Love Inspired June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Patricia Johns

  “I see,” Pastor Wilson said. He didn’t sound impressed by Grayson’s answer.

  “Dad, are you going to eat with us?” A hand tugged on Grayson’s arm, and it took him a moment to realize he was the dad. Quinn beamed up at him. Behind her stood three girls of similar age.

  “With you?” he teased.

  “Yes.” She grinned. “And Nan and Grandpa Judge.”

  “Grandpa Judge?” That was a new one.

  She giggled. “Yeah. He was a judge and he’s my grandpa. Also, when I call him Grandpa Judge he growls but then he smiles.”

  “I’ll join you in a minute,” he promised. “What about your mom?”

  “She’s coming in a minute, too. She’s still serving food.”

  And avoiding him, if he had to guess.

  Quinn walked away, her friends tagging along with her. Grayson ignored the look Pastor Wilson gave him. An expectant look, one that felt like an exclamation mark on their previous conversation about his plans for the future.

  “I’m going to stop by tomorrow to look at the youth building and to write up a supply list for the repairs,” Grayson said, shifting the conversation to one that felt less restrictive. He could breathe if he was discussing building.

  “I’ll be here by eight o’clock,” Pastor Wilson said. “I’ll have a couple of our men here, in case we need to get approval for the expenses.”

  “We won’t worry about that for right now,” Grayson said. “I grew up in this church and I’d like to be able to help with the cost of repairing the youth building. Tucker told me what you all have been doing here, feeding kids, making sure they have clothes for school, coats for the winter. I want to be able to do my part in your ministry.”

  “We appreciate that.” Pastor Wilson held out a hand to him.

  “Did I hear my name mentioned?” Tucker joined them. A girl stood at his side. If Grayson had to guess, she looked to be in her early teens. She didn’t seem very happy about being there with him.

  “This must be your niece.” Grayson smiled down at the girl.

  She didn’t smile back. Tucker gave her a slight nudge.

  “Shay, this is my friend Grayson Stone. We went to school together.”

  “Hi, Shay, nice to meet you.” Grayson tried again, holding his hand out to the girl.

  She looked at his hand for a brief moment, then ignored him. Tucker looked more than a little beside himself. It did Grayson a little bit of good to see that he wasn’t the only one struggling with the women in his life.

  “I need to join my family,” Grayson said. “Tucker, would you and Shay like to join us? Pastor, you’re invited, too, if you think you can handle it.” He winked at him.

  Pastor Wilson laughed. “I have four daughters. I’m not afraid. But I’m going to circulate and talk to people. We’re still trying to make a list of things that need to be done, church members and neighbors who might need help with repairs or cleanup. I’m taking some of our youth out Tuesday afternoon to help clean up trash. Shay is welcome to come with us.”

  “No, thanks,” Shay quickly replied.

  Tucker cut her off. “She’ll be here, just tell me what time.”

  Avery happened to be passing by, and she stopped to join their conversation. “I’d like to be a part of that group, too, Pastor. I won’t be working at PRC for a few days so I might as well help you all.”

  The residential facility had unfortunately suffered more damage than it first appeared. Grayson knew that Avery was worried for her job but also the residents who had been displaced.

  “I’ll help with that, too.” Grayson said, smiling at Avery.

  “Well, this should be downright fun,” Tucker said. “Shay and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Avery laughed and walked away. Grayson watched her go and didn’t follow. He needed a moment because he was quickly realizing he might be in over his head. He couldn’t be partially involved with his daughter, and it was becoming clearer by the moment that he wanted to be more than partially in Avery’s life. He wanted it all.

  The thought left him shaken.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Tuesday afternoon Grayson watched as Avery worked tirelessly helping the Atkins family clean up the debris that littered their yard. The family had lost part of their roof, their back porch and several trees on their property.

  Along with several other women, Avery carried trash and small limbs. They laughed together as they worked, occasionally stopping to talk.

