9. Grace
NINE
Grace
When I pulled into the community center parking lot, it was still mostly empty. In another hour, this place would be packed. In Silver Ridge, community bingo was always a hot ticket. It could get pretty wild sometimes. Especially when Dixie brought a batch of her homemade rum runners or margaritas.
But this afternoon, I’d brought backup.
Chief Teller Landry waited beside his Silver Ridge PD vehicle, arms crossed over his uniform as he studied his phone. As soon as I turned my engine off, he tucked his phone into his back pocket and headed toward me. I was dressed in my own uniform, in a way. Worn-in jeans, pale lavender sweater, glasses, hair pulled back in a messy ponytail.
Teller stopped in front of me, hands on his hips and his expression grave. “Here I am. Reporting for duty.”
I laughed. “It won’t be that bad. I promise.”
“Well, if I make my officers do this, I should make appearances myself.”
I opened my trunk. “Except I know you’d rather be just about anywhere else than calling out bingo numbers.”
He grunted. “We all have to make sacrifices.”
Teller helped me unload. Inside, I set my things down against the wall. “We can grab the extra-long folding table from the storage room to get started,” I said. “We’ll set up the microphone and the ball cage here beneath the windows. Then we just need the rest of the tables and folding chairs. Oh, and the concessions, but Mrs. Stuckey has the money box for that.” I racked my brain for what else I might be forgetting.
“What about the bingo cards?” Teller asked.
I snapped my fingers. “Those are important. And they’re still in my car. You make an excellent assistant, Chief.”
“A man does like to feel useful.”
I ran out to the car to get the stack of cards and a fresh box of mini-pencils. When I returned, Teller had already carried several folding tables from the storage room.
The community center was one of my comfort zones. It smelled familiar, like dusty old books and pine cleaner. As a little girl, I’d taken ballet lessons here. The center had also hosted prom my senior year because the high school gym got flooded. I’d made some fond memories here. Many included Teller, since he was Piper’s older brother and had been close to my older brothers growing up.
“Anything new and exciting to report from the world of law enforcement?” I asked.
“Thankfully no. It’s been quiet. With all the activity at that hotel grand opening last weekend, I stepped up patrols in case the out-of-towners caused any problems. But it proved unnecessary.”
“Oh?” I bent over to unfold another table, which also conveniently hid my expression. Teller’s mention of the party brought Dane to the forefront of my mind, and I had no idea what my face was doing in response, but it was something . “There weren’t any issues at the hotel party?”
“The resort is the sheriff’s jurisdiction, but I didn’t hear reports of anything. Which is good. I don’t like disruptions in my town.”
Dane was a disruption, alright. But not so much in our town as in my own mind.
I hadn’t seen Dane in the last week. And trust me, I’d been watching for him, torn between anticipation and dread. Every time I was around the man, I got flustered.
Heck, even when I thought of him it was difficult to keep my composure.
He’d brought that elaborate cheeseboard to Ashford’s house for me. Because I was the ridiculous person who’d said I would get myself a fancy cheeseboard if I suddenly struck it rich. If I was being extra cynical, I might assume Dane had some nefarious ulterior motive. But my gut told me that it had been a peace offering. A kind gesture, given simply because Dane liked making people happy. Ashford had always been the same way.
Of course, my brother didn’t have nearly unlimited funds available. Unlike Dane Knightly.
A couple of days ago, I had given in to the urge to google him. That was how I figured out he’s an actual billionaire. He had been telling the truth about the gossip columns, too.
Jealousy had surged in my stomach, taking me by surprise, as I saw those pictures of him with elegant Manhattan socialites.
I’d suspected he was the playboy type. Of course he was. He was a handsome, rich man in his thirties who traveled the world. Silver Ridge was just a stopover for him. He could go anywhere and have anything he wanted.
But I had maybe stared at those pictures of him a little too long, feeling a secret satisfaction that he’d wanted a night with me .
It was better for all of us that it hadn’t actually happened, but…I could still fantasize about what-ifs. That was harmless.
Only me and my vibrator would know.
