I’m startled into action, worried she’ll fall if I don’t jump, accepting her small embrace and then moving down the line to where Lily is grinning, arms out, waiting for her turn. Blinking away the threat of tears hitting me, I clear my throat. “Thank you for the hot chocolate. See you soon, girls.”
I move toward the front door, glancing at my phone to see an unknown number with a California area code. My stomach sinks, but it doesn’t mean much. My phone has a Cali number, too, so it doesn’t have to mean anything.
“Girls, dishes in the sink. I’m going to walk Miss Sam out.”
I hear his words and in seconds, he’s there with me, holding up my jacket as I slip my arms in.
“Thank you for?—”
“Thanks—”
We both halt, sharing a small smile.
“You go,” I insist.
“Thank you for helping find Poppy, and for spending time with us this afternoon.”
He says these words while wearing the most intense, encompassing expression. If I didn’t have practice stayingcalm in all manner of challenges, I would forget everything but his handsome face.
“It was my pleasure. I’m sorry it happened in the first place.”
He steps closer, definitely nearer than would be normal if we were just… whatever we are.
“Could we start over? I know I’ve been…” He glances away, giving me the perfect close-up view of his razor-sharp jaw as it flexes and the firm column of his throat.
“You’ve been great, Grant. There’s no need.”
But even as I say this, he holds up his hand between us. “I’m Grant. I’m a single dad, and I own the apartment you’re going to stay in. I’m overprotective of the people I love, especially my girls, and that combined with my job as sheriff means I can be a bit suspicious and not particularly welcoming to newcomers.”
Delight flips around in my stomach as I accept his offer. His warm, dry hand envelops mine. It’s at once electric and completely serene—safe. At least on one level. Nothing is safe about the way my skin hums with energy where we’re clasped together.
“I’m Sam. I’m a mess.” I huff a laugh and his teeth flash in a smile. “I’m starting over here, definitely happy to be in Juniper View instead of stuck in my old life, and I’m—” I clear my throat to banish the tightness emotion is causing there. “I’m grateful to be here, getting to know you and your family.”
His hand tightens on mine, and I swear he’s closer, even though neither of us has moved. “I’m so glad to meet you, Sam.”
The moment breaks when Lily and Poppy both run into the hallway, Lily yelling, “No, Poppy! You can’t!” and Poppy squealing as she bolts up the stairs buck naked.
I laugh and turn away and release his hand, trying to give privacy, and I catch a blush and chagrined smile on Grant’s face.
I drop his hand and move away. “I think that’s my cue.”
“Suppose so. I better go.” He backs away.
But he doesn’t turn. He keeps his eyes on me as I leave the house, and for some reason, that backward walk with those blue eyes on me stays in my head the rest of the night.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Grant
After bathtime and dinner, then getting the girls in bed, I pull on a jacket and boots and slip outside.
I can still feel her hand in mine. Soft, but strong. Determined to meet me where I stood.
Something’s shifted, though. I couldn’t tell what at the time, but the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced there’s something going on with her. Not that it takes a detective when she says outright, “Happy to be out of my old life.”
My mind flashes to the mistrust she had of me when I stopped to help her with her tire, and the way I’d learned nothing about her life in LA thus far save what I saw in her background check.
It’s concern that has me knocking on her door at a few minutes after eight. I’m satisfied to note the outer garage door is locked, so it takes a minute before I hear herfootsteps descending the stairs. Not that anyone else could just show up without warning without it being onmyradar, but it’s not like the house is behind a gate or anything.
