20
Once they were back outside,they returned to the car park, which was where the trail began, and started walking across the meadow that backed on to the parking area.
There were plenty of markers signposting the route and the trail was well-trodden. Stanley was in his element, sniffing this and that and scampering ahead as far as his lead would allow. When the trail reached the other side of the open meadow, it led them into a patch of woodland filled with ancient gnarly trees and a symphony of birdsong high up in the leafy canopy.
“This is nice,” Grace said, breathing in the sweet woodland air. They hadn’t said much since leaving the car park, and she was determined not to let the silence continue any longer. “I’m glad I decided to come with you today instead of staying at home working on my laptop.”
“I’m glad too.”
Grace was happy to see Ryan’s smile was still in place after the troubled frown he’d worn back at the café, even if it did seem a little forced.
“I’m just sorry that your grandmother is missing such a pretty walk,” she said.
“Hmm.”
Grace turned at the cryptic tone in his monosyllabic grunt. “What does that mean?”
“It’s nothing.”
“You said that back at the café, too. Come on, spit it out.”
When an embarrassed expression crossed Ryan’s face, Grace took pity.
“Your grandmother deliberately abandoned us so we’d have to take this walk together, alone, didn’t she?”
It felt risky saying such a thing, especially as she didn’t want the embarrassment of Ryan telling her she was completely wrong. As soon as he turned towards her, though, Grace knew she wasn’t wrong at all.
“Yes, Grandma is a meddler and somehow set this up so we’d end up on our own,” he said with an amused sigh. “Sorry.”
“Why are you apologising?”
“Because maybe being stuck on your own with me isn’t what you thought you were signing up for.”
“Do I look disappointed?”
Ryan’s gaze searched her face. “No.”
“Areyoudisappointed you’re stuck withme?”
“No!” he said, without hesitation.
Grace’s heart was thumping double-time inside her chest as she turned to meet his gaze. The soulful, open look in his eyes caught her and made it impossible to look away.
“Then let’s just enjoy it,” she said and gave him a smile.
Perhaps her smile cut through the tension that had hung between them since they’d set out on this walk a few moments earlier, because when Ryan smiled back at her, it was as if that tension had never existed.
Ryan dropped his gaze to Grace’s hand as they walked side-by-side. Reaching out, he brushed his fingers against hers and scooped her hand into his, and then looked back up to gauge her reaction.
With her heart now racing like a wild thing, Grace squeezed Ryan’s hand and smiled.
And on they walked, hand-in-hand, some fundamental decision taken between them, wordlessly and easily.
Grace had no idea how it could have been so simple, but it was. So much time had passed since she’d last had any interest in a man that she’d forgotten things could be so effortless when the moment was right.
It felt good, too, to not have to think about any of it. Her mind was tired from all the over-thinking and over-exertion she’d subjected herself to at work lately, and the ease of this moment with Ryan was like a salve to her troubled brain.
“I’m glad you’re here, Grace,” Ryan said, his voice soft.
