Grace didn’t seem to be bothered by his leg. Not when she came to the hospital that first time when he was having such a hard time accepting that part of it was missing. Not when she saw his scarred stump before he pulled the prosthetic sleeve andliner on. And not when he walked out of the prosthetic place holding onto her arm for stability.
He didn't offer to buy her dinner that day, because he was afraid he'd enjoy it as much as he did last week. Dark movie theaters and intimate dinners made it impossible for him to keep his feelings for Grace in check.
He needed to keep his distance from Grace. That's why he hadn't responded to her texts the last few days.
A knock sounded on the door before it opened, then in walked Grace, holding a wiggly Lily in one arm and a bag of groceries in the other. The sight of her took his breath away. She looked stunning in a red blouse and dark blue jeans.
"Hi," she said, a breathless quality to her voice.
He wanted to ask her why she kept coming over but that sounded rude.
"Good, you're here." Mom walked into the living room from the direction of her bedroom, still putting in her earrings. She turned to Damon. "I'm headed over to Faith's for the evening, so Grace has graciously agreed to keep you company."
"I'm not a child. I don't need a babysitter."
She walked over and patted his cheek. "Oh, I know you don't, dear, but if you want dinner tonight, you'd better be nice to Grace." Her gaze darted to the window. "Time for me to go." Then she waved over her shoulder and walked out the front door.
Damon felt his brows pull together. Why did she leave by the front door and not through the garage? Faith's house was easily within walking distance, but it was cold enough that Mom should drive.
Was she wearing a dress?
His gaze shifted to Grace who looked like a timid cat cowering in the corner. The sound of a car door closing followed by a second door drew his attention to the window. He shiftedon the couch and watched as a dark gray sedan backed out of the driveway. He caught sight of his mother in the passenger seat but didn't get a good look at the driver.
"Where's my mother going?"
"Faith's house." Grace shrugged as she set the dog down.
Lily beelined for him, and he couldn't help himself; he scooped her up in his arms and dug his fingers into her soft fur as she gave him kisses. "But someone picked her up, and she was wearing a dress." He pushed to his feet, almost toppling over with Lily's added weight. "Why was she wearing a dress?"
"Probably because it's Valentine's Day." She spoke over her shoulder as she walked toward the kitchen.
Valentine's Day?
How had he not realized what day it was? Not that he would have done anything different than what he'd done, which was watch TV. It's not like he had a Valentine to shower with gifts.
You could have one if you wanted.
He put Lily down and followed Grace, her sunshine and floral scent permeating his senses. "Is that why my mom asked you to come over? Is she playing matchmaker?"
"She didn't ask me to come over. I volunteered."
Her honesty threw him off. He'd expected her to act defensive or even a little guilty.
"Why?"
"I thought you might enjoy tamales for dinner." She lifted one shoulder in another half shrug.
He loved tamales, especially Grace's. He hadn't had them since they made them with her mother shortly before he deployed. Then it hit him. Grace was wearing the same red shirt she wore the day he took her horseback riding. The one that set off her gorgeous brown eyes and dark hair.
His mom and Grace were conspiring with each other. He wanted to think he was immune to what they were doing, but he wasn't. Not even close.
He forced his mind back to his mom again. "Is my mom...on a date?"
The prospect was so foreign to him that voicing it sounded strange.
"Probably." Another shrug.
He was getting tired of all the shrugging. How could she pretend that being in the same room as him didn't faze her, when it was driving him crazy.
