“I said you look very handsome tonight. That shirt matches your eyes. And how is it you still have a summer tan in December?”
“How is it you’re the prettiest woman in every room you enter?”
She chuckled. “Oh, you’ve turned into quite the charmer, Briggs.”
“Just calling it like I see it.”
The server came to refill their water glasses.
The past week together had been like a dream. He didn’t realize how much he’d missed her all these years until she was back in his life. The forgiveness she’d granted him had been such a lavish gift. One that left him grateful and relieved. It felt as if a weight had slipped from his shoulders. With Shelby he was at peace. At home. He could let down his guard because he trusted her—and that was more than he could say for most people.
This week he’d thought a lot about Thanksgiving night. Most of his ruminations brought a smile to his face. But there was one thing she’d said that hit him like a bucket of cold water.
“You up and left me. You left me just like my mom.”
The words had eviscerated him. Not once in his harried departure, or in all the years since, had he considered that he’d done to her exactly what her mom had done. He pictured her mother’s postcards on that bulletin board. Shelby’s hopeful expectation of her return. The ultimate rejection she felt when the woman never materialized. Those postcards had ended up in the garbage right alongside all her hopes.
He made himself think about this now. Because he hadn’t then. He’d only been thinking of himself and his desperation to escape Grandville. He’d already apologized. He wouldn’t dwell on his failure, but he would make sure she knew he appreciated the second chance she was giving him.
Speaking of which... “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
“Uh-oh.”
“It’s nothing bad. Well, I guess that depends on how you look at it. Gavin called last night to check in.” He paused a beat. “He and Wes want to offer me co-ownership in their business.”
Something flickered in her eyes. “Wow. That’s big. They’re brothers-in-law, right?”
“Yes. We haven’t discussed details, but I’m sure I’d be a minor player in the equation.”
“It says a lot about what they think of you—that they’d offer ownership to someone outside the family. That’s quite an honor. And this has always been your dream.”
“Yes, but it’s also my dream to be with you.”
Some of the tension fell away from her expression. “What are you thinking then?”
“I don’t know. Let’s just put it on the back burner for now. I don’t want to complicate things any more than they are. But I have a lot of trust to build back with you, and that starts with transparency... so I wanted you to know.”
She gifted him with a smile. “I appreciate that. Thank you for telling me.”
After their server returned with refills, Gray was glad when Shelby changed the subject. “Did you hear Patsy asked Haley to make a sign for her boutique? I told Haley she could easily have a side gig if she wanted one.”
“She’s got talent. I’ll bet other stores in town would love her help.”
“She’d do a great job with those handwritten chalkboard menus, too, like the ones at the coffee shop and deli. I’ll have to mention it to her.”
“You’re such a caring person. Most people would’ve fired her weeks ago—I was in that camp if you’ll recall.” He took her hand and swept his thumb across her knuckles.
At the sign of affection her gaze darted self-consciously around the dining room.
The restaurant had filled since they’d arrived. There were Bill and Trudy Jennings, and way across the room, the Shacklefords—Logan’s parents. Hopefully Shelby wouldn’t spot them—awkward. Dave and Janine Pullman were looking their way. Weren’t they friends of the Remingtons? Oh well.
Shelby wasn’t the only one who needed to stop worrying about what other people thought. He had no control over that. Feeling sorry for himself was a waste of time. He wouldn’t let anyone make a victim of him ever again.
He squeezed Shelby’s hand and offered a confident smile. “Hey, where’d that smile go?”
“I can’t help it. Everything’s just perfect and I don’t want anything to spoil it.”
Her words warmed him through. But he also had to fight the natural inclination to worry about that other shoe—the one that always seemed to drop on him.
