Page 64 of Her Snowbound Hero

“You could say that.”

“Did something happen between you and Darcy?”

His head jerked up. “Why do you ask?”

Gram smiled in that knowing way she had. “Because she’s looking much the same way you do. I know the two of you are getting close. I can tell. And I’m worried about you. Both of you.”

He stared into the murky depths of his drink. “We were just friends, but now—” How could he describe how he felt?

“Now you’re more? Is that wise considering the relationship you already have in your life?”

“No. I can’t say that it is. I’m…confused, Gram.”

“Darcy is a wonderful girl. She’d make any man a good wife.”

“But so is Joss,” he added.

“Very true.”

“You’re not helping me here, Gram.” He took a sip of the coffee he didn’t want. “Harry wants me to propose to Joss the night of the gallery opening. Make it a big to-do.” He couldn’t look at her.

“Is that what you want?”

“I want…peace. I want things to settle down with my job and with Harry on a rampage all the time and me doing his job and mine, I can’t find it unless—”

“Unless what?”

He’d been about to sayunless I’m with Darcybut would Gram understand? How could she whenhedidn’t? “Joss is a good woman. We’re good together and I love her. I do love her.”

“I know.”

“Three years is a long time to wait, but she has and she’s been patient. She’s been fantastic. She hasn’t pressured me, has stood by me working long hours and weekends. But lately things have been…strained, and I’m wondering if it’s time to fish or cut bait.”

“Because you’re interested in Darcy now, too?”

He didn’t answer right away. Wasn’t about to mention what he’d seen to Gram. If he did marry Joss, he didn’t want Gram suspicious of Joss every time she saw her talking to Toby.It was nothing. They were just talking—you are the one who’s crossed the line.“With Darcy I feel…different.” He made himself meet her gaze. “I want what you and Grandpa had, Gram. But how do I know which one istheone when both of them would make me happy?”

Gram dabbed at her eyes with a napkin.

“I’m sorry. All I’ve done is upset you. I should’ve known you’d—”

“No, Garret. No, that’s not it. Some people go their entire lives never finding someone to love. You’ve been blessed with two wonderful women.”

“Joss is great and we’re good together, but how do I know good couldn’t be better?”

“Darcy?”

He managed a nod. “I don’t want to hurt either one of them.”

“Then I suggest you figure out where you stand and quickly,” she told him, “because the longer you drag this out, the worse someone is going to be hurt.”

Chapter 22

THE WEEKof Rosetta’s birthday party passed with surprising swiftness, but with it came more anxiety and stress. Darcy sighed. Trying to protect herself was impossible. It was too late for that. So she simply tried to take the days one at a time and distract herself from the fact that Garret had distanced himself from her.

Twice during the week she’d overdone things at the gym and needed to take the medicine to end the cramping. A little rest and she was back on her feet again, even though she could barely see them. Garret called three times to check on her, claiming work kept him away. She wasn’t convinced, and came to the conclusion that he regretted what they’d shared on the couch, just like he’d regretted the kiss in her bedroom, which made her all the more embarrassed by her behavior. And angry. At him, at herself.

Garret didn’t come to see her and Rosetta as he had before. Was he spending the time with Jocelyn? What were they doing? Did he touch Jocelyn the way he’d touched her?

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