21. CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 21
SCARLETT
It’s still hard to wrap my mind around what happened.
It was already crazy enough before—not one, but two hitmen hired to kill me because my patient included me in his will. I had no idea—Saul never mentioned it, and I certainly never would have imagined him wanting to give me millions—and if I’d known he was thinking about doing that, I would have refused.
I never spent extra time with Saul because I expected anything; I just enjoyed spending time with him. I still do.
As if I’d ignore Saul because of something his awful son did. It wasn’t Saul’s fault that Richard found the will and lost his mind because of it. Saul was just trying to do something nice for me.
When I visited Saul a few days ago, I made sure he knew I didn’t blame him for anything. And I promised to keep visiting him; not as his nurse, but as his friend. Grant wasn’t happy about us leaving the house yet—I think he’d be happy if we stayed at the cabin for the next month—but he understood why I wanted to see Saul so badly.
Once the initial shock wore off, my mind kept coming back to Saul. Wondering how he was doing, if his health was okay, if this terrible news had caused a setback, if he felt guilty… I had to talk to him. So Grant took me back to the Cunningham house and we both spent a few hours with Saul.
I tried to convince Saul to change the will, insisting he didn’t need to give me anything. But he was equally insistent, saying he wanted to give it to me, and he trusted I’d use the money for something good. “Take some trips,” he said with a fond smile. “Make some memories with your gentleman here. Buy a house. Take some time off work.” Then he gave me a pointed look. “Use some of the money for a fancy wedding. A honeymoon around the world. College savings for any kids you might have.”
Before I could debate it, Saul doubled down. “I’m taking you out of the will,” he told me, “and I’m giving you the money now. Why wait? And this way”—his smile faded—“it takes any motivation for wrong-doing away. Once you have the money…”
It makes me so sad and angry when I think about what Richard did. Not just trying to kill me, although that’s the biggest thing, but hurting his dad.
But honestly, thinking about Saul and how he was affected makes me focus less on what happened to me. It’s easier to worry about Saul, and the dogs—they’re still nervous in the backyard even a week later—and Grant than it is to delve into how I’m feeling.
Maya called me on it yesterday when she came to visit. I was talking about Grant and how protective he’s been, how I want him to come to counseling with me to deal with his guilt over the abduction—which was not his fault, not even a bit—and Maya pinned me with her knowing gaze. “What about you, Scar? I’ve heard you talk about Saul, the dogs, your dad and brothers visiting, Grant’s feelings—but you haven’t said anything about how you’re doing.”
“I’m okay,” I came back with. “I saw my counselor. And I’m talking to Grant about things.”
She tsked at me. “I know you. You always worry about everyone else. But you went through something traumatic. It’s okay to make things about you for a while.”
I couldn’t argue her point. She was right.
The two hitman thing was bad enough, but then the abduction and all the horrifying parts of it… It was traumatic, and it’s going to take me a while to deal with it.
But I will. I’m not going to hide away in the cabin, letting Grant run all the errands and take care of everything. I’m not going to let my fear control me, like I did in the past.
Am I going to take things slow? Yes. I’m not going back to my old job; at least not yet. I talked to my boss and I’m going to continue working as a virtual nurse for the foreseeable future. And I’m not planning on going all around town by myself—the thought of that makes me feel ill and anxious.
Going into town with Grant, though? Or Cole and Maya? Even Ari, Thea, and Rose? That I can do.
Or spending the evening at the Hop-less Horseman with all of my friends .
I know Grant won’t be thrilled about it—when I mentioned a trip to the Hungry Horseman to get breakfast sandwiches this morning, he went pale and replied quickly, “I’m pretty sure they deliver. I’ll call to see.”
Someone dropped off breakfast sandwiches twenty minutes later, but I have a feeling it wasn’t a delivery person from the Hungry Horseman. But Grant met them on the porch and came back inside with a big grin and I didn’t have the heart to call him on it.
But I am going to push on going to the Hop-less Horseman. I’ve already texted Maya and Ari, and they’re fully on board with it. When I messaged Ari, she replied right away.
Of course! I remember wanting to get out and feel normal again. But still a little scared about it. If we’re all there, though… you can have fun and feel completely safe.
Exactly.
I just have to convince Grant of it.
