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Sam finally got off the phone with his father and scowled into the night. Through the window of the B & B cabin, he could see the outline of the farmhouse. Where Grace was.
What was she doing right now?
He couldn’t see any lights – not on the porch, and not shining through the living room window – although maybe the drapes were blocking it.
Did that meant she’d gone to bed?
Just the thought of Grace in bed made him tighten with desire. Her lush curves, her sweet girl next door face, her honey blonde hair ... He’d thought that maybe, tonight, when they were making out in the living room that he’d get to take their relationship to the next level – the bedroom level.
But it wasn’t to be.
Harriet’s arrival had put a dampener on things, and then when she’d left, and he’d thought that maybe – just maybe – he and Grace could pick up where they left off, his damn phone had to ring.
He could have sworn he’d turned it off before he arrived at the farmhouse for dinner.
Sam had appreciated the effort Grace had gone to tonight – the way she’d looked, the incredible meal – and the adorable way she’d blushed when he’d looked at her with desire flaring in his eyes.
And the way she’d kissed him back had made him feel like the luckiest man in the world.
And then his father had to ruin everything.
When his parents had split up, he’d been twelve and Parker had been five. The three of them had been devastated. His mother had slowly picked up the pieces though, and had done a great job of raising him and Parker. Sam had stepped up, and became part brother, part father to his little brother, although he was still a kid himself.
They’d seen their father from time to time, but back then, he’d seemed more interested in living the life of a single man, and then divorced two more wives and married a fourth, without having any more kids.
Sam still didn’t know how his dad could have left his family like that. There was no way he wanted to turn out like that. It was only in the last few years that his father seemed to have realized the mistake he’d made so long ago, calling Sam to make sure their mother had everything she needed.
As if Sam needed his father for that.
He supposed he and Parker had been lucky – their grandfather had done well with the art gallery he’d left to Sam and Parker, and had made sure his daughter, their mom, didn’t go without financially once the gallery was making a profit.
And now, it was Sam’s turn to make sure his mother didn’t go without. Parker, too, visited their mom regularly and gave her little gifts. His brother had turned out pretty well overall, Sam mused, even if he did have a liking for playing the field. But maybe now that was at an end. Sam couldn’t remember the last time his brother had spoken about a girl the way he talked about Tanya.
But how could he have a relationship with Grace with his family history? He knew her parents had been happily married for many years. It would be obvious to anyone that she expected her marriage would be similar.
But he didn’t know if it would work out between them. He was ten years older than her. He’d worked hard during the last decade, co-owning the gallery with his brother, and pursuing his own business interests. And he’d been engaged to a gold-digger – thank God he’d found out in time exactly who his ex-fiancée had been.
Grace had her whole life before her. He didn’t want to ruin it.
***
The next day, Sam came into the farmhouse for breakfast as usual, but seemed subdued. He barely looked at Grace, apart from thanking her as she cooked him bacon and eggs.
Her mind flashed back to last night and her sister’s interruption, followed by the phone call Sam received.
“Is everything okay with your father?” she asked tentatively.
“Pretty much.” He forked up a mouthful, then took a swallow of coffee. “Ready to go?”
Her gaze flashed around the kitchen at the dirty dishes. “I guess so.” She hurriedly piled the dishes into the sink and grabbed her purse.
Usually he wasn’t in such a rush to drive to Spring River Bend. And most of the time, he even helped her with the breakfast dishes.
What had changed?
Maybe he had an urgent conference call or something like that, she thought as he drove along the highway.
When they arrived at the town square, he told her he’d pick her up at five p.m., then hurried into the empty store – or his store as she’d begun to think of it.
Throughout the day, Grace tried to shrug off her unease. Even Tanya’s energetic presence couldn’t shake off Grace’s frisson of disquiet.
Was it her curves?
Sam hadn’t seemed to mind them last night, but perhaps in the cold light of desire he’d decided he did, and didn’t know how to tell her.
