoon.”
“Why? I like Coach Grant. I want him to do it.”
“I know, honey, but…he couldn’t do it today.”
A half-truth. She’d texted Grant this morning and informed him that she’d made other arrangements for today. Sara hugged Ben before shooing him back to his chair and book.
Rachel shot her a look and jerked her head, indicating Sara should follow her into the conference room. She set the carafe on the table and shut the door. “Okay, I’ve given you a bit of time, and I’ve stayed quiet, but enough is enough. You’re miserable. Go and talk to Grant.”
“No. It’s better this way.”
“For whom?”
Sara wrapped her arms around herself and went to the window. It overlooked the parking lot, which only reminded her of the first time she saw Grant last week. Banging into one another and spilling an entire bakery box of cupcakes. Hot tears threatened again.
Rachel gave an exasperated sigh. “Sara, I love you, but right now, I’m frustrated. I don’t understand, so explain it to me.”
“Grant told me he’s in love with me. He wants to quit the military, move to Hidden Hollows, and take over his father’s car repair shop.” She hugged herself tighter. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this, Rachel. It was only temporary. Fun and flirting. Nothing more.”
“Are you in love with him?”
That panic surged again, threatening to steal her breath. “No. I can’t be. I refuse to be.”
Her sister drew closer. “Why?”
“Because he won’t stay, Rachel. Grant thinks this is what he wants, but two weeks together is a far cry from real life. In high school, he was counting down the days until he could leave Hidden Hollows. Since then, he’s been living a life of adrenaline and difficult missions with life and death attached. What happens when he’s spending his afternoons coaching little league and cleaning out gutters? Grant’s not the kind of man who would be happy living a quiet life in a tiny town.”
“Don’t you think Grant should decide what’s good for him?”
She turned and glared at her sister. “Why are you on his side?”
“I’m not. I’m on yours, and I’m asking the question.”
“Why does it matter? Love is a choice, Rachel. At least this kind of love is, and I choose not to do it again. It’s too hard. I picked myself up after Jared died and pieced my heart back together, but I don’t think I could do it a second time.”
“Of course, you could. You’re much stronger than you realize.” Rachel was quiet for a long moment. “Sara, you’ll never love anyone the way you loved Jared. But that’s true even if he hadn’t died, and you’d simply broken up. Each love is different.”
“My head gets that. But my heart is another matter all together. Part of me wants to be able to take a leap of faith, but now that I’m standing on t
he edge, I just…can’t. The experiment is over. Dating isn’t for me.”
“Okay, fair enough.” Rachel lifted her finger. “But I’m going to give you one piece of advice before we end this conversation. You and Jared hit it out of the park in the first round. That’s incredibly rare. It’s difficult to find love, Sara. There’s a lot about dating you don’t know, but I do. I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince.”
Sara chuckled in spite of herself. She swiped at her cheeks. “I remember.”
“I’ve watched you and Grant. He makes you laugh and builds you up. He wore a yellow cape and a crayon-colored mask, danced around and sang a song about the planets. The man would walk over hot coals if you asked him to. I believe he’s in love with you. Be very careful about what you decide here, Sara. What you have with Grant doesn’t come around every day.”
The words resonated with Sara. They cut through most of the noise in her head. She took a breath and nodded.
Rachel hugged her. “I’ll go grab the plates and napkins.”
“Okay.” Sara chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Hey Rach, do you think…do you think Jared would be upset about Grant and I—”
“Not for a second. Jared loved you, and he loved Grant. Personally, I don’t think he’d want you with anyone else.”
Her sister left the room, and Sara turned back to the window. Everything felt muddled up inside, like a ball of yarn she couldn’t unravel.
Maybe Rachel was right, and she should trust Grant to decide what was best for him. But hadn’t he spent the last two weeks saying Hidden Hollows wasn’t for him? Now she was supposed to believe he’d changed his mind? That he would be content here, with her, forever?
It didn’t sit right.
And what about her? Falling in love meant risking her heart again. Sara had lost so much already. Her feelings for Grant were overwhelming, and it’d only been two weeks. It was terrifying to imagine what would happen in a year.
