“Thank you, Becky. It’s been a rough week.”
“Of course it has. If there’s anything I can do, you just let me know.”
“Thank you. We’re just trying to take one day at a time.” Everyone had been so helpful. Dad already had over a dozen meals tucked away in the freezer, and Shelby had at least that many. The whole town had shown up to honor Gram yesterday. Shelby stopped at the desk, hitching her purse on her shoulder.
“I understand completely. Listen, this is terrible timing, but a few of my friends from church are heading up a fundraiser for the humanesociety, and we’re collecting donations from area stores to give away in a silent auction. I meant to ask weeks ago... Would the bookstore be able to donate a book or two for that?”
“We’d be glad to.” Though there was really no morewe. Shelby’s heart squeezed tight but she smiled through the sensation. “When do you need the donation?”
“Would tomorrow be too soon? I can swing by and pick it up.”
“Sounds good.” Shelby glanced past the desk. “Is anyone else here yet?” She hadn’t seen her dad’s or brother’s cars, but she’d parked on the street.
Becky glanced over her shoulder. Then she stood, leaned over the desk, and lowered her voice. “Listen, honey, I thought you might like to know—”
“Becky, can you bring back some coffee, please?” Javon Greenwood appeared in the doorway, tall and handsome in white shirtsleeves and khakis. “Oh, hi, Shelby. I didn’t hear you come in. Come on back. We’ll be in the second room on the left. Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you, Mr. Greenwood.” Javon (legal suspense and true crime) was a fiftysomething newcomer to Grandville, which only meant he hadn’t been born here. In truth he’d been in town for at least ten years.
Shelby shot Becky a parting smile before heading down the short hallway. The reading of Gram’s will was just one more thing they needed to get through. But after yesterday this should be a piece of cake. Shelby had, however, forgone makeup altogether today. If there was one thing she wasn’t, it was a slow learner.
They’d been surprised by the invitation to Mr. Greenwood’s office. But apparently Gram had appointed him as executor and given him explicit instructions about how she wanted everything to play out.
Shelby was happy to comply with Gram’s wishes. She just wanted to get past this difficult week so she could get back to the bookstore, whichshe’d mostly left to the other booksellers this week. Janet and the others had been so good about stepping up to the plate.
Shelby arrived in the doorway and blinked at the dark-haired man sitting at the conference table.
Grayson Briggs.
Her feet slammed to a halt. She gaped at him. Snapped her lips shut.
Gray eased to his feet, gaze locked on her like a laser. He had the nerve to look well rested and handsome, even under the harsh fluorescent lights.
He was supposed to be gone by now, not hanging around Grandville making her nerves twitch. And certainly not here at what would be the reading of her grandmother’s will. “What are you doing here?”
“Mr. Greenwood asked me to come,” he said in that slow drawl she used to find utterly sexy.
“What for?”
He lifted his shoulders, drawing her attention to them. They were broader than they’d been back then. His whole build seemed... thicker. Sturdier. She hadn’t seen him this close-up for years. Time and maturity had sculpted his face. The boy had become a man. And the man was far too appealing for his own good. She frowned at the thought.
A shuffling sounded down the hall. Caleb approached, seeming somber even as he offered a wan smile. He lugged the baby carrier, Liddy on his heels.
Thoughts still roiling, Shelby greeted them and stepped inside to make room for the couple.
Once through the doorway, Caleb stopped so suddenly Liddy nearly crashed into him. “What areyoudoing here?”
Gray’s blue eyes toggled between Caleb and Shelby.
Caleb moved forward and set the carrier down. “You have no business being here.”
“Mr. Greenwood invited him.”
“Why would he do that?”
Shelby could practically see the wheels turning in her brother’s head. “I don’t know.”
Caleb scowled at Gray. “Why would you need to be here? What have you done?”