Hadn’t she known all along that her crush on Sam was impossible? He’d barely seemed to notice her when she worked at the art gallery in Seattle. He’d only sought her out so she could help with Emmett, the artist. Why he’d stayed on in Spring River Bend was still a mystery to her, especially with the way he’d acted this morning.
She’d hoped he was staying because of her. Because he wanted a real relationship with her. But after last night when her seduction plan had failed, and now this morning, she just didn’t know what he was still doing here.
Guys were weird.
“I wonder who that man is.” Tanya’s curious voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
“What man?” Grace focused on her employee.
“The guy out there.” Tanya gestured to the large window. A middle-aged man was getting out of a large gray sedan parked outside Sam’s store.
“Probably a tourist,” Grace said, not really interested. She’d much rather continue to decipher Sam’s behavior that morning.
“But he’s going into Sam’s shop.”
Grace’s gaze flew to the window. Tanya was correct. She watched the man, dressed in a smart charcoal suit, despite the warm weather, open the shop door and step inside. And then, she saw Sam greet the man and shake his hand.
What was going on?
“Maybe it’s a business meeting,” Tanya suggested.
“Maybe,” Grace replied. It was a bit strange Sam hadn’t mentioned it, but then again, she didn’t tell him everything that happened in the bookshop, like Tanya arriving five minutes late, but making up for it by staying five minutes later before she clocked off.
“Don’t you want to know?” Tanya persisted.
Grace shrugged. “I guess it’s Sam’s business.” She forestalled any more questions by asking Tanya about her impending trip to visit Parker in Seattle.
Sam didn’t invite her to lunch – in fact, she didn’t see or hear from him for the rest of the day, until five p.m. As promised, he walked into the shop.
“Ready to go?” His voice sounded normal but faint lines of strain bracketed his mouth.
“In a minute,” she replied. Usually he helped turn out most of the lights and did a last-minute check for lurking customers in the corner – not that she had any, and she was pretty sure she would know if she did since it was a small space. But it was thoughtful of him.
“Hi, Sam.” Tanya took off her name badge and tucked it away behind the desk.
“I’ll finish locking up, Tanya,” Grace said quickly, before the other girl could say anything else to Sam. She didn’t want Sam to think they’d been spying on him earlier, when anyone in the town square at the time would have seen that middle-aged man go into his store.
“Oh – thanks,” Tanya replied, looking from Grace to Sam and back again and seeming to pick up on the sudden tension in the shop. “See you tomorrow.”
Once Tanya had left, the jangle of the door signaling her departure, Grace smiled hesitantly at Sam. He didn’t return her smile, he just looked somber.
“I have to go back to Seattle on business. I’ll take you back to the ranch, grab my stuff and then go to the airport. I don’t know when I’ll be back, so don’t hold the B & B cabin for me.”
He was breaking up with her.
She froze, unable to tear her gaze from him.
“Don’t look at me like that.” His voice was gruff.
“Like what?” she whispered.
“As if I just broke your heart in two.”
Haven’t you?
She turned away from him and blinked fiercely. She refused to cry – not now, not here. Grabbing her purse, she reached for the door handle.
“Let’s go,” she managed to utter.
“Grace ...”
Maybe she was being unreasonable. She got into his car, buckling her seatbelt and refusing to look at him. He was a businessman. He probably couldn’t do video conference calls for every business-related thing that came up. She dug her sunglasses out of her purse and put them on.
Pinning a pleasant expression on her face, she stared out at the road ahead. Sam turned onto the highway that led to the ranch.
She waited for him to speak.
He didn’t.
She snuck a peek at him. His expression looked guarded, his jaw firm. And his hands clenched the steering wheel – his strong hands that didn’t look like he pushed papers and made business deals for a living.
Her Sam.
But was he hers?
Perhaps she wouldn’t have gotten so upset if he hadn’t been so matter of fact about the situation. If he’d kissed her and stated he hated the fact that he had to go to Seattle but he’d call her as soon as he landed – in fact, call her every day he was there – and that he’d get back to Spring River Bend as soon as he could.
But he hadn’t said any of that.