  He started moving in her direction, picking up boards as he went and tossing them in the Dumpster that had been brought in for the cleanup.

  Tucker caught up with him when he was a short distance away from Avery. “How’s it going?”

  “Going well.”

  “Is it?” Tucker asked, his gaze straying to Avery.

  “Do you have something to say, Church?”

  Tucker just grinned. “Nah, I’m just messing with you, man. But I did want to touch base about the thing we talked about? I can deliver it soon.”

  Grayson kept one eye on Avery. “That would be good. In the next couple of days would be perfect.”

  “Are they still staying at the farm?”

  “Yes, for now. It looks like power will be back on at Nan’s place in the next couple of days but until then, they’re with us.”

  Tucker picked up a section of roofing and heaved it into the Dumpster with the other debris. “What about the house?”

  “Avery’s house?” Grayson asked, just to clarify.

  “Yeah.”

  They moved over to one side as a man walked past with an extension ladder. All around them were groups of people helping to get things taken care of. A couple of men were working on the roof, dragging a tarp over an area that was damaged.

  “I’ve been working over there in the evenings. I want to get as much done as possible before I have to leave. I’m putting together crews for plumbing, drywall, electric.”

  “She doesn’t mind your help?” Tucker asked as he pulled his gloves back on.

  “She might mind just a little.” He shrugged. “This tornado changed everything, though.”

  “When do you plan on leaving?” Tucker asked.

  The man had a dozen questions.

  “End of June or beginning of July. I’m not really sure yet. I’m thinking about asking Avery to take care of the judge. She knows how to handle him.”

  “I think Avery has her hands full with Quinn, Nan and a full-time job.”

  “It’s not clear what’s going to happen with PRC. They’re talking about closing it down. The damage to the place was more extensive than they’d first thought. They’ve moved a big percentage of residents to other facilities.”

  Across the yard, Grayson noticed Avery had paused to brush hair from her face. Quinn joined her as they picked up paper, insulation and other scraps. Both wore gloves and masks. Quinn looked the slightest bit pale.

  “I’m going to check on Quinn,” Grayson said as he took a few steps away from Tucker. “It might be time to take her home.”

  “She does look like she’s about done in,” Tucker agreed. “If I haven’t said it, I think you’re good for her.”

  “I appreciate that,” Grayson answered. And he did. “See you later. We still have to take that float trip.”

  “I agree. See you in a couple of days with that special delivery.”

  Grayson raised a hand to acknowledge what Tucker had said as he walked away, smiling at the idea of the surprise, the special delivery Tucker had mentioned. Quinn would have her dream. He couldn’t give her everything but he could do this one thing.

  Avery gave him a sharp look as he approached.

  “How’re you doing?” he asked.

  “Great. I’m doing great,” she answered as she walked away to dump an armload of trash i
n the Dumpster. He followed close behind.

  “Quinn looks tired,” he said.

  Avery gave her daughter, their daughter, a quick look. “She does look pale. I’ll have her take a break in the shade.”

  “I have water in my truck. I can get her a bottle. You want one, too?”

  Avery pulled off the leather work gloves she wore and swiped a hand across her face. “I wouldn’t say no to some cold water right now.”

  Grayson headed to his truck. He glanced back once and saw Avery talking to Quinn. Quinn didn’t look happy, but she seemed to be doing what Avery asked. She headed to a tree where there was shade and she sank to the ground to rest.

  As he reached into the back of his truck cab to pull a couple of bottles of water from the cooler, a voice rang out behind him. “Grayson Stone, it’s mighty strange to see you in this neck of the woods.”

  Slowly, he turned, knowing who he would see standing behind him. “Greg Butterfield, it’s been a long time.”

  “Yeah, it has. Eleven years. One minute we were wild and crazy and then you were gone.” Greg’s eyes darted around the area. They were pretty well isolated. “Been a long time since we partied together.”

