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“Yeah.” I crossed my arms, not quite sure what to do with my hands now that they were free.
“Wow.” He shot me a cheeky grin and winked. “You’re barking up the wrong tree with Liam, but if you decide you’d prefer the newer model, I’m here most days.”
That brought a smile to my face. I knew he was being silly, but I appreciated it. His expression softened for a moment, almost as if my smile was what he’d been hoping for.
“Don’t give up,” he whispered.
“Thanks.” I jerked my head toward the door. “I’d better leave before anyone calls the cops.”
Darcy winced. “Oh, yeah. About that. Has anyone told you?”
“Told me what?”
“That Nate Braddock is the local sergeant these days. So youreallydon’t want anyone to call the cops.”
My eyebrows shot up. When I’d left Destiny Falls, Liam’s brother Nate had still been waiting to find out where he’d be placed for his years on the beat, but he’d obviously ended up back here one way or the other.
“Thanks for the heads-up.” I said a quick goodbye and left.
At the cottage, it was time to prepare dinner. I hadn’t made anything before I’d left in case my conversation with Liam went well and we’d decided to eat together. I’d known it was a long shot but couldn’t help hoping for the best. I checked the refrigerator, which was newly stocked, and considered my options. I didn’t feel like much, but I needed food. Lunch had been too long ago.
While I thought, I sent an update to Gray, letting him know I still hadn’t had any luck, and another status update to Blair so he’d know I was alive and well. I’d just set my phone aside and decided on a stir fry when there was a knock at the door. I frowned, unable to think of anyone who’d willingly seek me out.
Grace was on the doorstep. She smiled hesitantly. “Hey. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. I was just about to put something together.”
She touched the side of her neck, a gesture I recalled her doing when she was nervous. “Would you like to eat with me? I’ve made fish kofta and couscous with vegetables.”
My stomach grumbled. That sounded far better than what I had planned. But why the invitation? She’d seemed perfectly content to let me do my own thing since I’d arrived. I supposed there was only one way to find that out.
“That would be lovely, thanks.”
I grabbed my phone and a sweater in case I needed it and followed her down the path. A sprawling vegetable garden separated the main house from the two rental cottages positioned side by side at the end of the property. The other cottage appeared to be empty at the moment. I hadn’t seen anyone coming or going.
As we entered Grace’s home, a delicious aroma greeted us. A combination of spices with a hint of fish. Grace led me to the dining room where the long, formal table she used to serve guests was laden with food, plates, wine, and cutlery.
“This looks good,” I told her, sitting in one of the chairs.
She claimed another seat at a ninety-degree angle to me so we could speak without having to raise our voices. “Thanks. Hopefully it will taste nice too. It’s one of Desdemona’s recipes.”
I’d never known what the deal was with Grace’s parents. They didn’t live locally. Or at least, they hadn’t eleven years ago. She was closer to her Aunt Desdemona, who ran Destiny Fibers and was a wonderfully quirky soul, than to any other family.
I took a taste. “Delicious. Thanks so much for inviting me.”
“You’re welcome.” She consumed a mouthful of her own meal, then reached for the bottle of wine in the center of the table and poured herself some. “For you?”
“Please.”
“The invitation wasn’t totally selfless,” she said, placing her glass on the table. “I’d like to know what you’ve been up to for the past few years and hear how things are with your family. I was always a little jealous of all your siblings.”
I laughed. “They’re each crazy in their own way, but I love them.” I tried to think of what I could tell her without giving away everything. “My family situation changed a long time ago. I took on a different kind of role within it. But the kids are happy and healthy—although ‘kids’ might not be the right word anymore.”
“They must be in their early twenties?” she prompted.
“Blair is twenty-six. He’s a musician. Mina is at college. Technically, Joel and Jamie are at college too, but they’re only there to play hockey and live the frat lifestyle. Hopefully they’ll be picked up by the NHL.” Failing that, Jamie had declared his backup plan was to become a male stripper, and I didn’t think he was joking. Joel liked to think of himself as coach material, but he had a lot of maturing to do before that point.
Grace nodded. “Sounds like they’re doing well. Are they all in Los Angeles?”
