“He invited me over to his parents’ for dinner,” Maurie told Taffy.
Taffy looked up from the display she was organizing in their shop.
Business had been brisk in the morning, but around three they’d hit a dead spot. No one was in the store right now, and Grant had just texted Maurie that he wanted her to come with him to his parents’ that night ... for dinner.
Taffy quirked an eyebrow. “Wow, really?”
Maurie exhaled and leaned on the counter next to the cash register. “Grant’s family knows me as the teenager with a druggie mom.”
Taffy set down the basket she was holding and crossed to Maurie. “You were the teenager with a druggie mom. It’s part of your past, and it’s also part of why you’re so strong and amazing now.”
“I don’t feel strong or amazing,” Maurie said.
“Oh, hon.” Taffy stepped forward and hugged her. “Believe me, you are. If you weren’t, I wouldn’t be out here in this small town stuffing baskets.”
Maurie gave a soft laugh. “You’d be in London living it up?”
Taffy drew away and grinned. “Something like that.” She settled her hands on her hips. “Grant’s parents will love you. If they’re half as great as Grant, then you have nothing to worry about.”
“So you like him, huh?”
Taffy was still smiling. “Let’s just say that if you dumped him, I’d get in line. Although he pretty much already told me there’s no future between us.”
“What?” Maurie stared at her friend.
Taffy told her about her first meeting with Grant.
“I had no idea.” Maurie shook her head. “Maybe you could come with me. Be the backup friend. Give me support.”
“Um, no,” Taffy said. “I have other plans tonight.”
Maurie’s brows shot up. “Oh? Netflix?”
Taffy’s cheeks pinked, and Maurie wondered if she’d ever seen Taffy blush.
“I might have a date,” Taffy said. “But that’s all you’re getting out of me for now.”
Maurie scoffed. “I tell you everything, Taffy, and you’re holding back on me now.”
Taffy grinned and turned away. “Let’s just say that Pine Valley is starting to grow on me.” She busied herself with the table arrangement again. “But seriously, Maurie, just be your amazing self. I don’t doubt that by the end of tonight you’ll have Grant’s parents in love with you too.”
“What do you mean by ‘too’?” Maurie asked.
Taffy glanced over at her. “You know what I’m talking about, girl. Even you can’t deny that Grant is head over heels for you.”
The breath left Maurie. The thought that Grant could be in love with her was staggering ... especially because she knew she was in love with him. “How can you be sure?”
Taffy shrugged. “One of my gifts, I guess.” She waved a hand. “Now text the man back. Don’t leave him hanging. He took a giant leap forward in your relationship.”
Maurie swallowed. Taffy was right. This was a major step—meeting Grant’s parents. Was she ready for it? She wanted to meet them, and she was more than happy that Grant had asked. But would they ask about her mom? Would they worry too about their grandson, just as Joy had?
Maurie opened Grant’s text and replied: Sounds good. What time should I be ready?
Grant wrote back a minute later: We’ll pick you up at 5:30.
“We” because it would include Trent too, which might actually help things, Maurie decided.
The rest of the afternoon went by too quickly, probably because Maurie was getting more and more nervous about the evening. She’d met Brandon’s parents once at a giant party that he’d thrown. They’d been introduced, and they had chatted for a few minutes, but that was about it.
So after work Maurie found herself changing into a fresh outfit while Taffy was in the shower getting ready for her mystery date. Maurie chose to dress a little nicer than casual since she didn’t want to look like the homeless waif she’d been when Grant’s parents last saw her. She wore black slacks and a cream sweater, then decided to add a black-and-blue scarf too. She twisted her hair up and used a decorative clip, hoping it would make her look more sophisticated.
When the doorbell rang, Maurie nearly jumped. It was five thirty. She opened the door to find only Grant on the porch. He was wearing a light shirt and black leather jacket, complete with faded jeans and loafers with no socks.
“Aren’t your feet cold?” she asked, because apparently that was the best greeting she could come up with.