“How—” she cleared her throat “—how long will you be gone?”
The sound of the road humming beneath them hung in the air for a few seconds before he replied.
“I’m not sure.” Now it was his turn to clear his throat. “I’ll call you, Grace.”
“Okay,” she managed, wondering if he really would.
They didn’t speak again until he turned into the ranch and pulled up outside the farmhouse.
“Thanks for bringing me home,” she said, unfastening her seatbelt. Her hand on the door, she hesitated, risking a glance at him.
“I’m sorry.” His mouth twisted. His eyes were full of regret.
She nodded, her mouth suddenly like sandpaper. She couldn’t say a word.
Opening the door with a jerk, she almost tumbled out in her haste. Grace hurried to the porch, taking the creaking steps two at a time. She had to get inside.
By the time she opened the front door, Sam had already parked in front of his cabin.
She slammed the door shut behind her, pressing her palms to her eyes. Why did she have to fall in love with Sam Hartwell, the most unattainable man in the world?
It was obvious he didn’t love her – otherwise he wouldn’t have announced his departure so abruptly, without any emotion at all.
No wonder her seduction attempt had failed last night – he just wasn’t that interested in her.
And she knew what that last “I’m sorry,” meant. He’d just broken up with her.
***
Sam stood in the living room of his Seattle apartment, staring at the figures in front of him. What he was being offered was a huge business deal.
It was one he didn’t want.
He’d been back here for five days, and all he could think of was Grace. What she was doing right now, how she looked, the way she laughed, and her lush curves under him on the sofa that last night. The night they’d been interrupted – twice.
She was everything he’d ever wanted – but couldn’t have.
He was too old for her.
And his checkered family background ...
Brring Brring.
He was tempted to ignore his cell, but maybe it was Grace. He hadn’t brought himself to call her, knowing that if he did, he might confess his feelings for her, and that would be disastrous.
Sam looked at the display and grimaced. His father. Reluctantly, he took the call.
Hearing his father’s self-pitying tone, a wave of exasperation swept over him. He loved his dad, but didn’t like or approve of some of his actions – now and in the past.
As he listened to his father’s voice, all he could think of was Grace. There was no way he would ever break up with her – if they ever got together properly. He loved her, dammit.
“Dad,” he interrupted his father, his self-control finally snapping. “Maybe you should be saying all this to Mom. Have you ever truly apologized for leaving her – us – like you did?”
His father squawked on the other end of the line.
“Then maybe you should. And saying sorry to me and Parker would be appreciated – if you mean it.”
Once Sam got off the phone with his father – who had apologized to him – he looked at the Seattle skyline with new eyes. Perhaps he’d even thank his father one day.
Because during that phone call, he knew with deep down certainty that what he felt for Grace was real. And he also knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he would never leave her. He finally realized he was nothing like his father. And never would be.
But how did Grace truly feel about him? Did she think he was too old for her? So far, she hadn’t seemed to think so but ...
He pushed those doubts aside. There was only one way to find out. Today. In Spring River Bend.
***
Grace looked at her watch. One hour to go and she could close up and go home – alone. Back to the old farmhouse, which had seemed sad and lonely since Sam had gone back to Seattle.
It was only her imagination, of course. The farmhouse was exactly the same as it had been before Sam had come back into her life.
Harriet was spending more time with her since Sam had departed. When she’d questioned her sister staying over at night – without her fiancé – Harriet had airily waved her hand and said that right now, Grace needed her more than Coop.
She appreciated Harriet’s company, but sometimes it was nice to be left alone. She hadn’t told Harriet much about Sam leaving, other than it was business related.
She hadn’t told her sister that Sam had broken up with her.
But somehow, Harriet had guessed. Tess, too. Both her sisters were making a concerted effort to cheer her up, and while she appreciated it, she didn’t know if her heart would ever piece itself together.
Tanya had returned to the bookshop after her weekend trip to Seattle to see Parker. She didn’t mention seeing Sam there, and Grace resisted the temptation to ask about him. Instead, she listened to Tanya rave about the city sights, and how much fun she’d had with Parker, which made Grace feel more despondent, although she was happy for Tanya.
