Grayson’s spirits sank that night as he sat as his mother’s bedside. Once again, in the four days he’d been gone, her appearance had changed dramatically. She now looked even more frail.

“Is the medicine helping, Mom?”

Eleanor shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about that, honey.”

Struggling to keep his voice even, he asked, “What would you like to talk about?”

“You.” His mother gave him a wan smile. “What can you tell me about this assignment you’re working on?”

“I’m guarding someone.” When her brows rose in question, he said, “There was a kidnapping threat.”

“Man or a woman?”

“A woman.”

Eleanor’s eyes widened. “How old is she?”

“Twenty-four.”

“What’s she like?”

Grayson resisted the urge to roll his eyes, knowing exactly where his mother was going with these questions. “She’s driving me crazy. That’s what she’s like.”

Eleanor’s pale lips twitched. “You like her?”

“I don’t. She’s difficult, like I just said.”

“She’s got spirit.” When Grayson didn’t immediately respond, Eleanor prompted him. “Well?”

Grayson let out a resigned huff. “Yes, she’s got spirit.”

His mother shifted herself higher on her pillows, studying him as she gave him a small smile. “You need someone with spirit.”

“I’m not going to date someone I’m protecting. That’s just not going to happen.”

But his mother didn’t seem to hear. “You also need someone who’ll stand up to you. You can be pretty stubborn, you know.”

Grayson forced an image of Claire doing just that—standing up to him—out of his mind. Even away from her, he was having more thoughts about her than he cared to.

Why had he been so rude? Why had he assumed Claire was trying to needle him when she’d asked about his mother?

He’d just stared at Claire that morning in the kitchen, wondering if she was trying to manipulate him to get her way, or if she was being sincere. Based on everything he knew about her, logic told him the former had to be true, but could he be wrong? Could she be as genuine as Jeremy thought?

Trust your gut, he’d told himself. Keep your distance.

Too late, he’d realized Claire’s question had been heartfelt. He’d seen the hint of tears in her eyes when she fled from the room, and they’d made him feel like shit. For the entire drive to Scranton, he’d replayed their conversation over and over.

It wasn’t just the arguments with Claire that he couldn’t get out of his mind. It was the fantasies. Yes, there had been that kind of fantasy, but what was mostly going through his head was a redo of their interactions. And in his fantasies, he and Claire got along. She was polite to him and sweet, like she was with Jeremy.

Pathetic? No doubt about it. But the fantasies were a diversion, something to help him deal with the stress he was under. They didn’t mean anything.

“I want you to be happy, Gray.”

Grayson returned his attention to his mother. “I am happy.”

She shook her head. “You need more in your life than just your career.”

He was about to object, to tell her that he had more. But as he thought about it, he realized she was right. He hadn’t been in a relationship in quite a while. And he’d buried himself so deep into his career, he didn’t have much in the way of hobbies or outside interests to blow off steam. Camden was his best friend, but once he’d married Autumn and moved from DC, he’d left a big void in Grayson’s life.

He knew what he was doing, though. The married guys on the team always ran into trouble in their relationships. All that time away from home—the assignments and resulting travel—was never easy on a relationship, and the strain sometimes showed on his teammates’ faces.

“I want you to have what your father and I had.” His mother gave him a wistful smile. “It was wonderful. There’s no better feeling than being with someone who makes the world brighter just by being in it . . . someone who loves you, even when you’re at your worst, and makes you want to be a better person.” She turned her head and caught his eye. “And laughter . . . it’s so important to be with someone who can make you laugh. Your father was stubborn, just like you, and he used to make me so mad sometimes. But then he’d tease me until I couldn’t help but laugh. I never could stay mad at him for long.”

Grayson clenched his jaw. He didn’t want to think about his dad right now. Not with everything else going on. It was never a good thing when he thought of his father. Decades later, he still felt cheated that his dad had been taken from him so soon, and in such an awful way.

Ready for a change in subject, he said, “I can stay longer this time, Mom.” Eli had the drug case handled, and Alex would be filling in to help Jeremy guard Claire.

He cringed as he thought again of that morning. Claire had to be thrilled he was gone. She wouldn’t want him back anyway, not after the way he’d been treating her. Hell, she and Jeremy were probably eating popcorn and watching a movie right now, having a grand old time with him out of the house.

“And what will you do here, Gray? Watch me wither away?” His mother turned her head and stared at the ceiling. “No, thanks. I’d rather you go work that job of yours.”

It was the first time her words had indicated the gravity of her situation, and they shot straight to Grayson’s heart. “Please, Mom. Don’t talk that way.”

Ignoring his comment, she glanced out into the hallway. “Has Mary gone out? I heard the front door shut.”

Grayson nodded. “She went to the store. I think I was annoying her.”

“Why would she be annoyed with you?”

“She thinks I should be here permanently, and she’s right.”

Eleanor waved a hand, dismissing his words. “Don’t worry. We’re doing fine. My sister just likes drama.”

The corners of Grayson’s mouth lifted, this time in a genuine smile. His aunt did enjoy stirring things up.

“Are you sure?” he asked. “Don’t you want me to at least stay the night? I could go back in the morning.”

“No, Gray.” Eleanor’s eyes glistened as she smiled at him. “I’m so happy you came and spent a few hours with me, but I want you to head back as soon as Mary gets home.”

Reaching out, she took his hand in hers and squeezed. “I’m fine. I promise.”