Claiming the Single Mom's Heart (Hearts of Hunter Ridge) Read online

  “Don’t beat yourself up. It’s an easy enough mistake to make. It’s helpful, though, to remember there’s no wrong in a feeling itself. God gave them to us for a purpose. But we’re not supposed to let them rule us—or control us—in a negative way.”

  Like running from Sunshine because she, like the woman who’d betrayed him, had a daughter? As Sunshine was doing because she didn’t want to be abandoned again, hurt as her ex-husband had hurt her?

  She stepped closer, a spark of affection clearly in her eyes. “How’d you get to be so smart about little girls and things that go bump in the night?”

  He chuckled. “My baby sister. When Rio was about four, the son of one of our employees thought it would be funny to lock her in a utility closet. It was only about fifteen or twenty minutes, but after that she was skittish and had trouble sleeping without a night-light. After a few weeks of prayer and guidance, she worked through those fears.”

  Sunshine tilted her head. “You talked to her like you did Tessa tonight?”

  “I can’t take credit for that. But that’s how my mother handled it, letting the rest of us know so we could reinforce it if we sensed Rio becoming anxious about anything.”

  “Your mother is a wise woman. But at least she could pinpoint the origin of your sister’s fears. I think that would help. I’m at a loss.”

  “You said this began shortly before school started, so maybe it’s related to that? Or something unrelated happened about that time that frightened her? Something’s buried there. Maybe you can get her to talk about it now.”

  “She spent several days with her grandmother—my mom—the week before school started, but Mom didn’t mention anything out of the ordinary when I picked Tessa up.”

  “Something has her rattled. Worrying. And it’s manifesting in that closet.”

  What was he doing anyway, coming across like some renowned child psychologist to a woman who had five years of parenting under her belt while he had zilch?

  Leaving the apartment door open so she’d hear Tessa if she cried out, she escorted him down the stairs, then led him through the dim gallery. He paused in front of the faintly illuminated watercolor of Tessa, more reluctant now than before to see it sold to a stranger.

  “I’d like to buy this.”

  Sunshine’s eyes rounded.

  “Not right this minute. But hold it for me, okay?”

  “I’m glad you like it.” Her eyes met his in obvious puzzlement. “But I admit this surprises me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I know that you don’t...”

  “Don’t want to get attached to someone else’s kids?” He could give her a song and dance about giving it to someone as a gift, about donating it to an upcoming cancer fund-raiser for a silent auction. But the truth was, he wanted it hanging on his own wall. To be reminded of Tessa. And her mother.

  Why did Sunshine have to look so beautiful tonight? Her features softly lit by a faint streetlight coming through the windows. His heart rate ramped up a notch.

  “Maybe I was wrong about that.” His words came softly. “You know, about the kid thing. There’s more to the story and, maybe, I’m...wrong.”

  “More to what story?”

  “The one I fed you last weekend. About the woman I broke up with who had a kid. Yeah, that left me feeling lousy. As if I’d let her daughter down. But even more...”

  Sunshine’s gaze never left his face.

  “Even more, I got hurt because of her betrayal.”

  “She cheated on you?”

  “Not with another man. But she used me—used my family—for financial gain.”

  Uneasiness flickered through Sunshine’s eyes. Obviously he wasn’t making himself clear. But how could he explain that mess?

  “I won’t bore you with the details, but Jasmine was a successful real estate agent who I’d met through an online photography club. Unbeknownst to me, she was working with clients and their big-time lawyers, wheeling and dealing to get some forest service property deeded to the county and zoned for commercial use.”

  He could tell by the anxious look on her face that Sunshine still wasn’t following. “To make a long story short, she was throwing my name—and that of my family—around as backers of a plan to commercialize a property that we would never have agreed should be commercialized. We’re an influential family in these parts, known for our interest in protecting the environment. She was taking advantage of that, playing the odds that no one would come to me for verification when she’d made certain it was widely known that we were seeing each other.”

  He drew a breath. “When the whole story came out, I learned it was no accident that she’d approached me online to begin with. She’d recognized my name and initiated a chat, which progressed from there. When all was said and done, I ended up feeling as if I’d let my whole family down. And her little girl got hurt, as well.”

  A stricken look flashed through Sunshine’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Grady.”

  “Thanks. But when you’re played for a fool, you can’t help but wonder what part was your own fault. If maybe you deserved what you got because you were too stupid to see that you’d let your ego and your too-easily-led-astray heart rule your head.”

  “You didn’t deserve that, Grady.” Her words came softly. “You didn’t.”

  “That’s debatable. But the point is—” his gaze captured hers “—I’ve let that betrayal spook me. Let it run my life the past six years. Sort of like Tessa is allowing whatever she imagines is in that closet to control hers. And—as I suspect—how you’re letting that ex-husband rule yours.”

  He heard a startled intake of breath and reached for her hand. “What I’m trying to say here, Sunshine, is—”

  “That you,” she offered hesitantly, “like the watercolor of Tessa?”

  “I do. And I’d like to buy it. I’d also like...” Heart hammering, he tugged gently on her hand to move her closer, deeper into the shadows. “I’d very much like to kiss you.”

