Then I spot Cletus, the hat-wearing goat, and his bestfriend slash owner, Carl. “Hey, Carl. Hey, Cletus!” I wave when Carl turns to see who’s talking to him as he moseys down the street with his big, white goat.
“Hello, young lady.” He gives me a gesture that is the perfect nonchalant way of acknowledging me.
I grin all the way to my car because these small moments are ones I never dreamed I’d be having just a few months into my time here.
The rest of my day off flies by in a scroll of grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, and a bunch of online tasks peppered by texts from Evie once she’s off. May messages, too, thanking me for the help with the Book Bus revamp before it gets going again for the season next month, and tells me she’s grateful for me.
Not my help.Me.
I fall asleep marveling at the beauty of this place and this life and all the wonderful people in it. I’m determined to figure out how to shut down my worries over Andrew, and I have every faith that Davis, and Grant if he has any say in the matter, will help me do just that. Being here makes almost anything seem possible.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Grant
Igreet Sam with a kiss on her cheek. It’s probably too much, but it happens before I can stop myself, and the way she turns toward the contact makes my stomach flip.
“You look great.” Again, it’s out of my mouth before I check the impulse.
She smooths down her apron. “In my diner uniform?”
When her gaze locks with mine, the light blush on her cheeks makes me feel utterly weak for her. And damn if that’s not wildly new for me. It shouldn’t feel so unfamiliar, especially because I’ve been having exactly this response to her since almost the moment I met her.
That said, itisnew. Because at this point, I know she’s beautiful, but I also know so much more. She’s strong, determined, generous, and thoughtful. She’s brave as hell, and while I have no right to it, I’m proud of her for the life she’s setting up for herself.
“Yes. You look good in everything, though.” I mean it.
She shakes her head. “Well, I like your uniform, too.”
Her eyes snag on my hat, then trickle down over me, and not for the first time, I’m keenly aware I do not mind her eyes on me at all.
“That’s good, since it’s the main feature of my wardrobe.” I’m not sure when I became a man who talks about hiswardrobe, but here we are. I’m too damn happy to be talking with her, especially considering the context.
That thought sobers me right up. “So, you take the lead here, and I’m here for backup.”
Her dark eyes flick back and forth between mine. I wish I could read whatever’s going on in there, but no such luck.
The door of the little house where Davis’s practice is located bangs open and Eirinn storms out. She doesn’t notice us at first because she’s wrestling with her purse, trying to pull it over her shoulder, then halts in her steps and scrunches her eyes closed like she’s in excruciating pain.
“Eirinn, are you okay?” I don’t want to interrupt the moment, but this is not her. I can count on one hand the times I've seen her this flustered, and at least three of them were due to postpartum hormones.
Her gaze snaps up and her eyes go wide. “Grant. Sam.”
There’s no warmth or enthusiasm, and her cheeks flood with heat.
“You good? Is Davis okay?” I step toward her, instinctively moving to help.
“All good. Yeah.” Her voice shakes and she sniffs hard. “Um, sorry, I have to run.”
She rushes past me and Sam in a whirl of nervous, odd energy I can’t place and that definitely has my hackles raised. Whatis happening?
“She seemed really upset.” Sam’s voice is barely above a whisper.
“She did.” I’ll follow up on that, but right now, it’s time to see if we can solve at least one problem. “Let’s go talk to Davis, and I’ll check on her later.”
The bounce in Sam’s step has me fighting a smile.
“I’m so relieved. I mean, I know he’s nice because I’ve met him, and Evie said he’s been super helpful with her situation, but I still just…” She shakes her head. “Andrew being a lawyer has not led me to the conclusion that lawyers are inherently trustworthy, honest people.”
