“Go home and get ready,” Taffy told Maurie when the final customer had left the shop. “I can close up.”
It was Saturday around 6:00 p.m. Business at the shop had been brisk most of the day, and they had stayed open a little longer to help a few desperate husbands find the perfect valentines for their wives.
Maurie didn’t want to leave Taffy to close up everything, but the offer was tempting. Since Grant’s surprise arrival the day before, they’d been texting each other. Mostly flirting, if Maurie were to describe it. Grant had also shared some funny things about Trent, who apparently kept asking when Maurie would be done working.
“You can borrow my silver stilettos if you want,” Taffy continued. “You know you want to.”
“They’re too fancy,” Maurie told her friend. “He said we’re going to some barbecue place. He couldn’t get reservations at the lodge—besides, it’s not really a place to take little kids.”
Taffy shrugged. “It’s Valentine’s! Be a little daring and dress up. Knock the boots off that man. Plus, Brandon wasn’t tall enough for you to wear heels.”
Maurie laughed. Then she sobered. “What about you? Are you sure you don’t want to come? I mean, we’ll have a little kid with us, so it’s not like we’re going for the romance.”
“I have a date with Netflix,” Taffy said. “Besides, I plan to eat at least half the box of those truffles Jeff Finch brought over yesterday.”
Maurie had already tried one, or three, and they were delicious. “Help yourself. But I’m serious about the invite.”
Taffy smiled. “I know you are, and I love you for it. But you go be a happy little family with Grant Shelton. I’ll bask in the warmth that the three of you radiate.”
It was a sweet comment, but it also gave Maurie pause. Being in a relationship with Grant wasn’t just about the two of them. It would always include his son, and to some extent, issues with his ex-wife. Maurie was surprised at how it didn’t bother her. Yes, things were more complicated, but Maurie adored Trent.
She loved his questions and innocent curiosity. It wasn’t hard to see why Grant centered his whole world around his son. And now that world included her too.
“Okay, if you’re sure,” Maurie told Taffy. “Thank you.” She hugged her best friend and only employee, then grabbed her coat from the back room.
The cold air didn’t even feel cold as Maurie stepped outside. She’d opened the store that morning, so Taffy had driven over later. As Maurie headed home, she marveled at the changes in the past few weeks of her life. She owned a home and a store, and Grant Shelton was in her life.
She hadn’t known it was possible to feel so much happiness in a single moment of time. Maybe she would wear the silver stilettos. Grant was definitely tall enough that she wouldn’t tower over him. She had a couple of dressy outfits she could wear. Her navy dress with the long bell sleeves and flirty skirt might work.
By the time she got home, her pulse was drumming in anticipation. She supposed that she and Grant were officially a couple and this would be their first outing as such. And Trent’s presence would only make things more concrete.
After a quick shower, keeping her hair dry, Maurie changed into the navy dress. It was nice, but not too dressy. Next she put on some silver hoop earrings and a silver heart necklace that her foster mom, Gladys, had given her. Maurie made her way to Taffy’s bedroom.
Maurie had to do some digging to find the silver stilettos, and once she had them on, she realized she needed to practice walking in them. So she went into the kitchen and walked around the table a few times.
Next, Maurie pulled her hair into a twist, then used bobby pins to hold it in place. She didn’t want to go too heavy on the makeup, so she used a pale eye shadow, then mascara and lip gloss.
Satisfied, she was ready a full fifteen minutes before Grant was due to arrive.
She walked around the house, appreciating all of Grant’s work. He was everywhere. The only thing left was replacing the carpet. When headlights flashed across the window, Maurie moved to the front door. She didn’t open it yet, but waited for Grant to come and knock.
First, she heard Trent’s little voice: “Is Taffy her sister? Is that why she lives here too?”
“No, they’re friends,” Grant said in his deeper voice.
Maurie smiled.
“Can I push the doorbell?” Trent asked.
“Sure.”
The doorbell rang, and Maurie stifled a laugh. She grabbed her purse with her phone, then answered the door.
Standing on her porch was Grant, dressed in a blazer, button-down shirt, and dark pants. No tie. Next to him, Trent stood wearing a small blazer that was just his size, and he wore a bowtie. He looked adorable. And Grant, well, he looked delicious.
She opened the screen door and stepped out onto the porch. “How did I get so lucky as to have two handsome men on my doorstep?”
“I’m a kid, not a man!” Trent pronounced.
Maurie laughed. “Well, you look very grown up, Trent.”
The young boy stepped forward and wrapped his arms about her legs.
Maurie was startled by his easy affection, but she loved it too. She bent and hugged him back, then she looked up at Grant. He was gazing at her like ... well, like a man gazes at a woman he is serious about.
She straightened and met Grant’s blue gaze. She was nearly his height with her stilettos on. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Grant stepped close and rested his hand on her hip as he leaned in and kissed her cheek. He lingered, not moving back just yet. “You look stunning,” he said in a soft voice next to her ear.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” Maurie said because she wanted to dispel some of the emotions she was feeling. Everywhere he touched, her skin burned.
