Chapter 8
Eleven years ago
A strange sense of anticipation built inside Gray as he loaded the lawn mower into the truck bed of his dad’s old GMC. The
tailgate squawked on the hinges as he shut it. He wiped sweat from his brow. It was at least eighty degrees at only nine in
the morning. He crossed the freshly mown lawn, his mind already on the day ahead.
For the past week he’d been working on the bookshop’s landscaping for a few hours a day. The scraggly old bushes had been
deeply rooted, making progress slow. But today he’d start preparing the beds for new plants and flowers. He was new at this
sort of work, but he was learning from YouTube videos.
Initially he hadn’t been thrilled when his grandma informed him he’d be working in the middle of town this summer. But he
hadn’t yet run into anyone from school, and he was actually enjoying the work.
But that wasn’t the reason for the anticipation making him all squirrely.
He rolled his eyes at himself as he took the porch step and poked his head inside the lake house. “I’m taking off now, Granny.”
His grandma glanced up from her coffee and crossword puzzle. “All right. Don’t forget the sunscreen.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He wouldn’t forget it. He just wouldn’t wear it because he never burned.
“Oh, can you pick up some 2 percent milk on your way home?” Granny asked just before the door fell shut.
“Sure thing. See you later.”
“Have a good day, honey.”
Granny’s smile lingered in his mind as he made his way to the truck. In some ways living with her was a huge relief. Since
his dad was incarcerated Gray no longer had to worry when he left the house at night. Didn’t have to lie awake waiting for
a phone call from Dirty Harry’s, the hole-in-the-wall bar his dad frequented. He’d bet Dad felt no relief, however. Guilt
pricked at the thought of his dad locked away in that cell, and he pushed the image away.
Moving to Granny’s side of town hadn’t changed everything. His dad’s bad reputation still followed him like a nasty scent.
And no matter how hard he tried to keep a low profile, trouble always seemed to find him. Somehow his academic performance
flew under the radar, which was just as well. When it came to the Warner Scholarship, he hoped being underestimated would
work in his favor.
The truck started with a rumble and he backed from the drive and headed toward the bookshop. He thought of that first day
when he’d caught Shelby Thatcher checking him out from behind the store’s window. The way she’d jumped belatedly out of sight.
The thought never failed to make him grin. A weight lifted at just the thought of her.
Oh, he wasn’t stupid. She was way too good for him. And ogling him didn’t mean she liked him. Only that she liked what she
saw. There was an ocean of difference. Some girls were attracted to his bad-boy image. Some kind of thrill, maybe. A chance
to tick off their fathers, perhaps—he counted Darcy Colbert in that last group. She was an old friend from the trailer park.
They hung out sometimes.
He didn’t take Shelby for one of those girls though.
She was just curious. No doubt with her perfect family, sterling reputation, and immense popularity, she could never understand someone like him.
Much less lower herself to befriend him.
He suspected she might even fear him a little. Just as well.
She was going out with Brendan Remington, the biggest tool he knew, so she obviously had terrible taste in boys. Just because
the guy was top of the class, star of the basketball team, and from a prominent family didn’t mean he was an honorable person.
It would be a real pleasure to steal that scholarship right out of Brendan’s greedy little hands. He didn’t need it anyway,
what with his rich parents. His dad owned a business in town, which would likely be handed to Brendan someday, just like everything
else was.
Taking the scholarship from Brendan was just a bonus though. The financial aid was Gray’s ticket out of this town, the only
way he could afford college. He wanted to own his own business someday. Wasn’t sure what kind, but he’d be his own boss, make
his own success. He wanted autonomy and job security, and he didn’t want to answer to people he had no respect for, no trust
in. And he wanted to do it someplace far away from Grandville.
As he entered town he pushed the thoughts from his mind. He needed to focus on his task today. He was looking forward to the
work almost as much as he anticipated catching a glimpse of Shelby Thatcher and her beautiful doe-brown eyes.
In the Young Adult section Shelby set up a table featuring books by Jenny Han, an author she’d discovered her freshman year.
She enjoyed spreading the word about her favorite books and authors.
The phone pealed up front and Gram called out from the office. “Shelby, honey, can you get that?”
“Sure thing, Gram.” Shelby bustled to the phone and took the call, someone inquiring about their hours. After disconnecting she made her way to the New Fiction bookcase to freshen the shelves—or so she told herself. It was possible she was mainly drawn there by the view along the way.