Tanya wasn’t working today, so Grace had the whole store to herself – not that she’d been overrun with customers.
The door jangled, and a guy in his twenties entered. He had brown hair, glasses, and wore a t-shirt and chinos. If she’d never met Sam, she might even be interested in him. She watched him browse the sci-fi shelves, giving herself a few seconds respite before thinking of Sam once more.
Sam hadn’t called – not once. But had she really expected him to? It was over between them – not that it had really gotten started. They hadn’t even made love.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for a bookmark for my sister. She saw some butterfly ones in Billings, and I wondered if you sell them as well.”
It was sci-fi guy. Grace smiled at him. He had a cute boyish face, and the glasses really suited him.
“I have these.” She moved to the blue butterfly bookmarks at the end of the counter and showed one to him.
“This seems exactly what she was talking about.” He smiled back at her. “I better get two for her – she’s always looking for a bookmark.”
He put a sci-fi paperback on the counter and dug into his pocket for his wallet.
She’d felt nothing when he’d smiled at her.
She’d been Sam Hartwell’s from the moment she’d met him, and now it looked like she was doomed to remain so. For how long? The rest of her life?
Grace placed the guy’s purchases in a small paper bag and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” Sci-fi guy smiled at her.
The shop door jangled as another customer entered, but Grace ignored it, even the tiny prickle of awareness at the nape of her neck. She focused on sci-fi guy’s smile instead. Still nothing.
“What time do you finish here?”
“Five,” she answered, wondering if he was going to do some more browsing.
“How about meeting me at the wine bar for—”
“She’s busy.” An attractive male voice said firmly.
Grace whirled around.
Sam!
They stared at each other for long seconds. Her gaze tracked every detail of his face. He looked a little careworn, but there was something else about him that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. An extra layer of determination.
She turned to sci-fi guy. “I’m afraid I’m busy. But thank you.” If she’d never met Sam Hartwell, then maybe she would have met sci-fi guy at the wine bar. But that would have been in another life.
Sci-fi guy looked at Sam’s implacable expression, then back at Grace. Somehow, he seemed to receive the unspoken message that the two of them had unfinished business. He nodded, grabbed his purchases and left the store, the door jangling after him.
“You’re here,” she whispered, looking up at Sam.
He nodded. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
“You aren’t?” She held her breath.
“No.” He took a deep breath. “I’m in love with you, Grace.”
She froze. Then blinked. He was still there, standing in front of her, the counter separating them.
“Pinch me.” She held out her arm to him.
“What?”
“Just do it.”
He reluctantly pinched her gently on her bare arm.
She waited, but nothing had changed. They still stood in the bookshop, she still wore the same clothes, and Sam – Sam looked wonderful in his smoke gray suit and blue shirt, a questioning look on his face.
It was real.
Sam loved her. Her!
Giddiness skipped through her at his declaration.
“Grace?” He frowned in concern.
“I’m in love with you too,” she said in a rush. The words that had lain dormant inside her, ever since she had first met him, flooded out.
“You are?” His eyes lit up and a smile creased his face.
She nodded, too full of joy to be able to say anything.
He rushed around the counter and swept her into his arms.
“I’ve been a fool,” he muttered thickly into her hair.
The linen of his jacket rubbed against her cheek, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was that Sam loved her, and she was in his arms. And then, his words infiltrated her consciousness.
“Really?” She tilted her head back and gazed up at him.
“The biggest fool in the world,” he murmured. Then he seemed to think of something, and his expression altered to one of worry. “I’m not too old for you, am I?”
“No!”
“I’m ten years older than you.”
“I know.” At his look of faint surprise, she added, “Parker told me how old you were when I first started working at the gallery.”
“And you’re not concerned about it?”
“No.” She shook her head, then paused. “You’re not worried about it, are you?”
“No.” He kissed her. “Not any more.
