AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She closed out the program and pulled up her search engine. Her fingers clacked away, typing in Grant’s name and “Nashville.”
Her whole body went still. There were several articles and news reports for a Grant Shaw who lived in Nashville. He was a glorified billionaire who owned a tech company—one that had consistently grown over the last several years.
Bella scrambled for the mouse and clicked on the first entry. Lots of information about the company and Mr. Shaw, but no pictures. She clicked on another and another with the same results. The most recent update from the company was an announcement that the CEO was making changes in the leadership and giving more responsibilities to his VP, but that was it.
There was no way that this was the same Grant Shaw that she’d met. The cowboy with his adorable little boy didn’t reek of money or pompous entitlement. He was down to earth. If he had that kind of money, he wouldn’t be living in an RV on the Reese’s property. He could have bought a piece of land all on his own and built something if he was so worried about his son staying close to his grandmother.
She shook her head. No, this wasn’t the Grant she knew. It couldn’t be.
Bella leaned back in her seat and spun around to stare out the window. Her thoughts drifted to the dinner she’d had with Grant. He’d been so sweet—so unexpected. She’d been impressed by him, which wasn’t the weirdest thing that had happened to her.
First impressions didn’t always have to stick.
A silly smile touched her lips as she found herself looking forward to the next time she might see him.
She shook her head sharply. What was she thinking? She wasn’t planning on staying here. And who knew how long he’d be around. He hadn’t said he was going to raise Nick here, he was just making sure the kid had a connection with his grandmother.
Man, he was the sweetest. And now she was the one with the egg on her face.
There was a knock on her desk, and she spun around with surprise to find Megan holding two coffee cups.
Bella gasped and lunged out of her seat. “How did you know?”
Megan gave her a funny look. “You had a date.”
The blood drained from Bella’s face. Was that what Grant was calling it? He could have told Megan’s husband about their outing. While Daniel might not spread gossip with just anyone, pillow talk ran rampant around here. “Did Grant?—”
Her friend’s face scrunched up with confusion. “Grant? I’m talking about Todd.” Her brows shot up and she released a whistle. “You didn’t tell me you were planning on going out twice! Of course you were going to need a pick-me-up.” She plopped down on the chair that had been placed on the other side of the desk. “I’ve only got ten minutes, but you have to tell me everything. I don’t care if it’s the short version.”
“I didn’t go on two dates! Todd, right. That’s the date I was talking about.” Bella had completely forgotten about their little ritual. Coffee and spilling details about the dates Bella forced herself to go on. She shook her head. “You don’t even want to know.”
To her credit, Megan looked confused. “But what about Grant?”
“Grant? Oh, that wasn’t anything. We bumped into each other at the restaurant after Todd bailed and he invited me to finish my meal with him.”
Megan’s eyes widened so far Bella nearly thought they’d have to call a doctor to make sure everything was still okay. “No! Todd bailed? What a jerk! Why are you still seeing him?”
“I’m not,” Bella said before taking a sip of the scalding liquid. “Not anymore, at least.”
“And Grant? Is he a contender for a replacement?”
“What?” Bella laughed but it sounded more like she was choking. “No, of course not. He’s the guy Eli thinks might be causing all that trouble at the ranch.”
Megan leaned back in her seat with disappointment. “Oh. And do you think he’s the one?”
Her friend’s question could have been interpreted in several ways. Well, not only was Grant not the person of interest in this situation, but he also wasn’t “the one” for her. Bella shook her head. “I don’t think he’s causing any trouble. I don’t know who would want to, but I’m gonna find out.”
Megan smiled. “I know you will.” She tapped her fingers on the cup in her hands. “So, there’s no chance that Grant is?—”
Bella groaned. “None of that, okay? There’s nothing there.”
“Except…” Megan drawled, “the way you said his name when you were confused a little bit ago… it makes me wonder…”
Rolling her eyes, Bella hid her smile with her cup. If she allowed herself to give in to the idea of something more, it would be with Grant. But that wasn’t what she was here for. They’d probably bump into each other while she looked into this vandalism, but that was it.
“Besides, I don’t think he’s interested in starting anything… with anyone. He’s focusing on his relationship with his son.”
“Aww, a family guy? That’s sweet.”