Gray had been working outside all morning, shirtless since about ten. Not that she was keeping track. He was currently putting
down a weed barrier along the sidewalk, but that wasn’t what drew her attention now.
Brendan was out on the street with his friends Devon and Drew. Devon appeared to be talking to Gray as he worked.
Shelby didn’t like the sneer on Devon’s face. She’d once seen him shove a freshman boy into a locker for seemingly no reason.
She wasn’t sure what Brendan saw in the guy. But she couldn’t imagine him standing by while Devon was cruel to anyone, even
Grayson Briggs. Even so, she rushed down the stairs and stepped outside.
At the sight of her, Brendan’s face broke into a smile. He was handsome with bronzed skin, crystal-blue eyes, and sandy-blond
hair that dipped over his forehead in an adorable way. He headed up the sidewalk, carrying two Styrofoam drink cups from the
Dairy Bar. “Hey, gorgeous. Brought your favorite—extra-thick chocolate malt with chocolate chips.” He handed it to her.
Her heart warmed at the thoughtful gesture. “Thank you. That’s awfully nice. I took an early lunch, so this’ll hit the spot.”
She peeked around him as she drew the thick shake up the straw. Drew and Devon seemed to be engaged in conversation on the
sidewalk, ignoring Gray altogether. Maybe Shelby had misread the situation.
Of course she had. Brendan would never be a party to bullying. They’d only been going out five weeks, but she’d known him
for years. He had a solid reputation, was well liked, and had never been anything but kind to her. Besides, Brendan’s father
would never tolerate that kind of behavior. Barry was difficult to please, but that didn’t stop Brendan from trying.
“We’re on our way to Drew’s house to ride the Jet Skis. His dad just bought a third one, so now we can all ride together.”
“Sounds fun.” She was surprised he didn’t have a summer job yet. He’d mentioned holding out for a lifeguard position, but
it seemed a little late in the season to score that job.
“Come on, Brendan,” Drew called. “The day’s wasting.”
Brendan offered a charming grin. “Better run.” He kissed her on the cheek.
“Thanks again for the shake.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good day.”
“Have fun.”
He took off down the sidewalk, meeting up with his buddies. Shelby gave them a wave just before they disappeared around the
corner.
Her gaze returned to Gray, who hadn’t so much as glanced up. He looked formidable, those muscles rippling across his back
as he pulled the weed barrier tight and secured it. If he knew she was still standing there, he gave no indication. But somehow
she knew he knew. She could feel it in her bones.
She couldn’t get the image of Devon’s sneer from her mind. And it gave her the courage to speak. “Doing all right out here?”
“Fine.”
“Sure is a scorcher. Need anything? We have drinks in the mini fridge.”
“No thanks. I’ve got water.” He swiped his face with his forearm and went right back to work.
Shelby stood there for a few seconds trying to think of something else to say, but nothing came to mind. Why was she so drawn
to Gray? Maybe because he was such an enigma. He was a loner at school, always eating by himself, walking the halls alone.
He never spoke up in the classroom and slumped in his seat like he was just waiting for the bell to ring. And yet she’d caught
a glimpse of his graded expository essay before he could shove it in his book bag. A 98 percent—three points higher than her
own grade.
Then there was that time at the class garbage can when he’d held her mesmerized for a helpless second.
Gray sat back on his haunches and frowned at her.
She’d been staring. Her face warmed. And still she couldn’t think of a thing to say. Why did he always make her so tongue-tied?
“There something else?”
His droll tone had her backing up a step. “Um, nope. I’ll let you get back to it.” She slipped back inside with her melting
shake.
The next day Shelby exited the bookshop and nearly balked at the sweltering late-June heat. She had just enough time to run
to the Savory Spoon Café for a big slice of their pie of the month: Dutch apple. Maybe she should text Brendan and see if
he wanted to meet up.
She admired the fresh landscaping while she tried to decide. Grayson had left a few minutes ago—she’d been waiting for him
to go before taking her lunch break. She’d been avoiding him ever since he’d caught her staring yesterday— for the second time .
A grinding sound caught her attention as she met up with the sidewalk. Her gaze followed the noise just down the street to
where Gray’s old GMC sat in a diagonal parking slot. He was trying, unsuccessfully, to start the vehicle. A moment later he
got out and lifted the hood. He wore a Braves ball cap and a resolute frown.