Page 68 of High Value Target

“I do, Mr. Steele. Don’t you?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’ve always leaned more toward the theory that life was like a game of pickup sticks—completely random chaos you had to find your way through.”

“That’s an interesting theory, but it’s kind of sad.”

“Is it? Why?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’d like to think things are put in our path and people are put in our life for a reason—to help us, to teach us, to heal us.”

Grady nodded. “Maybe you’re right. I guess we’ll never know until the game is over.”

She stepped closer and tilted her head. “Do you believe in soul mates?”

He lifted a hand and touched her chin, then ran his thumb over her lower lip. “The more I’m around you, the more I’m starting to believe a lot of things are possible.”

Kiley walked out the sliders with a bottle of wine held up in each hand. “Red or white? Pick your poison.”

They broke apart, and Grady shoved his hands in his pockets.

Kiley slowed her steps. “Did I interrupt something?”

“No, ma’am. Miss Wyatt was telling me about her parents’ honeymoon in Capri.”

“Oh, right. The arbor. It’s my favorite spot, but we need a fire.”

“Then I’ll build you one,” Grady offered.

“Thanks, bodyguard dude. You’re the best.”

Tinsley headed inside. “I’ll grab us some glasses. Kiley, play some tunes.”

“On it.” Kiley pulled her phone out. “Hey, bodyguard dude, what kind of music do you like?”

“Surprise me.” He knelt and stacked wood and kindling in the fireplace. “And I have a name. It’s Grady.”

She popped on The Turnpike Troubadours.

“I’ll make you a deal, bodyguard dude. I’ll stop calling you that, if you stop calling Tinsley, Miss Wyatt.”

“I need to remember to be professional. This is a job. I work for her.”

Kiley leaned forward, her voice lowering. “What if you didn’t?”

He turned to the fire, lighting the kindling.

“Come on, Grady. There are enough sparks flying between the two of you to light up the sky.”

He sat back, his forearm resting on his knee, and watched the flames catch. “She’s got Palmer, Kiley. I’ve already had one woman give me back a ring. I don’t need to get my hopes up with a woman who’s so obviously unattainable to someone like me.”

“What’s wrong with someone like you?”

“I could never give her the life she’s accustomed to. I’m not the kind of man she’s expected to marry. It’s best not to deceive ourselves.”

She scoffed. “That’s all a load of crap.”

“Why?”

“Tinsley doesn’t think that way.”

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