“Sounds like a plan. Lemme know if you need anything. Wouldn’t want Momma to think we’re neglecting you.” A cocky smirk accompanied Rafe’s words, and Nick fought to suppress his eye roll, and headed for the front door. He gave a quick wave to Sally Anne and stepped out onto the sidewalk, drawing in a deep breath.
Almost immediately his eyes were drawn to Gracie’s Grounds, and he headed across the street. Wouldn’t hurt to grab another cup of coffee, since he’d only managed the one cup that morning while talking with Ms. Edna at the B&B.
Pulling open the front door, he inhaled deeply, noting the rich, deep scent of freshly brewed nectar of the gods. The morning rush was past, and he easily placed his order with the barista. He found himself looking for Gracie, wondering if she’d come in that morning, or if she’d stayed home, worried about Brewster. Then he heard it. The sound of her laughter coming from behind the swinging door leading to the back area, which he assumed was the kitchen.
Waiting for his order of a large black coffee, extra sugar, he found his eyes glued to the door, hoping she’d come out. Within seconds his wish was granted as she came through the open doorway, a stack of papers in her hand. When she looked up, their eyes met and he caught her look of surprise before a sweet smile graced her lips.
“Hello, Nick. Have you been helped?”
“Yes, thanks.” He pointed to the teenaged girl who was getting his order.
“Good.” She turned to the girl. “Alice, his order’s on the house.”
“You don’t have to do that, but thanks.”
“Are you in a rush, or do you have a minute?” Nick watched a rush of color wash her cheeks.
“I’ve got time.”
“Good. I’d like to talk to you.”
Gracie tried toswallow past the lump in her throat. Nick was here. And this time he was alone, no Boudreaus attached to his hip. It seemed like every time she saw him, he had somebody from the family tagging along. Not that it was any of her business.
“How are you?”
“Good. Feeling a bit like a fool. I overreacted when my ex called. I shouldn’t have pulled Rafe into my drama.”
“Come on, let’s sit for a minute. If you’ve got the time, that is.”
She slid onto one of the empty chairs by the front window. It was one of her favorite spots in her shop. It gave her a broad view of Main Street. While the sidewalks of Shiloh Springs didn’t have the hustle and bustle of the big city, people here stopped and chatted with their neighbors. The shop owners took pride in maintaining their storefronts, gleaming with fresh paint and hanging baskets filled with brilliant-colored flowers. A few benches sat close to the busier places, like Daisy’s Diner and Jill’s bakery. Watching these people gave her a feeling of kinship she hadn’t found in San Antonio, though she’d been born and raised there.
“Gracie, you did the right thing calling Rafe. You’ve obviously had trouble with your ex in the past, and if he scares you, contacting law enforcement is exactly how you should have handled it.”
She studied Nick, trying to read how much he knew about Jeremy, wondering if Rafe had told him.
“Did Rafe—”
“No. He told me that it was your story to tell, if and when you decided.”
“There’s really not much to tell.” She brushed a lock of hair off her forehead, smoothing it back. “I mean, I barely know you. We just met the other day. Yet you seem to be everywhere. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, mind you, but you’ve got to admit, you seem to always be catching me at my worst.” She smiled tentatively to soften her words.
“That’s not true, Gracie. We’ve all had problems and issues that rear their heads at times we’d rather they stay buried. None of what’s happening is your fault.”
“Then why do I feel so guilty?”
“Should you though? From what I’ve heard and seen, you’ve done nothing to cause what’s happening. You weren’t responsible for your ex possibly getting early parole. You didn’t ask for somebody to be sneaking around your apartment, stalking you. And you didn’t ask for your ex to call you from Huntsville. Guilt implies you’ve done something wrong. You haven’t.”
She considered his words, let them sink in. Knew he was right, though something he said made her stop.
“I need to ask you something, Nick.”
“Anything.”
“The other night, when you caught the man sneaking around outside my apartment—why were you there?”
Nick stared at his cup, and she couldn’t help wondering why he wouldn’t meet her gaze. He picked at the plastic lid on the to-go cup, an almost nervous gesture.
“I heard Rafe offer you protection, to have somebody scope out your place after you got spooked by the call from your ex. You refused. But I had a feeling something wasn’t quite right, and figured I’d keep an eye out. Might have been for nothing, but the hunch paid off.”
