Maurie didn’t look exactly pleased that he’d brought up dancing again.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, not breaking his gaze.
“I’ve never danced before,” she said, then looked away.
Grant stared at her. She’d been homeschooled, yes, then moved, but surely ... Now he felt like an idiot. “Is it too late to learn?”
Her eyes met his again, and he didn’t like the sadness he saw in them.
“I don’t think I’d be any good at it,” she said. “Plus there’s no music, and my shoes—”
Grant released her and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He turned it on, then opened a music app.
“Trent will wake up,” Maurie said.
“Believe me, he sleeps like a rock.” Grant started the music, then set the phone on the counter.
Maurie placed her hands on her hips. “I’m not going to dance with you in a kitchen.”
Grant chuckled. “Why not? No one’s here to see you if you trip.”
Her cheeks stained red, which only made her look more beautiful.
He bent down and grasped her ankle.
“What are you doing?” she protested, her eyes flashing.
“Taking off your shoes.” He lifted her foot and undid the very small strap. He wondered if the shoe manufacturers purposely made the buckles on these things tiny. Then he set the shoe aside and reached for her other foot.
Miraculously, Maurie let him take off her other shoe.
He straightened and smiled. The music that was playing was a slow beat. “It’s not hard,” he said. “Just move with me.”
Maurie exhaled, as if she’d given up arguing with him. Grant counted that as a win.
He took her hands and set one on his shoulder, then he clasped her other hand in his. Next, he drew her close. She stepped easily into his arms, and he relished the feel of her warm, soft body against his.
“Just follow my lead,” he whispered. He swayed to the music for a moment, and when he felt Maurie relaxing, he took a step and began to turn in a slow circle.
“See, it’s not that hard, is it?” he asked.
“We’re hardly moving,” Maurie whispered.
“That’s okay.” Grant drew away slightly to meet her gaze. “There aren’t really any rules here.”
Her eyes had softened. “This is rather nice. I didn’t know you were such a romantic.”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far,” he said.
“Flowers yesterday,” she said. “Dancing today. What’s next?”
Grant chuckled and drew her close again. He rested his cheek next to hers, and her breathing quickened. “Every day’s a new adventure with you.” And it was.
“Glad you think so,” Maurie said in a quiet tone.
Fortunately Trent stayed in his room, asleep, and Grant was able to dance several songs with Maurie. In the kitchen of all places. He couldn’t think of a better place.
“So ... I should go,” Maurie said. “I have to play catch-up on some things.”
He didn’t want to let her go, but Trent would be up early. Although it wasn’t like Grant ever really slept in anyway. He released Maurie, but kept hold of one hand. “I’m sorry again about Joy, and about Trent monopolizing you.”
“Stop apologizing,” Maurie said with a half smile. “My life is no piece of cake either.”
“That’s why I don’t want to make it harder,” Grant said, linking their fingers.
“You’re not.” Maurie lifted up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “You’re making my life better, Grant Shelton,” she said next to his ear.
Grant exhaled, and before she could pull away, he cradled her face with both hands and kissed her. It seemed the more he was around her, the more he wanted her around. He knew it was getting late, but he didn’t want her to go.
Maurie twined her arms about his neck, pressed against him, and kissed him back.
When they broke apart to breathe, Grant said, “Stay. We can watch a movie, then tomorrow live on caffeine.”
Maurie kissed him again, this one was more of a quick, goodbye peck. “You’re very tempting. But that’s exactly the problem ... You’re very tempting.”
He gazed into her green eyes. “I could say the same about you.”
“Hmm.” Maurie lowered her arms and stepped back.
Grant leaned against the counter and watched her reach for her shoes. “Do you want me to put those on for you?”
Maurie smirked. “No, thank you. I think you’re just stalling.”
He chuckled. “I’m definitely stalling.”
She slipped on her shoes and buckled the straps. “See you sometime.”
Grant walked her outside to her car. “We’ll come by the shop tomorrow, because I’m sure that Trent will be talking about you nonstop.”
“Okay,” she said, turning when she reached the driver’s side of her car.
The cold air was biting, but he didn’t mind. “And I’ll be thinking about you nonstop,”
The smile on her face was what he wanted to see.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” she said, her breath a cloud.
“Bye.” Grant didn’t move. Neither did she.
“It’s cold,” she said at last.