  “Yeah, well, I quit partying a long time ago,” Grayson admitted. “Do you attend the community church?”

  Greg laughed at that. “Nah, this is my cousin’s place and I told him I’d help him out. I can help you out, too.”

  Grayson knew exactly what he was hinting at. “I don’t think so, Greg. Clean and sober for nine years. I plan on keeping it that way.”

  “Does that mean you can’t hang out with an old friend?” Greg asked.

  He held up the bottles of water. “I have to deliver these.”

  “Oh, that’s right, to your wifey and your kid.” Greg’s eyes narrowed. “Avery grew up to be real pretty, didn’t she?”

  Grayson studied the other man, wondering if that was a threat or an observation. Either way, it bothered him.

  “Stay away from her,” Grayson warned.

  The other man cackled. “Oh, come on, Grayson, we’re old friends.”

  “See you around, Greg.” Grayson walked away. From across the lawn he made eye contact with Avery. She’d seen them talking. Even from a distance he knew there would be a flicker of doubt in her green eyes. Well-deserved doubt. He even doubted himself.

  That was the problem with being in a small town where everyone knew you. There was no way he could be in Pleasant and not bump into his old buddies. Not that any of them had been friends.

  “Water for my girls,” he said when he reached Avery and Quinn. He handed Quinn a bottle, twisting the lid off before giving it to her. Avery gave him the stink eye, probably for referring to her as “his girl.”

  “We’re going home,” Avery told him. “I mean, to your house. Quinn has a headache and it’s almost dinnertime. I’m pretty sure Nan said something about making homemade chicken pot pie for dinner.”

  “We should definitely go,” Quinn said, more inclined to leave than he would have thought.

  He and Avery had brought separate cars so they weren’t going to leave together. It unsettled him, their sudden departure. Maybe because he’d bumped into Greg, he realized. He’d come face-to-face with his sketchy past and he hadn’t enjoyed it.

  “I think I’ll leave, too.” He reached out for his daughter and she slipped her small hand into his. Pulling her up to stand, he said, “Maybe Nan made dessert to go with the chicken pot pie.”

  “Oh, I hope so.” Quinn grinned at him.

  * * *

  Avery drove home by herself. Quinn had opted to ride with her father. It hadn’t been easy, letting go, but Avery had done it. For Quinn and Grayson both. Still, it hurt the tiniest bit that Quinn had picked him over her.

  Being alone gave Avery time to think about the conversation she’d witnessed between Greg and Grayson. The two men had been friends as teens. They had partied together, gotten in trouble together and probably would have ended up the same if Grayson’s parents hadn’t sent him away.

  Seeing them together reminded her too much of the past. Of who he used to be, and she knew that wasn’t fair. People changed.

  With her thoughts swirling around in her head, Avery was surprised when a small horse ran in front of her car. She slammed on the brakes, her heart nearly jumping out of her chest. Dolly raced off down the driveway, Jack the donkey close behind her.

  Avery pulled over to the side of the driveway and got out.

  Grayson’s truck came up the driveway behind her and pulled to a stop. He and Quinn got out and Quinn whistled shrilly, bringing the two escapees to a sudden stop.

  “Wow, where did you learn to whistle like that?” Grayson asked.

  “Grandpa Judge taught me,” Quinn said as she moved finger and thumb to her mouth and whistled again to show him.

  “That’s pretty impressive,” Grayson told her. “I’m going to have to learn to do that.”

  Then the conversation came to a halt. The donkey and horse were on the run again. Quinn went after them, running on the opposite side of the drive.

  “Circle around them,” Grayson yelled, chasing after her. “We’ll divide and conquer.”

  Father and daughter were both laughing and yelling as they tried to corner the two animals. Dolly, with her reddish-brown coat and black mane, streaked past her two would-be captors. She shook her head in victory as she tried to make a run for it.