When they finally broke apart, Grace found her breath. “Why would you be worried about it?” She cataloged his features: his brown eyes, darkened with love and tenderness, his straight nose, his firm, sensual lips, and his manly jaw.
“I didn’t think you’d want to be saddled with an old man,” he said wryly.
“Old!” She punched his arm. “Ten years is nothing. And knowing how old you were didn’t stop me from falling in love with you when I worked at the gallery.” Her cheeks flamed at her confession. But he didn’t seem horrified – in fact, the opposite.
“And here I thought I was nuts for being instantly attracted to you the first time I saw you at the gallery.”
“You were?” Her heart skipped a beat at the thought that they’d been smitten with each other. “Why didn’t you say something back then?”
“Why didn’t you?” he countered, pulling her even closer to him.
“Because I thought you were totally out of my league,” she admitted, still finding it hard to believe that she was in his arms right now. “I used to see photos of you in the social pages attending events with glamorous women.”
He snorted. “I thought it was a good way to meet potential clients for the art gallery, but most of the time, all I wanted to do was stay at home and get caught up on paperwork, or read a good book. And then when I met you for the first time, I used to fantasize about you being on my side at those events. Then I would have actually enjoyed them.”
He captured her lips in a kiss that she never wanted to end.
“I thought you were breaking up with me last week when you returned to Seattle. You didn’t call me.” She furrowed her brow.
“I thought I was breaking up with you, too. I was going to call, if only to try and explain the whole thing. But,” he muttered thickly, “I knew when I was back in Seattle if I did contact you it would be difficult not to reveal my feelings for you. And at that stage, I was doing my best to fight them.”
“Why?” She studied his contrite expression.
“I thought I came with too much baggage. The age difference, my family situation with my father on his fourth wife, and my ex-fiancée, who turned out to be a gold-digger.” He cupped her face in his hands. “And there you were, fresh out of college, untouched—” he kissed away her indignant protest “—and sweet. So sweet.” His lips claimed hers.
“But I realized,” he continued, when he finally dragged his lips from hers, “that I can’t live without you. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I’m nothing like my father. When I give my word, I keep it.” He looked at her intently. “Will you be mine, Grace?”
When he looked at her like that, how could she deny him anything? His words thrilled her to her core. Hadn’t she been dreaming of this moment ever since he’d turned up at the ranch asking for her help with Emmett, the gallery’s artist? No, even before that. From the first moment she’d met Sam.
“Yes,” she said unsteadily, part of her still wondering if she was dreaming. “I’ll be yours, Sam.”
“I’ll be the best husband you could ever want.” The expression on his face made his words a vow.
“What?” She blinked. “I thought – I thought you wanted to be exclusive ... or something like that.” Her voice trailed off at his perplexed expression.
“Very exclusive.” His thumb traced her lips. “Married exclusive.” He looked at her ruefully. “I haven’t done this right.” He knelt down in front of her and held her hand. “Grace Lockhart, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her mind froze at the image of Sam down on his knee, asking her to marry him! And then she came back to full, roaring life.
“Yes! Yes, of course I’ll marry you.” Sam rose and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You just caught me by surprise, that’s all.”
“You had me worried for a second,” he admitted. She nestled her face against his chest and they stood there for long seconds. Then a thought intruded.
“But what about your business matters? And the gallery? And the business stuff you had to go back to Seattle for?” She frowned.
“All taken care of, sweetheart.” His eyes were full of love and passion. “The man who came to see me across the square had an interesting proposal for me – he wanted to finance a string of art galleries under the Hartwell name across the country – even overseas. Emmett’s exhibition was a huge success, and he saw dollar signs.”
“What did you say?” She held her breath while waiting for his answer.
“No, of course.” His tone indicated that it had been a simple decision. “I have everything I want – and need – right here.” His mouth claimed hers.
“But you didn’t have me then,” she pointed out when she was able to talk.
“I know.” His tone was rueful. “But flying across the country and overseeing a dozen different art galleries isn’t what I want. Even if you said you didn’t love me, I thought you might at least have feelings for me, going by the romantic dinner you cooked for me, and what happened afterward.”
