These memories would be all he had once he returned to his SEAL team. They would have to sustain him through war zones and difficult missions.
Memories, and the cards he collected from Sara’s care packages.
Sara smiled. “Hey, are you thinking about finishing the truck?”
Grant shrugged. “Even if I wanted to, it needs weeks of work. I don’t have that kind of time.”
She edged closer, and he caught a whiff of her springtime scent. A strand of hair had curled around her hoop earring, and Grant was tempted to free it.
“Nothing is preventing you from at least starting. You can do it in bits and pieces.” She studied his expression. “But something tells me you already know that. So what’s really holding you back?”
He hesitated. Telling Sara the truth about his attraction for her unlocked something inside Grant. It made him realize how good it was to finally put words to his emotions. To share them with someone else.
He wasn’t sure if this would be the same, but it was worth trying.
“How do you do it, Sara? Work in the library your grandmother built, live in the house you bought with Jared, stay in Hidden Hollows surrounded by all the ghosts and memories?” Grant pulled the tarp back more, revealing the entire front end of the vehicle. “I look at this, and all I see is my dad. It’s hard to imagine the truck finished and Pop not here—”
His voice choked off, a wave of grief welling up and closing his throat.
She came next to him, close enough to wrap her arm around his waist and rest her head on his arm. The touch was comforting and gentle, and it soothed something inside him to have her close.
“Of course, it hurts. Grief is supposed to when you love someone deeply. And I don’t promise that the wound on your heart will ever heal, but it does get easier.” She sighed, long and low. “For me, personally, it would be far worse to pretend Nana and Jared had never existed. To not think about them, or tell funny stories about them, or touch and care for the things they loved. Working at the library eases my grief. It doesn't make it worse.”
He covered her hand with his own. “So you’re saying I should finish the truck to honor Pop’s memory?”
“In a way. But also because it will help you heal. This truck can serve as a reminder of the love you shared with each other. Something tangible you can touch and talk about.”
He’d never thought about it that way. Would it work for him? He didn’t know, but it was something to consider. Grant took a deep breath. “Sorry. That was a bit deep, considering you came to pick up your car.”
“I don’t mind.” She squeezed his waist before letting him go and backing away. “That’s what friends are for.”
“Maybe, but we’re supposed to be flirting friends.”
She blushed. “Oh, good night, you are never going to let me live that down.”
“Nope. Not after Jennie took several photographs of me this afternoon. I certainly hope I looked manly in my superhero outfit, complete with a teeny-tiny cape and crayon-colored mask.”
Sara laughed, then tried to keep a straight face as she nodded. “Yes, you absolutely looked manly. Very tough. The other SEALs on your team would be quaking in their boots, if they’d seen you.”
He pointed a finger at her. “You breathe a word of this to anyone on my SEAL team, and I’ll buy Ben a drum set.”
She moved closer, her mock glare playful and adorable. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, yes, I would.” He lowered a shoulder, tucking it into her waist, and before she could react, he picked her up. Grant wrapped one arm around her legs to keep them from flying over his shoulder.
Sara kicked her feet and squealed. “Put me down, you oaf.”
“Promise me. Promise those photographs will stay in Hidden Hollows.”
“They’re electronic, and Jennie already put them up on the library website.” She pounded on his back with her fists. It was like being beaten by a fly. “You’re too late!”
He heaved a huge sigh and set Sara on her feet. She was laughing, her cheeks a deep pink and her smile broad. Grant loved seeing her happy. Loved making her happy.
“Foiled again by your brains.” He swept a hand over her hair, repairing the damage his horseplay had caused. “And your beauty.”
Her breath hitched. “You’re a sweet-talker, Edwards.”
“I have to be. You’re making me dinner.”
They both laughed. Grant brought Sara over to her car and explained the repairs he’d made. When he was done, she let out a breath. “Thank you so much, Grant. This would be the worst possible time to be without a car. Not only because of Ben, and school, and his activities, but also because of the Celebration of Reading. I still have the party to organize for next week.”
“How’s that going?”
“Disaster. Jennie and I spoke to dozens of caterers and restaurants, but everything is far more than we can afford. And we haven’t touched entertainment yet.” She frowned. “I have no idea what to do.”
“I was thinking about it while repairing your car, and I had an idea.” Actually, Grant had several, but he wasn’t sure if the band was going to pan out, so he didn’t want to discuss it yet.
“I’m all ears,” Sara said.
“What if you went to local businesses and asked them to sponsor the party? Tell them the city council is threatening to cut the library’s funding. The town loved your grandmother, and they are passionate about the library.”
“If they find out we’re in danger of closing our doors, they’ll pitch in to help us.” Sara bounced on the balls of her feet. “Maybe even give us things at cost, in exchange for a signage at the party.”
“Exactly.”
She nodded. “That’s a good idea. No, scratch that, it’s a terrific idea. It’ll mean swallowing my pride and telling everyone how much trouble
