Page 28 of Paths
I don’t know why I open my mouth now, after months of keeping everything locked tight. But I do, I open my mouth, giving away my only weakness, and whisper, “My brother.”
He lifts his head once as his eyes roam my face. “You have reason to be worried about him?”
“I always worry about him, but yes. More so, now.”
He nods. “Please, let me take you to work.”
I realize I’m tired—exhausted really. I think I’ve been this way for months, ever since I left and have been looking over my shoulder, afraid of my shadow.
I drop my hand from his and close my eyes. “Fine.”
He leans in and presses his lips to my forehead, just like he did last night. “Get in, I’ll take you to work. But you’d better do it fast before the cow tries to climb in after us. I know for a fact she likes car rides.”
I look over at Harry, wondering if he’s serious.
“Moo.”
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised given the way Addy treats her cows, so I quickly climb up into his shiny Escalade. It’s just as clean on the inside as the outside. He slams the door, shutting me in, and I wonder what in the hell’s going on with my life.
It’s not even seven-thirty in the morning. Grady spent the night at my house, has seen me without pants, I’ve been snuggled by a cow, and now he’s coming to work with me.
I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day.
Chapter 8 – Donuts and Dominoes
Maya –
“There’s one more donut. Do you want it, Grady?” Betty asks giddily, as she slowly rises to get up from her chair.
“I’ll get it for him,” Erma insists, but she’s even slower and Betty has a head start.
Miss Lillian Rose waves her hand toward the other two women as she leans in next to Grady. “They can go chase your donuts. I’ll just sit here and talk to you.”
Grady gives her a devilish grin with his bright blue eyes shining, and I swear, even after being widowed twice, Miss Lillian Rose blushes.
This has been going on all morning. Donuts and Dominoes is a popular activity and brings out the residents en masse. For one—donuts. They love their sweets. Even the sugar-free varieties we special order for the diabetics aren’t too bad. And two—they get to sit. I haven’t found a way to get them up and dancing in the middle of dominoes. Everyone’s sitting at different tables and have their own games going on. Maybe we need an intermission. All I know is Donuts, Dominoes, and Dancing has such a catchy ring to it, I need to find a way to make it happen.
The instant the ladies caught sight of Grady Cain this morning, they all argued over who would get to play dominoes with him. Not only that, but I have no idea how many donuts Grady’s eaten. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a baker’s dozen.
Hoping Grady would simply drop me off at work this morning was too much to wish for. After the short drive to the Ranch, I tried one more time to talk him out of coming in. He was having none of it, and held my hand as we walked through the entrance. I had to wave off the big-eyed interest of Stephanie, the office manager and my boss, telling her Grady would leave eventually.
Grady, on the other hand, informed Stephanie he was here for the duration of my shift, and even asked what he could do to help. That’s all it took. Faster than I could blink, he’d filled out the half-page pink form and was proudly wearing a badge with his name on it that Stephanie whipped up in no time flat, informing everyone he’s an official volunteer.
Ugh.
Even though he’s eaten a good portion of their beloved donuts, he’s the most popular new toy that has hit the Ranch since I started working here.
Betty, Erma, and Miss Lillian Rose dug their claws in him first. There was an argument that sent Dot into a fuming tizzy since she didn’t get to sit at Grady’s table. She was so mad, she nabbed two donuts, and marched right back to her apartment, refusing to participate in dominoes, but informed me she might be back for book club after lunch.
There are five tables of dominoes going this morning. I’m playing with Foxy and Butch at a table next to Grady and his harem.
“So, tell me, Grady, what made you want to volunteer here at Rolling Hills Ranch?” Erma smiles sweetly.
Grady takes his turn, sliding a tile across the table placing it crossways since it’s a double. Before picking up his umpteenth donut, he answers, “I’m here with Maya.”
“You are?” Miss Lillian Rose looks surprised before turning toward my table and keeps on loudly. “Is this your beau, Maya? If so, you’re one lucky belle. Where I’m from, we’d call him a tall drink o’ sweet tea.”
Not that I can argue that Grady’s a tall drink of sweet tea, especially since I kissed him last night and know for a fact how he tastes, but I don’t get the chance to refute the fact he’s my beau when Foxy butts in. “I thought we were a thing. We do the dirty—bumpin’ and grindin’—a few times a week during your dance parties, and now you bring another man here? I was about to make my move on you. I’m hurt, Maya.”
