Claire traced her fingertips along the curve of his arms. He clutched his free hand over hers and finally responded. “Zane just left to check on things, and I was going to head up in a few. I’m sure we can make it work.”
“Wonderful. That’s great.”
Grady held the phone from his ear and groaned. He finally answered, “Of course.”
Clicking off, he tossed the phone across the bed and turned to haul Claire onto his lap. “Let’s book an early flight and get the hell out of here first thing tomorrow morning.”
“It’s a date.” She grinned and tugged him back to bed.
After a brief delay, they were dressed in borrowed clothes and at the door. Chuckling, Grady pulled Asher’s sweatshirt over his head before slipping his feet into borrowed boots. Boldly imprinted across the shirt, the wordSEALcommanded attention. He shook his head at Asher.
Snuggled up with Sophie in front of the fire, Asher grinned. “I’m sure Patricia’s patriotic, or thinks she might be. But I know how she feels about me. Just wanted to rub it in.”
“Can’t say I object.”
Grady and Claire trudged through the knee-deep snow to the car. Stopping in front, Claire grabbed Grady by the arm and pulled him back. “Wait.”
“What is it?” he asked, his brow dropping low with worry.
She pulled out her phone. “Just...” She dragged him against her and said, “Bear with me. Smile.” She snapped the image and winked. “Okay, let’s go.”
Astonished by her sudden photo op, he grinned and hopped into the SUV. After letting the windshield defrost, they were on the road within minutes, the snow scraping along the bottom of the car, despite trying to make use of their old tracks and Zane’s. He cringed, picturing the damage to the chassis.
As they reached the end of the driveway, Claire’s phone chirped with an incoming text. She grinned and handed the phone over. A stream of teary, happy, hearty, smiley emojis took up the first line.You both look so happy. When can we meet him?!?!?!
A lightness washing over him, Grady handed her the phone back. “Let’s definitely book that early flight out. I like your mother already.”
The drive into town was a fucking mess. Zane had the generators already running at Black Op, tossing out the few things that couldn’t be salvaged. Not wasting time, Grady rolled his sleeves up and joined him. He fired off a text to the crew that they were closing down, at least through the rest of the day and tonight, and would touch base again in the morning.
When he came up for air, he searched for Claire. Bundled to the teeth, snow past her knees, she was out on the front patio, clearing snow from the sidewalk while Zane was on a ladder checking the integrity of the patio roof.
“Hey.” She grinned and leaned on her shovel as he came outside. “All set?”
“Yeah. Too short of notice to move over anymore kegs than the ones we already brought last week. We’ve got plenty of bottles for that toast.”
Zane climbed down the ladder and tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy. “She’s still having the party?”
“Gala. And yes, nothing would stop Patricia from flaunting her own successes. Not even a natural disaster.”
They loaded up the SUV, securing the boxes in the back. While Zane hopped in his truck to go back home, Grady waved and climbed into the SUV. Reaching over the center console, Grady brushed a light kiss over Claire’s cheek, but couldn’t seem to move away, cradling his hand around her jaw. “You are incredible,” he whispered.
“Well thank you,” she said with a playful grin. “What for?”
“This has been a... let’s go with analteringweek for me. And I haven’t gone through even half of what you have. How are you so calm? You roll your sleeves up and dive in.”
“I’m not known for spontaneity. I rather bumble things when I don’t have a plan and end up saying stupid things and feeling awkward. So, when in doubt, I duck my head and work.”
“Do you feel awkward now?” He pulled away and studied her expression.
“Not at all, actually.”
He shifted into gear and kept his eyes on the road, mostly. He couldn’t help but keep checking back, watching her expression light up at the blanket of snow that illuminated the scenery. With a shake of his head, he realized his cheeks had been pulled into a dopey grin. Best damn week of his life.
When they finally pulled up to the house, Hattie came flying out and threw her arms around Grady. Satisfied he was alive and well, she didn’t release him, but grabbed blindly until she found Claire and pulled her in for a cozy group hug.
Haley stood behind, her wavy hair well past her shoulders, and, as usual, she was dressed utterly flawlessly in a funnel-neck sweater, skinny jeans, and wool socks pulled up past her ankles. A quiet held behind her smile, she waited until Hattie released him, then took her turn and said softly, “You look happy.”
Before releasing her, he whispered, “And you look... ready for a break.”
