Valentine's Day Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology Book 19)

by Janette Rallison

  “What are you feeding him?” Maurie strode up to Grant, took the mug from him and sniffed. “Not in my kitchen,” she said, and then poured out the whole thing into the sink.

  “Hey!” Grant said “I was drinking that.” What was up with these two women?

  “You’re on your own, sugar,” Taffy said, then sashayed out of the kitchen with her mug. “I’ll be in my room processing orders. Let me know when lunch is ready.” She stopped at the edge of the hallway. “Oh, and Maurie, he’s all yours.” She winked, and then she was gone. Her bedroom door clicked and seconds later, music began playing.

  Grant looked over at Maurie who was staring at him.

  “What did she say to you?” she asked, picking up the can of instant coffee and dumping it into the trash. Then she pulled out a bag of roasted coffee beans from the cupboard.

  “What didn’t she say to me?”

  Maurie’s eyes widened.

  “Hey, are you all right?” he asked, stepping toward her. “Taffy said you had a rough night.”

  “She did?” Maurie’s face paled. “I’m really sorry, she can be a bit… transparent.”

  “That’s one way to look at it,” he said. “But what about you? I mean—”

  “She told you about the albums, didn’t she?”

  He nodded. He wished he had his coffee mug back for some sort of distraction. The knot in his stomach was tightening.

  “I had a pretty bad childhood,” Maurie said, “which you know. But there were good times, too… when I was a little kid— too young, mostly, to remember. Those albums showed me what might have been, I suppose. If my grandparents had lived longer, and my mom hadn’t gone off the deep end.”

  “I’m really sorry,” he started. “I—”

  She held up a hand. “It’s all in the past, and”— her voice cut off. And when she spoke again, it was trembling— “I’ve been lucky in many ways, but I wish that my dad hadn’t left, and that my mom could have been stronger.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. She closed her eyes.

  “Hey,” he said in a soft voice.

  He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. She came easily and rested her head against his chest as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And Grant had to admit that she fit there perfectly. He was just being kind, right? He rubbed her back for a few moments as she sniffled and her body trembled. Even though she’d just woken up, she smelled sweet, like chocolate and mint… Perhaps she’d had her gourmet hot chocolate the night before.

  The thought made him smile. Then she took a few deep, calming breaths. Grant’s skin had warmed up considerably where they’d touched, and his heart was thudding by the time she pulled away. He told himself space was good between them. Her smell and her touch were intoxicating.

  “Thanks,” she whispered, looking up at him, her smile tremulous.

  They were only inches apart, yet Grant craved to be closer. He hadn’t wanted the embrace to end yet, which was ridiculous. He hardly knew Maurie, and she was in distress. Even as he talked himself out of pulling her into his arms again, he knew that he did know Maurie. More than he should admit. And that his comforting of her wasn’t exactly platonic.

  “You’re a good man,” she said, touching his arm and raising up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek.

  Her scent swept over him again, and his skin tingled where she’d pressed her warm mouth.

  “Maurie,” he said, grasping her hand to stop her from pulling away too soon.

  She stilled, her gaze meeting his. Her breathing seemed rapid, and he couldn’t help but look at her parted lips.

  “I’ve been wondering what happened to you over the years,” he said.

  She seemed to move a fraction closer, or was that his imagination? Her fingers threaded through his, and a warm shiver ran up his arm.

  “I’ve been wondering about you, too,” she said softly, almost a whisper. She’d stopped crying, but her eyes were luminescent with her tears. “I had a huge crush on you.”

  When she smiled, Grant smiled back. His heart sounded like a freight train in his ears. He had to tell her. He couldn’t stand her gazing at him as if he were some sort of nice guy. She had to know the truth about her last night in Pine Valley.

  “Maurie, I always wanted to get to know you better,” he started. “Being a teenager was complicated, and you were like a shadow that came and went. Sometimes, I hoped that when I did yard work at your house that you’d come out and talk to me.”

  “You knew I was home during those times?”

