When Merline gave her a questioning look, Grace realized she’d maybe revealed too much. To cover up her slip, she started walking around the room, telling Merline some of her ideas to help dispel the last of Merline’s hesitance. After she finished, Merline stood in the middle of the room, a smile on her face. Grace had won her over, given her a glimpse of what this place could be.
“I’ll have to talk to Hank, but I’m leaning toward doing it.”
“You won’t be sorry.”
“I just have one condition.”
“What’s that?”
Merline met Grace’s gaze. “That you help me with the design.”
“I’m happy to outline some ideas, but you’ll have to hire someone local to implement them. We go home this weekend.”
A suspended moment passed before Merline nodded, though it was obvious the gesture was forced. But as Grace watched the other woman, she got the distinct impression that she had something up her proverbial sleeve.
NATHAN HADN’T SEEN Grace all day, and that bugged him way more than it should. While he was enjoying spending extra time with Evan, he kept looking up to see if she’d made an appearance. After his dad told him that his mom had taken Grace to town to retrieve her car, his heart leapt a little with each sound of an approaching vehicle.
“It’s your turn,” Evan said.
Nathan shifted his attention back to his son and all the other faces turned his way. After the day’s activities with the horses were over and the rest of the guests had headed back to their cabins to prepare for whatever they had planned for the evening, Nathan’s father had suggested a game of horseshoes. Nathan and Evan versus Hank and Ryan. Simon, who was off duty, served as the judge. Evan, who was beyond excited to get extra time with anything having to do with cowboys and horses, had been all for it.
Nathan stepped forward and aimed his horseshoe at the opposite stake. When he let it fly, it came within a couple of inches of its destination. He stepped aside so that Evan could take his place. He watched as Evan eyed the stake, made sure he was holding the horseshoe the way Nathan had showed him, bit his bottom lip and threw.
The feet separating the two sand pits was a long distance for such a little guy to cover, but he actually did pretty well. That, combined with his uncle and grandfather deliberately throwing less accurately than Nathan knew they could, had Evan and him comfortably in the lead.
“Looks like Evan is giving you a run for your money, Pops,” Simon said with a laugh. He leaned down toward Evan and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. “He’s always beating us at horseshoes and rubbing it in. Don’t tell him, but I’m rooting for you to win.”
Evan smiled wide and walked as if he was twice his height toward the opposite pit.
In that moment, Nathan imagined a dozen things he could do with his son. Horseback riding, watching a rodeo while eating corndogs, teaching him to fish. His mom could share all the family photos and tell him the Teague family history. His father could take him for long drives around the ranch, telling his grandson how the ranch had been in the family for generations. Ryan might even give him lessons in woodworking. And Simon? Well, Nathan guessed his older brother could keep his nephew out of trouble by telling him about what happens to people who break the law.
But any of those things happening depended on Grace. And the fact that she seemed to be avoiding him today wasn’t a good sign that she might relent and let him be a part of Evan’s life.
The sound of a vehicle approaching drew his attention again, but Nathan deliberately didn’t look toward it. After a few seconds, the vehicle proved to be his mother’s anyway. When she stepped out of the truck, he noticed Grace wasn’t with her. He knew she wouldn’t be, so why the inexplicable letdown?
“Don’t just stand there, you lot,” his mom said when she spotted them. “Help me carry these groceries in.”
As one, they all moved away from the horseshoe pit toward the SUV. They each grabbed a couple of bags. Even Evan was tasked with carrying in a ten-pound bag of potatoes.
“Thank you, young man,” his mom said when they stepped into the kitchen and Evan handed her the potatoes.
“Hey, we’ve been carrying in groceries for years, and this one gets the thanks.” Simon bent down and attempted to tickle Evan.
Evan laughed and ran around to the other side of the kitchen’s island. Thankfully, he was too young to realize he was being singled out from the rest of the campers and why. And Nathan was sure Grace wouldn’t like it. But despite knowing that, he made no move to stop it. Maybe if she saw how well Evan fit in here, she’d let go of some of her fear and allow Evan to have more family than just her and some maternal relatives Nathan was certain she would never let their son meet.
“Do you like spaghetti?” his mom asked Evan.
“Yeah. Aunt Emily makes really good spaghetti.”
“Oh?”
His mom made eye contact with him. “Grace’s business partner.”
She nodded. “I have a secret recipe for my spaghetti sauce. Would you like to try it?”
Nathan saw where this conversation was going—a family night even though it wasn’t Thursday. He hoped Grace would forgive him for not halting it. He didn’t need to hand her any more reasons to be wary of him.
“Sure, if Mom says it’s okay.” He looked toward the back door, a worried look on his face. “Where is Mom?”
There it was again, that protectiveness toward his mother. Maybe Evan was just naturally protective. After all, his mother was probably everything to him, his link to security and love.
“She should be back soon. I dropped her off to get your car.”
“Oh.”
“She’s probably too tired to go out tonight though,” Nathan’s mom said. “I think the two of you should have dinner with us. Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, a big strawberry cake. And you know what else?”
