Speaking of men who are going to put me into an early grave, I want to feel Roxy out to see if she knows anything about Grayson. He’s pretty secretive, but he does consider the Foxes family. Maybe he’s said something to them about this? I don’t want to betray his trust if he hasn’t, so I need to be careful.
I clear my throat, reaching for the giant watermelon. “So, uh, Grayson,” I mumble, chastising myself at how not-so-subtle I am.
“What about him?” Roxy chuckles.
This is going horribly already. I wish I could just come out and say it, but Grayson would hate me if I dragged his family into the mix.
“He’s lived here for a while,” I start with.
“He has…”
“And, ummm, Laine and Nova, of course.”
“Them too,” she replies, trying to hold back a laugh.
I wish a spaceship would abduct me to one of those fun planets like in the erotic romance books so I could leave this embarrassment.
I hesitate, and Roxy notices. She rests a hand on my shoulder. “What are you getting at, dear?”
I blow out a breath. “I’ve noticed things about Grayson, and I was curious if maybe you’ve noticed them too?”
“Things like what?”
“Well, he disappears a lot, and sometimes, he just seemsoff.” I throw my hands up. “I don’t know. I guess I was just wondering if you knew something I didn’t, or if that’s just how he is.”
Roxy wipes her hands down her apron and takes mine in hers. “That man has been through more than most men twice his age will ever face. He’s a good, hardworking, loyal man, but he has his baggage too. He’s used to taking care of everyone around him. He’s been doing it his whole life; he doesn’t know any different. Sometimes, he just needs his space to deal with it, and he won’t accept help no matter how hard we try. He has some skeletons in his closet, same as you, and he needs time to work through them.”
She hesitates before continuing. “I see the way you two look at each other. I wasn’t born yesterday. It’s the same way me and Uncle Walter used to look at each other. You two harbor the same pain, but you both sort through it differently. Grayson has always disappeared on and off over the years. He knows we are always here for him if he needs anything. You just need to give him time, Maisie girl.”
She has no idea what Grayson has gotten himself into, and my heart pinches at that. I can see how Roxy cares for Grayson as if he was her own. I know she would lose it if she saw and knew the things I have. They aren’t mine to share, though.
So, instead of dropping a bomb on her, I slap on a soft smile and drop it. “Yeah, I get it, Rox. I just worry about him is all.”
Roxy’s eyes crinkle at the corners, and she pulls me in for a hug. “You are such a good girl, you know that? I’m so proud of how far you’ve come. I prayed for you to return to us for so many years. It feels right to have you back, even if just for a short time. I’m not exactly sure what brought you here, but I’m thankful it did.”
“Stupid boys,” I laugh into her chest.
“Oh, pray tell,” she says eagerly.
We go back to chopping up the rest of the fruit while I fill her in on my mess of a life, the silly boy I fell for and the boss from hell. She laughs along, helping ease the pain of it all. It feels good to be surrounded by family again. It makes me realize how much I was missing from my life before.
I want a life as big as the sky and a love so strong, it rivals the classics.
I wantmore.
Research notes: always have snacks on hand when cowboys are involved.
grayson
. . .
TWENTY-SIX
Outlaw isn’t verypacked tonight, since it’s a weeknight, which made it the perfect place to meet Moretti for a secret meeting. I snagged us a booth in the back corner. I know he said the organization has eyes and ears everywhere, so you can never be too careful.
Hunter drops a beer in front of me, and I tip my hat in thanks before she’s off dealing with rowdy cowboys fighting over the pool table. I’ve drank half my beer by the time Moretti rolls in, clad in a full black suit, per usual. He sticks out like a sore thumb in here.
So much for flying under the radar.