“Until we were interrupted.”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “But I thought I stood a chance with you, and I was willing to take it. I’m only sorry it took me so long to act on my feelings for you.”
“But now you have,” she said softly, knowing her eyes were full of love as she looked up at him.
“Now I have,” he echoed, holding her even closer. “I told the guy that Parker might be interested in the gallery deal, and if he is, he can have it. I’m going to have my own small gallery right here, across the square, and manage it myself. It will keep me occupied, as well as my other business interests – making money on the stock market, and being on the board of a couple of Seattle businesses. I shouldn’t have to go back to Seattle much at all. I’ll be too busy looking after you – and our children.”
“Children?” Her eyes widened.
“If you want children. I thought maybe two – or even three – but it has to be your decision.”
“I’d like children someday,” she replied, loving him even more for his thoughtfulness. “Maybe two?”
“They’ll be perfect.” His mouth captured hers. “Just like you.”
“Maybe,” she took in a deep breath, “maybe we should start practicing now. For when the time comes.”
“Grace.” He kissed her with a passion that reaffirmed the knowledge that Sam Hartwell was the only man for her – ever.
***
After locking up the bookshop – fifteen minutes early – Sam drove them back to the ranch. Grace was a bundle of nerves – she wanted to make love with Sam, but he hadn’t seen her without her clothes on. She trusted in his love for her – but what would he think about her curves – her naked curves?
It turned out she didn’t have to worry – at all.
She led Sam toward her bedroom, gasping in surprise when he picked her up on the threshold and carried her to the bed, his stride sure and easy.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment,” he murmured, shrugging off his jacket before kneeling over her.
“Same,” she whispered, her hands touching the cotton fabric of his shirt with butterfly caresses.
“I think we should get married as soon as possible.” He nuzzled the soft skin of her neck, then drew back, waiting for her answer.
“Yes.” She unfastened the buttons on his shirt, her hands shaking.
“Tomorrow we can go into Billings and get you an engagement ring,” he continued, tracing the swell of her breast through her cotton blouse. “And tell your sisters.”
Grace smiled at the thought of her sisters’ reaction to her news – she knew they’d both be happy for her.
“And then I’ll start setting up the gallery in the vacant shop,” he continued, whisking off her blouse.
“Oh, Grace,” he groaned, his fingers brushing against the lace of her bra.
There was no more talk as they took turns exploring each other, Grace too swept up in the exciting feelings coursing through her to be nervous.
Besides, Sam didn’t give her any time to be jittery. He murmured endearments to her, telling her just how much he loved her lush curves, until all their clothes had been dispensed with.
Sam’s nude form filled her with desire. The powerful planes of his muscular chest, his lean hips, and the large evidence of his need for her – sent a thrill through her unlike any other.
Then a thought occurred to her. Earlier he’d said she seemed “untouched”.
“Sam,” she whispered. “This isn’t – isn’t my first time. I had a boyfriend in college—” he hushed her by caressing her lips with his finger.
“I don’t expect it to be, sweetheart.” His expression was full of love. “I know you had a life before me. This isn’t my first time either.” His mouth edged into a self-deprecating smile. “But it will be our first time together and that’s all that matters.”
She returned his smile, opening her arms to him. He kissed and caressed her until she didn’t think she could take any more.
“In the night stand,” she breathed, feeling his hardness against her. As he jerked open the drawer, she added, “I bought them just in case – that last night when I invited you to dinner.”
“And we were interrupted twice.” His expertly sheathed himself, then returned to her. “We’re not going to be interrupted this time, sweetheart.”
Sam surged into her, and they became one. Grace had never experienced anything like this before – it was glorious, far surpassing her hopeful expectations, and then she tightened beneath him, spiraling into a climax so intense she didn’t think it would ever end.
But finally, she drifted down to earth, just as Sam found his own release, thrusting inside her one last time.
Afterwards, they nestled in each other’s arms, Grace wondering how it was possible her dream had come true. She and Sam, together at last.
Epilogue on the next page!
