Chapter 36
Gray disassembled the deli sandwich and placed the turkey in the microwave. As the machine hummed and the plate spun, he tossed
the single-serving bag of barbecue chips onto the table. This might be the most pathetic Thanksgiving dinner he’d ever had.
Even back when Dad had spent the holiday drunk, his grandma made sure Gray was well fed.
A pang of loss hit him hard. Granny had been his rock. So proud of him when he’d gotten a college degree. So happy for him
when he settled at a good company where he was appreciated and respected. He’d felt a bit unmoored since her passing. Though
being back here in her home brought a sliver of comfort.
How had he found himself in his late twenties with no close friends? Didn’t most men have a guy friend or two from college
he could count on? His grandma had always said he pushed people away. He used to scoff at that. But maybe she was right.
His gaze caught on Shadow, who sat at his feet, aiming a pair of hope-filled eyes his way. Gray had even pushed the dog away.
Tried anyway. That didn’t seem to be working out so well. The little mutt was worming his way into Gray’s heart. He’d gotten
used to his paws clicking behind him on the wood floors. To his wet nose waking him every morning.
It was probably time for Gray to start taking a chance on people. Animals. Whatever.
He wasn’t going to find someone to take the mutt. Wasn’t even going to try. He peered down at the dog, something like affection warming him through. “I guess you’re stuck with me. How do you feel about that?”
Shadow’s gaze darted to the open-faced sandwich and back to Gray.
“Really? That’s your response? That’s my food. Here’s yours.” He nudged the bowl with his foot. It was filled with the expensive dog food the pet store employee had
talked him into. Probably had as much real meat as the sandwich Gray was about to eat.
He turned his attention to the darkened window over the sink. The moonlight cut a shimmering path across the lake. The sight
brought back the memory of Shelby and him on that boat almost two weeks ago. Brought back all those feelings that had swamped
him as she lay shivering in his arms. He could no longer deny the attraction was still there.
Attraction? Really, pal?
He gave a wry huff. Who was he kidding? The feelings were still there, vibrating with life. Maybe they’d gone dormant while
he’d been away. But being with her again had resurrected them. And just like that he was head over heels with a woman who
belonged to someone else.
Déjà vu.
Maybe that had worked out for him back then, but everything was different this time. He lived hours away and Shelby had built
a full life here without him. Maybe she’d forgiven him for leaving without a word—and that felt really good. Downright amazing
really. But it was a far cry from trusting him again. That much was clear from the professional distance she’d put in place
after that night on the water.
The microwave dinged. He withdrew the plate and stacked the steaming turkey on the wilted bed of lettuce. He pivoted to the
table, Shadow underfoot, and sat down to his dinner in a spot that offered him a view of the game playing on TV.
After a brief prayer he opened his eyes to find Shadow gawking at him. The dog licked his chops and emitted a pitiful whimper.
Oh, what was one little bite? It was Thanksgiving after all. He pulled a piece of turkey from the sandwich and held it out.
“Just this one piece—then you go over there and eat the doggy cuisine I practically took out a loan for.”
As Shadow gulped down the meat, lights cut across the living room. The hum of a motor grew louder. Must be company for the
neighbors.
But no. Sounded like the car was right outside in his driveway. He pushed from the chair and strode to the foyer, where he
peered out the sidelight.
Shelby.
He drew back with a frown. He was supposed to be at Patrick’s right now. But there was no hiding the fact he was home. His
car was in the drive. His lights were on. He’d been caught. Caught having no real friends or family to take pity on him. Why
did it have to be Shelby of all people?
The engine went silent. A car door closed.
No escaping this. Bracing himself, he ran his fingers through his hair. Wished he wore something nicer than the sweats and
T-shirt in which he’d been lounging in front of ESPN all day.
The doorbell pealed. He waited a few seconds, then opened the door. “Shelby. What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here? What are you doing here?”
He shrugged. “Change of plans.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “Save it. I know Patrick’s out of town for the holiday.” She pushed past him and into the house.
He closed the door behind her. “Come on in,” he muttered to himself, then followed her into the kitchen.
He stopped behind her near where Shadow crouched, head hanging low. He knew that look. Gray’s gaze darted to the table where
the paper plate sat, bearing only a few forgotten crumbs.
He scowled at the dog. You little thief.
“Why’d you tell me you had plans if you didn’t?”
