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Her mom grinned. “Michael came to see me and your dad last night.”
“He did? Why?” Grace lifted a ravioli to her mouth with her fork. Damn, it was good.
“Because he wanted us to know he was wrong. And that he planned to fight for you.”
“Oh.” Grace swallowed the pasta. “What did Dad say?”
“That Michael had his blessing. Not that he needed it. I don’t think anybody could change his mind.” Her mom looked at Grace’s desk and sighed. “That’s so romantic.”
“Yes, it is.” Grace nodded. He was fighting a good fight.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Her mom winked. “Enjoy.”
Once her mom was gone and Grace had finished the pasta and salad, she lifted her phone up and sent Michael a message.
This can’t still be a warmup. And thank you – lunch was delicious. – Grace
Just pulling on my gloves. Getting ready for the first round. Working my way up to the knockout. – Michael x
She didn’t ask who was getting knocked out, her or him. Instead, she spooned the mousse into her mouth, groaning at the sweet delicious taste of the chocolate mixing with the cherries.
It was hard to work that afternoon. She kept waiting for somebody else to knock on her door, carrying a sweet tea or an afternoon snack. It was a good thing they didn’t. She wasn’t sure she could fit anything else in her after that lunch.
On the way home from work, she stopped in at the farm to check on Arcadia. After her fall last weekend, she’d given him as much love as she could daily. It was almost five when she pulled up into the dirt-and-gravel parking area, and her brows knitted as she saw a familiar car pull out and drive past her.
What was Michael doing here?
Uncle Logan was walking out of the stables as she crossed the yard. “Hey, how’s the head?”
“Much better, thanks.” She only had a Band-Aid over it now. Hopefully, she’d be able to keep it uncovered later in the week. “Was that Michael I just saw leaving?”
Logan smirked. “Yep.”
“What was he doing here?”
Logan tapped his nose. “Can’t tell you. Sorry.”
“Was he ordering me some more food?” She really wanted to know. Damn her curiosity. It was always getting the better of her.
“Nope. Something else.” Logan grinned. “And it’s funny as hell.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “If I beg, will you tell me? You’ve always been my favorite uncle.”
He chuckled at her lame attempt at flattery. “Nope. You gotta be patient and wait for the big reveal.”
As soon as she walked into the paddock, Arcadia ran over to her, nuzzling against her as she patted his mane. “Hey sweetie. Did you see Michael? Want to tell me what he’s up to?”
Arcadia whinnied and she wished he could talk. Grabbing the carrot she’d brought with her, she fed him and petted him some more, before he walked back to the shade of the tree to take a rest. She spent the next hour clearing out his stall and replacing the hay, then waved goodbye to her uncle before heading back home to take a well-earned shower.
As soon as she pulled into her driveway, she could see that somebody had been in her yard. The grass was short, there were no weeds to be seen, and there were pots of fresh flowers leading up to her porch.
“What the hell?” She opened the door and looked out the back. The grass out there was freshly mowed as well. It had been hot today, way too hot to be doing yard work.
And there was only one person she knew who was foolish enough to do that in the heat of the West Virginian sun.
This time she called him, and he picked up right away.
“Grace.” The sound of his warm voice sent a shiver down her spine.
