Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
“ A ll in all,” Grady explained to a very anxious neighborhood watch group, “we’re still trying to find a connection between the teens. They’re all from around here. They all go to local high schools, but other than that, we’re not sure why crime rates have been climbing or what’s sending so many of them to try and steal from your shops and cars.”
Shiloh twisted her lips and folded her arms over her chest, slumping back against her chair. This was such a mess. While Arthur’s attack had nothing to do with the teenagers terrorizing Main Street, the break-ins were extremely frustrating. There had to be a way to stop, or at least deter, the delinquents.
“Are you saying there’s nothing we can do?” Dalton pressed. He was sitting on the arm of Shiloh’s couch, his sister Analiese just below. She looked ready to tear someone’s head off, but very rarely spoke up at these meetings.
Grady blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what more to do that you aren’t already doing. Cameras always help. Keeping an eye on strange situations helps. I’ve instructed my team to patrol Main more often.” He splayed his hands to the side. “But I’m not sure what more to offer. Since I don’t have a particular gang or group I’m watching, I have no idea who might strike next. Which leaves my station just as blind as you.”
“I’m seriously gonna start taking karate,” Pearl muttered. “Maybe a good kick to the head would deter anyone else from trying to take what doesn’t belong to them.”
A small chuckle went through the room.
“I think I’d pay to see that,” Ivory retorted to her sister.
Pearl pointed a finger at her sibling. “You just wait. I’ll do my best practicing on you.”
Shiloh smiled and shook her head. Those two were a riot sometimes. She glanced at the clock as more people spoke up. The meeting had been going for twenty minutes, and still Granger hadn’t shown up. She’d been sure he’d been planning to be there tonight.
Shiloh rubbed her upper arms, trying to curb the imaginary chill she seemed to get whenever she thought about Granger. If he wasn’t there, her body always seemed to get antsy, wanting his strength and his arms around her.
At first, it had driven Shiloh crazy. She had no desire to be so dependent on another person. But as time crept by, she realized more and more what a gift it was to have someone so reliable in her life. Someone to help ease burdens, and someone to look forward to seeing.
She glared at the clock again. At least, he was usually reliable.
A quiet knock came on the door, and Shiloh immediately jumped to her feet, ignoring Serenity’s smirk, and raced out of the room.
“Hey,” she said as she opened the door, only to hesitate for a split second. “I know you,” Shiloh said, forcing a welcoming smile. “You work at the bookshop at the end of the street.”
The woman nodded, her chin ducked slightly. “I hope I’m at the right place,” she said in a soft tone. “I’m Skyla. Serenity invited me to your meeting.”
“Of course.” Shiloh stepped back, putting her “friendliest shop on Main” face on. “We’re so glad to have you.”
“Sorry, I’m late.” Skyla pushed her light brown hair behind her ear. “I had to close at the shop, and then I hurried over.”
“We’re just glad to have you,” Shiloh assured the obviously shy woman. “In case you can’t hear it, the meeting is in there.” Shiloh tilted her head toward the noise and smiled, ushering Skyla toward the group.
Skyla’s light brown cheeks blushed a heavy scarlet when the whole room turned at their entrance, and Shiloh immediately stepped up to ease the intrusion.
“Hey, everyone!” Shiloh said with her perkiest voice. The one she used when showcasing the assets of a house, rather than having the buyer focus on how messy a homeowner had left things. “This is Skyla. She works at the book store and is going to be joining us.”
“Skyla!” Serenity jumped to her feet. “I’m so glad you made it.”
Skyla nodded several times and kept a small smile on her face as the large group greeted her, but it was clear that she was not in her element.
“Why don’t we have a seat and let Officer Montoya finish his presentation? Then we can have dessert,” Shiloh suggested, helping get Skyla off the main stage.
Skyla gave Shiloh a grateful look, and they quickly headed to the back of the room.
“No one minds such a beautiful interruption,” Grady teased, causing poor Skyla to blush ever more.
Shiloh rolled her eyes. “Ignore him,” she whispered loud enough for the whole room to hear. “He thinks his ability to put criminals behind bars makes him a lady’s man.”
More laughter ran through the room, and Grady took the joke in good humor, grinning widely at Shiloh. “Perjury is a punishable offense, Shi.”
She smiled sweetly. “I guess it’s a good thing we’re not in court.”
Grady laughed again. “But in all seriousness, why don’t we jump to questions? That way I can try and address what’s bothering you.” He looked around and began calling on people.
“We were talking about the break-ins,” Shiloh explained to Skyla.
The shy woman nodded. “Yeah…we’ve been hearing about that in the shop.” She laughed a little. “I’ve already decided that I need to start lifting weights so I can start throwing history tomes if anyone tries to get crazy down by us.”
Shiloh covered her mouth as she laughed, trying not to interrupt the Q & A. “That would be an awesome sight. The quiet bookworm going Hulk on everyone because of a missing page or two.”
Skyla laughed with her. “I guess the real question is, would I have the heart to do it? Honestly, if someone stole a book, they probably need it more than we do.”
