Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
T he next couple of days passed in a happy blur for Shiloh. When she’d started the project with the house, she’d hope it would give her a purpose, something to look forward to.
Lucky for her, it wasn’t the house she was enjoying. It was the landscaper helping her with the house. Every little moment, every stolen kiss, and every brush of their fingers sent a fluttering through her belly that had Shiloh craving more.
Each second she and Granger got together, felt all the more special since they shared so much of their time with Zane. He’d brushed off their initial conversation, and seemed to settle into having Shiloh around in a different capacity than just friend and for that, Shiloh was grateful. Things were so much easier with Zane on their side, rather than fighting against each other the whole time.
And she was growing to love that boy more and more. How Granger’s ex had ever walked away from those two men was beyond Shiloh’s comprehension. Zane was darling and funny and serious all at once. He loved hard, and he used his imagination harder.
Meanwhile, Granger was more serious, but when he was in a playful mood, Shiloh could barely keep up and it thrilled her to feel challenged and yet content at the same time. Her head was in the clouds more than it ought to be, but Shiloh couldn’t bring herself to care.
Thus far, it wasn’t hurting her business, just her reputation among her friends and co-workers, and Shiloh could definitely work with that. Let them laugh and tease… Falling in love was the best feeling Shiloh had ever experienced, and she truly hoped it never ended.
Taking a deep breath, Shiloh glanced at her watch as she and her clients headed to the front door. “This was our last one for today,” she declared with a wide smile. She pulled open the door and held it for the young couple to walk through. “What are your overall thoughts?”
The husband, who was probably Shiloh’s age or younger, scowled. “I think it’s overpriced.”
His wife slapped his arm. “I like it.”
The husband’s scowl deepened. “We’re gonna have to pull the wallpaper down in the bathroom, and did you see the cabinets? They’re yellow.”
“It’s the design style!” his wife argued.
“But…yellow?” He shook his head again. “We’re going to have to repaint for sure.”
“I don’t know,” the wife mused. “I think decorating with lemons in the kitchen might be fun. Yellow cabinets would match.”
Shiloh finally stepped in before the argument got further out of control. “Just to toss in, according to comps in the area, this house is very reasonably priced. I’ve also heard that the sellers are motivated, so you might be able to negotiate a little bit on the price for the repairs you want.”
“Did you see how small the bedrooms are?”
Shiloh held in the desire to roll her eyes. She’d come to learn, quite quickly, that young husbands were never happy. The idea of buying their first home and going into debt for twenty or thirty years, never settled well. But they always argued about the house, not the true issue.
Older husbands usually just made sure their wife was happy. They let her pick the house, with a few caveats, and resigned themselves to whatever burden their spouses dreams were about to bring to their wallet.
These two were newlyweds…and it explained a lot.
“Why don’t you two go home and think on it for a while?” Shiloh suggested with her business smile. “If you want it, great! We’ll work on making that dream happen. If you want to see more, great! We’ll make that happen, as well. No matter what, we’re going to make sure you get exactly what you want. Alright?”
The wife clutched her husband’s arm, leaning her head into his shoulder. “Thank you, Shiloh. You’re so good to work with.” The young woman looked up, batting her eyelashes. “Isn’t she great, hon? It’s going to be so amazing to be able to move out of my parents’ basement.”
Aaaannd, there it was. The moment when the husband finally gives into the wife and realizes the benefits of homeownership.
Shiloh definitely didn’t blame him. She wouldn’t want to be married and living in her parents’ basement either.
“Yeah…it’s great,” he agreed, putting his hand over hers. “Let’s get lunch, and we can figure it out, huh?”
His wife nodded eagerly, and they said quick goodbyes to Shiloh before getting into their car and driving away.
Shiloh blew out a grateful breath, texted the other realtor that they were done, and headed to her own car. She might take a cue from her clients and take a long lunch…at the house, of course.
Zane and Granger made the best eating companions.
Shiloh pressed the button to unlock her car, then frowned when she didn’t hear anything. Walking to her door, she tested the handle. “Shoot. I forgot to lock it.” Shaking her head at her own forgetfulness, she pulled the door open and sat down, putting her phone and bag in the usual place before getting ready to push the start button.
