Page 23 of The Corner of Heartbreak and Forever
“Dude’s making your uncle look bad, Scotty,” Chet teased.
“Nah,” Reed said as he tousled Scotty’s hair. “I did some work with kids in Michigan. I’m used to sticky hands.”
Holy cow.“You just got ten times hotter,” came out before Grace could stop it.
Reed pulled her close again with a frisky expression. “If that’s all it takes, maybe I should tell you about the time I dressed up like Santa Claus.”
He touched his lips to hers, and Trixie said, “I’ve gotta find myself a long-distance lover.”
“Over my dead body,” Trace said.
“And once he’s dead, you’ll need to take me down, too,” Shane said, bumping fists with Trace.
“I’m so glad I don’t have a pack of brothers,” Brindle said. “Trix, you go to Maryland enough. Just pick one up there. Or come help with my drama club play. There are lots of single dads there.”
“There are?” Trace gave her a stern look. Brindle laughed and rolled her eyes.
“No single dads for me,” Trixie said. “I need my freedom.”
Brindle smirked. “I hear ya, sister. Being tied down is not in my plans, either.”
Reed gave Trace a look that clearly asked what was up with that comment.
“No strings,” Trace said with a wink. “That’s what life’s all about.”
Brindle nodded in agreement. Even though Grace knew Brindle had no interest in settling down with any one man, it still made her sad to know she was okay with the idea of Trace being with another woman. She had no idea how she and her siblings could have been raised by the same parents when they were different in so many ways.
Scotty tugged on Brindle’s shirt and said, “Mommy said I can be in your play when I’m bigger.” He pushed his mop of blond hair from his eyes for the umpteenth time, and it flopped right back down.
“Darn right you can, little man,” Brindle said. “That reminds me. Grace, can you stop by rehearsal one afternoon this week? I’m having some trouble with the script. We start at three thirty. I could use your insight.”
She and Brindle might not see eye to eye with their personal lives—Brindle flirted shamelessly, while Grace had always been very careful in that department—but when it came to their careers, they were equally as passionate. Brindle gave her all to her students.
“Sure. I’d love to. My class starts tomorrow and runs from four to six, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Amber’s bookstore. Why don’t I come by Tuesday?”
“That’s perfect,” Brindle said.
Reed squeezed Grace against his side. “If you ever need help with the sets. I can squeeze in a few hours here and there.” He kissed Grace’s temple and said, “If my girl’s there, it’d be even more of a priority.”
His girl?Everything about tonight should worry her, but being with Reed had always been easy. It was the hiding that had been torture. Warnings screamed in her head,Tread carefully! Heartache up ahead!But maybe her mother was right. She had three weeks, and it had been a long time since she’d been this happy. Why not enjoy it?
Brindle looked up at Trace, who towered over her and said, “See? Some guys make time to help.”
“Babe,” Trace said, “I’ve got a ranch to run. But if you want to spend the time we have together building sets, instead of”—he glanced at Scotty and cleared his throat—“ourotherextracurricular activities, that can be arranged.”
“Nope! Never mind,” Brindle said, and promptly changed the subject.
The line moved faster than expected, and before Grace knew it, it was their turn. They climbed into their car, and Grace’s pulse quickened. She loved rides, but they always made her nervous. Reed hauled her against him and pointed to Scotty safely tucked beneath Chet’s arm.
“There’s nothing sexier than a man who watches out for children,” Grace said.
“I was pointing to Scotty, not Chet,” Reed growled.
“I know you were. And I was talking aboutyou.”
“Aw, Gracie.” His lips touched hers in a feather of a kiss as the ride began and they were lifted into the air. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” she said honestly, and was surprised at how much she felt herself opening up to him. “I want to know all the great things that have gone on in your life.”
