Page 104 of Worth the Risk

He’s canceled on me every time we’ve set to meet because Luke has been sick, so I’ve attempted to do something nice and bring them some dinner.

Okay, so I have ulterior motives for doing it. I wanted to talk to him. To see him. To just be with him even if it’s only to drop the food off at the door for five minutes.

Just as I go to knock, the front door opens. The man facing me freezes at the same time I do. The bag of food rattles in my hand.

“Hello there, young lady, what can I do for you?” He’s Grayson in thirty years. That’s my first thought when I see the kind but hardened eyes and the smile that turns up just like his.

“I was coming to see Grayson?”

“You say that like it’s a question.” He laughs, and the rumble of it makes me smile. “I’m Grayson’s dad. Everyone calls me Chief.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sidney Thorton.” I reach out and shake the hand he offers.

“I knew your dad well before he left town. How is he doing? Well, I hope.”

“Yes. He is.”

“I’m ready, Poppy!” Luke’s voice screeches as he skids to a halt right behind Chief, and then his eyes widen when he sees me. Maybe not as much as mine, though. “Miss Sidney!”

“Wow, you look like you’re feeling better! That’s so good to hear.”

Luke’s little brow furrows as he brushes his hair off his forehead. “What do you mean? I wasn’t sick.” He shakes his head as if I’m being silly, but I catch the confused look on Chief’s face. “Did you come to play Creepers with me?” And before I can even respond, Luke’s arms are around my waist.

My body wars with emotions, and I do my best to hide them. I just don’t understand how my heart can swell for this little boy and feel broken in half by his father at the same time.

“Hey, Luke. I’m sorry, maybe later. I stopped by to talk to your dad about the contest.” It’s a little white lie, but at least it allows me to save face.

“What’s in the bag?” he asks.

Chicken noodle soup. Oyster crackers. Brownies. “Nothing. I just stopped by the store and didn’t want the food to spoil in my car.”

“Cool. Did my dad win?”

“Not yet. We’re almost ready to announce the top five,” I say and give him a wink. “Then the voting for that round will start soon after . . . and then we’ll be done. We’ll have a winner.”

“He’s gonna win,” Luke says right before his hand finds mine as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Chief takes notice of the action but doesn’t say anything about it.

“I think he’s gonna win, too,” I whisper. “But I’m not allowed to say things like that.”

Chief and I hold each other’s gazes for a brief but awkward moment as questions flicker through his eyes but don’t manifest on his lips.

“Are you ready to head out, Luke-ster?” Chief asks.

“Poppy is taking me to the car races in Millville.”

“Car races, huh?” My voice breaks. He definitely is not sick.

“They even have a demolition derby.” There is so much excitement in Luke’s voice that I manage a halfway genuine smile in response.

“It’s something we do once a month,” Chief says.

“It’s our thing.” Luke gives a nonchalant shrug and drops my hand.

“It’s very cool.” I hold the smile as I look from Luke to Chief. “It was very nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Tell your father hi for me.”

“I will.”