Her finger paused midair, however, when she realized there was something on her steering wheel.
Her eyes quickly scanned the note, but it only said her name. She immediately jumped back out of the car, searching the area.
Nothing seemed amiss. The birds were singing, the sky was mostly overcast, and a light breeze was blowing off the ocean. All in all, it was a very typical day on the Oregon Coast. And the neighborhood was quiet, only a few people working in their yards and the occasional car driving by on the small road.
There were absolutely no signs that Arthur had stopped by and polluted the area with his personal brand of rottenness.
A shiver rocked Shiloh, and she gripped her door to keep upright. What was she supposed to do now? Had Arthur actually crossed the restraining barrier? If he’d stopped by when she was in the house, how many feet was he actually away from her?
Shiloh’s heart was pounding so hard in her chest that she felt as if she’d run a marathon, and she put her hand there as if to ground the organ. She worked to manually change her breathing, bringing it back down to a manageable level, but she couldn’t seem to shake the sudden chill on her skin.
Rubbing her arms to get rid of the goosebumps and looking around once more, Shiloh finally got back into the car. She eyed the note, but ultimately ripped it from the steering wheel and wadded it up, throwing it in her briefcase.
The drive to the house was filled with an anxious, heavy silence that made it hard to breathe.
What was she supposed to do with this?
Report it? Tell Grady? Or Granger? Was there anything to actually be done? There were no threats, no disgusting suggestions. It was just her name. Maybe Arthur hadn’t even been involved.
Shiloh parked the car on the side of the street and stayed inside for a few extra minutes, trying to get herself under control before facing Granger and Zane.
A note. It was simply a note.
Arthur hadn’t approached her, he hadn’t touched her, and for all Shiloh knew, he hadn’t technically broken the agreement of the restraining order.
Taking several deep breaths, Shiloh finally exited her vehicle with the beginnings of a firm determination.
She was going to ignore this. Arthur had no right to any part of her life, and Shiloh wasn’t going to give it to him. He could rant and rave from a distance all he wanted, but Shiloh was going to focus on the here and now…and leave his unwanted attention where it belonged.
The garbage.
“Your girlfriend’s here,” a worker from up on the roof shouted.
Granger squinted up at the men, all of them grinning and chuckling at his expense. “Thanks,” Granger said wryly, not wanting to let the men know how excited those words made him.
The last few days had been wonderful, but no one needed to know that except Shiloh and himself.
Zane had calmed down, Arthur had backed off, and Shiloh had been coming over to Granger’s house practically every evening, giving them at least a small measure of time together.
Those moments in the evening were some of the happiest moments Granger had had for many years, and he was starting to suspect it was less about overcoming his dating famine and more about Shiloh.
She was stunning, kind, witty, and seemed to go all-in on anything she did. She had won over Zane ages ago, and like his son, Granger was in serious danger of falling completely under the woman’s spell.
In a form fitting pencil skirt, heels that made her calves look toned and tanned and her luscious hair spread down her back in thick waves, she came through the back slider.
Once again, Granger cared less and less about how quickly he was falling for this woman and more and more about what it would take to convince her to stay in his life forever.
“How are my favorite men?” she asked, her tone slightly husky.
“Shiloh!” Zane jumped up and ran to give Shiloh his usual greeting.
Granger forced himself to walk slowly, but he had a crazy desire to be like the six-year-old and rush to pull Shiloh into his arms.
“Mmm…” Shiloh bent over and squeezed Zane, rocking them back and forth a little. “My day just isn’t complete until I have my Zane hug.” She looked up and smiled as Granger got closer. “Or my Granger hug,” she said more softly.
Granger smirked, unable to help himself, and paused at the edge of the patio. He wanted more than a hug, but little ears were still present. If he were patient, he’d have a moment to himself.
“I brought a picnic,” Shiloh announced, and Zane jumped back.
“Did you bring chips?” he asked.
Shiloh put her hands on her hips. “Would it be a picnic without chips? Or soda?” She pursed her lips. “Phhhst. Zane. Have a little faith in me, huh?”
Zane laughed, and Shiloh gave Granger a quick wink before taking the boy inside.