  Her eyes widened but, not hearing any objections, he leaned in and touched his lips to hers.

  Lightly. Ever so lightly. Not daring to ask for more, but savoring the sweet sensation of her mouth on his. Sunshine. So like her namesake, a ray of warmth piercing the icy lock he’d secured on his heart, melting the frozen, off-limits regions he’d allowed to harden over time.

  “Grady.” Her lips moved softly against his as her hands slipped behind his neck. Drew him closer.

  He’d dated a lot of women. Kissed his fair share. But never, ever, had he felt the way he was feeling now with Sunshine in his arms. This overwhelming desire to hold her, cherish her, protect her.

  Forever.

  * * *

  Breathless, Sunshine drew back slightly. What was she doing? Not only allowing him to kiss her as she’d never before been kissed, but kissing him back with a zeal she wouldn’t later be able to deny.

  And she had to deny it. Had to convince him they’d gotten carried away in the moment. That it didn’t mean anything. Couldn’t mean anything. And yet... Again she pressed her lips to his warm, inviting mouth as his arms tightened around her.

  He’d been betrayed.

  Taken advantage of. Hurt deeply. Wasn’t she equally as guilty as that other woman? Wasn’t she trying to find a way to obtain compensation from the Hunters and, indirectly, from Grady, too?

  She drew back again. Found her voice, although it came not much louder than a whisper. A breath. “Grady?”

  “So sweet,” he murmured as his lips brushed her cheek, obviously loath to let her go.

  “Grady. We can’t do this.”

  “Do what?” His gaze met hers, clouded with—what? Surely not love. No, not love.

  “We can’t—”

  “Why not?”

 
He again touched his lips to hers but, with a willpower she didn’t know she possessed, she firmly pressed her palms to his solid chest to gently push him away.

  “This won’t work, and we both know it.”

  His forehead puckered as her words sank in. “What are you talking about?”

  “Us. You and me. I’m your mother’s opponent for town council, or have you forgotten?”

  “I can’t say that was on my mind these past few minutes, no.”

  Offering a hard-to-resist smile, he tried to pull her closer, but she resisted, firmly removing his hands from her waist.

  “Listen to me, Grady.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m listening.”

  He sounded somewhat cross. Which was fine. Maybe his irritation would provoke him into paying closer attention to what she was trying to say.

  “Your mother and I are running against each other for a seat on the town council. How do you think your family will feel about me if we start seeing each other? It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

  Seeing the bewilderment in his eyes, warmth heated her cheeks, flaming hot as realization dawned. Grady hadn’t said anything about seeing each other. About dating or love or anything of the kind. He’d only admitted to wanting to kiss her.

  Which he’d done quite capably.

  No wonder he looked confused. Almost dazed. She’d jumped to conclusions. Made a fool of herself.

  “Never mind. I think it’s time for you to go. I’ll have Benton drop off the painting at Hunter’s Hideaway. You can give me your credit card number whenever you have time.” She grasped him by his rock-solid biceps, attempting to turn him toward the door. But he didn’t budge.

  “Wait.” He held up his hand. “What’s going on here, Sunshine? One moment you’re kissing me as if there’s no tomorrow and the next you’re rambling about my family and disasters and trying to boot me out the door. What disasters are you talking about?”

  “It’s not important. I misspoke.”

  “What am I not understanding here?” He studied her for a long moment. “Maybe I’m dense, but I thought that not only is there a mutual attraction between us, but that there might be something more substantial.”

  “Substantial?”

  “You know, important. Yeah, physical attraction, but the enjoying each other’s company thing, the spiritual bond, too. Maybe something on down the road?” He looked at her doubtfully. “Did I make that up?”

  It was tempting to let him think he had. But she couldn’t do that to him, especially with relief flooding through her that she hadn’t misunderstood the intention of the kiss.

  “I do think there’s a connection, Grady.” As much as she didn’t want there to be.

  He grinned, and passed the back of his hand across his forehead. “Whew. I thought I was losing it for a minute there. So what’s the deal with my family? The disaster stuff?”

  “You don’t think if we start seeing each other, your family might have a problem with it? And what about Gideon? He already has a target on my back for fraternizing with the enemy.”

  “The election will be over the second Tuesday in November. A little over three weeks. Then everything goes back to normal.”

  He took it for granted that Elaine would win. Which she undoubtedly would. “But don’t you think—?”

  His eyes smiling, he placed a gentle finger momentarily to her lips. “Jesus says, ‘Stop.’ Remember?”

  She laughed, recalling his time with Tessa.

  Of course, he was right. The election would be behind them before they knew it. But still...he didn’t know about her original intention for coming to Hunter Ridge. What was the likelihood, though, that Tori would find the indisputable evidence she sought? Why not give it up? Let it go? See where things went with Grady?

  A murmur of hope rose up in her spirit. Did God have a bigger plan in bringing her and Tessa to Hunter Ridge than simply chasing after some family legend?