He’s feeding the dogs dinner in the kitchen—I can hear him talking to them, saying, “Now, Wilson. This time, finish your own food before going over to Jasper’s bowl. His isn’t any different from yours. I promise.”
As I stand in the kitchen doorway, watching Grant scoop the food into Wilson and Jasper’s matching bowls, my heart does this crazy flip-flopping thing. My chest fills with an incredible feeling of joy and love and affection and this overwhelming need to be close to him .
I rush across the kitchen and slam into him, hard enough that he lets out a small oof as his arms come around me.
“Scarlett.” Still holding on to me, he tips me back so he can inspect my face. Concern tightens his features. “Are you okay, baby? Did you have a flashback? Do you need something?”
“None of those things.” Smiling, I stretch up to kiss his cheek. “I just love you so much. And I wanted to hug you.”
“Ah.” His face softens. “I love you, too.”
Grant keeps one arm around me as he sets down the dog bowls, giving Wilson one final reminder, “Eat your own food, Wils. Not Jasper’s. Or no treat when you go out later.”
He’ll still give Wilson the treat. Underneath Grant’s tough exterior, he’s a giant softie. If we have a kid, I’ll have to make sure she doesn’t get away with murder because she’s got Grant wrapped around her finger.
For some reason, I always picture Grant holding a little girl. Not that a boy wouldn’t be great, too, but it’s just this instinctive feeling. Grant would be such a good dad—protective, patient, kind…
So what if I’ve thought about us having kids more than a few times? It could happen.
“What are you smiling about?” Grant strokes my cheek, gazing at me with a tender smile of his own. “Are you thinking about what you want to do tonight? I had an idea of ordering from D’Angelo’s and watching the season finale of Bachelors in the Bush . Then maybe we could turn on the fire pit and sit on the patio for a while? ”
My cheeks warm. I’m not quite ready to tell Grant about my kid fantasy. But it’s a perfect opportunity to bring up my plan. “That sounds nice, but I actually had a different idea. Maybe we can watch the season finale the night after everyone goes home?”
“Sure. That’s fine with me. But what did you have in mind for tonight?”
“Well…” I loop my arms around his waist and look up at him with a hopeful expression. “I was talking to Maya and Ari, and we were thinking… I was thinking… I’d really like to go to the Hop-less Horseman tonight. Have a few drinks. Play pool. Spend time with our friends.”
His forehead creases. “But your dad and brothers are coming first thing in the morning. I thought you’d want an early night?”
“I don’t want to stay out all night. Just a couple of hours.” I widen my eyes at him. “I haven’t gone anywhere in a week.”
“But I thought you wanted to stay here. Have some time to decompress. Was I wrong?” Worry tightens Grant’s features. “Is it about the Hungry Horseman? I’m sorry, Scarlett. When you asked about going… that’s where I was when I found out—” His mouth snaps shut. A moment later, he continues, “I know we should go back there. It’s just—”
“I know. And it’s not that. I have liked staying home. I needed it. And I’m not exactly jumping to go all over town yet. But it would be us, Ari and Cash, Maya and Cole, Ian and Rose, anyone at B and A that’s available… It would be totally safe.”
As Grant starts to reply, I quickly add, “Not that I don’t feel safe with you. You know I do. But with everyone there, we could both relax a little. It would be like a date. And I’d really like that.”
There’s a long pause; long enough to make me think Grant’s going to push back on it. Ask if we can wait another week. But instead, he finally says with an affectionate smile, “Okay, baby. If that’s what you want to do, we’ll do it.”
On the way into town, I definitely felt anxious.
My foot was tapping like crazy, I was box-breathing the entire drive, and I was holding onto Grant’s hand so tightly I wouldn’t be surprised if I left bruises. But wonderful Grant didn’t say a thing about it. He didn’t suggest going home; he just kept up a light stream of conversation, talking about Mrs. Plimpton’s newly-completed shed and the four other women in her book club that now want a special shed of their own.
“I think they all want to outdo each other now,” he chuckled. “Mrs. Simmons mentioned a gourmet kitchen, Ms. Overman said she wants hers to have a hidden room for all her… steamy books? Whatever those are? And Dr. Potter showed me some pictures of an elaborate screening room with a tiered floor and custom recliners.”