  He chuckled. “Of course. I’d wait for your mom to leave, and then I’d come over. For some reason I couldn’t bring myself to knock on your door and talk to you.” This was it; the time was now. “Maurie, I need to—”

  And then it happened.

  She moved forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him toward her. She pressed her mouth against his, and he forgot all reservations and drew her closer to taste those inviting lips. She kissed him with unexpected depth and passion, yet it was gentle and exploring, too. His heart seemed to hammer in time with the music thumping from the back bedroom. He didn’t want to scare her off, but he also couldn’t get enough of her. He backed her up against the counter and continued to kiss her, taking the lead.

  She practically melted into him. When he finally needed air, she was equally breathless.

  “Wow,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers, trying to calm his breathing.

  “Yeah, wow,” she answered.

  “I think I need to get to work,” he said.

  “Too hot in the kitchen?” she asked with a laugh.

  “Yeah,” he said, grinning. “Mind if I open a couple of windows?” He pulled her close again and kissed her lightly on the mouth. “Dinner tonight? Without Taffy?”

  “Hey, she’s my friend,” she said, playfully pushing against his chest. Then she raised a brow, looking up at him. “I’d love that.”

  Chapter Seven

  What had happened today?

  Maurie still couldn’t get over it, as she got ready for her dinner date with Grant. He’d gone home to shower and change, and she felt as if she’d been floating all day. She still couldn’t believe that she’d kissed him, and then of course he’d kissed her back. Just remembering their adventure in the kitchen made her blush again. There was no way she was telling Taffy about the kiss, or kisses, at least not yet.

  Maurie didn’t need to hear Taffy’s lecturing about how it was too soon to fall for a guy. It had only been a couple of months since Maurie’s breakup with Brandon. Her friend would say that Maurie was on the rebound. But Taffy had also said she was giving Grant her 110% approval. But when Maurie told her she and Grant made dinner plans, her friend had put her hands on her hips and said, “You be careful, girl, with that heart of yours.”

  A knock sounded at the front door as Maurie examined her collection of lipsticks.

  Taffy passed the bathroom. “I’ll get the door.”

  Maurie stepped back from the mirror and surveyed her appearance. She wanted to look nice, but not as if she was trying too hard. She wore a long black sweater over dark gray leggings, ending in black ankle boots. She’d chosen her pearl earrings and pearl drop necklace, inherited from her foster mom.

  Taffy’s laughter streamed from the front room, and Maurie decided on a simple lip gloss. She didn’t want to have to maintain the lipstick look, especially if Grant decided to kiss her, or… the other way around.

  When she exited the bathroom and turned the corner to the living room, she slowed her step, stunned.

  She’d seen Grant only in work clothing so far, which had been pleasing enough. But now that he was dressed up, Maurie wondered how this guy had stayed single for so long after his divorce. He’d shaved, and he wore dark slacks with a black leather jacket over a pale blue button down shirt that was open at the collar. His brown hair looked slightly damp, and as she neared him, his cologne became distinct. His blue eyes seemed to g
litter.

  “Hi,” he said, his gaze soaking her in, from her hair waving about her shoulders, down the length of her body.

  She was glad he was checking her out because when their gazes met again, she only saw appreciation in his, and her pulse thrummed to life. “Hi,” she said back.

  “All righty, then,” Taffy said. “It looks like you two are ready to go. Have a great time. And don’t worry about me here alone. There’s a new series I want to binge watch on Netflix.”

  Maurie turned to Taffy. “Do you want me to bring you something back?”

  “Ah, no,” Taffy said with a wink. “I’m not so fond of leftovers. This will give me a chance to eat some of the contraband food I snuck into your house.”

  “Funny,” Maurie said and hugged her friend. “We won’t be too late.”

  “I’m not planning on staying up,” Taffy said.

  Maurie was really glad she hadn’t told Taffy about the kiss. Otherwise, her friend would probably be giving her a much harder time. Taffy would have reminded Maurie about her recent breakup and about Grant’s newly divorced status, combined with all that went into opening a new shop. As it was, Taffy practically pushed Maurie and Grant out the door. Maurie stopped on the porch, taking in the SUV parked in the driveway.

