Page 43 of Grady

“You enjoy making me blush.”

“Sweetheart, there isn’t an inch of you that I haven’t touched or tasted, there’s no need to blush.”

“Shut up,” she muttered, and he laughed again.

He backed out of the driveway and drove to his place. She was anxious to see where he lived.

When he slowed the truck and pulled into a driveway, she sat up and inhaled sharply when she saw the log home. Security lights lit up the area.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said.

“Thanks. I’ve lived here for seventeen years. Since I was twenty-six.”

“How long have you worked for the Coleman’s?”

“Twenty-five years. I started as a ranch hand when I was eighteen.”

“You’re forty-three?”

“Yes. You?”

“Thirty-seven.”

“You look younger.”

“What a charmer. You already got me in bed, Grady.”

He chuckled. “You think I’m blowing smoke?”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t think that. I’m just not used to compliments.”

“What the hell kind of man did you marry?”

“The wrong kind, apparently.”

“After what you told me about him, I’d have to agree.”

“I blamed myself enough over our son’s death. I didn’t need him to add to it.”

“Baby, it was not your fault. You know that now.”

“I do. It took me a long time though.”

“I’m sure it did. But no one, especially your husband, should have blamed you. You were going through enough.”

“Thank you,” she whispered as she touched his hand.

He lifted her hand, kissed her palm, and looked at her. “You’re welcome. Let’s get inside. I’m ready to relax for the evening.”

Savannah nodded, opened the door and stepped out. She opened the back door, grabbed Bentley’s leash before he took off to explore, and Grady got her case. Then they walked toward the door. Savannah looked around and smiled.

The large front door was made of leaded glass, allowing natural light to filter into the entryway. She couldn’t wait to see the inside.

Savannah stood behind Grady as he opened the door and motioned for her to enter. When she stepped inside the foyer, she had no words to express the beauty of the house.

The floor in the foyer was red and gray slate, then dark walnut planks. The living room was straight in front of her and she smiled as she looked around. A large stone fireplace took up the entire interior wall to her right. A flatscreen TV sat above the mantel with a sofa facing it. Two large, overstuffed recliners sat at each end of the sofa. The back wall was all glass, from floor to ceiling, with patio doors between them. She could see the pool shimmering from the lights under the water along its walls, steam rising from it.

Savannah turned to look at Grady to see him watching her.

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