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Grace wouldn’t have to pick between her heroes after all.
She marveled at the lovestruck expression reflected back from inside the restaurant lobby’s window as Drew hurried down the sidewalk outside to clean off and heat up his Jeep. Hopefully she could rein in her smile a little bit before he pulled up at the curb.
Who would have dreamed that Drew and Andy were the same person?
And that he’d been thinking of her all those years?
You’re mine.
There had been such a marvelous heat in his eyes at the declaration that held layers of meaning. Followed by the delicious sensation of his lips on hers.
Would there be a repeat kiss when he dropped her off later?
There went her smile again. Not to mention her pulse keeping time with the anticipated tingles.
Ugh. She was getting ahead of herself.
Then again, her romantic heart—fueled by all the stories she’d read—already imagined that if they truly spent the next months dating, by the end of the year he might drop to one knee. Already made mental arrangements to coordinate the location of his EMT training program and her job prospects doing something—even waitressing or working at a movie theater or anything really—in order to stay in the same area instead of juggle a long-distance relationship.
But then what...?
When he was done with his training, he was moving back to Pine Ridge. She could never ask him to give up the chance to work at a camp that would impact so many lives.
Even if it meant leaving her behind.
Except, nothing said she couldn’t go too. Unless that made her seem like a wannabe stalker girlfriend.
Then again, who made such monumental life choices based on a few outings and a kiss?
But oh, what a kiss. Her lips tingled at the memory.
Seeking a distraction, Grace pulled her phone from her purse, only now realizing it had been turned off since that morning. And saw that she had missed a call that afternoon in the middle of when she’d been giving a tour.
With quick glance at the falling snow outside—and the lack of a Jeep at the curb—she accessed the voice mail message. And listened as the Mesa Ridge High School principal offered her the teaching job she’d interviewed for just two days ago.
His words of congratulations in her ear felt more like a judge passing a sentence. She could almost hear the imaginary gavel striking, dooming her to months of boredom with the subject matter and scrutiny from the students.
At least she had until Monday to respond with her answer.
But the brief reprieve only left her mind swirling with questions.
A teaching job would pay so much more than a waitress gig and give her the financial stability to live on her own. But making a year-long commitment to this area meant she’d be forced to say goodbye to Drew when he finished his EMT training.
Without him nearby, the job would be misery. Especially when he was the primary reason she’d been open to the interview in the first place.
Taking the job could mean losing Drew.
Turning it down meant a disapproving lecture from Uncle John, especially since his string-pulling for the interview guaranteed he’d find out.
No matter what, someone was going to be disappointed.
Especially her.
If only she’d never interviewed in the first place.
Oh, God, if I ever needed Your wisdom, it’s now. What should I do?
Outside the window, Drew pulled up at the curb.
Desperate not to ruin the rest of their evening, she pushed the entire question to the back of her mind.
She’d enjoy every moment they had together. Then, once he’d said goodnight, she’d spend the rest of the weekend on her knees.
###
AS DREW DROVE BACK toward the castle, his headlights transformed the heavily-falling flakes into a swirling white-out reminiscent of Star Wars hyperdrive scenes through space.
Less-experienced drivers might get disoriented by the sight, but between growing up in the mountains and his four-wheel drive with relatively new tires providing traction through the accumulating snow on the icy pavement, his Jeep was safer than other cars on the road.
Not that there were many due to the weather.
The current conditions were no joke—April Fool’s or otherwise—and based on the way it was coming down, he wouldn’t be surprised if the forecasted flurries turned into a foot by morning.
He risked a quick glance at his quiet passenger.
She’d seemed lost in thought ever since they’d left the restaurant. Then again, she was probably allowing him quiet in order to focus on the drive.
As they exited the interstate and turned west on Garden of the Gods Road, her phone rang and she snatched it from her purse.
The resulting one-sided conversation gave hints of her kind heart as she mentioned praying for someone and volunteered to do whatever was needed. Otherwise, he only heard a bunch of sure, uh-huh, and will do agreements.
Along with an undertone of excitement in her voice before she hung up.
“What was that about?”
Grace quickly filled him in about the castle hosts leaving for a family emergency and how she’d been asked to take their place until replacements could be found. Which meant she’d get to actually stay in the castle instead of her RV even if it meant being on-call to assist the guests and then serving as a hostess at breakfast.
“Anything I can do?”
She paused for a moment, then shifted to face him. “My car is in the Carriage House lot and I don’t feel like clearing it off if I don’t have to. Do you mind stopping by my RV for a few minutes? I need to change into warmer clothes and pack an overnight bag, then pick up a key at the front office before going to the castle. If you can drive me around, then—”
“No problem.” He grinned. Anything to continue being her hero.
