“He’s not going to take it easy, is he?” I ask Mrs. Stone as we catch up to Greyson.
She sighs. “He’ll do his version of easy.”
We step inside Greyson’s house.
“Hello?” A woman in her sixties rounds the corner from the kitchen. “Oh! Greyson. You’re home.”
“Yes, Goldilocks. The bear has returned. Did you eat all my porridge?”
She laughs warmly, her eyes taking in Greyson’s parents and landing on me.
“Jean Ann!” Mrs. Kinkaid says with a smile to Greyson’s mom. “It’s been a coon’s age. And Jack, it’s good to see you.”
“Lindsey, how have you been?” Greyson’s mom crosses the room, pulling Zach’s mom into a hug.
When they separate, Mrs. Kinkaid looks at me. “You must be Hallie. I’m Lindsey Kinkaid, Zach’s mom.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I tell her. “I met Zach briefly in Germany.”
Mrs. Stone’s face twists in confusion, but Mrs. Kinkaid smiles. “I know. Greyson told me.”
He told her about me.
Greyson smiles a real, full smile. He’s the happiest I’ve seen him since before the fire.
“May I give you a hug?” Mrs. Kinkaid asks.
“Of course,” I say.
She crosses the room and pulls me into her arms. “I’m just so glad to finally meet you in person.”
“Same here,” I tell her.
She backs up. “I was just fillin’ the fridge with things. Looks like someone beat me to it, though.”
“That would be us,” Mrs. Stone says. “I should’ve known the town would rally.”
“We always do,” she says.
I glance at Greyson. He’s situating himself on the couch.
“Do you need a pillow?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says. “Can you grab me that one?” He points to a pillow on one of his side chairs.
I walk over and grab a few throw pillows, propping one behind his back first.
My hand lands on his shoulder, guiding him forward so I can position the pillow just right.
He tilts his head up and our eyes lock, that familiar tug pulling me toward him.
“Are you comfortable?” I ask in a soft voice, meant for him alone.
“I’m good, Hallie. Thanks.” He lifts his hand and rests it over mine. In a whisper, he asks, “When do you think we’ll get a minute to ourselves?”
I smile down at him. “Your guess is as good as mine.” I glance toward the kitchen. “I’m going to grab some bigger pillows from upstairs to put under your leg. Okay?”
“So, you’re playing nurse now?” he asks, an almost flirty grin on his face.
