I think I like watching everything competitive.”
“I think I’ll invite you to my Super Bowl party,” he said while they rinsed the dishes.
“You’re having a Super Bowl party?”
“Uh-huh,” he said, directing her back to the couch, pulling her down and getting her back in his arms. He loved that there was no hesitation from her. His arms went around her waist, hers went around his neck, lips on lips and bodies pressed together. It being the height of winter, the sun was lowering and the only light was that from the kitchen and the TV.
“Who’s coming to your party?” she asked, lips pressed against his neck.
“I’m thinking of a very small party. It could be a private party.” He caressed her back, her sides, ran a hand over her butt and down her thigh. “Maybe just us.”
“I’m not sleeping with you,” she said.
He backed off a little. “Ever?”
“I’m not ready,” she told him. “I want to know you better.”
“That’s very reasonable,” he said, kissing her again. “But really, Gracie, you taste so good...”
“That’s sweet. I’m still not ready.”
“Are you going to be unready for a real long time? Because, honey, you are a turn-on. And I risked my life for you on the cliffs of Coos Bay today. Just to make you happy.”
She chuckled against his lips. “You are such a giving man. I’ll be sure to let you know when I’m ready.”
“Just out of curiosity, Grace, are you waiting for a sign?”
She nodded. “I am. Plus, I’d like to be sure you’re all done pining over Iris. That just feels weird.”
Troy immediately put a little space between them. He grew serious. “Iris is married, Grace.”
“I know this. I was there.”
“Listen, here’s how it is. I’m crazy about Iris. She’s an awesome person and great counselor for the kids. I consider her a good friend. It’s true, for a long time I thought if she gave it a chance we might be more than friends, but we weren’t on the same page. All right? We were never on the same page and even though she told me over and over, I thought she might reconsider. She didn’t.”
“I know all that, but you have to remember—Iris is my good friend, too. I don’t want the situation to be awkward.”
“I hope we’re all good friends for a long, long time,” he said. “When I kiss you, I’m not thinking about Iris. I’m not thinking about anyone but you.”
She frowned slightly. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t answer the question,” she said.
“Iris married the love of her life, her one true and forever love. Even if I did still carry a torch for her, I’d never admit it. Especially to you. But I don’t. She’s moved on and so have I. Do you believe me?”
She smiled a little bit. Her expression said she didn’t believe him at all, but how could she argue without calling him a liar. “Okay, I believe you,” she said. “But there are also things about me... I want you to get to know me a little better.”
“I’m ready whenever you are. But so far, you’re the mystery. You have some pretty vague answers to questions about your life, your family, your friends...”
“I know, Troy. Since I was raised an only child, isolated in some ways, I tend to be on the private side. If you’re just patient...”
He leaned toward her. He kissed her again and she melted into him.
“How do you like me so far?” he asked against her lips.
She smiled without breaking her hold on him. “You’re growing on me.”
“You can trust me. When you’re ready to tell me more, you can trust me. And you can ask me anything.”
“Okay. One important question before we go any further. Are you sure I’m not just a booty call?”
On January second, Grace did an inventory of her stock, updated her calendar, cleaned out the flower bin and made herself a to-do list. She had two couples coming in at the end of the month to get estimates for spring weddings. Valentine’s Day would be her next major event and she wanted to begin decorating the shop right away. Soon it would be spring, when her stock would be more beautiful and plentiful than ever. The most important thing on her list was to find help for the shop! She really wanted to spend more time with the fun coach.
Being with Troy was intoxicating. They made out like teenagers, but she knew she was going to have to get ready for the next stage. Oh, so inviting! She was amazed he agreed not to rush her.
She heard the bell on the shop door tinkle and looked out of her workroom to see a familiar face as Al Michel stepped into the shop. He had the most handsome smile, a man who seemed perpetually happy. He was a big man, in his fifties with a powerful physique, who looked impervious to aging. He wore his blue work shirt, his name embroidered above the pocket.
“Hey there,” she said, coming into the shop. “How was Christmas?”
“Excellent,” he said.
“And what made it so special?” she asked.
“Well, my lady, for one thing, Ray Anne really went overboard to make sure it was nice for the boys. We had Christmas Eve at her house and she cooked most of the food, but I helped a little. She decorated and wrapped presents for everyone. Christmas Day was at our house, but she took care of most of the food. We brought the boys’ mom from the nursing home for a few hours and it was great. Her MS is under control for the moment, and I could tell the boys were proud to have her home, if only for a little while. I think it was the nicest holiday any of us has had in years, especially the boys.”
Grace leaned on her counter and tilted her head. “I don’t have any idea how you got hooked up with those boys,” she said.
“Simple,” he said. “Justin, the oldest, worked with me at the service station. He’s nineteen and real private. I found out he was taking care of his mother and two younger brothers, killing himself to hold it all together while his mom was just getting more and more infirm. So we teamed up—me and the boys. I’m their foster father. Their mom needed the nursing home and it made sense for me to move into their house. The two younger boys are in school. They’re good kids, but they still need supervision. Not constant, but regular. Know what I mean? But just to be sure things couldn’t be simple or real easy, I found my lady, Ray Anne, right about the same time I found my family of boys.”
He shook his head and chuckled. “Now, Ray Anne is a good woman and I think she loves those boys like they’re her own, but she’s...” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know if Ray Anne even knows how old she is, but she’s not as young as she looks. She’s probably too set in her ways to live with a man like me and three teenage