What I really needed to do was stop thinking about him and focus on my usual life. Like helping run bingo, something I did about once a month and always enjoyed, even if it wouldn’t be a rich jet setter’s idea of fun.
This was the real Grace O’Neal. Community events and volunteer work and triple-checking spreadsheets. Not evening gowns or glamorous dates worthy of a New York gossip rag.
Teller and I went back to the storage room for more folding tables. “I wanted to ask how you’ve been lately,” Teller said softly. “I heard from Piper that you moved in with Callum.”
“Just for financial reasons. My former landlord decided to sell the house I was renting, and Callum and his roommates had a space available. I’m trying to save up to buy my own place.”
“It must be comforting to have your family close. Now that Ashford has Emma, the dynamic is different. I want to make sure you know I consider you family too. If there’s anything you might need.”
Teller had always been serious, even when we were kids. He was twelve years older than me. A decade older than his sister. Back in the day, Piper’s big brother had intimidated the heck out of me. Which only increased when he became a Green Beret, serving until he was wounded. He still had that same gruff manner, only honed by maturity.
It used to surprise me that a wild child like Piper could have such a straight-laced sibling. But it was probably good for her to have someone as grounded as Teller. He was great with her son Ollie, too.
“Thanks,” I said. “I promise, the only thing I need right now is help getting the room ready before the bingo crowds descend.”
I also needed a distraction from a certain billionaire hotel owner, but I had no intention of mentioning that to Teller.
Unfortunately, he brought up that very subject in the next breath. “Wanted to ask you about something, though. Dane Knightly. I know he’s close with Ashford. Have you spent much time with him yet?”
I paid extra attention to a stack of chairs. “He came to Ashford’s for dinner. I think he’s been busy with the hotel.”
Teller hummed thoughtfully. “I figure I should introduce myself at some point. Make sure he knows he can’t do whatever he wants here. I’m aware that he served with Ashford, but rich types like Knightly tend to act like they own everything they see.”
“I don’t think Dane is like that.”
“Maybe not. But after that drama last year and the other new elements Ashford has brought to Silver Ridge, I have a reason to be concerned.”
“You mean Ayla Maxwell? You’re not a fan?”
Now, it was Teller’s turn to seem uncomfortable. “I don’t know anything about her music,” he said testily. He scratched at the long scar on his cheek. “Just that my officers have to work overtime to keep her safe when she decides to grace us with her presence. I don’t have the funding to babysit celebrities.”
I smiled. “Especially a pop star who’s considered one of the sexiest women in the world?”
Teller’s expression barely changed, but there was a flicker in his eyes, and for him that gave away plenty. “She’s…memorable, I suppose.”
Hmm. Interesting.
I could’ve kept teasing the chief about his crush on Ashford’s much younger sister-in-law, but I decided to show mercy. We had work to do.
Half an hour later, the room was all set up and filling with bingo regulars. I waved at Dixie, who was at the concession table pouring a pitcher of something that looked suspiciously like sangria. We weren’t supposed to be serving alcohol here, but it was impossible to rein Dixie in.
Thankfully, the chief didn’t notice. He was currently surrounded by white-haired ladies. I heard several mentions of granddaughters that they wanted to introduce to the very single police chief. The man kept glancing over at me like he hoped I might save him.
Nope, I wanted nothing to do with that.
We were just about to get started when there was a new swirl of excitement, and heads swiveled toward the door. Whispers spread about the newcomer who’d just walked in. I turned.
And my stomach swooped like I was suddenly on a roller coaster.
Dane was rocking black jeans that hugged his strong thighs and the long lines of his legs. His shoulders filled out a dark-gray flannel that matched his eyes. Not that different from the clothing that most men around Silver Ridge favored, yet Dane made it look almost as good as his tailored black tuxedo.
Instantly, my heart rate picked up, and blood rushed to my face. What in the world was he doing here?
I watched as he went over to the concession table to say hello to Dixie. She didn’t act remotely surprised to see him. Dixie said something to him, pointing in my direction, and he turned around, his eyes locking on me as he smiled.
My chest went tight.
“Should we get started?” Teller whispered, touching my arm. “Gotta be honest, Grace, I’d rather this not run any later than it has to.”
