The muffled sound of excited barking carried through the frosty air as they nodded to other parents. No sign of Sam, of course, and no sign of Marshall, either.
Nerves over seeing either man pinged in Gracie’s chest, making her uncomfortable and tense about the whole day. The fact that her son had put his heart and soul into winning the contest and her grandfather had hauled out an antique popcorn maker to help the cause didn’t give Gracie any more peace about this afternoon.
“I have a bad feeling about all this,” she muttered, expressing her fears to the chilly air.
“Bad feeling? I don’t know what that is,” her mother quipped.
“Because your middle name should be High Hopes and Optimism, Mom.”
Gracie expected a typical trilled laugh and a flick of her wrist, the usual MJ McBride response. But her mother barely smiled orseemed to be her cheery self today, giving Gracie another thing to add to her worry list.
“Have you heard from Sam?” Mom asked.
“Not a word.” She forced a smile and spoke the inevitable words, “I’m pretty sure he’s not coming.”
Her mother reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “His loss. Today is about Benny.”
Gracie nodded, gulping past the lump in her throat. Not that she expected or even wanted Sam to come. But Benny’s disappointment would be her disappointment, and she’d do anything to keep that kid from hurting.
“There’s my girl,” Cindy called out, slowing her step when they noticed Nicole hustling closer from another section of the parking lot. With a wool hat pulled low over her eyes, she lifted a hand and gave a lackluster smile.
They all knew she’d spend the morning with Elise in Eagle Mountain, so none of them expected her to have flushed cheeks and damp lashes.
“How did it go?” Cindy asked, concern in her voice echoing Gracie’s thoughts.
“She got in.” As they reacted, Nicole held up a hand. “Cameron is furious and I think we’re done.”
“Nicole!” Gracie slid closer, putting an arm around her. “Are you sure? What happened?”
She just gave Gracie a sad look. “Later. Tonight. This is about Benny.” Looking around, Nicole asked, “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s coming with Red,” Gracie said. “And bringing a surprise. Don’t ask. It’s a Red and Benny special.”
Nicole gave a low groan and a dry laugh. “That usually means trouble.”
“Tell me about it,” Gracie muttered.
As they joined a few other parents and family members on the way inside, Nicole leaned closer to Gracie. “Is Cream Puff Guy here?” she whispered.
“Not yet.”
“Did you bring cream puffs and your nerve?”
“No to both.”
“Gracie! Why not?” Nicole demanded.
“I don’t know. All week long, he either dropped off or picked up Olivia at different times or had an important call or…avoided me. I really don’t think he’s interested.”
“Only one way to find out.” Nicole elbowed her. “And it means one giant step out of your comfort zone. You can do it, Gracie.”
“Don’t you hate men right now?” Gracie asked, laughing.
But Nicole didn’t even smile. “No, not at all,” she said. “Cameron’s not wrong and maybe I was, but he handled it poorly. And I had high hopes for Cream Puff Guy.”
“So did I,” Gracie admitted. “But first, I have to get through this event and I’m…”
“I know—tense, nervous, and certain something’s going to go wrong.”
