Was that why he was so introspective? Because he was considering coming home for good?
But for what?
He needed more here than a pretty woman he was in love with.
A warm flush filled his body at the thought, heating his neck and face. From the first day he met Grace, he could see himself marrying her, but had he fallen that hard and fast for her already?
She was different from the women he’d dated in the past. There were so many things he loved about her. Her drive and ambition. Her devotion, both to God and her mom. Her sympathy and selflessness.
He recalled the insane urge he had to kiss her when he was helping her straighten her hold on the rifle. For a moment, he thought she'd welcome his kiss, but then she looked away, and he remembered they'd agreed to be friends.
But he wanted more than friendship.
He gulped down the rest of his lemonade, hoping Grace didn't notice the flush in his cheeks.
"At least you have a worthwhile job where you help people," he said. "I have no clue what I'd do if I decide to get out of the Army."
"Yeah, but I wonder if there's something for me here that I couldn't find in Richland." She looked like she was deep in thought as she stared at her glass.
"Something like what?" Damon studied her pretty face as warmth ignited in his chest. Did she mean something like a relationship?
She met and held his gaze for a long moment, and he spotted the golden flecks in her gorgeous brown eyes. He also noticed for the first time the small mole near her right eye. It was the kind celebrities called a beauty mark.
He was about to reach for her hand when she burst out laughing. "I sound ridiculous, don't I?"
"Not at all." His stomach sank. He and Grace werenoton the same page.
He wasn't sure if she was embarrassed by her admission that she was looking for something more or if she saw something in his face that made her uncomfortable, but she was backpedaling.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He didn't usually check his texts during a date, but they both needed a distraction right now.
The text was from Riley.Dinner and games at our house tomorrow at 7. Paige & Gabe are coming too. Bring Grace.
Damon lifted his head to see Grace pulling out her phone. "Let me guess...Riley texted you?"
A little furrow creased her brow as she read the text. "Yep."
"You don't want to go?" The disappointment was swift.
"It's not that. It sounds fun, but I hate to leave my mom again. I feel like all I've done since we moved to Providence is leave her alone. "
"Your uh...your mom isn't alone. My mom arrived shortly after we left. She made butternut squash soup for her." He checked the time on his phone. "She's probably still with her now."
"You made arrangements for your mom to visit mine while I was gone?" Grace's eyes widened. "Your Aunt Faith wasn't really planning to come over on Saturday, was she?"
"That was mostly an accident."
"Mostly?"
"When I got home from my run that morning, Aunt Faith was at my house picking up a few things she'd left behind. Sheused to live with my mom, but she just bought a house down the street. Anyway, when she heard me tell my mom that I was taking you horseback riding, she said she'd been meaning to drop by to welcome your family to Providence. I may have suggested that Saturday would be a good day, since you were worried about leaving your mom alone."
"And yousuggestedyour mom visit mine today?"
"One thing you need to understand about my mom and aunts—especially Aunt Faith—they are social creatures. They love to help. They need to be needed, especially now that mom and Faith are both retired. My mom emulates her name."
Grace laughed. "Did you just call your mom and aunts creatures?"
"Maybe." Damon's face warmed. "Perhaps I should have called them butterflies."
