Page 39 of The Corner of Heartbreak and Forever
“My memory is not what it used to be.” She patted her mouth with her napkin.
They ate in silence for a few minutes while Reed processed that new information. Were they matchmaking? He dragged an assessing gaze over Roy’s face, wondering what else he might have kept to himself.
“Most of your appliances are being delivered Thursday,” Roy said a few minutes later. “Are we still on for starting your kitchen after you’re done with the Montgomerys?”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to working together, although Grace and I have already gotten some of the painting done. There’s not much left to do beyond the kitchen.” He eyed the two people his father had trusted with his life. The two people who knew what he needed even before he did, and he had to ask the burning question. “When did your doctors give you the okay to return to work?”
Ella choked on her coffee.
Roy stilled, staring at his plate.
Reed’s gut clenched tight as shock tore through him. “Roy?”
“Well, heck, Reed. What do those doctors know? My body needed the rest, and you were here anyway. We still hadn’t settled the new corporation paperwork, and the jobs we were bidding on hadn’t come in yet. It made sense for you to take on the Montgomery job.”
“He really did need to rest, Reed,” Ella added. “You can see how much stronger he is now.”
“I can, and I’m happy to do the work.” Reed finished eating and carried his plate to the sink, stewing over, and touched by, their efforts. “I sure am glad we’re done with secrets.”
Ella’s gaze darted to Roy.
“Aw, come on, Ella. What more could there possibly be?”
She glared at Roy.
“Gosh darn it.” Roy tossed his napkin on the table and said, “You know how I said thatmostof your appliances would be delivered Thursday? I transposed the numbers on your stove and accidentally ordered a bright red one. But it’shandled.”
Ella stood up and reached for Roy’s plate. Roy slid an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “And for the record, your aunt gave me an earful for being less than up-front with you about work. But the stove order is fixed, so don’t you worry about that.”
Reed chuckled. “That’s all right, and speaking of fixes…” He kissed Ella’s cheek and patted Roy’s back. “I have to go get myGracie fixfor the morning. Love you, and I appreciate you watching out for me. Not just now, but…well, you know.”
“Yeah, we know,” Roy said. “Now get your lazy butt over to that job before your girl thinks you’ve forgotten her.”
Twenty minutes later Reed pulled into the Montgomerys’ driveway and was greeted with the most spectacular view of a fine butt, a bottom he’d know anywhere. He stepped from the truck as Grace unfolded her gorgeous body and reached her fingers toward the sky. She turned, smiling brighter than the morning sun, and holy smokes, her black running pants rode low on her hips, clinging to every inch of her like they were painted on. And her running bra did some sort of cross-over thing, creating cleavage so deep he wanted to crawl in and live there. Her hair was pinned up in a high ponytail, exposing her long neck and cute ears he liked to nibble on. Her cheekbones looked even higher with her hair pulled back, her eyes looked greener, and her skin glistened with a sheen of sweat that made her appear oiled up and scorchingly sexy. He was catapulted back to the days of watching her cheer for the opposing team and was reminded of how jealous he’d been over the guys who had been lucky enough to watch her practice on a daily basis. She had womanly curves now, and her eyes were sharper than that of a naive girl, which made her that much more attractive.
As he reached for her, his heart tumbled inside his chest, and he sent up a heap of silent gratitude that his relatives had known him well enough to keep their secret about Grace’s visit. Had he known she would be there, he might not have taken on the job.
“You have never looked more beautiful than you do right now,” he said as he gathered her in his arms.
“I’m all sweaty,” she warned.
He guided her arms around his neck and said, “I don’t care if you’ve rolled in horse manure. You’d still look and smell better than any woman on earth, because you’re mine, Gracie, and I adore you.”
He pressed his lips to hers, soaking in her sweetness. He ran his finger along her side, and she shivered in his arms. “I didn’t know you were a runner.”
“I usually run at the gym, but I haven’t gotten a temporary membership at one here yet,” she said as they made their way to the porch. “And if I keep eating M&M’s and pizza, I’m going to need to go twice a day or buy bigger clothes.”
“I would love to get yououtof those clothes,” he said as they climbed the steps and followed her toward her bedroom door, earning an adorable blush. “Why would you work out in a gym when you can enjoy sunshine and fresh air? Help me today. You’ll get a great workout, and I’ll get to spend the day with you. Win-win.”
Her brows knitted. “You just want me to hold yourtools.”
Just hearing her say that got him going. “Baby, I always want your hot little hands on mytools.” He pressed his hips to hers and said, “But I’m pretty sure your parents wouldn’t appreciate the show.”
Her cheeks pinked up again, and he couldn’t resist pressing his lips to them.
“You don’t have to help me.” Knowing how competitive she was, he egged her on, hoping to spend the day with her. “It’s a man’s job, anyway.”
Her jaw dropped, and just as quickly her eyes narrowed and she took a step back. “Aman’sjob? Let me get my dad’s tools…” A smile lifted her lips, and she wrinkled her nose. “Actually, let me getSable’stools. I promised Brindle I’d stop by her play rehearsal later, but I think I can show you up before that.”
