Page 57 of Falling Together

“Let’s hope Luke doesn’t teach him bad habits.”

“Isn’t that what siblings are for? To gang up on the parents together?”

Amy drops off our pancakes and my stomach growls. Now that I’m in my second trimester, my hunger seems to have no end.

“I was an only child,” Grant says.

“Me too. At least this kid will have Luke looking out for him,” I say.

“I have to tell you,” Grant starts, “that Luke had a great time out at the ranch. He’s not always the easiest kid, but he really liked riding with you.”

“It was fun to have him out there. It’ll be a great way for the two of us to get to know each other.”

“He’s already talking about getting me out riding.”

“Do you want to try?” I ask.

I shouldn’t get my hopes up, but I’d love to get Grant on a horse. Change out his baseball cap for a cowboy hat? Oh God, that image is too sexy for my own good. Him in either is enough to make a nun want to sin.

I shake those thoughts from my head.

Friends, Georgia. Friends.

“I might be terrible.”

“I doubt that.”

“I don’t think baseball skills transfer to riding.”

“I’ll be the judge.”

The rest of dinner goes by too quickly. But when Grant points out what time it is, the Emporium is empty and we’re the only two people in here.

“Did we really close this place down?” I ask.

Grant fishes three twenties out of his wallet and drops them on the table.

“Thanks, Amy,” he calls out. “Sorry to keep you so long.”

She winks at him. “Anything for my favorite customer.”

“She’s a good one.” Grant wraps an arm around my shoulders and steers me out into the summer night. It’s already dark out. “Hopefully Luke won’t be too upset his pancakes might be cold.”

“Tell him it was my fault,” I say.

“That will definitely get me out of it.” He laughs.

Crickets are chirping as the town is quiet around us. The only place with people milling around outside is The Dusty Spur.

A cool breeze blows down Main Street as Grant walks me to my car. I want to burrow closer into his side. His warmth engulfs me in a way I’ve never felt. Like I’m safe with him.

Will this feeling last?

I want it to, desperately, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. My past tells me otherwise.

Fishing my keys out of my purse, I spin to face Grant.

Before I can thank him for tonight, he’s moving in closer.