“Very cold,” he agreed.
Maurie threw her arms about his neck, and he pulled her close. He breathed her in.
When Maurie left, Grant went back into his apartment and sat at the kitchen table, replaying everything about the evening in his mind. Trent was definitely attached to Maurie, and Grant knew that he was too. He just had to figure out a way to keep Joy from getting in the middle of things. Or saying something to Trent that he might inadvertently repeat to Maurie.
Grant scrubbed a hand through his hair, hating that Joy could be so cruel. At least Maurie had seemed to take it all in stride and had stayed to dance with him. He smiled at the thought. Thinking about her only made him miss her, and she’d only been gone a short time. Then he frowned at how she’d never danced before now. Her childhood had been rough, and he probably didn’t even know the whole of it. Yet she was resilient. Grant was glad Maurie had gone into a good foster home at least.
After Joy’s tirade, he felt more protective of Maurie than ever.
He picked up his phone and sent her a text: Did you get home okay?
Yes, she texted back. Are you watching a movie without me?
He smiled and wrote, No way. You took the party with you.
A minute later her reply came. I like you, Grant Shelton.
I more than like you, he wrote. It might be a bit too forward, but it was the truth.
You’re definitely a romantic, she texted.
Only around you, it seems.
Maurie sent a heart-eye emoji.
Grant decided that it was going to be a long night. He’d be surprised if he slept at all.
It turned out that he did sleep, and for longer than usual. Trent climbed into his bed at 8:30 a.m. and yep, asked where Maurie was.
Grant tousled his son’s hair. “Maurie’s working at her new store. Remember we went there Friday?”
“Can we go again?” Trent asked. “I want more donuts.”
“I don’t think they have donuts again,” Grant said. “But maybe we can take her a treat later. We should go visit Grandma and Grandpa. Remember they want to see you?”
Trent’s expression brightened. “Yeah!”
Grant chuckled. “Make your bed, and I’ll get breakfast ready.”
Trent scrambled off the bed and sped out of the room, which made Grant laugh. Then suddenly Trent was back. “Can you make scrabbled eggs?”
“Sure thing.” Grant climbed out of bed and went into the kitchen. The sight of it reminded him of dancing with Maurie last night. He wondered if it was too early to text her.
So he returned to his room and unplugged his phone from his charger. He sat on the edge of his bed and wrote: Good morning.
She wrote back a few seconds later. Good morning.
Grant smiled, and he texted her again.
That’s how Trent found him a few minutes later. “Where’s the scrabbled eggs?” he asked.
Grant looked up. “Oh, sorry. I’m on it right now, buddy.”
“Can I play on your phone?” Trent asked, following him to the kitchen.
“Um, no, but you can pick a cartoon after breakfast while I’m in the shower.” He set his phone on top of the fridge. Then he opened the door and pulled out the carton of eggs.
Trent climbed up on a kitchen chair and continued to pepper Grant with questions as he fixed breakfast.
For the first time, Grant thought that Trent needed a sibling. Someone to play with. The thought gave him pause. Even if Grant were to have another kid, the kid would be several years younger. Not exactly a playmate.
Grant shook the thought away. His mind was doing all kinds of twisty things.
His phone chimed from on top of the fridge, and he picked it up. Maurie had replied to his latest text. Grant chuckled.
“What’s funny, Daddy?” Trent asked.
Grant set the phone back on the fridge. “Nothing. Can you get spoons out for us?” He didn’t want Trent starting in with the questions about Maurie again. Grant grabbed a couple of bowls from the cupboard, then he scooped the scrambled eggs into the bowls.
Trent had found his seat again with two spoons in hand. Grant set the bowls on the table, then he took a seat.
After they finished eating, Trent sat on the couch, watching cartoons. Grant jumped in the shower. When he got out, instead of texts from Maurie, there was a text from Joy. With a sigh, he opened it and read.
What he read made him feel like he’d been punched in the gut. Joy wasn’t going to relent.
I called your parents this morning and asked them about your girlfriend. They didn’t even know you’re dating. So strange. Because you’re hiding something? Anyway, when I told them who you were dating, they were shocked. Your mom also confirmed that Maurie lived in a druggie house. Grant, we’re not done talking about this. Either we come to an agreement, or I call my lawyer.