“I hate to cut our evening short.”
“I don’t see the need for that.” He glanced her direction as they turned onto the less-traveled-and-therefore-more-snowy road leading into the Glen Eyrie valley.
She snorted. “Have you seen the weather outside?”
“I’ve got four-wheel drive and months—a lifetime—of arctic training.” He waggled his eyebrows her direction. “I’m a big boy.”
She shrugged, but he could discern her blush even in the faint light of the dashboard.
God, I can’t wait to see where this might lead with Grace.
A minute later, he followed her directions to the volunteer housing area, then waited in the running Jeep while she went inside her RV.
A surge of protectiveness caught him off guard as he eyed the aluminum structure that seemed too flimsy to survive the storm. He was glad Grace would be spending the night inside strong stone walls instead.
Not that he’d ever discount her ability to take care of herself. She had more inner strength than most women—or men—he’d met. Coupled with her interest in hiking and the fact she’d been living in a tiny RV without complaint, she wasn’t high-maintenance either.
Making her a prime candidate for mountain living.
Should God’s plan lead them both back to Pine Ridge.
While waiting for Grace to emerge, Drew checked the weather radar on his phone. The updated forecast now agreed that the storm was worse than they’d originally predicted.
Should he head back to base now after all? Not that the roads were going to be that much worse in an hour considering how bad they were now...
Or was he ignoring wisdom just for an excuse to spend more time with the beauty whose kiss had stirred his heart to life?
By the time Grace tossed a small duffel bag into the backseat, he still hadn’t decided what to do.
Drew parked close to the Carriage House wall, then shielded Grace from the worst of the blowing snow as they made their way inside the office.
Behind the check-in counter, the same woman he remembered interrupting yesterday’s coffee date rattled on about Grace’s responsibilities while shoving a guest list printout and a keycard on a lanyard toward Grace. She was already putting on her coat, in a seeming rush to get home before she got snowed in, when she suddenly stopped and frowned at Grace. “I should have thought about the security patrol. Usually we have a man do that... Maybe I should call—”
“I can do it.” Drew stepped forward, his decision easy. Especially if it meant keeping Grace safe at the castle.
Two pairs of wide eyes turned his direction and he hurried to explain. “If there’s a place for me to stay, I can help Grace.”
Grace blinked. “I’m sure there’s a couch in the host’s apartment...” She blushed as if the issue of propriety suddenly dawned on her. “Or maybe the couch in Palmer’s Den?”
The other woman frowned, then turned to the computer. “We did offer a complimentary upgrade to a few guests from the Glen View Lodge to get them closer, so I need to see...” The tapping of her fingers on the keyboard filled the room.
“I’m willing to pay...” What was it about Grace that made him willing to spend hard-earned money or sleep on a couch just for a bit more time with her?
The woman waved a hand. “We’re not likely to get a last-minute reservation now anyway.” She glanced over at Grace. “Can you vouch for your boyfriend’s character?”
Grace blushed again as she darted a glance his direction then back at her supervisor. “Drew’s the best there is. Remember the guy who helped last week when that boy fell off the terrace?”
A light dawned in the woman’s eyes and before he knew it, she’d handed him the key to a room down the servant’s hall. Without asking for his debit card.
“Thank you.” He tucked the keycard into the pocket of his coat, then while Grace received the last of her instructions, he stepped back to send a text to his commanding officer that he’d be staying at the castle instead of on base.
Just in case anyone there went looking for him.
Before long, he leaned into the driving snow as he led Grace back to his Jeep. The conditions had already worsened and by the time he’d parked closer to the castle, he was glad he didn’t need to face more time on the road back to his lodgings.
He shouldered Grace’s duffel and grabbed the stocked ready-bag he kept in his Jeep. After all, the only one more prepared than a Boy Scout was a SERE Survivalist.
A miserable walk later, they were inside the sturdy doors and stomping snow off their shoes onto the narrow rug designed to protect the historically-accurate carpet.
With a shy but giddy smile, Grace led the way up the grand staircase to the third floor and then continued even higher up winding narrow stairs to the private apartments where the hosts stayed.
Once she’d deposited her duffel against the wall and shrugged out of her coat, they made the trek to his room where he did the same. Then, after a walk-through of the halls where Grace introduced herself to the various guests, they returned to the ground floor and claimed a seating area in a windowed alcove.
Hopefully none of the castle guests would need assistance, because he relished the excuse to snuggle beside Grace on that antique couch and watch the snow fall.
