“Right, and Jenna can’t afford to miss classes. She’s getting ready to take her SATs, right?”
“Yeah. I don’t mind her being here without us since she has you and Mom and Dad. And honestly, we’re okay if she hangs out with her boyfriend here.”
“With the door open, yeah, yeah, I know.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m sensing a lot of attitude, Piper.”
“Come on, Jared. This isn’t the first time I’ve babysat for you guys.”
“No, but it’s the first time we’ll be gone for so long without all our kids.” He bit his lower lip. “Our first Thanksgiving without all the girls won’t be easy.”
“I know. But I think you’ll all do better after a nice break.”
That didn’t seem to reassure him. If anything, he blanched.
“What? What’s that look? I swear, you’re worrying over nothing.”
“A holiday break,” he muttered and ran a hand through blond hair just a shade darker than hers. “I just realized I never told you about our house guest. But in my defense, I hadn’t realized you’d be here with Jenna. I thought you’d be at your place.”
“I’m sorry for that, but I told you the renovations are taking longer than expected.” And God knew, if she had to stay with her parents while the work got done, she might be tempted to commit parricide—a real word meaning to kill one’s parents.
She knew; she’d looked it up. “Wait. House guest? Who’s coming?”
The horn blew, and his wife yelled, “Jared, let’s get going. Bye, Piper. Thanks again. We’ll see you soon!”
“Jenna has the details,” Jared said in a rush, hugged Piper, then darted to the car. “Bye! Love you. See you at Christmas!”
“But—”
They drove away, leaving Piper staring after them.
The wind blew, the cold seeping into her bones. Time passed as she stared dumbly after them. Just as she turned to go back inside, a Land Rover pulled into the driveway and parked. Huh.
Piper watched a tall man with light-brown hair and a tan complexion exit the car, spot her, and make a beeline her way.
The closer he drew, the tougher it became not to gawk in awe. Her brother and sister-in-law knew everyone and everything that happened in their small town. But as one of Hope’s Turn’s top real estate agents, Piper knew her fair share of neighbors and gossip as well. And whoa, momma, she’d certainly never seen a man this fine around. Well, not including the ex-pro football players in town who, unfortunately, were no longer single.
The stranger stopped in front of her and looked her over with the same scrutiny she was giving him but from a pair of blue eyes so light and clear they rivaled the overhead sky.
To her shock, he got down on one knee and reached for her hand.
She gaped. “Do I know you?”
“Yes, you do. I’m the man you’re going to marry.”
“I— What?”
Why did all the handsome ones turned out to be looney? She tried to tug her hand away, but he kept kneeling and smiling, his large hand surprisingly warm, giving her tingles.
A car stopped at the mouth of the driveway, and out Jenna popped. She waved as it drove away and walked toward them with a smile. “Hey, Aunt Piper.” She said nothing about the man on one knee holding her aunt’s hand, though she did pause to check out his car. “Nice wheels, Grant. Dad said you’re staying with us for a while. Cool.” Then she walked inside.
Piper frowned. Grant. Grant… She stared at the stranger, seeing a faint resemblance to someone she’d known a long time ago. “Grant Weston?” Holy crap. She hadn’t seen this kid—man—in over fifteen years, not since he’d moved from town.
He stood. “Ah, so she remembers me.” He winked. “Had you going there for a minute, didn’t I?”
She tried to come up with something witty to say but had nothing.
Slinging a bag over his shoulder, he walked into the house and shut the door behind him.
