Page 63 of Grayson

“On the front porch,” I say as I start to push open the door. “It’s a nice morning.” The breeze feels good.

“You don’t worry about a thing,” she tells me, following me outside. “Us ladies will be just fine,” she assures me and I look at my sister.

“Her panties have been tied in knots for days.” Rose laughs at Tori’s words.

“See.” I point to her and look at Rose.

“Have they?” Rose asks, surprising me and Tori giggles looking back out toward the front yard.

I follow her gaze and notice movement at the station. "What are you looking at?”

“Nothing,” she says in a rush before quickly looking away.

That’s when I see Rhett Butler, or as the guys call him, Hollywood, rolling hoses outside.

“Tori,” it’s not often that I get the opportunity to tease her, “do you have a crush?”

Immediately she gawks at me with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open.

“You do!” I laugh, looking over at Rose to find her smiling.

“He is very attractive, all those guys are.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“Are you insane?” She swivels in her chair looking at both of us like we are crazy. “Please, I do not have a crush. All those guys are Neanderthals. They are sloppy, and annoying.” Her face reddens. “I do not have a crush!”

The only good thing about her current condition is she can’t storm off in a fit.

“What?” she hurries to add before I have a chance to say anything in response. “I don’t,” she declares, her brows furrowed.

“Okay,” I try to hide my smile, “I believe you.” I do not believe her at all. Her blush says it all.

“Let me know if you need anything at all,” I tell Rose as I step down off the porch. “And you,” I point to my sister narrowing my eyes, “behave. Don’t embarrass me too much.”

My feet are killing me. My entire day was full of one client after another, color and cut, color and cut, style and blah blah. My shoulders ache, and honestly I’d been dreaming of a glass of wine and a good book in a hot bath all day.

Knocking on the door, I could hear the sounds of the television or maybe it was the radio filtering out through the front windows.

Twisting the handle, finding that Rose’s front door was unlocked, I make my way inside and follow the sound.

Country music, mixed with the sound of singing from not only Rose but my sister too.

As I step into the doorway of the kitchen I freeze, staring at the scene before me. There at the island in the center of the kitchen is my sister, with Rose on one side and Aunt Sheri on the other. The three of them are swaying from side to side, singing along to the music, while rolling out dough.

Rose looks up, offering me a wink before pointing to Tori’s dough and motioning for her to even it out on one side. I’m in awe, seeing my sister look so happy and content.

These are the things she’s missed, not having a mother or grandmother. Hell I can’t cook to save my own life so teaching or attempting to teach her would only be a disaster. I love that she has Sheri, and now Rose. I love that Grayson brought them into our lives.

Backing my way out of the kitchen I step out onto the front porch and dial his number. Staring at the station I see the trucks parked inside just as he picks up his phone.

“Hey,” he sounds winded and I imagine he was working out.

“I love you.” He’s quiet for a minute, me still staring at the front of the station.

“I love you too.” I hear a door shut then another. “Everything okay?”

“Everything is perfect.” Better than perfect.

“Why do you sound upset?”

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