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The Rhine River cruise pamphlet still sat on the corner of the kitchen counter. Huh.
She plated the pancakes and sausages.
“That smells good.” Her Dad padded across the living room in his slippers, stopping at the kitchen doorway. “I’ve missed this—I’m feeling spoiled now.” He pressed a kiss to the side of her head and slipped into a seat at the peninsula. “I didn’t realize how much you do around here until you were gone this past week.” He took a bite of sausage. “This beats the cold cereal I’ve been eating all week.”
Beth pointed her spatula toward the cruise brochure. “Did you think any more about that Rhine cruise?” She dropped two more pancakes onto her own plate and set aside the plate of extras.
He waved her off with a forkful of pancake dripping with syrup. “It’s fine. I don’t need to go on a cruise.” He took a bite of pancake. Chewed. “I wish I’d known you were coming by, though.”
See? Nothing had changed. She was on her own but could still have Saturday mornings with Dad.
He checked his watch. “I’m meeting a friend in about fifteen minutes.”
Wait, what? “You’re leaving?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s a little late to cancel—I mean, I can, though.” He tipped back his orange juice.
The pancakes turned to paste in Beth’s mouth. “No, Dad. It’s okay. I can do a few loads of laundry and then head out.”
“Sure?”
“Of course.”
Beth reminded herself of all the reasons this was good for both of them, though she hadn’t planned on sitting around Dad’s house by herself.
“Looked like you had a memorable time last night.”
Beth stared at her plate, the heat of a flush warming her skin. She cut another bite with her fork. “We always enjoy time with Elaine and Jim Fox.”
“Need to be careful or Grayson might just steal you away.”
Beth coughed and took a drink of juice. “Don’t be ridiculous, Dad. We work together—that’s it.”
Dad raised a brow. “I remember the last guy who came to town and left again.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” Beth said. “We danced. Lots of people were dancing.” The morning breeze blew through the open kitchen window and she shivered.
He was still watching her. “I’m just asking you to be careful,” he repeated. He reached over and placed a hand over hers. “I’m glad you’re enjoying work at the camp and riding again—but he’s not staying in Deep Haven.”
Beth fidgeted in her seat. “I’m a big girl. I know he isn’t staying.” She just wished it didn’t sting quite so much to admit it. To know Dad was right.
He pulled his hand away to take another bite. “You’ll have to give me a call later. I want to hear about how things are going.” He downed the last of his juice.
“Of course.” She stirred a piece of sausage in maple syrup. She’d lost her appetite.
At least she wasn’t in the barn with Grayson. He was all kinds of trouble that snagged her heart and stole it while she wasn’t looking.
No way. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t be lured by dancing or riding or hours working in the barn together. Nope. Grayson might not be a player anymore, but he wasn’t sticking around.
Just like Dad said.
And she wasn’t the kind of girl for a fling. Or a summer romance.
Especially not with their past, let alone the fact that he and Dylan were friends again.
Not that Grayson even liked her like that. Nope. Dancing was something he did with lots of ladies in his life. She’d just been thrust into the position and that’s all it was. All it would ever be. That was just fine with her, thank you very much.
“Excuse me,” she said. She set her plate on the kitchen counter, went to her bedroom, and tugged on her ratty University of Minnesota sweatshirt. No matter how many holes it developed, it was still her favorite. Aged to soft perfection.