“Not really,” Grant said, his blue eyes scanning her.
Maurie didn’t miss the appreciation in his gaze, and the butterflies in her stomach beat faster. Pretty much every kiss they’d shared the night before came flooding back to her mind. Wow, she was nervous. “Where’s Trent?” she asked.
“At my parents’,” Grant said, lifting a brow. “I told Joy I’d be bringing Trent home tomorrow. Missing a day of preschool isn’t going to kill him.” He reached for her hand, and she realized she’d been hovering in the doorway, stalling.
She stepped onto the porch, and Grant kept pulling her toward him until she was flush against him.
“Hi,” he whispered.
She met his gaze. “Hi.”
“Nervous?”
She swallowed. “Very.”
He didn’t laugh, which was good. Instead, he lifted his other hand and brushed his thumb along her cheek. Then he lowered his head and kissed her. It was slow, yet light, and Maurie sighed into him. She felt herself relaxing little by little.
Grant smiled against her mouth. “Better?”
She breathed. “I think so. Maybe you should do that again.”
So he did. Maurie was dimly aware that anyone driving by would be a witness to her standing on the porch kissing Grant. But she didn’t hear any passing cars, at least that she knew of.
When Grant drew away, Maurie did feel better. The knots in her stomach had eased, and she felt steadier just being with Grant.
“So, don’t be surprised if my parents know quite a bit about you,” Grant said. “Between me and Trent, they’ve heard a lot.”
This didn’t help Maurie’s nerves. “Is that good?”
Grant led her down the porch steps, and they walked to his SUV. “It’s all good. They’re excited that you’re coming over.” He opened the passenger door for her, and she climbed into the warm SUV.
It was kind of strange being in the car without Trent and his chatter coming from the back seat.
Grant climbed in, and the drive to his parents’ condo sped by as he told her what Trent had been up to that day. Maurie laughed at the stories, and her heart softened even more toward the little guy.
When Grant parked in the parking lot of the condo complex, he turned to her. “I need to tell you something. But I don’t want you to worry over it.”
He told her how Joy had called his parents and brought up her concerns over Maurie’s upbringing. “I was furious, to say the least,” Grant said. “So this morning I met with my parents and explained everything—about you—and about us. They know how I feel about you, Maurie, and they know that Joy can be overdramatic.”
Maurie focused on the “how I feel about you” comment. How did Grant feel about her? Was he in love with her, as Taffy had said?
“So they don’t have the same concerns as Joy?” Maurie said.
“Not after I talked to them,” Grant assured her. He reached for her hand. “Julie and her husband will be here too.”
“Kill all the birds with one stone?” Maurie said.
“Something like that,” Grant said. “Are you okay with this?”
She held his gaze. “I’m okay with it. I’m still nervous though.”
Grant brought her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss on the back of it. “I’m nervous too, but not for the same reason.”
Before Maurie could ask him what he meant, he released her hand and opened his door. In mere seconds, she’d be meeting his family. She could do this. Be normal, cheerful, friendly, and hopefully his family would look beyond her past.
Grant opened her door, and as they walked to his parents’ place, he took hold of her hand again. He rang the doorbell, and soon the door opened.
A dark-haired woman stood there, one who had similar features to Grant, but more feminine.
“I wanted to greet you first,” the woman said. “I’m Julie, Grant’s sister.”
“Hi,” Maurie said, and she stuck out her hand to shake. But Julie drew her into a hug. “We hug in the Shelton family. Come in. I hope my brother’s treating you well.”
“Uh—”
“Come on, my mom’s in the kitchen,” Julie continued.
Grant leaned close to Maurie. “My sister’s a talker; did I warn you?”
“I heard that,” Julie said with a smirk.
And just like that, Maurie was separated from Grant, because Julie had a hold of her arm and was leading her toward the kitchen.
“Maurie!” Trent said from where he was perched on a barstool at a long counter. Next to him was another young kid, who must be the cousin. A little girl about two year old sat in a high chair.