Oh, maybe so he didn’t seem quite so pathetic?
Shelby set a brown bag on the table and crossed her arms, waiting.
“I don’t know.”
“I would’ve invited you over.”
“I’m sure your dad and brother would’ve loved that. Not to mention Logan.”
“It’s Thanksgiving, Gray. If my family can’t welcome a guest into their home for a holiday meal, they’re not the people I
think they are.”
Maybe so, but he wouldn’t come between them again. Not when he was leaving in a month.
She began unpacking the bag—stacks of food containers.
“You don’t have to do this. I don’t need your pity.”
She gave him a mock scowl. Then, ignoring the paper plate on the table, she helped herself to his grandma’s china and began
dishing out portions of all the traditional fixings.
“I had a perfectly nice meal planned until someone”—he gave Shadow a withering look—“stole it.”
“Well, good thing for you we had plenty of leftovers.”
“You don’t have to eat the mashed potatoes.” They were the last thing remaining on Gray’s plate. “You should save room for
pie anyway. Pumpkin or pecan? Full disclosure, I made the pecan, and it turned out pretty good if I do say so.”
“It sounds great, but I’m going to let things settle a bit.” Gray stood and took his plate to the sink.
Cheering sounded as the Cowboys scored another touchdown. Though the game had been on the whole meal, their conversation had
taken precedence.
He stowed the pie slices in the fridge. “Stay and watch the rest of the game?”
She glanced at her watch. Tomorrow was a big day, but it was early yet. He’d been alone all day. And besides, she was enjoying
his company too much to turn him down. “Sure.”
In the living room Gray stacked logs in the fireplace and nursed the flame until it caught. Once it was ablaze he settled
on the sofa, a safe distance away.
Though neither had a stake in the game, they complained loudly and often about the missed catches, poor throws, and officials’
calls.
At halftime he made coffee. It was a noisy affair with the loud grinding of beans and low hiss of steaming cream. He returned
with two warm mugs of coffee topped with froth.
“Thanks.” The complex aroma invited her to take a sip. The flavor hit her tongue, vibrant and well balanced. Delicious. She
shot him a surprised look. “What sort of magic coffee machine is this?”
“No magic. Just a good machine, quality beans, and a little expertise.”
She took another appreciative sip. “If I had coffee like this every morning, I’d never be in a bad mood again.”
Her cup was empty when halftime ended and they got caught up in the close game. During commercials they chatted about the
shop, his job back home, and his decision to adopt Shadow, who now lay on a rug by the hearth, eyes drifting shut. For some
reason, that decision made Shelby happier than she could say.
During the third quarter when the game returned from commercial, they forgot to stop talking. At some point Gray lowered the
volume.
“I really missed Gram tonight,” Shelby said when the quiet stretched between them. “It wasn’t the same without her.”
“I’m sorry. I know just how you feel. Everything in this house reminds me of my grandma. But it’s so quiet here without her.”
“The two of you were close. I remember her always having a crossword puzzle in her lap.”
Gray’s smile was nostalgic. “She loved those things.”
“And those red glasses always perched on her nose.”
“She couldn’t see a thing without them.”
Dorothy had been the only family who’d stuck by him, but she was gone. Who did he have in his corner now? It didn’t sound
as if he was particularly close to anyone back in Riverbend Gap. He always had pushed people away.
Maybe they had something in common.
Their gazes connected across the space, which seemed to have closed somehow in the past hour. His thigh now touched hers.
Their arms brushed. The moment lengthened as warmth crept into her limbs. As prickles flared beneath her skin. Want stirred
low in her belly. Pushing him away was the last thing she wanted right now.
“I’m sorry I lied about having plans tonight.”
The low timbre of his voice transported her back to the old days. To the lonely boy he’d been. An outcast who put up barriers,
always expecting rejection. Old habits died hard. In many ways Gray had grown and changed, but he was still that lonely boy
who guarded his heart. An ache spread through her at the thought. “It’s okay.”
“Thank you for this.”
The food? The company? Both? “You’re welcome.”
The fire crackled and sizzled. A log shifted. And still they consumed each other with their eyes. He was so handsome in the
firelight she couldn’t look away. The fire’s golden glow kissed his cheekbones and danced in his eyes. The scruff on his jaw
gave him a roguish look.
What would his unshaven skin feel like against her palm? She reached for the answer. The soft flesh of her fingers tingled