Standing at the door of the inn with a dozen roses in hand, and a pecan pie for her grandmother, Grayson was nervous as he'd ever been. He knocked and Donika's mother Adele answered.

“Why Grayson, it’s so good to see you. Come on in.”

“I made this pie for your family,” he said, handing it to her.

“Oh my goodness. It smells delicious,” Adele said.

He clutched the flowers as he followed Adele down the hall and into the kitchen. She set the pie on the table. He nervously fiddled with his tie, gripping the roses in his fist.

“Aren't those lovely,” Adele said. “And you look so handsome in that suit.”

“Where is Donika?” Grandma Pearl asked from the kitchen table, sipping a cup of tea.

“I'll go get her,” Adele said.

Her mother scuttled off and knocked on a door in the hall. It opened and she peeked inside.

“Grayson is here,” she said, her words muffled.

Donika’s muted voice replied, and Adele headed back down the hall with a funny look on her face.

“She says she's coming,” Adele said.

A moment later, the door opened and Donika stepped out from behind it, looking like a princess straight out of a fairytale. His jaw dropped and sweat erupted on his brow. He pulled the handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbed it dry.

She wore a beautiful white lacy dress with a full skirt that billowed out around her like clouds. On her feet were black patent leather pumps that matched the belt around her slim waist. The dress accentuated her curves in just the right way.

He gulped and loosened his tie. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was. He had to grip the back of one of the kitchen chairs to keep from falling over. She walked in with a blush in her cheeks and glanced down at the ground before their eyes met.

“These are for you,” he said, handing her the roses.

She accepted them, cradling them in her arms, and brought the buds to her nose to deeply inhale of the scent.

“They're lovely,” she whispered.

Her hair looked different and her face was rosy and bright.

“Let me get a vase for you,” Adele said, looking through the cabinets.

Pearl sat at the table, eyeing the pie.

“I brought this pecan pie for your family to share while we’re out. I hope you get a piece.”

“Oh, how nice of you,” Donika said.

“I would make you a pie every day if I could,” he said. The words spilled out of his mouth like a bucket tipping over.

“You're so thoughtful,” Donika said.

Her mother took the roses and began snipping the stems to place them in the vase. She set them in the middle of the table, and they brought a romantic air to the room.

“You should put these in your bedroom,” Adele said.

“It would be nice to smell the scent when I wake up in the morning.”

“You need as many flowers as you can get. Gotta bring some life back into those cheeks of yours,” said Pearl.

“You look so beautiful,” Grayson said, taking her hand.

“You should make her pastries every day, Grayson. Our girl is so skinny. We need you to fatten her up,” Pearl said.

“Grandma,” Donika said.

Grayson chuckled. “I'll do my best.”

“I know I've lost some weight, but I don't need you all conspiring to fatten me up.”

“Yes you do,” Adele and Pearl said at the same time.

“Fine, fine, fine. Whatever. Come on, Grayson. Let's go.”

She took his hand and led him out of the kitchen and down the hallway, where she grabbed her coat and pulled it on.

“Don't mind them. They're just a couple of busybodies,” she said.

“I don't mind them at all. I like them a lot actually.”

“Do you think I'm too skinny?” she asked.

“I think you're perfect just as you are.”

They went outside, and he took her hand in his. Her skin was warm against the cold air, and he opened the door of the truck for her. He helped her step in with the support of his strong hand.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile.

“I love what you did with your hair. Did you cut bangs?” he asked, turning the key in the ignition.

“I did,” she said, touching her hair. “Thank you for noticing.”

“Of course I noticed. It's a big change.”

“You would be surprised how many men don't notice that kind of thing.”

“Well, I'm not many men. I'm Grayson Baxter, your mate.”

She giggled, and he chuckled along with her as he pulled out of the parking lot and drove out onto the street. A black SUV was parked on the opposite street. It started up and began to follow them as soon as he started down the road. He looked in his rearview mirror but couldn't see through the tinted windshield of the car behind him. It was probably nothing, but it still made him nervous.

At the resort, Grayson brought Donika to the entrance of the restaurant. He told the hostess his name and the time of his reservation. She checked her book and grabbed two menus, escorting them through the dining room. She placed their menus on a table by the window, overlooking the lake. The hostess asked if they would like something to drink. Grayson ordered the best bottle of champagne in the house.

It was dusk outside, and the stars were beginning to show. As the sun set in the west, bright gold and pink colors spread across the blue sky. Wisps of puffy white clouds danced in the colors. It all reflected in the lake below. He looked at Donika, looking out at the view. It made his heart boom, knowing that she got to see a beautiful sight like this, with him, today. He reached across the table and took her hand.