I turned to face him, forcing a smile. “Yep. You’re right, sorry.” I nearly fumbled the microphone, and it let out a high-pitched screech that had everyone cringing. I swore I saw Dane laughing from the corner of my eye.
“Hi everyone, welcome! The game tonight benefits the new Silver Ridge Children’s Toy Library, so please don’t forget your donations.” I picked up the donation jar to start it passing around. “And I know you’re all as excited as I am that our very own Chief Landry will be reading out the numbers tonight, so let’s give him a round of applause.”
Relax , I told myself. Dane isn’t staring at you .
Ugh, he was staring at me.
I tried to focus on the bingo game, but it was nearly impossible. Whispers spread from the corner where Dane was sitting and talking quietly to the grandmas around him. They fussed over him, giggling at whatever he was saying. Couldn’t he turn that charm off for a few minutes? Did he need that much attention?
When it was time for a break, I bustled around at the front table and tried to look busy. But then a shadow fell over me, and a deep voice said, “Evening, Ms. O’Neal.”
I glanced up into steel-gray eyes. I composed my face into a polite smile. “Hello.”
Dane held out the donation jar. “I was told to return this to you.”
“Thanks.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. The donation jar nearly slipped from my hands, and it plunked roughly on the table, bills jostling inside. “I didn’t know bingo was your thing.”
“I didn’t either. But Dixie invited me, and when I heard you were in charge, that sealed the deal. I wanted to see you.”
Oh lordy. Heat flooded my face.
Why was I like this? If there had been a vaccine against Dane Knightly’s charms, I would’ve been first in line for the injection.
Teller stepped over and hovered protectively at my side. “Knightly, right? We haven’t met yet. Chief Landry.”
“Good to meet you, Chief. I’ve heard about you from Ashford.”
Teller grunted. “Likewise. Enjoying bingo?”
“Sure. I’m mostly here for Grace, though. I have a favor to ask her.”
I opened my mouth, but Teller spoke before I could. “She’s a bit busy at the moment.”
“I’m a patient man. I can wait until later.”
“She might have other plans. I’d be happy to chat with you instead. Let you know how we do things around here.”
Okay, this was ridiculous. Dane and Teller were eyeing each other, puffing their chests, and talking about me like I wasn’t even here. They were throwing off so much testosterone it was hard to breathe.
“We can talk after bingo,” I said to Dane, resting my hand on Teller’s arm and trying to nudge him back. Stand down .
Dane’s eyes zeroed in on the spot where I was touching Teller. “Works for me.”
I let out a breath when Dane returned to his seat.
Teller leaned in to speak quietly in my ear. “Are you having any issues with him? You seemed uncomfortable. Like I said, some wealthy men think they can have everything they see. I know he’s your brother’s friend, but if you need me to have a chat with Knightly about boundaries?—”
“No. Dane is alright. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
“I thought you said earlier that you were fine.”
“I am , and I would love if you stopped interrogating me and called some bingo numbers.”
Teller raised a skeptical eyebrow.
As we resumed the bingo game, my mind went back to the favor Dane had mentioned. Did it have something to do with Ashford? Maybe Dane wanted to buy a nice gift for Ashford and Emma’s wedding and needed my advice.
Teller seemed to have the routine down, so I grabbed the donation jar to count out the funds. There were the usual small bills and a couple of checks. But I stopped when I pulled out a folded stack of crisp bills.
They were all hundreds. A lot of them.
By the time I finished double-checking my math, that stack of bills alone came to five thousand dollars, more than enough to cover the rest of the funding for the toy library. And I knew exactly who must’ve put these in the jar.
When I looked up and glanced in Dane’s direction, he was studying his bingo card.
“Hey, Grace,” Teller murmured. The microphone dangled from his hand, and he was staring intently at me. “Mrs. Stuckey has a bingo.”
I jumped up. Crap, I hadn’t even heard her yell it out. “Whoops, sorry. Got a little distracted. Bring your card up, Mrs. Stuckey.”
Teller eyed me like he could guess where my mind had been. But what was I supposed to do?
Any time Dane Knightly appeared, I wasn’t able to focus on anything else.