Claiming the Single Mom's Heart (11 page)

Why was she so determined to make light of that jerk's behavior and chastise
him
for stepping in?

“You need to promise me that you won't meet with him anywhere except in a public place. Don't let him get you alone, not even corner you by yourself at a meeting where he could let his temper fly without any witnesses.”

“I can't make that promise, but I assure you I'll be on my guard.”

He raised his hands in surrender, irritation coloring his tone. “Pardon me for jumping in where I'm not wanted.”

“Grady, don't be like that. I appreciate your concern. And thank you for wanting to protect me. But truly, your intervention will make him more determined to get me fired. I can't afford to lose this job. I have Tessa to support.”

“I'm sorry if you think my stepping in added fuel to the fire. But in my opinion, he's a powder keg waiting to go off and his behavior needs to be nipped in the bud.” Easy enough for him to say, though. He wasn't a single mother who needed a job to keep a roof over her daughter's head and food on the table. “I understand where you're coming from, Sunshine. Honestly, I do. But don't allow this guy to bully you. If he does it again, promise me you'll go to the authorities. I'm seriously thinking about doing that myself.”

“Please, Grady, don't do that.”

“Then, you'll promise me that if he approaches you again, tries to intimidate you, you'll report him?”

Warring emotions flashed through her eyes. Irritation. Resentment. And finally—relief? When she nodded, he could barely keep himself from reaching for her. To hug her for making that concession.

For a long moment their gazes held, then abruptly she glanced at her watch. “Look, I've got to run. Benton's covering for me at the gallery so I can do a few errands.”

She moved briskly to the door and opened it.

“We're still on for tonight?” he called out. This would be their final review of the presentation. Their last evening together. He'd hit the grocery store last night, picking up cheesecake, potatoes to bake and filet mignon to grill.

A thank-you gift.

Hand on the doorknob, she paused to look at him, her expression suddenly apologetic. “I'm sorry, something's come up and I have to cancel. But I'll email the presentation to you. I think we're basically done if you think it's good to go. Take a look at it and let me know.”

With a fleeting smile, she was gone.

Something
had come up?

Grady groaned. He'd obviously overstepped his bounds when he'd instinctively stepped in to halt Gideon, the macho-minded rescue somehow sinking his ship.

And what ship might that be, Grady? Winning a lady's heart?

He kicked aside the betraying thought. He had absolutely no designs on Sunshine Carston. None.

Right?

Chapter Eleven

“Y
ou're coming to the Hideaway Saturday evening, aren't you, Sunshine?” Delaney Marks Hunter, her wavy, sun-streaked blond hair tumbling around her shoulders, paused at the bottom of the Co-op gallery staircase that led not only to Sunshine's apartment, but to several small studios where Delaney had started taking silversmithing lessons from Benton Mason during the summer.

Sunshine had received and responded to the invitation Delaney was referring to with mixed emotions. Elaine and Dave Hunter were hosting a gathering of current town council members, candidates and other prominent people in the community. It was hard to imagine socializing with Irvin after his ungallant performance a week ago, but that was not what bothered her most.

“I'll be there. My friend Tori is going watch Tessa.”

“Bring Tessa along. Tori, too.” Delaney's smile broadened, obviously thrilled to be a Hunter now. Having married into the family a month ago, she was already comfortable speaking on their behalf. “The Hunters would be fine with that.”

“I think a night of boring local politics might be a bit much for both.”

“Our kids will be there. At least for the cookout.” Luke had three children, which Delaney already thought of as her own and had earlier confided her intent to adopt. “Claire—one of Luke's twin sisters—and her kids are in town to help out, so they'll be there, too. And I imagine several others will bring their children. The Hunters are all about family. You should see Grady when he's surrounded by his nieces and nephews. He's going to make a great dad some day.”

He'd certainly won Tessa's heart.

The invitation had been addressed to Sunshine Carston and family, noting she could bring a guest. But with Tori busy researching how the Hunters may have swindled Sunshine's great-great-grandparents out of their property, she'd likely balk at being asked to socialize with them. And although Tessa might enjoy playing with the other kids, her obsession with Grady being her hero didn't need to be fueled further. When Tessa had spied him at church last Sunday, she'd gone running with arms outstretched to the poor surprised man. Recovering, he'd laughed, picked her up and lifted her high before setting her back on her feet. Not good.

“It's nice of the Hunters to plan something like this.” Even though it was awkward. Not only was she hoping to prove their ancestor had done hers wrong, but she'd been nagged by guilt for days at having let Grady down Tuesday night—and having put him off on Thursday, as well. But after Gideon's accusations about her “getting cozy” with Grady, she'd had no choice.

She had a fine line to walk, keeping the two factions of the Co-op on speaking terms and unified in purpose. While Gideon had kept a physical distance at Wednesday evening's meeting—no doubt wary after having been confronted by Grady—he'd challenged her again and again.