It’s funny, but also kind of cool. And it’s got me thinking about all the things Grant could build at our house. A library. A theater. Maybe a small solarium, like Ari and Cash have. But I wouldn’t want any of those things in my own shed—I’d want to share them all with Grant.
Once we got to the Hop-less Horseman, though, all my nerves fell away. As soon as we walked inside, at least six people rushed over to hug me, all of them saying some variation of how glad they were to see me.
Now we’re sitting at a table with Maya and Cole, Ari and Cash, and Ian and Rose. Two other tables are pushed near us, kind of like a little Blade and Arrow, Station 4, Ambulance Corps huddle.
Ben and Thea are enjoying an adult night out while Ben’s mom watches their kids, Laila and Elias. Eloise, Mitch, Dave, and Willow round out their table, and the six of them are in the middle of a heated discussion about whether ranch or blue cheese should be served with chicken wings.
At the third table, it’s more of the Blade and Arrow crew. Elle and Zane are here, along with Leo and Georgia—who’s sipping sparkling water while she distractedly rubs her growing belly. Nora is on her own, since her husband, Jackson, is on a job, but she brought a friend of hers—a quiet but pleasant woman around my age named Jess.
“I’m so glad we could do this,” Maya says after she takes a sip of her beer. She reaches it halfway across the table and I tap her glass with mine. She beams at me. “All of us getting together, having date night—well, date nights , really. ”
“I know,” Ari agrees as she raises her margarita glass. “It was so sweet of Charlie and Rylan to volunteer to babysit for Winnie and Clara.”
“Well.” Maya’s tone drops conspiratorially. “They’re trying. So Charlie thinks it’ll be good practice for them. And their dog, Shadow, is just so gentle with the babies. Clara adores Shadow. Every time she sees him at HQ, she wants to pet him.”
“How are Wilson and Jasper getting along?” Ian asks. His gaze moves between me and Grant. “Have they completely adjusted to living together?”
“They get along great,” Grant answers, and kisses my cheek, his lips lingering for a second. He squeezes my hand gently under the table. “It’s like they’ve lived together forever. Kind of like me and Scarlett.”
Ohhh. My heart is a puddle of mushy goo again.
Rose makes a small awwing sound. “You guys are so cute.”
Ian smirks. “I agree. Grant’s adorable.”
Judging from the pained sound Ian makes, I’m guessing Grant kicked him under the table.
I lean my head on Grant’s shoulder. “He’s amazing.”
“Ah, baby.” Grant presses his lips to the top of my head. “You’re the incredible one.”
“I would never have imagined it,” Cash says, laughter sparkling in his eyes. “Grant finally falling—” He stops, grimacing, and turns to Ari. “What was that for?”
She shakes her head in a classic men don’t understand gesture. “You don’t make fun of someone because they fell in love. ”
Ian snorts. “That’s what guys do. We all made fun of Cash and Ben, and these guys teased me mercilessly.”
Cole nods. “It’s true. If you heard what some of the guys said to me when I met Maya…”
“You should have heard the hard time they gave me,” Zane calls over, clearly having heard part of our conversation. “They wouldn’t let me hear the end of it when I started dating Elle.”
Ari sighs, smothering a smile. “Even though I’m married, I’ll still never completely understand men.”
“Ditto,” retorts Cash with a grin. “Women? I’ll never understand why you do some of the things you do. And those shows…” He chuckles. “ Bachelor in Paradise ? I really don’t get that.”
Instead of keeping quiet, Grant jumps in. “I’ve grown to appreciate them. Thanks to Scarlett.”
Forget my heart; everything inside is all warm and oozy. “Grant,” I say quietly, emotion making my throat tight. “I love you.”
He gazes at me with so much love in his eyes. Not just love, but hope and happiness and affection and trust and almost a disbelief that we somehow found each other. I know that’s how he’s feeling, because it’s exactly the same for me.
“I love you, Scarlett.”
Everything else fades. Our friends. The low buzz of voices in the pub. The clack of two pool balls hitting each other. It’s just me and Grant .
Grant dips his head to whisper in my ear. But there’s a hint of rough neediness to his voice. “When we get home, I’ll show you how much I love you.”
Oh.
My core throbs, and my nipples tighten. Desire floods through my body. Quietly, breathlessly, I answer, “I can’t wait.”