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They barked as if they agreed and licked Grace’s hand in approval. She spent a few minutes petting them and laughing at their enthusiasm. Hannah explained that the dogs helped her brother and his men herd the cattle but were also her loyal friends and rescues from the shelter.
Hannah led her inside the big house and went straight to the kitchen with Grace following her. Grace’s stomach grumbled as she noticed the wonderful smell of food coming from the kitchen.
“Ida? Grace and I are here,” Hannah yelled out.
An older woman with brown hair up in a bun turned from the stove and greeted them with a friendly smile. “Welcome, Grace.”
“Thanks for having me, Mrs.—”
Ida waved her hand in the air, interrupting Grace. “Just Ida, my dear. No formalities here.”
“I’ve got to shower the smell of dog off me before I eat,” Hannah said, crinkling up her nose. “Where’s Jackson?”
“He is upstairs getting ready for dinner,” Ida answered “Go on and get ready. Grace will keep me company.”
“I’d love to help if I may?” Grace offered, feeling comfortable around Ida. Ida had a friendly smile and reminded Grace of Flo. Grace was comfortable in the kitchen as she often helped her mom prepare dinner. She walked over to the sink and washed her hands. “What can I do, Ida?”
Ida smiled. “I’ll let you whip up the potatoes, honey, while I get the roast out.”
They worked companionably and put all the food on the table. Grace was about to set the mashed potatoes down on the dining room table when she saw a shadow from the corner of her eye. She screamed and almost dropped the potatoes.
A man reached out and grabbed them from her and set them on the table with a loud clank.
Grace looked up and for a second it felt like her heart stopped beating as she gazed into the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen, a blue as deep as the ocean. She froze in shock and it felt like she forgot how to breathe. The man’s short blond hair was damp and he was dressed in a black T-shirt that emphasized his muscular shoulders and trim waist and dark blue jeans. He had to be Hannah’s brother since they had similar features. He was the epitome of a rugged, masculine male and it took her breath away. Grace felt her cheeks heat up and turn red from embarrassment. “Great first impression,” she muttered to herself.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was in the room and you startled me,” Grace apologized, her voice coming out in a whispery breath, her heart still beating wildly like a drum.
Grace couldn’t stop looking at him as she waited for him to speak. She didn’t understand why she was reacting this way toward a stranger. It wasn’t fear but she wasn’t sure what it was.
Before Jackson could answer, Hannah came in freshly showered and changed. “Scaring my friend already, Jack? Grace, this is my brother, Jackson. He’s grumpy but harmless.” She smiled, sitting down at the long table. Her damp blonde hair was put up in a clip.
Grace smiled shyly in greeting at Hannah’s brother. He nodded in her direction but didn’t bother to smile back or even say hello. He made sure not to sit close to her so she sat down by Hannah, feeling embarrassed like a gauche schoolgirl while he just stared at her and made her feel uncomfortable.
Ida came in with the roast and set it down on the table. “Sit down, children. I am ready to eat.”
“It smells delicious, Ida,” Grace complimented her as Ida sat by Jackson, across from Hannah and Grace.
Jackson didn’t have much to say during the meal and he didn’t smile much either. Grace felt a little awkward in his presence. He looked mad and she wondered if her being there bothered him or if he was always grumpy. Maybe he didn’t like guests at his home.
“So how did you meet Flo and Bill?” Ida asked with curiosity once they started eating.
“My mom, Laura, used to live here when she was in high school. She and Flo were best friends until her family moved away to Michigan,” Grace answered. “But they’ve kept in touch over the years. Bill, Flo, and their son, Billy, have made several trips north to visit us and we used to visit here, too, but it’s been a while.”
Ida thought for a moment. “Laura? Oh, Laura Watson? I do remember her, such a sweet girl.”
Grace nodded and smiled. “She is Laura Henderson now.”
“So you’re just visiting Bear Creek. Like a vacation?” Jackson spoke up suddenly, startling her. She hadn’t expected him to speak to her. He had a deep, raspy voice that sent shivers up Grace’s spine. She had avoided looking directly at him during the meal but now she had to. His eyes were a beautiful deep blue surrounded by dark lashes. She almost got lost in his mesmerizing eyes.
Grace hesitated, thinking about what to say. She could see Hannah glaring at her brother. “Yes, I was ill and Bill and Flo invited me to stay with them for a while.”
He looked like he didn’t believe her but he went back to eating his food and ignoring the rest of them.
* * * *
Hannah and Grace helped Ida clear up the dinner plates and clean the kitchen, then they went outside. Hannah took her to the barn to see the horses. One of Hannah’s favorite horses had just given birth that morning and Grace wanted to see the newborn foal. Grace had never had the opportunity to be around horses so it was exciting for her. Jackson was there already talking to his foreman, Louis. He glared at the two girls grouchily but didn’t talk to them as Hannah showed Grace the newborn horse. Grace could feel his eyes on her but she stayed close to Hannah as they cooed over the baby and mama horse. She loved petting them, especially the little ones. At least the foreman, Louis, was being friendly and talking to Grace about the horses while Jackson stood in the background ignoring them.
Afterward they went to sit on the porch and relax. Grace sat on Hannah’s porch swing rocking it back and forth with her tennis shoe. The sun was setting and it was cooling down finally. The sound of thunder rumbled somewhere in the distance. She glanced over at Hannah sitting on the top step of the porch. Hannah’s long golden-blonde hair lay straight and flat down her back whereas Grace was sure her wavy auburn hair frizzed up with the heat. Hannah looked cool and fresh in her blue jean shorts and pink tank top and Grace was sure her plain white tee was already sticking to her skin.
