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I dished my own potatoes and sausage and grabbed a fork, passing another to Tess. “Gracie has a visitor at the moment. It might not suit for us to visit.”
Tess gave me a strange look. “But she always likes to see us.”
“I know, sweetheart, but it’s not polite to just invite ourselves over.”
Her confusion wasn’t surprising, considering how many times we’d done just that.
“What if her visitor doesn’t want to see us?” I said, hoping that would make her think twice.
Tess’s forehead creased in thought for a moment but then cleared. “Her visitors are always nice.” She cocked her head. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like them?”
My expression grew pinched. “I like him just fine.”
“It doesn’t sound like it.”
I squeezed the bridge of my nose in frustration. Tess was too perceptive. I didn’t know where she got that from either, but it sure as hell wasn’t me.
“Are you and Grace having a fight?” Tess’s voice had dropped to a whisper. “Is her visitor going to be her new best friend? Is that why you don’t like him?”
“No,” I growled. I’d had enough of that line of questioning. “Grace is my best friend, and I’m hers. That isn’t changing, okay? I promise. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Nor did I. No matter the fact that—as Tess had so helpfully pointed out—I was behaving like a jealous child. Shame weighed heavy in my gut. I really hadn’t done my best to reassure Grace that her lies of omission wouldn’t damage our friendship or to try to connect with Ryan. I’d taken a couple of steps in the right direction, but I hadn’t been all in. If I wanted her to confide in me more, I needed to do something so that she’d feel comfortable doing so.
“Okay.” Tess’s voice was small.
I sighed. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Daddy woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Why don’t I call Grace when we’ve finished breakfast to see if she minds us coming over so you can meet Duke?”
A smile crept across her face. “I’d like that.”
Then that’s what I’d do. Nothing was more important to me than my daughter. Sometimes, I just needed to get my head out of my ass to remember that.
When we’d cleaned up the dishes and I’d sent Tess to the shower, I called Grace, who was more than happy for us to come over. Tess was thrilled. We headed over, and while she and Grace were playing with Duke, I made an effort to get to learn more about Ryan. Whatever else could be said about the guy—and despite the fact that his tattooed, rugged exterior was definitely not what I’d imagined for Grace—he cared about her. That was undeniable.
But I was still relieved when he said he was leaving the next day.
Sue me.
10
GRACE
On Sunday morning,I bid farewell to Ryan and returned inside to get ready for a walk with Nate and Tess. During their visit yesterday, they’d invited me to bring Duke and join them for a stroll around the golf course on the edge of town. Local golfers rarely ventured out during winter because the ground was often hard with frost or covered by a light dusting of snow. Still, it was a beautiful spot, and I was sure Duke would enjoy getting off the property.
I wrangled the puppy into a coat and buttoned it shut beneath his chin. He stared at me balefully.
“You look very handsome,” I told him. “You’ll appreciate it once we get outside.”
He didn’t seem to agree, but his bad mood only lasted for as long as it took me to get the leash and attach it to his collar, then he pulled me toward the door. I opened it. Thanks to his training, he didn’t bounce or try to snatch the leash from my hands, but excitement glittered in his eyes, and I could tell it was taking all of his self-control to behave.
“You’re doing so well,” I said. “You’re going to be the best little doggy in Destiny Falls.”
“Don’t let Kennedy hear you say that.”
I jolted in surprise and glanced up to see Nate and Tess standing on the path leading from the road to the house. They were both bundled up with scarves around their necks and knitted beanies covering their ears. My heart gave a little jump. They were so precious together.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Nate said.
“You’re fine.” I placed my hand over my chest and took a breath while my pulse slowed, then I locked the door, pulled a pair of thin gloves out of my jacket pocket, and slipped my forearm through the leash while I put them on.