She could
not
lose her job and the apartment that came with it. Maybe at tonight's veterans-hosted dinner she'd have the opportunity to clarify things with Grady. To smooth the gulf between them that she'd been forced to create.

“Well, I'll see you then!” Always full of energy, Delaney dashed up the stairs.

Over the next several hours, Sunshine waited on customers at the gallery, then got cleaned up and changed clothes for the evening's event. Would Irvin be on better behavior tonight?

The sun had set by the time she arrived at the Log Cabin Café, owner and former marine William “Packy” Westin welcoming her to a spacious back room where others were gathering for an opportunity to get to know the candidates. She'd expected mostly males, but spouses, dates and female vets were also in attendance.

A burly guy in his early sixties with a close-cropped beard, Packy's shaved head shone under the overhead lights as he helped her remove her coat and led her to her seat at the front of a U-shaped table arrangement.

Next to Grady, thankfully, and not Irvin.

Her breath caught unexpectedly as Grady's warm gaze met hers without a trace of the distancing between them that she'd feared.

“Beautiful dress, Sunshine.”

Heat warmed her cheeks. Tori had loaned it to her. A black sheath that skimmed her figure, topped by a fitted ruby sweater jacket. Strappy high heels gave it an added touch of style that she didn't often indulge in. And to think she'd almost resorted to wool slacks, turtleneck and flats because the evening had turned nippy.

Now, seeing that appreciative spark in Grady's eyes, she knew she'd made the right choice.

With Packy on one side of her and Grady on the other, the meal passed pleasantly, not allowing her much time to notice the butterflies in her stomach. Then, much to her relief, Irvin was called upon to present first, then her and finally Grady.

All that worry of Irvin putting on a repeat performance at her expense had been for nothing. This group asked harder questions of Mr. Baydlin than the others had, politely but pointedly putting him on the spot a few times. That let a little of the hot air out of him. With former army vet and fellow artist Benton Mason and his wife in attendance, she more confidently presented her hopes that the old and new could work together to improve the economy for Hunter Ridge.

The evening was unexpectedly painless and, following some mingling and answering questions one-on-one, by nine thirty the guests began to disperse. She'd done it. Made it through another event. If only the remaining ones would be so effortless.

Among the last to leave, Grady held out her coat and helped her to slip it on. “May I walk you to your car?”

“If you don't mind. I parked out back and the lighting isn't that good.”

“My pleasure.”

Attempting to tamp down the rapid beating of her heart, she followed Grady down a short hallway. Then he held open the door and they stepped out into the night.

“Brrr.” She pulled her coat collar up around her neck, wishing she'd brought along her wool scarf and leather gloves. She took note of Grady's shirtsleeves. “Didn't you bring a coat?”

“It's inside. I'll get it after I see you to your car.”

Carefully navigating the steps, Sunshine gave a silent sigh of relief when she reached the bottom without mishap, acutely conscious of Grady's hand grazing her waist at the back of her coat.

“Where are you parked?”

“Over there.” She clicked a button on her car key, the SUV's taillights momentarily illuminating, but she immediately concentrated on negotiating the graveled parking lot with care. Not easy in high heels after dark.

They almost made it to her vehicle when her footing gave way. A pothole. With a startled cry, she fought to regain her balance, only to be caught by Grady. Steadied. Grateful, she turned to thank him.

But he was unexpectedly close.

Her breathing suddenly shallow, she stared up at him and in the dim light saw his eyes widen slightly, as surprised to find her in his arms as she was to be there.

“Grady—” Their gazes locked, and she could feel his heart beating where her hand rested on his shirtfront. But she couldn't voice the words of thanks that needed to be said. “I—”

He placed his finger gently to her lips to silence her.

Somewhere in the distance, as a barely there breeze touched her cheek, she could hear the cry of a night bird. The bark of a dog. The sound of muted laughter coming from one of the other restaurants along the main road through town.

And then, ever so slowly he closed his eyes and leaned forward until she could feel his soft breath inches from her lips.

He is going to kiss me
. She should stop him. And yet...her own eyes closed and her lips parted in anticipation.

“Grady!” Packy's marine-tough voice barreled across the darkened parking lot.

They jerked apart. Staring at each other as if dazed.

“You out there, Grady?” Packy remained silhouetted at the restaurant's back door.

“Yeah.” Grady cleared his throat, then raised his voice. “Yeah, I'm here, Packy.”

“You left your jacket. Don't forget to come back and get it.”

“Will do.”

Packy disappeared from the doorway and they were again alone. But the moment had been broken.

Grady again cleared his throat. “I guess I'd better let you get in your vehicle and get warmed up.”