“There’s truth in that statement,” Shiloh agreed. Her eyes wandered the room and came to a screeching halt when they landed on Dalton. Right at this moment, it was easy to see that he and Analiese were siblings. His brow was furrowed, his hands clenched and his mouth turned down at the corners. If the man didn’t stop scowling, he was going to send everyone home with nightmares. What in the world was wrong with him?
Dalton glared at Grady, only to have his eyes dart to Shiloh and Skyla, then go back to Grady. The process happened several more times in the next few minutes, and Shiloh finally shook her head, stumped at what had set off the usually carefree man.
Questions went on for another ten minutes before Serenity stepped in. She held up her hands to quiet everyone down and smiled at the group.
“I think that’s about all we’re going to attack Officer Montoya with tonight,” the redhead said kindly. “But don’t worry. We’ll continue to work and get to the bottom of this. What we want is a Main Street that’s safe for everyone, so we won’t stop until we reach that.” Her smile widened. “Before I release you to chat over dessert, however, we have something extra special tonight.”
Shiloh frowned. What was going on? Why didn’t she know about this?
When Serenity looked at Shiloh and held out a hand, Shiloh’s heart skipped a beat. “Shiloh? Would you come up here, please?”
Granger’s heart was going to pound right out of his chest. He was positive he’d soaked the back of his shirt with sweat and when his turn came to step into the family room, he’d end up embarrassing everyone with how drenched he was.
“Dad?”
“Shhh…” Granger put a finger to his lips. “What’s up?”
Zane scrunched his nose and tugged at his collar. “Do we have to be dressed like this?”
Granger smiled and straightened his son’s bowtie. “I think Shiloh will like it. Don’t you?”
Zane thought about it for a moment. “She did say she likes bowties.”
Granger nodded and stood straight, trying to force a deep breath into his lungs to keep from hyperventilating. “She does.”
“Zane?”
So much for breathing normally. “That’s your cue.” Granger ushered his son to the threshold. “Remember what you’re supposed to say?”
Zane shook his head, looking over his shoulder. “I’m…I’m scared.”
Aaaand, so much for their plan.
“Alright.” He took Zane’s hand. “I’ll help you.” Together, they walked into the crowded family room, and immediately hushed voices swirled through the room.
Shiloh gasped, and her hands came up over her mouth. She looked beautiful tonight. Of course, she always looked beautiful, but tonight, especially so.
Her hair was down and filled with waves, and her bright red blouse showed off her dark skin to perfection. The lipstick she was wearing nearly drove Granger to distraction, and he couldn’t help but admire the curves her slim pants showed off.
Any man would have to be blind not to see how stunning that woman was.
Granger tried to push Zane forward, but the little boy clung to his dad’s hand and shook his head. Sighing, Granger walked closer with Zane, then dropped on one knee. “Shiloh…” Granger smiled up at her shocked face. “Zane and I have a question for you.”
He looked at Zane who was about to break Granger’s fingers off.
“Do you want to say anything?” Granger nudged.
Zane’s wide eyes went around the room, and he shook his head, shrinking into himself.
Without warning, Shiloh dropped to her knees and gently pulled Zane’s hand from Granger’s, pulling him forward. “Zane,” she whispered thickly. “I’d really, really love to hear what you have to say.”
Zane chewed his lower lip and looked at the audience once more, but Shiloh pulled him back.
“They’re just friends,” she assured the boy. “But this conversation is just me and you.”
Could a person’s heart stop from beating too fast? With every choice she made, Shiloh showed Granger exactly how perfect she was to join their family, and he could hardly wait to make it real.
It was only a week past her attack. He knew it was fast, but he also knew he couldn’t wait any longer. They were meant to be. Now Granger just had to convince Shiloh of that.
But from the way she was urging on Zane, Granger didn’t think he’d have to try too hard.
“You said you like bowties,” Zane stammered.
Shiloh laughed and wiped at a tear on her cheek. “Yes. I only dance with men in bowties. Do you remember?”
Zane nodded, looking a little more at ease. “Dad said I’m supposed to ask if you’d be willing to dance with me again.” Zane hesitated. “But this time…as my mom?”
Granger frowned. Zane didn’t sound nearly as enthused as he thought the boy would. They’d talked about it, and it had all seemed fine, but now Zane sounded…unsure.
Shiloh must have caught his tone because she leaned in. “Zane…do you want me to be your mom? Not just what your dad says, but what about you?”
Zane looked at his shoes and shifted his weight. “I’m…not sure.”
Shiloh looked like she’d been struck, and she leaned back. Granger knew exactly how she felt because Zane’s response was like a hit to his chest. Before he could gather himself and say something, Zane continued.
“I had a mom once,” the boy whispered. “She left. She didn’t like me or my dad.” Zane squinted. “You were dad’s girlfriend, and that was fine. But…”
Granger could hear some of the women in the room sniffling as his heart dropped to his feet. How did he not catch this? How did he miss how much the term “mom” was hurting Zane?
“Zane Lowery, now you listen to me.”
