Page 33 of One More Chance

My breath hitches and I feel my eyes widen. “You remember that?”

He nods, relief filling his eyes, his smile.

“They’re really for me?” There’s a breathlessness to my voice.

“You sound like no one has ever given you flowers.”

“Um…well, they haven’t.” My ex-boyfriend didn’t believe in giving flowers to the women in his life. He wasn’t even allergic to them. He just figured, what was the point? It isn’t like they last long. By the time they hit the store, they’re flawed, imperfect. Much like me. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

I kiss Lucas on the cheek, lingering as I inhale the scent that’s all mountains and sunshine and man. “You ready for this?”

“Definitely. You?”

“Absolutely.” Well, almost ready. More so than I was yesterday. And the day before that…

God, what’s Grams going to say? She loves Lucas like a grandson. Even when he was getting into trouble as a kid and acting like his nickname, a loose cannon.

But marriage?

And so soon?

Lucas takes off his shoes and follows me into the kitchen. I’m holding the dahlias like a bridal bouquet. And the smile on my face feels three sizes too big—but more natural than any I’ve worn in a while.

I grab an old-fashioned milk jug from under the sink and fill it with water. Lucas goes over to visit with Grams on the couch. He leans down and hugs her and kisses her cheek like a dutiful grandson. Or in this case, a soon-to-be dutiful grandson-in-law.

Grandson-in-law. This isn’t how I imagined my life. I thought I would fall in love. The man would declare his love for me. He would propose. We’d get married. Have a family.

The traditional way.

Lucas sits next to Grams. She pauses her show and grins at him like he’s her favorite TV sleuth come to life. And he has just asked her to help him solve a crime.

“How are you doing?” He asks as if he genuinely cares. Because he does.

“Better now that Gumdrop is back to stay for a bit.” The smile Grams directs my way is even brighter than the one she gave Lucas. “As much as I love visiting you in Portland, it’s wonderful to have you home. Even if it’s just for a short time while I recover.”

“How would you feel if she stayed longer?” Lucas grins at her. It’s a sexy, boyish grin. And my stomach goes warm and fluttery once more.

I place the bouquet on the coffee table—the only place left that doesn’t have any get-well-soon floral arrangements. I sit in an armchair.

My fingers play with the hem of my tank top, twirling it around my index finger.

Twirling. Twirling. Twirling.

To the point that the fabric is almost cutting off my finger’s circulation. I untwist and start again.

Grams’s eyes sparkle like the sun on the lake. “Any time she can give me is a gift.”

The kettle whistles on the stove. I race over to it and turn off the burner. They talk while I make her a cup of tea, filling it only halfway.

I bring the tea to her. She takes the cup and saucer from me, her hands jerky. China rattles against china. I steady her hands with mine. I’m not used to seeing her quite this shaky, but it doesn’t seem to bother her.

She manages to take a sip. “Oh, that’s just what I needed. So what’s this nonsense about you being a criminal, Lucas?”

Grinning, I sit in the armchair near where Lucas is sitting on the couch.

“It’s nothing you have to worry about. My lawyer will prove I’m innocent.”

Hopefully Lucas is right about that. He’s got to be right.

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