Page 195 of Eight Years Gone

She stood stiff in his arms for the briefest of seconds before she returned his embrace. “I know you have a job to do. I know all of this is for Colton.”

He held her tighter, sliding his hand up and down her back. “You’re always stuck in the middle. Constantly, Grace.”

“I’ll get over it.” She eased back, wiping at her cheek again. “We should get inside so we can start the movie. Colton and Amanda picked Elf.”

“That’s a good one.”

She nodded as she started toward the stairs. “It is—”

He snagged her hand before she could walk up the first step, aware that the air wasn’t entirely clear between them. “I’m home tomorrow. All day. I promise.”

“Yeah, but I’m not. I’m working at the shop.”

He pulled her back against him, needing to hold her. “But we’re doing the Toys for Tots fair tomorrow night, right?”

She nodded. “That’s the plan.”

“We’ll have some fun helping the kids. Together.”

She sighed, locking her wrists at the back of his neck. “That sounds good.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “This is almost over.”

Or he needed to believe that was true. Because even though he knew Jimmy and Greg’s shopping trip had been a load of bullshit, he also had no idea what to make of it. When he’d stopped in Millsdale to show Rod the pictures he’d captured throughout the afternoon, the PI had been at a loss too.

She nodded.

“I’m sorry, Gracie. Truly.” He kissed her. “Are we good?”

She brought her lips back to his. “We’re good.”

“Give me a minute to change into something comfortable. I’ll meet you at the couch, so we can snuggle up and enjoy the movie.”

“It’s a date.” She smiled, capturing his hand as they started up the steps. “I’ll make everyone some popcorn.”

Fifty-One

Grace printed out her final invoice before she shut down Simplicity’s front counter computer. After a long day of preparing dozens of table arrangements for three different Christmas parties, plus handling the everyday orders and deliveries, she was eager to get home. She and Jagger had a date tonight, and they were going to enjoy it.

It was true that she’d been upset last night when he didn’t make it home in time to help them with the tree, but today had been a new day, and this evening was full of its own possibilities.

Giving the shop a final once-over, she shut off the lights in the processing room, then locked up as dusk settled over Preston Valley.

Getting in the Sorento, she turned over the engine, backing up on the quieter than normal Main Street, starting the few blocks home.

A quick shower was a must because she intended to end her evening in bed with Jagger.

That had been the plan last night, too, but she and Jagger had woken up still snuggled on the couch when they heard the alarm going off in the bedroom early this morning.

They were both tired—burning the candle at both ends. But the next little while was just for them.

Pulling up in the driveway, she smiled as Jagger’s Stingray sat parked in its usual space, and the huge tree glowed beautifully in the big picture window.

“Things are good,” she whispered. Because, for the most part, they were.

Hurrying up the walkway, she stepped inside as Colton put on his jacket. He looked handsome in black ripped jeans and another one of his preferred plaid button-downs, covering a white T-shirt.

“Are you meeting up with Amanda?”

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