Grace:I start my new job at the hospital on Tuesday, but I'm free tomorrow.
"Tomorrow." It took every ounce of Damon's restraint not to punch his arm in the air. A grin spread across his face. "I'm taking Grace out tomorrow."
CHAPTER 7
"Damon." Grace felt her brows hike up at the sight of the handsome man on her doorstep. He wore khaki pants—not camouflage—but the biceps bulging from the sleeves of his snug-fitting brown T-shirt made him look every bit like the Ranger he was. The sight also made her heart race. "You're early."
Like really early.
"I know." His lips turned up in an amused grin as his gaze roamed over her.
Heat filled Grace’s face. She'd just climbed out of the shower when she heard the doorbell, so she'd thrown on the first thing she could find before hurrying to the door; a short bathrobe.
Damon shrugged one shoulder. "I thought I could visit with your mom while you get ready."
That was both sweet and disconcerting. She wasn't sure she wanted her mom telling him embarrassing stories from her childhood.
"Is that Damon?" Mom's voice came from behind her.
"Yes, he came early so he could visit with you while I finish getting ready." Grace stepped back to look at her mom, opening the door wider.
"Oh good. I was hoping I'd have the chance to get to know him better."
Grinning from ear to ear, Damon stepped past her and greeted her mother. "It's good to see you again, Mrs. Rivera."
"Please, call me Marisol."
Grace stared at the two of them as Damon took a seat on the sofa near her mother's recliner.
"Close the door and your mouth, Mija. You're letting in the flies."
Grace snapped her jaw shut and closed the door, but she continued to stare at the two of them.
"Finish getting ready." Mom waved a hand. "A bathrobe is not appropriate attire for riding four-wheelers."
Feeling out of place in her own home, Grace hurried down the hall to her bedroom.
Her mom's words followed her. "Don't worry, I won't tell Damon about how you wet your pants during your fourth birthday party."
Oh brother.
Grace rolled her eyes as she pulled on a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt. Then she stopped and thought about her shirt choice. White was probably not the best color if they were riding ATVs on dusty dirt roads. She pulled off the T-shirt and rocked from one foot to the other as she weighed her options.
She was tempted to wear the light blue blouse that complimented her tanned complexion and made her eyes stand out, but it was too dressy for riding four-wheelers. Besides, she didn't want to look like she wastryingto impress Damon.
WhydoI want to impress him?
Sure, he was good looking, friendly, and fun. She had a blast with him on Saturday. He was the kind of man she could talk with about anything, and she had. From her father's desertion to her mother's cancer. She’d been tempted to tell him about the other things she kept hidden, but he was leaving in two weeks. Less than that. If she let herself get too attached, it would only hurt when he left.
She finally pulled on a pale pink T-shirt and hurried to the bathroom to do her hair and makeup. She left the door open, hoping to hear her mom and Damon's conversation. Unfortunately, they spoke too quietly for her to catch more than the occasional snippet.
She stuck with the basics and only applied mascara and lip gloss after brushing through her hair. She studied her reflection before leaving the bathroom, then decided to pull her hair up in a ponytail.
There. Nothing about my looks says I'm trying to impress him.
Forcing herself to slow her steps, she walked into the family room. "I'm ready."
Her mom and Damon both looked up in surprise.