A moment later, the sommelier opened a bottle at their tabled and offered them a taste. When they agreed they loved it, he poured them both a glass. Donika sipped from her crystal flute and set her glass back on the table with a satisfied sigh. They both snacked on crusty French bread and butter the hostess had left on their table. The waitress refilled their water glasses and asked if they were ready.

“I’ll have the sirloin steak with baby red potatoes, and a side salad,” she said.

“I’ll have the same,” Grayson said.

After they ordered their meal and received their side salads, she ate her food slowly and carefully, as if she didn't have much of an appetite. She finally finished the salad. When the steaks came, he devoured his. She ate hers more slowly.

“It's hard to work my appetite back up,” she explained.

“You don't have to explain yourself to me, Donika. I want you to be happy. That's all that matters to me.”

“I am happy,” she said. “You've been very kind to me, Grayson. And I like you a lot. To be honest, I like you a lot more than I had expected. The first night out on the boat, I did feel a connection. It's strange. We don't really have that much in common, you know? Not on the surface anyway.”

“I know what you mean. On the surface, it doesn't seem like we should fit together. You're a big fancy lawyer from New York,” he said. “And I'm an ex-soldier who likes to make pastries. Just a small-town guy, with small-town values.”

“The truth is,” she said with a sigh. “I'm a small-town girl myself.”

“Have you thought any more about what you’re going to do about your situation?” he asked carefully.

“My situation is dire,” she said, her eyes glazing over. “I was fired from my job for punching my boss. And I don't even know why.”

“You don't know why you were fired or you don't know why you punched him?” He laughed uncomfortably.

“I don't know why I punched him. And it's making me nervous. I haven't told anyone this yet. It must mean I trust you,” she said with a nervous laugh as she took a tiny bite of steak.

Her words made his heart sing. He wanted, more than anything, to be the one who was there for her, the one to protect her, and take care of her. It was a dream come true.

“I can't unload all of my baggage on you,” she said. “It isn't fair.”

“Let me decide what's fair and what's not fair,” he said. He felt like he was losing her already.

“I'm sorry, Grayson. I shouldn't have said anything about it.”

“You don't understand how much I want to help you,” he said.

“That's just the thing. I'm used to taking care of myself. This is the first time in so long that I haven't been strong and independent. It’s highly uncomfortable for me. Things have been so confusing. My boss is suing me. The law firm I used to work for is the most vicious, most powerful firm in New York City. Maybe the entire country.

“My boss has frozen all my assets, and I'm running out of cash. I don't know what I'm going to do for money once it's all gone. My mother suggested trying to get a job at a law firm in town but… I went to Harvard. How can I work for a tiny firm in Fate Valley?”

“You can do whatever you want, Donika. You’re brilliant and amazing. If you want to work for that firm, I'm sure they would love to have you. If you want to start your own firm, you could do that too.”

“I don't know if I want to stay here,” she admitted, looking outside at the fading light.

He wished with all his heart that she did want to stay in Fate Valley, but he knew he would follow her anywhere she needed to go.

“Whatever you need, I support you.”

“I know that this is your home, Grayson. I don't have a home in New York anymore. I got kicked out of my apartment. I lost my job. I have nothing except my car and a few thousand dollars. I have to start all over, and I guess it might as well be here. This is where my family is. And it's where you are too…”

“I'm honored that you'd say that,” he said, gazing into her eyes. His heart jumped and nearly exploded.

“Well, you know, I do feel a connection to you. It's real. It's not just in my head. It isn't because you're rich or powerful or any of the things that I used to look for in a man. It's because you're you. You’re a sweet, good, down to earth man, and I’d be lucky to spend my life with you. It’s just all so sudden and unexpected. I don't really know what to think.”

“I don't expect you to jump into anything you aren’t comfortable with. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. I want you to feel safe and happy. It may sound crazy to say this, but it's my number one priority.”

“You have the Great American Bake-off to think about tomorrow. I don't want you to worry about me.”

“The bake-off does start tomorrow,” he said.

“Are you excited?” she asked.

“Of course…” he stammered.

“Are you nervous?” she asked.

“Hell yes,” he admitted. “But more excited than nervous. I've been looking forward to this for a long time. I really can't wait. To tell you the truth, Donika, I want to win. I want to win so bad. Is that terrible?”

“Of course not. Everyone wants to win. You know, I've been the valedictorian of every graduating class since Jr. High. I won ninety-five percent of my law cases. You don't have to explain wanting to win to me.”

“Well, I've got big dreams. I told you a little bit about them the last time we were together. I know that if I win that show, I'm halfway to achieving my goal.”

“I'm so impressed that you want to manufacture your baked goods,” she said. “Once I’m not having my life hijacked anymore, I could probably help you out. I am a lawyer.”