  “No truck?” she asked.

  “I wasn’t going to bring my work truck on a date,” Grant said, slipping his hand into hers and guiding her down the steps and along the icy walkway to the driveway.

  “I’m not complaining,” she said as a thrill ran through her at his touch. The affectionate gesture told her so much: that he remembered their kiss as well, and that he was definitely interested in her.

  He chuckled and opened the passenger door. She climbed in, finding the interior warm. She leaned back against the seat and released a sigh as he walked around the front.

  When he climbed in, she said, “Any Facetiming with Trent tonight?”

  “Yeah, actually. A couple of times,” Grant said as he started the engine. He backed out of the driveway. “He’s been sending me selfies like crazy, too. I might have created a monster.”

  After he straightened out the wheel of the car, he handed her his phone. “Here, look at the texts he sent.”

  She took the phone and opened up the discussion labeled “Trent” and laughed when she saw the pictures of the different expressions of a little boy that looked like a mini-me of Grant. “Wow, he looks so much like you.”

  “That’s what everyone says. The good news is that it means I’m his real father.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked with a sinking heart.

  He turned the wheel, steering around the corner and onto Main Street. “Joy believed in sharing her love with more than just her husband.”

  Maurie nodded, not sure what to say. She felt awful for him, and she was having a hard time imagining a woman who wouldn’t find satisfaction with one man, especially a man like Grant. “How long were you married?”

  “About a year. Most of it was pretty miserable. But she was pregnant, and I tried to stick it out for the kid.” Grant blew out a breath. “I had a hard time believing the child was mine, until he was born, that is.”

  “Well, he’s adorable,” she said, scrolling through the last of the pictures. When she finished, she set the phone in the middle console. “What does he like to do?”

  “He’s pretty much obsessed with all reptiles and dinosaurs,” Grant said, his tone softening. “Despite all the crap that’s gone on with Joy, I wouldn’t trade my son for anything.”

  She admired his profile. In it, she saw pain and determination and resilience. And, most of all, loyalty. “I’d love to meet Trent sometime.”

  Grant flashed her a smile. “I think that can be arranged.”

  His answer made her heart flutter. She wasn’t sure when Spring Break was, when he said he’d have his son for a visit. But if Grant and she were still friends— still dating— that sounded perfectly fine with her.

  “Where are we going?” she asked as he turned onto the canyon road that led to the ski resorts and mountain slopes.

  “The Grille has a great menu. Have you been there before?”

  She laughed. “Hardly. I pretty much ate out of cans and boxes growing up. My mom wasn’t much of a cook. It wasn’t until I moved into foster care that my eyes were opened to the heaven that good food can bring.”

  He smiled as he pulled off the turn in the road, and drove up to a large lodge blazing with lights. He slowed as he drove through the parking lot. “Was it hard? Leaving Pine Valley and everything you knew?”

  “It wasn’t like I could be more miserable than I already was,” she said in a quiet voice. She took a deep breath. “Honestly, the only thing I missed was you.”

  He snapped his head to look at her with surprise.

  “Don’t get creeped out, okay?” she clarified. “I mean, yeah, I did have a crush on you, but it was that the things you did around our yard gave me a sense of comfort. Like someone was watching out for me. I missed that once I left.” She shrugged. “After a few weeks in foster care, I realized how messed up my life had been, and I felt lucky to have escaped when I did.”

  “Truly?” he asked, as he pulled into a parking place. He turned to look at her, his gaze intense.

  “Yes, truly.” She was surprised at his intensity, as if he somehow he felt responsible for her happiness.

  “So…” he said, amusement replacing the intensity. “You had a pretty big crush on me, huh?”

  “I think I already made that clear. Maybe more than once.”

  “Hmm.” He leaned toward her, capturing her hand in his and pulling her close. Then he kissed her, slowly, as if he were savoring the feel of her. When he drew away, she had to catch her breath.