Grant gritted his teeth and read through the text a second time. Just then, his phone rang. His dad was calling. Which meant that his mother was upset. Rarely did his dad call; mostly it was his mom.
“Hi, Dad,” Grant said.
“Joy called us and—”
“I know,” Grant said. “Trent and I are coming over in about twenty minutes. We can talk then.”
His dad paused. “Okay ... Is everything all right?”
“Mostly,” Grant said. “I’ll see you soon, and tell Mom not to worry.” He hung up before his dad could ask any more questions.
Grant didn’t reply to Joy. He’d make her wait until after he did damage control with his parents. Crossing to his closet, he pulled out a long-sleeved shirt, then dug out jeans from his dresser drawer. He was annoyed, and he hated that Joy was infiltrating his weekend with their son. In fact ... he might as well kill two birds with one stone. He texted his sister, Julie: Heading over to Mom and Dad’s this morning. If you can come over too, that would be great. I need to talk to the family about something important.
Julie wrote back almost immediately. Do you have cancer?
No, Grant texted. It’s about Maurie, if you must know.
Is she pregnant?
Grant scoffed. No, again. Come over, and you can ask your questions then. Oh, and Trent’s with me, so bring Riley.
How did you end up with Trent this weekend? Julie wrote.
Grant ignored that text too. He’d never get out of his house with all this texting, and he could explain everything in person. He left his bedroom and found Trent still on the couch. “Get dressed, buddy, then we’ll go. Grandma and Grandpa are waiting for us.”
The drive to his parents’ new retirement condo took less than ten minutes. The short distance only made Grant feel guilty that he didn’t see his parents much. His mother’s constant efforts at trying to set him up on blind dates had put a strain between them. So now she should be pretty happy he was dating someone, right?
Despite Trent’s peppy chatter, Grant couldn’t shake the moodiness that had come over him. He shouldn’t let Joy affect his moods so much. They’d been divorced for years. Yet she’d gone below the belt with dragging his parents into their argument.
Trent had unbuckled his seatbelt by the time Grant parked the SUV.
Grant turned. “What did I tell you about keeping your seatbelt on until I turn off the car?” His voice was probably sharper than needed.
Trent’s chin jutted out, and Grant knew he had to ease off or he might have a crying kid.
“Sorry,” Trent said. “Should I put it back on?”
“No.” Grant sighed. “It’s too late now. I want you to be safe, okay?”
“Okay.”
Grant climbed out of the car, and within a few minutes they were inside his parents’ place and enveloped in floral-scented hugs from his mom. His mother was a petite woman, formerly blonde and now gray since she’d fully embraced her gray hair and kept it short and spikey.
His dad was the tall one, and Grant had inherited that height.
“Good to see you, son,” his dad said, and they gave each other a quick hug and pat on the back.
Tension came from both of his parents, but they were acting cheerful for Trent’s sake.
“Julie’s coming over too,” Grant said.
His parents exchanged significant looks, and Grant tried not to let that bother him. He’d be the one calling the shots this morning.
“Is she bringing Riley?” Trent asked.
“Yep,” Grant said, and hoped it was the case. In the next moment, someone knocked.
His mom opened it, and Julie walked in with Riley. After more greetings were over, his mom said, “Hey, boys, I have puzzles set up in Grandpa’s office. I’ll bring in some snacks too.”
The boys cheered and ran down the hall.
“Let’s sit in the living room,” his dad said.
Grant took a seat on one of the wingback chairs. Julie sat in the other one, and his parents sat close together on the couch as if they needed support from each other.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for him to start, so Grant said, “I hope you can erase everything from your mind that Joy told you. She’s only right about one thing. I am dating Maurie Ledbetter.”
Julie smiled. “I knew it!”
But his parents shared no such enthusiasm.
“I don’t understand,” his mother said. “The Ledbetters were ... Well, Joy has a right to be concerned. I’m concerned.”
“Maurie is nothing like her mother, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Grant said. “Joy has issues with me moving on, although she can move on all she likes. Maurie returned to Pine Valley a few weeks ago and opened the new Every Occasion shop.”
His mother’s furrowed brow relaxed. “That’s Maurie’s place?”
“Yes,” Grant said, and he went on to give them a brief history of what Maurie had done since leaving Pine Valley. Then he finished with, “Before you pass judgment, I want you to meet her.”