Sara couldn’t help the blush from creeping across her cheeks. Dinner last night with Grant had been wonderful. He helped in the kitchen, despite her objections, and then they’d played board games with Ben. She hadn’t laughed that much in a long time.
But it was only temporary. Soon Grant would be leaving town, a fact Sara continually had to remind herself of.
“Grant is committed to his job as a Navy SEAL. He’s been kind to assist with the after-school program, but his stay isn’t permanent.” Sara set her binder on the table. “And the library is actually what I wanted to discuss with you, Mrs. Haines.”
Sara took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and then unloaded the entire saga of the last six months. Peggy’s mouth tightened when Sara got to the part about the city council threatening to pull her funding.
“How could they even think of doing such a thing?” Peggy exclaimed. “I have half a mind to march over to the mayor’s office and give her a piece of my mind.”
“No, ma’am, please don’t do that. Mayor Stewart has been supportive. She believes, as do I, that we can turn the situation around. Which brings me to the party I’m having next week.”
Sara pulled out a flyer and showed it to Peggy. The older woman nodded, her gray hair bobbing with the movement.
“Oh, yes. I remember my quilting circle discussing this too.”
“Here’s the issue. With the financial strain the library is under, we can’t afford to pay for full catering. I was hoping The Smokey BBQ Joint would be willing to provide food for the party at cost. I would provide extra signage both during the party and inside the library. We’ll get volunteers to help distribute the food—”
Peggy raised a wrinkled hand, and Sara held her breath. She needed this. So much. Her heart thumped against her ribcage.
“Sara, hon, not one more word.” Peggy’s mouth broke into a smile. “We would be happy to provide the catering for your event. It would be an honor.”
Tears pricked the back of Sara’s eyes, and a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. For the first time, she started to believe everything was going to turn out okay. “Thank you, Mrs. Haines. I cannot…” Her throat closed as a lump formed.
The older woman patted her hand. “You only needed to ask, Sara. Whatever you need, I’m behind you. You’re making your grandmother proud. Very proud.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
For the next twenty minutes, they crunched numbers and decided on a menu. When Sara stepped back out into the sunshine, she felt a thousand pounds lighter. There were other things she had to take care of—like arranging the volunteers and finding a band—but she could do this.
Things were going to be okay. She started down the sidewalk toward the library.
Grant had been right. She’d only needed to ask for help. It seemed foolishly simple, and now that she’d done it, Sara couldn’t figure out what she’d been so scared of.
“Penny for your thoughts?” A familiar voice asked.
Sara glanced up, and her heart skipped a beat. Grant stood on the sidewalk in front of her. He wore aviator glasses which gave him a bad boy edge, along with black jeans and a button-down with the sleeves rolled up halfway on his forearms.
It boggled Sara’s mind that Grant could look so effortlessly sexy.
He removed the sunglasses and gave her a devastating smile. “Have you decided to stop talking to me?”
“What?” She blinked. Oh, right. He’d asked her a question. Sara gave herself a mental shake. “Sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“I noticed.” He came closer. “Everything okay?”
“Better than okay. The Smokey BBQ Joint has agreed to cater the library party.” She grinned. “And it’s all thanks to you. I took your advice and asked for help. Mrs. Haines jumped at the chance.”
“Yes!” He pumped a fist in the air. “I’m thrilled for you. I also have some good news to share about the party, so I’m glad I ran into you. I spoke to a fellow SEAL of mine yesterday. His brother is the lead singer for The Dixie Kings. The band has agreed to play—”
Sara let out a holler. “What? Do not tell me they are performing at the library party next week.”
His smile widened and his dimple flashed. “Okay. I won’t tell you.”
She leapt into his arms and hugged him. “Oh, my goodness, Grant. You are amazing. They are one of the best new bands. I love their music.” She pulled away, her mind going a mile a minute. “Mayor Stewart is going to go insane when I tell her. For sure they’re coming? You aren’t just pulling my leg?”
“One thousand percent, they’re coming. The Dixie Kings are on tour and, as fate would have it, they are driving through Hidden Hollows anyway on the night of the party. They’re thrilled to perform here because it gives them great PR, and they love helping out small town causes.”
She pressed a hand to her heart and blinked back tears. “I might just pull this off after all. But I never would’ve done it without your help. Grant, what can I say—?”
He pulled her close for another hug. She breathed in the scent of him, reveled in the feeling of his warm embrace.
“You don’t need to thank me.” His lips brushed the top of her hair. “We’re friends, and helping out is what friends do. Besides, I owe you one, Sara.”
She pulled away enough to look him in the face. “What are you talking about?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He released her and stepped back.
She immediately longed to get close to him again. Warning bells clanged in her head. They were supposed to be keeping this light. Friends who flirt do not cling to each other.
Sara noticed the bag in Grant’s hand. It had the