Trent slipped off the barstool and ran toward Maurie. He barreled into her legs, and Maurie was lucky to stay upright and hug him back. She laughed, then looked up to see an older woman watching them. Grant’s mother. Her eyes were kind, and her mouth curved upward. She had the same-colored eyes as Grant.
“Hello,” Maurie said.
“Welcome,” Mrs. Shelton said, her tone a bit formal.
“Easy, buddy,” Grant said to Trent, coming into the kitchen. “What did I say about running into people?”
Maurie straightened and met Grant’s gaze. “It’s okay. I’m stronger than I look.”
“Yeah, Daddy, she’s super strong.”
“I guess I’m outvoted then,” Grant said, slipping his arm around her waist.
In front of his mother, no less.
“Mom, this is Maurie,” he said. “I don’t think you’ve officially met before.”
Mrs. Shelton smiled and wiped her hands on her apron. The counter behind her had flour and dough on it. “It’s nice to officially meet you.”
“You too,” Maurie said, taking courage from Grant’s arm around her waist. “What are you making?”
“Oh, this is dessert,” Mrs. Shelton said.
“Donuts!” Trent proclaimed. “We get to watch them bubble.”
Mrs. Shelton smiled at her grandson, then turned her gaze back to Maurie. “I just need to get them fried up, then we’ll have dinner.”
“I can help,” Maurie said, deciding that she might as well jump in with both feet.
“You don’t have to,” Grant murmured, but Maurie had already stepped away from his touch.
She walked to the counter. “You made them into balls?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Shelton said. “Do you like to cook?”
“I love to,” Maurie said. “It’s like therapy to me. My foster mom was a gourmet cook, and she pretty much taught me everything.”
Mrs. Shelton was silent for a moment.
Maurie hoped that she hadn’t said something to make the woman uncomfortable. But if anything between Maurie and Grant were going to truly work, she wouldn’t be quiet about her past.
“Well, that’s lovely,” Mrs. Shelton said at last, and her tone was much warmer. “Have you made donuts before?”
“Once, but it’s been years,” Maurie said. “I’ve made scones, though, and it’s not much different, right?”
“Right,” Mrs. Shelton confirmed. “If you could roll the last of the balls, then I’ll get the first batch into the fryer.”
Maurie moved to the sink and washed her hands. Within moments, she and Mrs. Shelton had a sort of assembly line going. Maurie rolled dough, and Grant’s mom fried them up. Julie joined in and arranged the fried donuts on a platter, then sprinkled them with powdered sugar.
At one point, Grant brought his father into the kitchen and introduced them. Maurie could see where Grant got his height and build from, and she was pleased that Mr. Shelton was open and friendly right from the start.
Mrs. Shelton was also warming up with each passing minute. It seemed that cooking and food could bond all types of women.
When the donuts were finished and left to cool off in the kitchen, Maurie walked with Mrs. Shelton into the dining room. The table had been beautifully set, and the sight of it brought a wave of nostalgia. It reminded her so much of what her foster mom might have done.
The dinner went smoothly—in fact, better than Maurie expected. Both of Grant’s parents asked her a few questions, and Julie was chatty the whole time. Her husband seemed like a pleasant guy—quiet but attentive.
The homemade donuts were definitely a highlight of the evening, and Maurie laughed more than once watching Trent and Riley’s enthusiasm. What would it be like to be kids with such loving families? Maurie would never know, but she was grateful to be a part of this evening. The love between the family members was tangible.
When Julie said she had to get Riley home to bed, and Grant concurred that he had to get Trent home as well, Maurie was surprised how fast the time had gone.
“We need to help clean up,” Maurie said.
Mrs. Shelton quickly cut in. “Maybe next time. You two are off the hook tonight.”
“If you’re sure,” Maurie said.
