Chapter 9
GRACE
FLUSTERED
After grabbing my tea, I find a seat at Cowgirl Coffee in front of the fireplace in the backroom.
While getting drinks at The Chairlift or Frisky Fox after a day on the slopes is fun, sometimes I just want to relax a little and this is exactly what I needed today.
I called it a day at lunch, but Josie wanted to keep going. We’ll still meet up later.
I figured I would come into town, treat myself to a tea here by the fire and do something I've been putting off for the last three weeks. I set my Nalgene bottle down next to my tea, set my laptop up on the coffee table, and pull up job listings.
I’ve enjoyed these last few weeks. Kayleigh was right, it was good to take some time for me. I know I should at least start to see what else is out there for me, even if I’m not ready just yet.
“Oh my god, I missed these!” An all too familiar voice catches my attention.
No. No. No.
“I know, Ronni,” my brother's deep, unmistakable voice rumbles out his nickname for Veronica, “which is why we’re stopping here first before we even go back home.”
They weren’t supposed to be home for another week from their honeymoon ski road trip.
This would be my luck. As always, karma gives and karma takes. Noted.
I do my best impersonation of the shrinking woman and sink down into my seat. My brain quickly ticks through all the excuses I could give them about why I'm here. Maybe they won't even notice I’m here.
“Grace?!” Veronica’s voice calls from behind me. I guess it was optimistic to think she wouldn't notice my brightly colored hair, even under my beat-up, old baseball hat.
I turn and put on a shaky smile. “Hey! You guys are back early.”
I start to stand to give them a hug, but before I’m even out of my chair, Tanner leans over, places a kiss on top of my head, and they plop down on the loveseat across from me.
I keep my smile on and take a deep, cleansing breath.
I can do this.
I know deep down, I'm glad to see them. I just wish I had a little more warning.
“What brings you guys back early? Got tired of skiing already?”
Tanner chuckles, his chest rising and falling. "Fat chance of that. You know it’s impossible to keep her off the mountain.” He looks to his wife and it's impossible to miss just how smitten they really are with each other.
“Hey, I’ve got to make up for lost time.
We’re just passing through. Wanted to get our favorite coffee and grab a few things from the cabin.
” She rests her free hand on Tanner’s thigh, taking a sip of her iced coffee with the other before continuing.
“We were up North in Big Sky this morning and heading down to Salt Lake this afternoon. Planning on skiing around there for the next few days before we make our way to Taos.”
I hum to myself and nod. “That’s a solid plan. You should make it there for dinner if you don't stick around here too long.”
Tanner nods, but I see a look I’m all too familiar with creep in. It’s that questioning, big brother look — a much more intimidating version of the one Collin gave me last night.
Last night it was my pseudo brother, and today Tanner is laying it on even thicker. I can feel his gaze burrow into me.
“Yeah. On that note,” he starts, setting his coffee down and leaning his elbows on his knees, “we were planning to call you once we left here and see if you were free for dinner.”
I shrug, flare my palms up at my sides, and put on my best, innocent little sister smile. “Well, look at that. We could have dinner here, in Jackson.”
He raises an eyebrow and I see him fight off a laugh. “I meant dinner in Utah, which is where you live.”
Well, shit. I guess he's not going to drop it. Maybe I should get this over with and tell them. It felt good to tell Collin and Walker last night.
Here goes nothing. “So—”
I’m about to lay it all out when a hand rests firmly on my shoulder.
Across from me, V’s eyes go wide and her lips part in a big, uncontrolled smile.
From behind me I hear yet another voice that’s becoming all too familiar, even if I’ve known it for years from the radio.
“There you are, Rainbow. I’ve been looking for you. ”
Fucking TJ.
I guess that explains her reaction. Even after spending a week in Bend at his house, she still can’t help but fangirl a little whenever he’s around.
I should be irritated with him. This is the second time he's surprised me like this in the middle of a conversation. But I’m not, because it's also the second time he’s shifted the attention away from me, like he knew I needed a lifeline.
Any bit of anxiety I had about making up an excuse for my brother and his wife is instantly gone. I look over to see Tanner tip his chin to TJ in greeting
“Hey, man,” Tanner looks from TJ to me with a curious expression on his face. “Have you two been hanging out?”
