On the surface his gaze was warm and amused, but the hot spark that danced beneath it scattered every sensible thought inside Grace’s head.
“Sorry,” Ryan said after a moment, his easy smile making her wonder if she’d imagined what she’d just seen in his eyes. “You grab the green beans and I’ll grab everything else. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Picking up the bowl of vegetables, Grace turned for the table, her skin still tingling from Ryan’s touch, her thoughts still racing from the look she’d caught beneath the deep blue of his eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a foolishly girlish reaction to a man.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d hadanyreaction to a man at all. In pursuit of her career, she’d closed down that part of her life because there simply wasn’t time for it.
There isn’t time for it now, either,she reminded herself.So get yourself under control.
Once the serving bowls were set out on the dining table, Ryan added dry dog food to Stanley’s bowl while his grandmother spooned some beef casserole over the top. Grace laughed as Stanley planted his bottom on the floor and whimpered while his meal was prepared, before racing around Ryan’s feet as he carried the bowl back to the dog’s feeding spot across the room.
Noting the dog bed and the food bowls and the toys she’d spied on the floor, not to mention the dog food, Grace realised how much stuff Ryan had purchased for Stanley today. His generosity touched her.
The moment Ryan placed the food bowl on the floor, Stanley shoved his face into the meal and began chomping.
“Well, I’m glad my beef stew has the seal of approval from Stanley,” Miriam laughed as she took her seat.
“It will have the seal of approval from us all, Grandma,” Ryan said.
“You haven’t even tried it yet,” Miriam said.
“I don’t need to.”
“You are a charmer, Ryan Lewis,” Miriam laughed.
Yes, that’s just what he is,Grace thought, before swiftly dismissing the thought before it grew roots and took hold.
“Okay, everyone, tuck in,” said Miriam.
They all dug into the serving bowls and piled their plates with the delicious meal waiting to be enjoyed, and Grace was grateful for the distraction from the man sitting across the table.