Granger debated a moment, but ultimately stayed where he was. He was under the roof enough for a little privacy from the construction workers, and if Shiloh got Zane settled, then Granger would have a moment all to himself.
Those were far rarer than he wished they would be.
Even if Zane wasn’t around, Father Time was always against them, so Granger was going to attempt to be creative.
“Are you coming in?” Shiloh asked from the doorway. “I brought you a sandwich.”
Leaning forward, Granger took her hand and slowly pulled Shiloh out onto the deck. “Is Zane busy eating?”
Shiloh’s grin was all the answer he needed.
Pulling a little harder, he forced Shiloh to stumble just enough to pull her against his chest, and Granger caught her in a firm embrace. Wasting no time, he immediately took the greeting he’d been hoping for.
Shiloh, as usual, answered him step for step.
Just before Granger wasn’t going to be able to pull away, he extracted himself and stepped back, shoving his too-eager hands in his pockets. “Hey,” he croaked, closing his eyes at the deep, husky sound.
Shiloh laughed softly and tucked some hair behind her ear. “Hey,” she replied. “I think I like these midday greetings.”
Granger looked at her from under his lashes. “I can’t say I disagree.”
Shiloh stepped toward him, but Granger stepped back. He didn’t trust himself right now. Their relationship, after Granger had gotten over his own stupidity, had fallen into place too easily, and he was having a hard time not moving too fast with her.
Shiloh stopped and raised an eyebrow at him. “How about a sandwich?” she said with a smirk. “Roast beef.”
Granger nodded. “I think that sounds great. Thank you.”
“So polite,” Shiloh teased. She turned and headed to the door. “If you’re nice, I’ll even share one of the cookies I brought.”
“Only one?” Granger asked, following her at a small distance.
Shiloh gave him a pointed look over her shoulder. “Well, that depends on you, handsome.”
Was it hotter inside the house than outside? Granger pulled on his collar. This woman was going to be the death of him.
“Shiloh,” Zane called from his spot on the floor. “You didn’t say you had cookies.”
“That’s because you wouldn't have eaten your sandwich,” Shiloh replied easily. She pulled a container out of her cooler and waved it at Zane. “Eat your sandwich first, and then I’ve got dessert.”
Zane rolled his eyes. “I know that,” he said wryly.
Shiloh and Granger shared a look before she went back to digging through the cooler. “Shoot,” she muttered.
“What’s the matter?”
Shiloh huffed. “I forgot to bring in the bag with my work clothes.” She smiled. “I’ll go get it in a few minutes.” Holding out a sandwich with an inviting smile, Shiloh offered him lunch.
“Give me your keys, and I’ll grab the bag,” Granger said, taking the sandwich and holding out his hand again. “Then we can eat together.”
“We don’t have to do it now?—”
Granger wiggled his fingers and grinned triumphantly when she finally gave them to him. He stepped a little closer, dropping a kiss on her nose. “I win.”
“Only this battle,” Shiloh whispered back. “Watch out for the war.”
Granger gave her a look. “Somehow, I think I’ll win that one too.” Chuckling at her scowl, he slipped out the front door and headed to the street. It only took a moment to retrieve her bag and lock back up so he could walk back up the driveway.
A car drove by behind him as he walked, and Granger glanced back at the slow pace of the vehicle, only to pause and squint. Was that…?
The driver quickly pressed the gas and disappeared down the road before Granger could be sure if it was really Arthur or not, but an unsettled feeling landed heavy in his gut. He stood staring at the street trying to decide if he was imagining things or if Arthur was trolling the house for real.
With a restraining order hanging over his head, was the guy really that insane? If the police had reason to pull him in, it would ruin Arthur’s career, and he seemed like the kind of guy who cared what people thought of him.
Granger shook his head and turned back to the house. He was probably just being overly dramatic.
“Are you coming back?” Shiloh asked from the doorway.
Granger tilted his chin and forced a stiff grin. “Of course. Wouldn’t miss it.”
Shiloh raised that impressive eyebrow again. “Then come on in, Lawn Boy. Maybe I’ll even let you have dessert first.”
The car was quickly forgotten as Granger leapt up all the stairs on the porch and stole a sweet piece of the only dessert he’d ever want again.