TJ rubs a few small circles over my shoulder through my t-shirt, just to the side of my overalls strap.
The sensation sends a shiver down my spine and prickles my skin.
My body reacts to the touch and I start to lean into his hand, just before he removes it.
This is the kind of stimulation and feeling I crave and I find myself wanting him to put it back.
OK. That's a new one for my traitorous body.
Then to my pleasant surprise, or dismay, I’m not sure yet based on the mixed signals my body and mind are still sorting out, TJ pulls up a bistro chair from a nearby table.
He spins it around and faces the three of us.
Everything about the way he moves and carries himself always looks so calm and comfortable.
It’s like being around people, in any setting, doesn’t faze him.
TJ looks to me, winks, and looks back to Tanner and V with a wry smirk. “I guess you could call it that. She’s my newest employee. Isn’t that right, Rainbow?”
I’ll give it to him, TJ is shameless. The look he's giving me is everything all at once, playful and knowing, challenging and pleading.
I match his wink with a roll of my eyes before turning back.
“Surprise!” I raise my hands up beside my head and wiggle my fingers for some convincingly enthusiastic jazz hands.
V practically jumps off the loveseat with a squeal. “No way. Are you serious? Does that mean you’re going to be in Jackson more?”
TJ looks back to me with a pleased grin, his dimple popping in a way that is far too attractive to be fair. He brushes his shaggy hair behind his ear and turns back to V.
“It’s up to her. I give a lot to charity each year and thought it would be a good idea to have someone who knows what they're doing advise me on it for a change, especially when it comes to picking causes. I think she’ll be great at it for as long as she wants to do it.
” He looks at me, his expression still cool but confident.
There’s no sign that he’s just putting on an act and every sign that he means what he says.
Something about that vote of confidence in me makes my stomach flutter.
Tanner nods before bringing his attention back to me. “What about Wasatch Wishes?”
Alright, if TJ wants to play whatever game this is, I can play along. I cross my legs in a very ladylike posture, one that instantly feels foreign to me, and turn to face my new boss. “Well, as Mr. Jacob so eloquently put it, this is a very open-ended opportunity.”
I use my best professional, secretarial voice and smile, displaying what I hope is way too much gratitude and enthusiasm. “Wasatch Wishes said I could come back if something changes. But this was just too good to pass up.”
It’s not a total lie. They did say that ‘if something changes’, I’m always welcome back. At the very least, whatever this is with TJ buys me some time.
“That’s so cool! You’ll have to tell us all about it when we're back in town again,” V bursts out, hardly containing her excitement.
Turning to my brother, I see that his questioning expression has shifted to one of quiet indifference.
“TJ’s not that demanding of a boss. I’m sure he’ll be great to work under. ”
Thanks, Tanner. Those words immediately take my subconscious, which is apparently agreeing with my traitorous body now, to a very unprofessional train of thought.
After finishing his drink, I notice Tanner checking his phone.
“Well, we better hit the road before it gets too late.” He stands and tips his chin to me. “Maybe we’ll try and see if Dad and Clay are free for dinner in Utah, but when we’re back in town here, we need to get dinner too.”
I nod. “I’d like that.”
I get up and hug each of them before they make their way out of the shop.
When I hear the bells ring against the door closing behind them, I turn all my attention to TJ.
“You really need to stop sneaking up behind me, Boss,” I say, flaring an eyebrow at him and folding my arms across my chest.
“Don't call me that. And consider it payback for sneaking up behind me on the river every morning,” he says with a nonchalant, one sided shrug.
“What’s that saying? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?” I scoff, reaching for my tea which is thankfully still warm.
I feel him watch me as I lift the mug and take a long sip of my Earl Grey tea.
When I look up, sure enough, those baby blues are locked right on me.
“What?” I wipe a stray drop of tea from my chin. “Oh god, did I have something on my face that entire time they were here?”
He smirks and takes a sip of his iced coffee. “Work for me, Grace.”
Jeez. I guess he is very serious about this, but I feel like maybe making him sweat a little first would be fun.
“We’re just going to dive right into this? No courting or wooing me like the prized asset I am?” I lean forward in my chair, propping my elbow on my knee and my chin on my fist. “You know a girl likes a little foreplay. Ease into the main event, you know?”