  Quinn hurried to catch up with her as Jack the donkey cut in the other direction and tried to slide past Grayson. More shouting and some slipping and sliding in the gravel. Cowboy boots were not meant for running on gravel roads.

  Jack darted past them, his tail swishing as he ran. Then out of nowhere, the basset hound came to join the chase.

  “That beast,” Grayson called out, laughing as he went after Jack. The basset followed, his hound dog bark not really helping.

  Tony the llama had found a way out of his enclosure, but uninterested in running, he began to graze. He would occasionally raise his head and watch the flight of Jack, chewing with blades of grass sticking out of the corner of his mouth. His eyes were brown, fringed with long lashes. He looked very sweet. Avery approached the animal only to have him bellow and then spit.

  She held her hands up in surrender and backed away. The donkey and horse were still leading Grayson and Quinn on a merry chase. Avery headed for the barn. She scooped up a bucket of grain and walked back to the yard, shaking the pail as she went. Tony the llama immediately returned to the yard. Farther down the drive, Jack and Dolly came to a halt. Jack’s antenna-like ears swiveled, and he made an abrupt 180 degree turn and headed back to the barn. Dolly nuzzled up against Quinn, as if that had always been her plan.

  Avery kept shaking the bucket of food and headed for the corral that would hopefully keep them confined this time. She opened the gate and walked through the opening. A moment later Tony, Jack and Dolly had followed her inside. She poured the grain in a wooden trough, then hurried back through the gate.

  Grayson closed it behind her and latched it. “I’m not sure why he thought he needed those animals. They’re more trouble than they’re worth.”

  Quinn giggled. “I love them.”

  “And that’s why we won’t get rid of them,” Grayson acknowledged as he leaned against the fence, trying to catch his breath. “Thanks for the help. You were amazing.”

  Quinn arched a brow at that. “My mom is the one who really got them in.”

  “I’m just the one who had the grain,” Avery said. “The two of you did all the hard work.”

  “We’re a good team,” Grayson said.

  Quinn had a funny look on her face as her gaze slid from Grayson to Avery. She studied them.

  “It’s like we’re a family,” she said after a minute.

  This had been Avery’
s greatest fear, that Quinn would want more. And she didn’t blame her. Avery had spent her entire childhood wanting two parents who would be there for her, be present in her life. She’d done her very best to give Quinn one parent who would be those things and who wouldn’t let her down.

  Grayson was larger than life to a ten-year-old who longed for a family that was more than a mom and grandmother. Avery understood that. From the first time they’d met, he’d always been larger than life to her, as well.

  “That donkey bit me,” Grayson said, very out of the blue.

  He held his hand out. Avery peered at the spot he was pointing to and she exhaled a breath, relaxing. She tossed him a look, silently thanking him for the distraction.

  “That isn’t a bite. It looks like...” Avery looked up to meet his gaze. “It looks like he might have licked your hand.”

  Grayson glanced at the indention. “I beg to differ. It is a bite. He could have taken my finger off.”

  “If that was his goal, he should try harder.” She reached through the wooden fence to pet the donkey. The rascal ducked his head to nip at her leg. “That was just a friendship bite. He didn’t even use his teeth.”

  “I’m going up to the house to see Grandpa Judge,” Quinn told them.

  Grayson and Avery remained at the corral, watching their daughter as she hurried to the house.

  “Can I tell you a secret?” he asked.

  “Sure,” she said, though not entirely convinced she wanted to know.

  He didn’t answer right away, then said, “Parenting is frightening.”

  She arched a brow at the statement. “Truly frightening,” she agreed.

  “Suddenly, there are cars and strangers and hidden dangers that she has to be kept safe from.”

  “And boys who think she’s cute.”

  “Right, boys.” He gave a heavy sigh.

  “It gets easier, I promise,” she encouraged.

  “I know it does, but it’s a lot. Two weeks ago I was Grayson Stone, builder, single man, passing through his hometown to check on his dad.”

  “Now?”