  “Hey,” he whispered. “Tonight Rio and Luke both told me they like you. I think Grandma admires your spunk. Mom feels protective of you. Who cares what the rest of the family thinks?”

  “So the rest of your family doesn’t like me?”

  “Sunshine?” He cocked a brow. “Remember, Jesus says—”

  “Stop.”

  He reached for her hand. “We don’t have to make a big deal out of this right now. Nobody has to know where we might be headed when we don’t even know ourselves. A few more weeks won’t matter. That will give us both time to get used to the idea. Get to know each other better.”

  He was making sense.

  “And behind the scenes—” He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned in close. “We can sneak in a few more kisses.”

  Laughing, she pulled away. “I think it’s time for you to go.”

  “Just when things are starting to get interesting?”

  “For that exact reason.”

  He let out a disappointed groan. Was this a dream? Grady Hunter was attracted to her? Wanted to get to know her better?

  He moved reluctantly toward the door. “Things are going to be crazy this week for both of us. The upcoming election. The grand opening. But I’d like to see you if we can work it out.”

  “I imagine we could arrange that.”

  “Good.” A quick stolen kiss caught her by surprise.

  Laughing at her expression, he slipped into the chilly night. She locked the door behind him and then, with an almost giddy laugh, she crossed the gallery to climb the stairs with a light step. But she’d barely reached the apartment door when the walking-on-air feeling evaporated.

  Lord, what am I getting myself into?

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Your mother isn’t up to doing the ribbon cutting at the grand opening tomorrow.”

  Grady’s father rubbed the back of his neck in a weary gesture, then turned back to where he’d been hand sanding splintered wood on the seat of one of the inn’s chairs late Friday afternoon. The glare of the work shed’s overhead light revealed in his haggard expression the toll concern for his wife was taking.

  “She’ll rally.” Grady adjusted a gooseneck lamp to provide better lighting. Mom had made a decent comeback so many times throughout the chemo treatments. She’d do it again.

  “She should be taking better care of herself,” Dad said gruffly. “Even with you filling in at the election events, she’s overdoing it. Pushing herself.”

  “That’s Mom for you.”

  “I want her to pull out of the race.” Dad reached for a fresh piece of sandpaper. “But she won’t hear of it.”

  “Although she hasn’t been able to attend meetings recently, she loves being on the council and wants to fulfill her duties both this term and next.”

  Dad looked up at him, his gaze bleak. “At what price, son?”

  A knot twisted in Grady’s gut.

  They hadn’t dared let themselves consider that she might not come through this. That the chemo wouldn’t work. That prayers might be unanswered.

  “You know the doc is treating this more aggressively because Mom’s mother died from it. There have been promising medical strides since then.” The words of assurance were as much for himself as his father. “Mom’s going to make it, Dad.”

  Dad nodded slowly. “She has to. I can’t... I don’t know how I’d live without your mother, Grady. I—”

  His father’s voice broke and Grady swiftly moved around the worktable for a quick embrace. “She’s going to be fine, Dad.”

  “We’ll be married forty years next June.”

  “And you’ll be celebrating that anniversary together.” Unbidden, Sunshine’s smile surfaced in his mind. If things worked out as he was beginning to hope they would, could a fortieth anniversary be in their future, too? B
ut loving had a price, as his father was experiencing. “So tell me, Dad, how’d you know Mom was ‘the one’?”

  Dad returned to his sanding, a slow smile surfacing. “I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Couldn’t imagine my life without her.”

  Was that how he was beginning to feel about Sunshine? He sure wasn’t getting much sleep at night. All the praying. Wondering how she really felt about him. Remembering every word she said, how the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile, how good that kiss had been.

  Dad looked up, studying Grady. “Was that a get-the-old-man’s-gloomy-thoughts-diverted question? Or do you have your eye on some young lady? Like that Sunshine gal you spent considerable time talking to on the patio the other night?”

  “I—” He wasn’t ready to talk about how he felt about Sunshine. He was thinking about her. Spending time with her. But after Jasmine’s betrayal, it was like walking on quicksand as he tried to find his footing.

  “I know you got handed a raw deal with that other woman a few years back. Took it hard.”

  “It’s not something I’d care to relive.” Being manipulated for selfish purposes—left feeling like a fool for thinking she cared for him as much as he did her—wasn’t something you easily got over. But Sunshine made him want to try.

  “Loving takes courage, son. Risk. There are no guarantees. But don’t let the past dictate your future.”

  The fact that he’d taken her and Tessa to a fun-filled lunch in Canyon Springs on Sunday, talked to her on the phone every night this week and couldn’t wait to see her after the grand opening tomorrow had to mean something, didn’t it?

  “How would you feel, Dad, if I did start seeing Sunshine Carston?” There, he’d said it out loud. “I mean, she’s Mom’s rival and is a vocal backer of the artists in this town, too. There’s no getting around either of those facts.”

  Dad nodded knowingly. “Your mother said she thought there might be something developing there between you two.”

  “So do either of you have a problem with that?”

  He was taking a risk asking a point-blank question. What if Dad said he and Mom didn’t like her, that he was making a big mistake? Would that make a difference in his feelings about her?