Except before he could capture the opportunity to lean in for another kiss and determine if she tasted as sweet as before, they were interrupted.
A sheepish man—the husband staying in Elise Palmer’s old room if he remembered correctly—approached. “Ma’am. Can you show me how to light the fireplace in our room? Because my wife is a little chilly.”
Drew turned to Grace since she was the one in charge. Was that part of her tour guide training?
No. And based on the panic radiating from her pores, that hadn’t been part of her supervisor’s instructions either.
And then the realization dawned.
Even if it were, anything to do with fire could—would—trigger her flashbacks. Her nightmares.
He rose quickly. “It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out if we put our heads together.” After gesturing for the man to lead the way, Drew cast a glance at Grace. “Be back soon.”
The answering gratitude in her eyes made him feel like her hero again.
Except he’d much rather see a different admiration there. Like the dazed heat after their kiss earlier.
Maybe later...
###
GRACE SHUT THE DOOR to the castle hosts’ apartment and leaned against it with a dreamy sigh at the memory of Drew’s parting kiss.
She already missed his solid presence and he’d been gone less than a minute.
Rolling her eyes at her romantic notions, she readied herself for bed, donning sweats as sleepwear just in case any of the guests needed something in the middle of the night.
At least Drew had volunteered to walk the halls as security a couple times.
Not that any nefarious bad guys would pick the middle of a blizzard for a heist or vandalism.
She laughed at herself. She’d been reading too much fiction lately if that’s where her mind had gone.
With only the bedside lamp for light, Grace climbed beneath the covers and pulled the blankets up to her chin. The wind howling outside the window sent shivers down her spine.
It was almost enough to make her wish for a fireplace to supplement the castle’s boilers. But even fueled by natural gas—like others in the castle—the sight of the flames along with the heat was too much.
Brought back too many memories.
Something Drew had realized immediately when he’d jumped in to help the guest with their fireplace. As if they were a real team. He’d returned a few minutes later in order to snuggle together on the couch, and for a few blissful moments, she’d imagined they were a real couple.
That they were the lord and lady of a castle.
And when she’d yawned and he’d gallantly walked her to her door...well, the memory of his arms—Andy’s arms—around her once again sent heat coursing through her veins. Only to be compounded as she relived the feel of his lips on hers.
The feeling of being treasured and beautiful.
If only it could last.
Because Drew wouldn’t always be in her life. Especially since he’d soon be moving hours away while she had no good reason to decline the offer of a teaching job.
Except she hadn’t accepted it yet. While meant that for the rest of the weekend, she could pretend her future had other options.
She wanted to enjoy the sparks while she had the chance.
God, please help me figure out how to make this work if that’s the future You have planned for us. You brought us back together for a reason, right? Or was it only so I could find closure and let him go?
She sighed, then glanced at her phone plugged in to the charger and resting on the bedside table.
At least her fictional heroes were always within arm’s reach.
Including the military hero in the book she’d been reading earlier. A hero fighting to reclaim his castle. A castle similar to the one where she now stayed.
With a smile, Grace opened her reading app and snuggled in to travel to northern England...
###
“WHAT KIND OF PROOF do I have of my identity? My father’s will. A journal. A copy of my mother’s marriage lines.” Nicholas shoved a hand through his hair in frustration. “Even my scribblings tucked into the corners of the schoolroom would likely have been thrown out over the years. Or scouted out by the impostor.”
“You will not know until you have a look.” Susannah clung to hope for his sake.
Mrs. Jennings frowned. “Even if the master and his wife were gone for the day, you cannot simply walk in the front door. We would have to sneak you inside while also avoiding the new butler and housekeeper.”
Harold laughed. “I don’t suppose there are any secret staircases or tunnels to make things simpler?”
Nicholas cracked a smile. “Parts of the foundation date back to the Romans but nary a tunnel to be found. And you more than most know how often I would have used such a thing to escape my lessons.”
Their shared laughter brought to mind her childhood image of a youth on horseback exploring the countryside one last time before his father’s return.
Nicholas posed with his hands behind his back like an officer instructing his troops. “We will require a diversion and lookouts. Which means we need allies inside the house that we can trust.”
The cook nodded. “I will see to the recruits.”
“And I can arrange a diversion.” Harold waggled his eyebrows.
Susannah’s stomach fluttered at the potential danger to them all but could not decide on an alternate plan.
“Assuming I find some sort of evidence, I still need an audience to present it to.” Nicholas looked to her. “Your statement about a baronet verifying your identity holds true for me as well. If only there was an earl or a duke to vouch for me...”