Granger found himself straightening at Shiloh’s tone.
“Your mother, the one who gave birth to you…will always, technically, be your mother.” Shiloh cupped Zane’s face, her own face wet with tears. “And I can never be grateful enough that she helped bring you into this world. But…” Shiloh raised her eyebrows, giving Zane a pointed look. “But her decision to leave had nothing to do with you and everything to do with her. She helped create you, but she got scared when it came to raising you. Real mothers don’t leave.” Shiloh smiled through her tears. “Real mothers do get scared, but they stay. Real mothers hold hands with their kids and smile and laugh and make their way through the tough things in life together.”
She took in a shuddering breath. “While I’m very sorry that your first mom hurt you and your dad when she left, I’m not sorry that I’ve been given the chance to be part of your life.” She leaned in and brought herself nose to nose with Zane. “If you’re willing to try, I’d like to be your real mother, Zane. Not someone else’s. Yours. I want to hold your hand. I want to dance with you while you’re wearing a bowtie. I want to fix dinner with you and cookies with you and play games with you.” Shiloh closed her eyes, and she took another deep breath. “But only if that’s what you want too, Zane. Only if you’re willing to stay too. Because once I put in my promise, I never break it.”
Zane’s bottom lip trembled. “You really promise not to leave?”
“I really promise not to leave.” Zane broke down crying, and Shiloh gathered him into her arms, rocking them back and forth as she hushed his tears. When her watery eyes finally met Granger’s, she gave him a shaky smile.
Granger pulled the ring from his pocket, ignoring the pain in his knee from kneeling so long. “I don’t think I really have any more to add to that,” he said in a hoarse tone. “I had a really good speech, but apparently other words were needed.” Clearing his throat, he pushed through his own tears. “I’ll just say, I love you. I fought it for a long time, but your stubbornness definitely won out.”
Shiloh laughed quietly.
“Zane and I have lived as bachelors for too long, and we need someone willing to put up with us, so you’re going to need that stubbornness. But if you’re willing to be Zane’s mom, are you also willing to be my wife?” He held out the ring. “I warned you once, we came as a package deal.”
Shiloh held out her hand. “It’s the best deal I’ve ever made in my life,” she replied. “But between the two of us, we have three houses. We might need to pair that down a bit.”
Granger stood and pulled Shiloh and Zane up as well, tugging them into his arms. “One of these days we’ll figure out which one we like the best,” Granger assured her. “I happen to know a great realtor who can help us sell the other two.”
“The best one is the one we worked on together,” Shiloh said, tilting her head up for a kiss. “But it’s not finished.”
Granger gave her a much shorter kiss than he wanted, but they still had a large audience. “I know people who can help with that, too,” he assured her.
“Can we come in now?” came a shout from the kitchen area.
Granger’s head came up, along with every other person in the room.
Tate leaned his head through the doorway. “Dude. Did she say yes?”
Granger shared amused glances with Shiloh before going back to Tate. “Yeah.”
Tate disappeared, then he and Jett came through the door, carrying a large cake between them. “It’s party time!” Tate cried. “And we brought ice cream!”
Blaire was following the twins with a tray filled with bowls of her homemade ice cream. “Quick! Before it melts!”
Zane was gone before Granger could say anything, and Granger pulled him and Shiloh to the side as the group stood from their seats and began making their way to the celebratory dessert.
“You sneak,” Shiloh teased, smacking Granger’s chest.
He pulled her tighter and ducked them into the hallway. They were going to have to spend the next while with friends, but dang if Granger wasn’t going to steal five minutes first. “It takes a lot to pull a surprise on you,” he muttered just before stealing a much more satisfactory kiss. “Someone likes to be in the know all the time,” he teased against her mouth.
Shiloh’s hand went to the back of Granger’s head, not letting him pull away. “Remind me to tell her to back off,” Shiloh whispered. “Because surprises like this are amazing.”
“You’re amazing.” He kissed her again. “You’re an amazing business woman, an amazing girlfriend, an amazing worker and designer, an amazing real estate agent?—”
Shiloh put her finger to his lips, grinning widely. “All I want is to be an amazing mother and wife. Think that’ll be enough for you?”
Granger decided words wouldn’t be adequate and instead, pulled them deeper into the hallway, but life wasn’t about to let them get away for long.
“Mom!” Zane crashed into Granger and Shiloh’s sides. “Stop being mushy and come eat the ice cream. It’s bubblegum!”
Shiloh laughed and let Zane pull her down the hall. Glancing back, she said, “I’ll be expecting more of that later,” she flirted. “And I have every intention of hearing this wonderful speech you wrote.” With a wink, she disappeared into the main area of the house, and Granger leaned against the wall to catch his breath.
Staying away from Shiloh had nearly given him a heart attack several months ago, her sass and beauty pulling him in when he wanted nothing but to be far away. Funny thing was, he now felt the exact opposite. Being away from Shiloh made him hurt and ache in ways he’d never truly experienced before.
Standing straight, he walked after his fiancee…his family…his future.
Life was going to be beautiful.