Evan shook his head.
“We’re going to play charades afterward.”
Everyone in the room other than Nathan’s mom and Evan groaned. Evan laughed. “Good. Mom is terrible at charades.”
After a pause, everyone broke out into laughter.
Chapter Ten
All the way back to the ranch, Grace wondered what on earth had possessed her to get even more involved with the Teague family. Wasn’t she here in Blue Falls just to make in-case arrangements for Evan, nothing more? She hadn’t planned on working with Merline to design an art gallery. Hadn’t planned on still being so drawn to Nathan. Really hadn’t planned on kissing him.
As she made the turn into the ranch, she reminded herself that soon she and Evan would be back home and things could get back to normal. She’d let him enjoy the rest of his cowboy camp, and she could avoid Nathan by working in town at the gallery building. She knew she was taking a risk letting Evan spend so much time with the Teagues without her around, but the thought of facing Nathan again had all of her nerves firing and her palms sweating. If she was honest with herself, she was afraid that come the end of the week, she might be the one who didn’t want to leave.
When she pulled into the parking spot closest to the barn, her heart sped up. From the lack of vehicles and the emptiness of the corral, she guessed the day’s activities were finished. So where was Evan?
She hurried out of the car and looked inside the barn. Nobody but horses there. Then she heard a burst of laughter from Merline and Hank’s house. Evan had to be there, safe. She barely kept herself from running toward the screened back door. When she heard Evan’s voice, she stopped and forced her breathing to slow before approaching the door.
“Sounds like something’s funny in here,” she said as lightheartedly as she could.
“Yes, your son was just telling us how abysmal you are at charades,” Simon said.
&nbs
p; Merline swatted her oldest son and waved at Grace. “Come on in. We didn’t hear you pull up. Of course, it’s difficult to hear an explosion over this bunch.”
Grace would really rather Evan just come outside so they could return to the relative safety of their cabin, but to say so would be rude. But if she was going to spend time with Merline over the next couple of days, and she didn’t want to risk the possibility of the Teagues giving her any trouble over Evan, she had to tread carefully.
She opened the door and stepped inside. Though she was intensely aware of Nathan standing near the wall to her left, she refused to make eye contact with him. Could he feel the heat radiating off her as if she was a walking, talking furnace?
“So how in the world did my lack of skill at charades come up?” she asked as she gently pulled Evan to her side.
“We’re playing tonight after dinner,” Merline said.
Evan looked up at Grace. “Miss Merline says she makes a special spaghetti sauce. Do you think it’s as good as Aunt Emily’s?”
“I’m sure it’s very good, sweetie.”
“And we’re having strawberry cake, too, made with real strawberries.”
We? Suddenly lightheaded, Grace gripped the edge of the island’s marble top.
“Are you okay?” This from Hank, who said so little that it was always a surprise when he did speak.
Grace nodded. “Yeah. Just a little tired.” She had to think of a graceful way to get out of this dinner. This family dinner.
“Did you eat any lunch?” Merline asked.
Grace thought back over the day. Between the walk up to the field of bluebonnets and the trip to town, she’d somehow forgotten to eat. “I snacked.” If you counted the microwave popcorn she’d had while trying to work that morning.
“You go have a seat until dinner,” Merline said.
“No, it’s okay,” Grace said with a layer of meaning that was lost on no one but Evan. “We don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not imposing. After all, we’ve got a lot to talk about.”
Grace’s heart skipped a beat until she realized Merline was most likely referring to the gallery and not the fact that Evan was the littlest Teague in the room. At least she hoped so.
“Why do I have the feeling the womenfolk have got something besides dinner cooking?” Hank said.
“Because you’re a smart man.” Merline smiled at her husband, a smile that spoke of years of shared love between them. Grace wondered what that kind of love would be like. Would she ever know? Would she manage to open herself up long enough to experience it if it happened her way?
Despite her desire to leave, Grace found herself sliding onto one of the kitchen stools. The lack of food and the constant worry that somebody was going to let the truth slip in front of Evan left her legs weak and threatening to buckle beneath her. Nathan moved in her periphery, but still she kept her eyes away from him.
She listened as Merline related how they’d met up in the field that morning, how she’d shown Grace her dozens of paintings, and how by the end of the day they’d started planning a gallery.
“I thought about it some more on the way home, and I really like the idea of it featuring the artwork of other local artists, too,” Merline said. “Your furniture, too, Ryan. That way I won’t feel so weird about it being just me on display.”
“Why haven’t we ever seen these paintings?” Ryan asked. He, too, was a man of few words, so like his father.
Merline shrugged as she stirred the pot of spaghetti just beginning to boil. “I never thought of them as anything more than a hobby.”
“Seems I remember saying the same thing about my furniture until someone convinced me otherwise.”
“He’s got you there, Mom,” Simon said, then popped some mixed nuts from a bowl on the island into his mouth.
Hank shifted his attention to Grace. “And you think the gallery is the way to go?”
