Page 61 of An Engagement for Erica

“When you put it that way, it makes me think you’ve got a bit of romance in you,” she said, angling her head at him, the sun shining down and making her almost appear like an angel. “I wouldn’t have expected it. And here we are holding hands. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve held hands with anyone?”

“Probably about as long as me,” he said. “See, fitting.”

She let out a soft laugh, the breeze blowing her hair around lightly.

“This is a big house,” she said when they stopped in front of the “for sale” sign with the “sold” letters across it.

“It is,” he said. “Bigger than I need, but I can grow into it. Or not. It was the location more than anything.”

“And the guesthouse?” she asked.

“That will be perfect for my mother. Not that I think she’ll be here often, but it’s easier for her to come here than for me to go there.”

“It’s nice you were thinking that,” she said. “Oh, looks like the people you are buying the house from are home. Keep walking.”

She tugged him along when someone moved the curtain aside inside. He didn’t care all that much.

He’d see them when he signed the papers in a few days.

They turned and walked back to Erica’s house.

“It will be nice to have you close by,” he said. “Or is this going to be awkward? You can tell me and be honest.”

“I’d like to think I’m always honest,” she said.

“You are. I admire that trait.”

“It’s going to be awkward,” she said. “I wonder if things don’t work out with us, I mean, this is only one date. But now we could be neighbors.”

He laughed. “Not direct neighbors and I’m not thinking about things not working out, but rather what we can do to make it what we know it can be.” She stopped walking and turned to stare at him. “Too cheesy? Sorry, guess I’m a bit emotional with everything going on in my life.”

Or the fact that he had her and he didn’t want to lose her.

Even if that meant playing up the fake engagement scenario more than he needed to to get close to her.

21

UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES

“Are you comfortable, Grandpa?” Tucker asked his grandfather two days later.

He’d thought his grandfather would be discharged on Sunday, but they didn’t do it until Monday. It was for the best as they ran more tests and then his grandfather had another physical therapy session to see what was needed.

His grandfather was in his bed on the first floor. Michael and he had a table to the side set up to hold water and snacks. There was a buzzer his grandfather could press if he needed anything at any point and Michael would get it along with the nurse in the house.

“I’m just happy to be home,” his grandfather said. “Nothing like your own bed and sheets.”

“No,” Tucker said, smiling. “Here is your remote if you want to watch TV.”

“I think I’ll take a nap. The drive was nice but tired me out just staring out the window.”

“You do that,” he said, patting his grandfather’s leg. Michael had helped get his grandfather into a pair of pajamas so he’d be comfortable.

He shut the door and walked out. The wheelchair was off to the side. If his grandfather needed to go to the bathroom, he could buzz and someone would be in there to assist him.

In the kitchen he got a bottle of water, then went to sit in the living room for a minute.

He should be in the office, but couldn’t leave just yet.

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