  “I’m glad you came home.” One side of his mouth lifted into a smile. Then he popped open his door, climbed out, and hurried around the SUV to open her door.

  The best part of the night had already happened, she decided as he took her hand again. She could get used to this really fast.

  Inside the lodge, they walked to the hostess stand.

  “Grant?” the petite, dark haired woman said. She wore a nametag proclaiming her name as Alicia.

  “Oh, hi,” Grant said. “You work here now?”

  “The Aspen Lodge had too many politics, if you know what I mean.” She gave him a long glance.

  Heat burned through Maurie, all the way to her toes. The other woman hadn’t even acknowledged her… even though Grant was holding her hand.

  Alicia leaned forward on the podium, giving anyone who cared to see an eyeful of the cleavage spilling from the low-cut neckline of her navy dress. “I haven’t seen you around for a while,” she said in a sultry voice. “What have you been up to?”

  “Working,” Grant said,” and trying to fit in time with Trent.”

  Maurie’s stomach churned. This beautiful, sophisticated woman knew Grant well enough for him to discuss his son with her.

  “You poor thing,” Alicia practically cooed. She started to say something else, but Grant cut her off.

  “We’re here for dinner,” he said. “I made reservations.”

  Alicia’s eyes cut to Maurie, giving her a passing glance. Maurie had the feeling that Alicia had already checked her out, long before they arrived at the hostess stand.

  The woman looked back at Grant without greeting Maurie. “Follow me,” she said, turning with a smug smile and walking through the restaurant until they reached a round booth. “This will keep you cozy.” Her smile was for Grant alone.

  He and Maurie sat and made themselves comfortable, and soon a waitress appeared with more smiles. When she looked at Grant, her smile became even wider. “Hi, Grant, it’s been a while.”

  Oh great. Maurie studied the waitress. Long blonde hair. Flawless makeup.

  “Hi, Gwen,” Grant said smoothly as if the woman’s megawatt smile had no effect on him. “Looks like it’s busy tonight.”

 
“Yeah, Fridays are usually like that,” Gwen winked. She glanced over at Maurie, and then said, “What drinks can I start you with?”

  After they ordered and Gwen left their table with her smile still in place, Maurie leaned forward. “You’ve got a lot of lady friends here.”

  His blue eyes met hers. “None of them are as interesting to me as you.”

  She looked down at her hands. “I’m not fishing for a compliment, Grant.”

  “I know you’re not,” he said, lowering his voice. “I’m letting you know that I’m on a date with you, not any other women.”

  She looked back up. It was silly to be jealous. They’d shared a couple of kisses, and this was their first date. She had no claim on him. But she had to know. “Did you date either of them?”

  He leaned back and glanced over at the other tables in the restaurant. “Alicia and I went out with a group of friends. We texted off and on, but our schedules never lined up. And to be honest, I wasn’t all that interested in her. Joy was so high maintenance, and Alicia seemed more of the same.”

  “What about Gwen?”

  “Nothing with Gwen. She’s just flirty.”

  Maurie lifted a brow. “I’ll bet you get that a lot.”

  With a shrug, he said, “One of the cruxes of being single and in a small town— everyone knows you’re available.” He paused. “I got tired of the pickup scene pretty quickly. It’s why I don’t go out much with the guys.”

  “Yeah,” Maurie said. “I get it.”

  Gwen came back, pen and notepad poised to take their orders. Maurie hadn’t even looked at the menu. After Grant ordered top sirloin, she selected the grilled salmon salad.

  Gwen was still friendly and flirty with Grant, but it didn’t bother Maurie anymore. When the waitress left to put in their order, he asked Maurie questions about college and why she’d decided to start up an online retailer outfit.

  Their food arrived, and by looking at her salad, Maurie knew she’d enjoy every bite. As they ate and talked, Grant told her about his two years at a community college— where he’d met Joy— a little about their marriage, and then their move back to Pine Valley, where Grant had worked as a handyman at the lodge, and then joined up with one of the larger construction companies in the area.