From the second he'd taken her into his arms, however, she'd no longer been aware of the cold but had been flooded by a curious warmth. A warmth that now quickly ebbed. With a shiver, she took the final steps to her SUV, where she unlocked the door. He held it open as she seated herself, the glare of the interior light further stripping away the fleeting thrill of what had happened.

What had
almost
happened.

“Good night, Sunshine.” Grady's tone was flat, impersonal, as he shut the door, then stepped back into the shadows.

Now trembling, Sunshine started the engine, then carefully backed out and exited the almost empty parking lot.

Once on the road to home, she pressed her unsteady fingers lightly to her lips.

* * *

“Either grab a box and help, Grady, or get out of the way.” Luke, arms laden with an oversize plastic bin, elbowed his way past him and onto the patio at the back of the inn.

With a midafternoon wind kicking up, they'd delayed patio preparation until the last minute. Mom hadn't wanted to risk everything getting blown into the next county. But now, with the sun dipping below the towering treetops, calm had returned. Time for all hands on deck.

“Are you feeling all right, Grady?” Grandma Jo looking at him with concern, lifted her hand to his forehead. “No fever. But you haven't been yourself today.”

Luke rolled his eyes at him as, bin delivered, he returned to the inn.

“Stuff on my mind I guess, Grandma.”

She studied him with open curiosity, then, without further comment, returned inside.

He had a lot on his mind, all right. Like the fact that not only had he almost kissed Sunshine last night, but she'd be arriving any minute. What would he say to her? Should he pretend nothing happened between them at all? Apologize?

Heading into the inn, he grabbed one of the bins out of the storage room and carried it outside to where Rio was unpacking others in front of the big outdoor fireplace. Plastic table covers. Salt and pepper shakers. Cloth napkins.

“Need any help there?” he felt obligated to ask.

She looked up at him. “Thanks, but I think I've got it. You could finish setting up tables for the kids, though, and tell Luke to bring out the rest of the folding chairs. We're expecting about fifty. That's including maybe a dozen children.”

Fifty. With that many packed out here, he might not have to worry too much about interacting with Sunshine after all. Besides, as a candidate for town council she'd have her focus on meeting people, making a good impression, baby kissing and all that.

Inwardly he groaned. Why did he have to think of
kissing
?

But instantly his thoughts flew to the dark parking lot behind the Log Cabin Café. Would he ever be back there again without thinking of last night? When he'd kept Sunshine from falling, she'd turned in his arms and...his mind had converted to mush. If Packy hadn't hollered out the door, well, he'd be in a bigger heap of trouble than he was right now.

“Grady?”

He jerked back to the present where Rio was staring up at him doubtfully.

“Are you going to stand there or are you going to deliver my message to Luke and get the tables set up?”

“On it.”

He had to get his head out of the clouds. Fast.

“There you are!” His sister Claire, one of the twins, caught his arm just as he stepped inside to search for Luke. “I've been back home for a week and have hardly seen you.”

She gave him a hug. She was so different from their youngest sister, Rio, who was a loner who'd far prefer to spend her time out in the stable with the horses than deal with a crowd of people. Which meant that after her duties here were completed, she'd pull a disappearing act.

Not Claire, though. She loved being in the thick of things, would thrive on playing hostess at Hunter's Hideaway even if only during a visit. Since marrying and moving to Dallas, she didn't often get back once she and Del had three kids aged five and under.

“I've been around.” He lowered his voice. “Mom sure appreciates your coming back to help right now. We all do.”

“Flying in and out solo for Luke and Delaney's wedding reminded me how much I miss you all. Del's out of the country on business for a few weeks, so I saw no reason why I shouldn't pack up the kids and come on home to help out. Nothing to stop me.”

“So,” he continued, “do you think Mom's up to this tonight? When she announced her intentions on Sunday not to cancel the barbecue, you could have knocked me over with a feather.”

“I imagine having something other than chemo treatments to look forward to perked her up this week. I know she looked tired when I got here, but don't you think she's seemed livelier the past few days?”

“Maybe. I don't want her overdoing it, though. And her possibly being exposed to colds or flu with all these kids running around concerns me, but she wouldn't hear of asking guests not to bring their children. I don't much care, either, that she's giving her opponents ammunition to use against her if she isn't up to par tonight.”

Irv's earlier potshots still rankled.

Claire frowned. “Do you think Irvin and that Sunshine woman would do that? I don't put it past Irv, of course. He was in Dad's high school graduating class and Dad's never cared for him. But I don't know much about this Carston lady. She's lived here a couple of years, right? What do you know about her?”

Warmth crept up his neck.

What did he know about Sunshine? Well, she was a good mother. A hard worker. A fine artist. She knew a lot about marketing, which she'd been willing to share with him. Stubborn at times, but she had a smile that invariably coaxed out one of his own.