The hunger in his eyes set off warning bells in her head.
He's leaving soon!
She wanted to kiss him again, but she couldn't without her heart getting involved. And she couldn't give him her heart for fear he'd break it. She'd never been in a long-distance relationship, but from what she'd heard, the longer the distance, the faster the relationship was likely to fizzle out. When Damon deployed, he would be almost ten thousand miles away!
They didn't stand a chance.
Her chest tightened around her racing heart. When the swarming in her stomach turned to churning, she stepped back and pulled her hand from his.
His face fell, and disappointment filled his eyes.
She forced a laugh. "You'll get to know me better alright. I still have some bucket list things I need your help with, like digging up some flower beds and planting roses and tulip bulbs. And Paige needs us to help decorate the rec center for the wedding. You're going to see so much of me, you'll get sick of me."
"I doubt that." His tone was flat.
It wasn't the response he wanted, but it was all she could give him right now. She started walking again, and he fell into step beside her.
"Aren't Daniel and Riley building a house out at the Double Diamond?" She already knew the answer, but she desperately needed to change the subject.
"Yes, it should be done in a few months. They're renting the house they're currently living in."
Conversation on the remainder of the walk was stilted and superficial. Grace breathed a sigh of relief when they finally reached Daniel and Riley's house. She relaxed even more when Damon and Gabe joined Daniel outside where he grilled steaks.
"So, Grace, how are you liking Providence so far?" Riley asked as she placed salad makings in front of her.
"A more appropriate question would be how she likes Damon and the Double Diamond." Paige spoke before Grace could, giving Riley a meaningful wink.
"The Double Diamond?" Riley's surprised gaze jumped back to Grace. "Damon took you to the ranch?"
Grace opened her mouth to speak, intent on downplaying her outings with Damon, but Paige beat her again. "He took her horseback riding on Saturday. To Rocky Falls."
Riley's eyebrows shot up. "Ooh that's one of the prettiest and?—"
"Most romantic spots on the ranch." Paige's sing-songy voice added emphasis to her words as she finished Riley's sentence. "And yesterday, he took her four-wheeling and shooting. Then they stopped at Charity's for lunch."
Grace loved her soon-to-be sister-in-law. They got along well, partly because Paige was talkative and knew how to draw people out. There were rarely any lulls in conversation when Paige was around, but right now, Grace wished Paige would shut up.
Riley's brows hiked a little higher as she eyed Grace. "He's been home for all of four days, and he's spent two of them with you?"
"Three." Paige said with a giggle. "Haven't you heard the story of how they were trapped in an elevator together during that big power outage in Richmond?"
"What? Are you serious?" Riley pointed the wooden spoon she'd been using to stir the pasta salad at Grace. "I can't wait to hear this, but Daniel is going to want to hear it too. You and Damon need to tell us all about it during dinner. " Then she turned to Paige. "I should have known you'd play matchmaker."
"Not me." Paige shook her head. "Well, I did encourage Grace to go horseback riding with Damon when he first asked her, but the rest has been all him."
Riley's gaze jumped back to Grace, her eyes full of amusement. "So what do you think of Damon?"
Grace gave Paige an expectant look, waiting to see if she'd answer that question for her too.
"Don't look at me," Paige shook her head and backed up a step. "The only reason I knew you were out with Damon again yesterday was because your mom told me when I stopped in for a visit after school. She didn't tell me what you think of him." Now her look became eager. "So...do you like him?"
A warm flush washed over Grace. She lowered her gaze and gave her full attention to the cucumber she sliced. She was half tempted to cut her finger just to delay the conversation, but it wouldn't delay it for long. Judging by the curiosity on Riley and Paige's faces, they would hound her for an answer while they drove her to the hospital.
"Damon's...friendly and fun to be with." She gave a casual shrug. "He's a great tour guide."
Both Riley and Paige burst into laughter. Then Riley said, "Like anyone needs a guided tour of Providence. A thirty-second drive down main street would cover it."
"That's why he's been taking her to the ranch," Paige said, then she pinned Grace with a stare. "That was a very noncommittal answer that in no way explained if you like Damon."