“I do. I mean, she could put them in some of the other shops in town, but this way she’d be in control of their display, retain more of the profits. Honestly, they deserve more space than any of the other shops would be able to give her.”
“That good, huh?”
Grace managed a smile at the dawning pride on Hank’s face. “Some of the best I’ve ever seen.”
While Merline continued to work on dinner, the family gathered around the island and brainstormed what seemed like every aspect of the gallery. The more they talked about it, the more everyone got excited. It was impossible not to be infected with the same excitement. This was the creative process that fueled the aspects of Grace’s life that didn’t involve Evan. Still, by the time they finished large slices of Merline’s to-die-for strawberry cake, Grace was about to pass out from fatigue.
“I hate to be a party pooper, but I’m fading fast,” she said.
She thought Evan might object, but when she glanced at him, he was wearing a familiar expression of worry. One she’d hoped never to see again. She offered him a big smile to help reassure him.
“I think you’re just trying to get out of embarrassing yourself at charades,” Simon said.
Grace swatted him on the upper arm, and it struck her how familial the gesture was. So much so that she didn’t make eye contact with anyone as she pushed her chair back and stood.
“Come on, Evan,” she said. “We’ve both got busy days tomorrow.”
Merline followed them to the door. She placed a gentle hand on Grace’s arm. “Thank you for staying for dinner.” She cast a loving glance at Evan.
Grace smiled because she really did like Merline, had often dreamed of having someone like her for a mother. If only things had turned out differently between Nathan and Grace, she might have been. She pushed that thought away before it brought back the old sadness.
“It was a wonderful meal. I think I could have eaten half of that cake myself.”
“You’re welcome back anytime.”
Grace nodded and ushered Evan out the door into the night. She had to distance herself from the warm comfort of the Teague family, of what a family should be, before she caved and begged to stay, to be brought into the fold. The slim chance for that had passed long ago.
Hadn’t it?
Yes. That kiss was an aberration, nothing more.
Albeit an aberration she couldn’t purge from her memory.
When they reached the cabin, Evan grasped her hand. He was doing that less and less as he got older, so she knew something was bothering him.
“Are you okay, Mom?”
She sank onto the edge of the leather ottoman. “Yes, honey, I’m fine. It was just a tiring day, that’s all. You don’t need to worry about me anymore, okay?”
“You’re sure?”
The worry in his eyes broke her heart. She hated what her illness had put him through. “I’m sure. Now, off to bed with you. I won’t have you falling asleep on top of a horse tomorrow.”
He smiled. “That wouldn’t happen.”
“Not if you get enough sleep.” She gestured toward the bedroom.
Evan kissed her on the cheek and headed off to bed. Grace sat in the same spot for countless minutes, letting random thoughts flit in and out of her mind. More often than was safe for her heart, she relived the kiss she’d shared with Nathan beneath the stars. She could no longer deny that a very large part of her still wanted Nathan, would be too easily tempted into thinking that he wanted her for her alone.
It was a nice fantasy, but that’s all she could allow it to be. How could she ever be sure Nathan wasn’t toying with her feelings to gain access to his son? He didn’t strike her as that type of man, not one raised by Hank and Merline, but she couldn’t be one hundred percent certain.
That was her problem, w
asn’t it? Everything had to be concrete, in her control, totally without uncertainty. Only life had an annoying way of wrecking all of that.
Despite her assertion that she was tired, and she was, she didn’t make a move toward the bedroom. Normally, the warmth and safety of a well-appointed room was a balm, but tonight the walls seemed too close. Once she was sure Evan was tucked into bed and sleeping soundly, she stepped outside and returned to the picnic table that looked down on the main part of the ranch. Everything that cluster of buildings, and the people inside them, represented made her heart ache with longing. She didn’t allow herself to miss having a family often because it hurt too much, but tonight she let the tears flow. So much emotion was roiling inside her that she had to let some of it out.
Footsteps crunched the gravel of the drive that circled past all of the cabins. She glanced over her shoulder and could barely make out the shape of a tall man coming closer. Her heart leapt until the man stepped onto the porch of her cabin and the light from inside revealed it to be Barrett Farnsley. He was a nice man, but she was in no mood to talk to him. When he knocked on the door and stepped back to wait, she sat perfectly still, hoping he wouldn’t see her.
He didn’t knock a second time, and Grace wasn’t sure she breathed, at least not audibly, until he was back in his own cabin. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared up into the sky. Were her parents still the same people they’d always been? Had any sliver of regret entered their hearts at how they’d treated her and Evan?
Grace shook her head when she tried to imagine her mother making a decadent strawberry cake or playing charades or even painting wildflowers in a field. When she tried to imagine her siblings as more like the Teague brothers, it proved impossible. Why was she the only one who’d wanted more from life?
The sound of footsteps broke into her musings again. Had Barrett finally seen her? She slowly glanced over her shoulder, but realized immediately that the man walking toward her wasn’t Barrett Farnsley. And it was too late to make a break for the cabin and feign sleep. He’d seen her.
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