10. Grace
TEN
Grace
After bingo ended and the prizes were distributed, we usually had a bunch of people chip in to help break down the tables and chairs and clean everything up.
Today, Dane was among them. He and Teller seemed to have an unspoken competition going for who could carry more tables at once. Then I was about to make a trip outside to load up my car, but the two men grabbed everything and did it for me.
At least they were efficient.
Finally, the space was clear and most of the participants had trickled outside. Dane waited for me over by the exit door.
“Want me to stick around?” Teller asked quietly.
“I really don’t. You have better things to do.”
“Better than looking out for family? I disagree.”
I smiled and said, “ Go ,” giving Teller a push toward the door. I had little chance of moving his bulky frame if he’d really intended to stay, but he did as I asked, up-nodding at Dane as he passed.
Dane narrowed his eyes as his gaze flicked between me and Teller. Which, now that I thought about it, was one of the few times I’d seen Dane portray anything except complete confidence.
Could he really be jealous? About me ?
“I need to lock up,” I said, pulling the keys from my pocket.
We stepped outside, and I closed the door. Teller’s SUV slowly pulled out of the parking lot, and he gave me a final wave as he left.
Dane leaned against the brick exterior of the building as he watched me lock up. “What’s the story with you and the police chief?”
“He’s Piper’s older brother. They lived across the street when we were kids. He’s protective.”
“But is that because you and he…”
“Teller and I are friends.” I stuck the keys in my pocket and crossed my arms. “Why do you care so much?”
Dane’s lips quirked. “Just curious. Looking out for my best friend’s little sister.”
I lifted my eyebrow skeptically, and he shrugged.
“That was a very generous donation you gave to the toy library,” I said.
“There were a lot of donations. You don’t know which was mine.”
“Yeah, I do. Nobody else in Silver Ridge would stick thousands of dollars in that jar.”
“Cash donations are anonymous, so you can’t be sure.”
“I’m sure . But you deserve to get credit. They’ll be able to fund the whole toy library project with that money. The Hart County Children’s Center will be thrilled.”
He tilted his head, his smile growing. “Then why do you sound angry?”
“I’m not!” Fine, I did sound angry. “You’re just…infuriating.”
“Because of an anonymous donation?”
“No, because I don’t know how to act around you!” I confessed.
Whoops. I hadn’t meant for that to come out.
“Believe it or not, I don’t entirely know how to act around you either,” he said. “It’s been awkward between us the last couple times we saw one another. I’d like to get to know you better. As a friend.”
“You said you needed a favor.”
“I do. A friendly favor.”
My mouth quirked, wanting to smile, even though I was still frustrated. “Are you going to tell me what it is?”
“Take a walk with me, and I will.” Another grin.
Ugh, it was useless fighting him.
He’d compared me to Superman the night of the party. But Dane Knightly’s lopsided smile was my kryptonite.
“There are woods behind the center,” I said. “With a creek winding through the trees.”
“Sounds beautiful.”
We walked in that direction. I had to admit, it was a lovely day for it. The sun was just now sinking, leaving a deeper chill in the air that made goosebumps rise on my skin beneath my sweater. But it wasn’t unpleasant. Now that it was early October, the fall colors were really popping. Maroon, yellow gold, and vivid red.
We stopped in the middle of a wooden bridge that crossed the small creek. Fallen leaves floated and eddied in the crystal-clear water. Polished stones lay beneath.
Dane rested his elbows on the railing, gazing down. “Reminds me a little of Central Park.”
“Is it pretty this time of year?”
He turned his smile on me again. “It is. You’ve never been?”
I shook my head and glanced back down at the water. “Except for a road trip to Wyoming with Piper once, I’ve never even left the state.” Dane was looking at me, so I searched for something to say to fill the quiet. “This is Aspen Creek. It starts all the way up near your ski resort and winds down here through the town.”
“Gorgeous.”
“The summer after third grade, Piper and I tried to hike all the way to the source of the creek.” I laughed, remembering that day. “They had to send sheriff’s deputies on ATVs to find us. Our brothers were so pissed.”