Grant smiled, still lingering, so that she felt his warm breath against her neck.
“I like your shoes,” he said.
“They’re Taffy’s,” Maurie answered.
“I still like them.” He lowered his hand and grasped hers, threading their fingers together.
It might be below freezing outside, but Maurie wasn’t cold in the least. She didn’t bother to lock the front door because Taffy would be home any minute. Besides, it was Pine Valley.
“Daddy didn’t want to bring the truck,” Trent said. “Because it’s dirty. It’s a work truck.”
“Yes,” Maurie said. “I can understand that.” She squeezed Grant’s hand, and he squeezed back.
“Daddy says we have to open your door,” Trent continued.
Maurie wanted to laugh, but she could hear the seriousness of Trent’s voice. “That would be very nice of you.”
Trent ran ahead, and Grant called out, “Careful. It could be icy.”
“I won’t fall,” Trent shouted. He ran around the front of the SUV and tugged open the door with a grunt.
“You’re raising quite the gentleman, Mr. Shelton,” Maurie said in a quiet voice.
“It will keep him busy tonight,” Grant said. “Sorry it can’t be just us.”
“Don’t apologize,” Maurie said. “Trent’s a great kid. I’m getting two for the price of one.”
They reached the passenger door, and Maurie climbed into the car. “Thank you, Trent.”
“You’re welcome,” Trent said before he used both hands to shut the door.
Grant then opened the back door and ushered Trent into the back seat. Once they were all seated, Grant backed out of the driveway, and they drove outside of Pine Valley to Rick’s BBQ.
Trent talked most of the way, and Grant indulged his conversation. Maurie found herself smiling most of the time, and she also relished the fact that Grant held her hand on the drive.
When Grant pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, he had to park in the far corner because there were so many cars.
“Good thing I made a reservation,” Grant said, turning to look at Maurie. “Have you eaten here before?”
“I don’t think so,” Maurie said. “My mom and I didn’t go out much. At least not together.”
Trent must have unbuckled his seatbelt, because he suddenly popped his head between the two of them. “Maurie, do you like my daddy?”
Maurie blinked. “Um, yes, I do like your dad.”
Trent nodded. “That’s what I thought. I love barbeque. Do you?”
“It’s great,” Maurie said.
“Speaking of great, let’s go inside,” Grant said, amusement in his tone.
Trent spoke up from the back seat. “She has to wait for us to open her door, right, Daddy?”
“Right,” Grant confirmed.
So Maurie waited while the two males opened her door, and as they walked to the restaurant, Grant leaned in close and whispered, “So you like me, huh?”
Maurie smiled. “I do.”
Grant linked their fingers, and Maurie’s heart squeezed.
A group of people spilled out of the restaurant door, their laughter and conversation superseding any reply that Grant might have given.
One of the men kept the door open, holding it for Maurie’s group.
“Thank you,” Trent said to the man, who smiled down at him. “Guys can open doors for other guys, huh, Dad?”
“Yep,” Grant said, then winked at Maurie. He kept hold of her hand as he gave his name to the hostess for their reservation.
The hostess led them right to a booth, and as they walked past the other tables, Maurie felt more than one pair of eyes on them. Surely some of these people knew Grant. And now they would see them together.
Maurie’s heart soared to think that Grant was still holding her hand, in front of all these people.
She slid into the booth, and Trent said he wanted to sit by both of them, so he sat in the middle. Maurie was flattered. Trent propped his elbows on the table and said, “Is there a kid’s menu?”
The hostess smiled and handed over a large rectangular menu that could be colored on. She also set down three crayons. “Your server will be here shortly to take your drink order.”
Well, this was certainly a unique Valentine’s date, with a kid between her and her date, but Maurie wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“Can I get soda, Daddy?” Trent asked.
Grant glanced at Maurie, then said, “Sure, but no refills. So why don’t you get water too in case you’re still thirsty.”
Trent pushed out his lower lip as if he was considering whether or not to be upset by this.
“I’m going to get water,” Maurie said.
Trent turned his blue gaze toward her. “You are? Do you get lemons in your water? My mommy does.”
“Sometimes,” Maurie said with a smile.
Trent shrugged. “Okay, I’ll get water. Then we can be the same.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Maurie held back a laugh. When she met Grant’s gaze, she saw appreciation and amusement there.
Grant’s phone rang from where he’d set it on the table. He made a move to silence it, but Trent saw the screen. “Joy,” Trent said. “That’s Mommy!”
Grant hid a grimace and said, “Yeah, we’ll call her later.”
But Trent was grabbing for the phone, and before Grant could stop him, he answered. “Hi, Mommy.”
Grant rubbed at his face, and Maurie mouthed to him, “It’s okay.”
This Valentine’s date was definitely new, uncharted territory.