“I’m sure,” Mrs. Shelton said. She stepped forward and enveloped Maurie into a hug. “It was lovely to meet you, and thank you for coming.”
Maurie didn’t know why the woman’s words made her feel like crying. She blinked against the stinging in her eyes.
Goodbyes were fairly chaotic, as Julie’s family was leaving at the same time.
As they walked out together, Trent hopped ahead, chattering with Riley. It sounded like they were making playdate plans for the next day. Grant took her hand, linking their fingers together.
“Hey, Grant,” Julie said. “Can Trent sleep over tonight? Riley has been begging me.”
Maurie could feel Grant’s hesitation, but then he said, “Okay, that’s fine.”
Ahead of them, the boys cheered.
Maurie laughed and squeezed Grant’s hand, just before Trent ran up to the both of them. He hugged his dad, then he hugged Maurie.
The boys followed after Julie’s husband to their car, and Julie turned to Maurie. “My parents were very impressed with you, I could tell. And don’t let anything Joy says bother you. Grant told us all about it. Just know that you’re ten times better than Joy ever was, and you have all of our full approval.”
“Maurie doesn’t need anyone’s approval,” Grant cut in.
Julie held up her hand to stop her brother. “Even so, you’d better treat this woman right, because she’s the best thing that ever happened to you, Grant.”
Maurie decided she really liked Julie.
“As for you, Maurie,” Julie said. “Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re perfect.” She stepped forward and hugged Maurie.
Maurie didn’t think she’d ever been hugged so much in her life.
After Julie and her family left with Trent, Grant grasped Maurie’s hand, and they walked to his SUV.
When they reached the passenger’s side door, he turned to Maurie. “Julie’s right. My parents loved you.”
Maurie let those words buzz through her. “They’re pretty amazing. Your mom reminds me a lot of my foster mom, Gladys. Not only does your mom love to cook, but she was so accepting.”
“You’re not a hard person to accept,” Grant said, a smile turning up the corners of his mouth. He leaned closer to her and put his hand on the SUV behind her, so that she was between him and the SUV.
“So ... it looks like we have the rest of the evening to ourselves,” he said in a low tone.
Maurie met his eyes, and she felt the intensity of his gaze burning through her. “Whatever will we do by ourselves?” she teased.
Grant moved a few inches closer. “I could think of a few things.”
Maurie arched her brows. “Like what?” she asked in a soft voice.
He closed the distance and kissed her. She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him in. Closing her eyes, she kissed him back. Her heart was beating erratically. His mouth explored hers for a long moment.
When he drew away, he held her gaze, and she realized that she didn’t feel a bit of the cold night.
“Remember when I told you I was nervous too, but not about my parents?” he whispered.
“Mm-hm.” It was a distant memory, since his kisses made everything else distant.
“I need to tell you something, Maurie Ledbetter.”
This brought her out of her haze, and she drew back enough to meet his eyes. The intensity in his gaze made her pulse skyrocket.
“I’m in love with you, Maurie,” he said. “When I first saw you after so many years, all I knew was that whatever had happened in each of our lives, I wanted to begin again with you.”
Maurie stared at him, this man who had watched over her when she was a lost girl in a lost life. A man who was still watching over her. The warmth from his gaze was heating her all over ... and the love in his eyes she hoped to never see disappear. Because she knew without a doubt that she felt the same way. “I love you too, Grant Shelton. And I agree. Let’s begin again.”
Grant cradled her face with his hands, and then he kissed her again. This time, the kissing wasn’t slow and warm. It was more fiery, more passionate, more encompassing, and she decided they probably needed to leave the parking lot.
When Grant drew away, he whispered against her mouth, “Do you want to dance?”
It took a minute for her mind to focus. “Out here?”
“I was thinking we could find a kitchen somewhere,” he said, amusement in his tone.
Maurie smiled, then she laughed. Grant Shelton was one of a kind, and there was no other man she’d rather be with, and no other place she’d rather live than right here in Pine Valley. “Your kitchen or mine?”