Dane’s smile softened. “I got lost in Central Park once. Totally my fault. I decided to search for dinosaur bones. My mother was terrified.”
“I bet.”
“Once she found me, she grounded me for a week. Spanked my butt too for scaring her so much.”
“Did you behave better after that?”
“I wish I could say I did, for my mom’s sake. But no. Not really.”
That, I did believe.
He angled his body to face me. Even if we’d had more space between us, it would’ve been impossible to ignore the man. “I’d like you to be my official guide to Silver Ridge,” he said. “Help me get to know the town the way you do. The people.”
“That’s the favor you want? Why me?”
“Because everyone here adores you. You know the insider secrets. Like where this creek begins. You’re plugged into the pulse of the town.”
“What about Dixie or Ashford.”
“Dixie is a fantastic lady, but she’s a steamroller. And as much as I love Ashford, he’s the town grump. I need a guide with a more…diplomatic touch. I need you .”
I looked off into the trees, just for a break from the relentless pull I felt toward him. “I’m pretty busy as it is.”
“I could hire you. Name your price.”
“I like my job. I don’t need a new one.”
“Donations in your name to whatever charities you want.”
“You’re bribing me?”
“I’m not above it. I’ll beg, if that’s what it takes. You wanna see a man brought low? I’ll get on the ground if I have to.”
Laughter bubbled in my chest. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You haven’t even seen ridiculous yet.” He dropped to his knees in front of me, lower lip pushing out in a pout.
“Get up. Someone’s going to see you.”
“Not until you say yes.”
“Fine, yes . Just get up.” I didn’t need rumors spreading about Dane Knightly begging me for something on his knees. The gossips would have us engaged and pregnant in no time. Ashford would love that.
But Dane was a friend of the family. That was reason enough for me to help him out. I would’ve done the same for plenty of other people. Had nothing to do with the fact that he was extremely easy on the eyes, made me laugh, and knew how to talk me into anything , apparently.
“I can be your guide to Silver Ridge. As a friendly favor, and nothing more than that.”
He stood up. “Wasn’t asking for anything more.”
“Good.”
“Are you busy tonight? We can get started. I’ll buy you dinner.”
“Anyone ever told you you’re incredibly pushy?”
“Yes,” he said simply.
I huffed another laugh.
“You drove here, right?” he asked. “How about we head to your place to drop your car off. Then we can get something to eat. Whatever spot is your favorite.”
I sighed, giving up. “Okay. You win.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“You claim Dixie is a steamroller? She’s nothing compared to you.”
He smiled.
* * *
As I drove toward my place, I still wasn’t exactly sure what had just happened.
I had agreed to be Dane’s guide to Silver Ridge and to have dinner with him. We would have to spend a lot more time together. I had no idea how that man was so convincing. He was so persuasive it was unnerving.
I had a reputation around town for being easy to get along with, but I was no pushover. Anybody who ever worked with me knew I had a stubborn streak, which my brothers could attest to. But that didn’t seem to apply to Dane. It seemed like my life wouldn’t go back to boring until Dane finally got tired of Silver Ridge and left town.
You were right, Dixie. The man is wily.
I would have to be careful with this one. Otherwise he would talk me into any number of questionable situations.
The worst part was that I might enjoy every second of it. I had to keep some emotional distance.
I parked in front of my house and got out. Dane’s SUV hadn’t caught up to me yet, and I wanted to make this quick. Otherwise, I had no doubt he would follow me inside and introduce himself to my roommates. I could only imagine his reaction when he found out I was living with four burly firefighters, only one of whom was related to me. I didn’t need a repeat of the testosterone showdown he’d had with Teller.
Even if I enjoyed it a tiny bit when Dane made it obvious he was attracted to me. I was only human.
Grabbing the box of bingo equipment in my trunk, along with the donation money, I made a beeline toward my front door. Luckily I didn’t spot Callum’s truck or the vehicles belonging to the other guys.
I was putting my key in the lock when the door pushed open on its own. Had one of the guys forgotten to close and lock it earlier?
Then I noticed the splinters in the frame.
Someone had forced the door open. Oh, God.
I pushed the door wider, and my entire body went cold at what I saw inside.