Grant inhaled sharply. His gaze went to his mother as things started to make sense. No wonder his mother’s depression had spiraled out of control. She’d been blaming herself all this time.
Tears streamed down her face. “I’d forgotten the milk at the store earlier that day. If I hadn’t…if I’d been a better wife and mother, he wouldn’t have been out on the road. He never would’ve been hit by that drunk driver and killed. It’s all my fault.”
“No, Mom. That’s not true.” He closed the distance between them and gently clasped her shoulders. “Forgetting the milk was a mistake. Nothing more. You aren’t to blame for Pop’s death, and it would break his heart to hear you talk like this. He loved you with everything he had.”
She placed a hand on his chest, and her shoulders shook with the force of her tears. “You don’t hate me?”
“I could never hate you. I love you, Mom. All I want is for you to be happy.” He hugged her again. “It’s what Pop would want too. It’s what he would want for both of us.”
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Grant knew they were true. He pulled back. “Mom, I’m going to buy Pop’s old shop. I’m going to stay in Hidden Hollows.”
Suzie’s hand flew to her mouth. “You are?”
“Yes.” The decision was right. He could feel it in his bones. “I’m ready to quit the SEALs. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I wasn’t sure when the right time would be. But it’s now. I want a new life. A different life.”
One that included Sara and Ben. They were his future. If Sara would have him.
Grant turned to his mom. “I think you want a different life too. But you have to reach out for it, Mom. You have to choose.”
She scanned his face, and Grant held his breath. He wanted her to accept the help, but he couldn’t force her to do it.
Suzie came up next to them. “Grant’s right, April. It’s time.”
“You’re right. Both of you.” She took Grant’s hand and then Suzie’s. “I’m ready to get help. Is the offer for Helping Hands still available?”
Grant nodded, relief uncoiling the tension in his stomach. “Yes, Mom, it is.”
Tears welled in Suzie’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks. “I’ll take you there. We can book the tickets right now.”
“Let’s.” Grant’s mom hugged him and then wrapped her arm around Suzie’s waist. “Thank you for taking care of me all this time.”
“You’re my sister. I love you. There’s no one else I’d rather grow old with than you.”
“So that’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to be two old biddies together.”
“Of course. Squabbling and complaining the whole time, too.”
The two women laughed and walked down the driveway together. Grant took a deep breath and stepped out of the garage. His mom had a long road ahead of her, and it wouldn’t always be easy, but they’d taken a huge step forward.
He was grateful.
Sara had been right. Grant needed to be honest with his mom about his feelings. Doing so had changed everything.
And now, it was time to be truthful with Sara. About everything.
15 Sara
Sara clicked off the computer and tucked the pen in the cup holder on the counter. The library was quiet and still. Closing time. She had to get home and make dinner, but then she could put her feet up.
Flipping off the lights, Sara headed for the exit. Her purse banged against her hip. She really needed to clean it out. The thing was ridiculously heavy.
The sun was setting, painting the sky with beautiful pinks and deep purples. Sara locked up, shifted her purse on her shoulder, and turned to admire the view. Gorgeous.
“Simply beautiful.”
Sara spun to find Grant leaning against his SUV. He was dressed in slacks and a deep blue shirt which drew attention to the stunning color of his eyes. She was entranced by them, unable to form a thought, and when he smiled, she grinned back.
Grant pushed off the vehicle and strolled toward her. Her skin prickled in anticipation of his nearness, and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Each step made her more aware of him. The broadness of his shoulders, the sharp curve of his jaw, the cleft in his chin. Her attraction to this man was primal and uncontrollable, fueled by friendship and a shared past.
She swallowed hard. “Th-the sunset is fantastic.”
Grant’s smile widened. “I wasn’t talking about the sunset. I was talking about you.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “You’re a sweet-talker, Edwards.”
“Only when it comes to you, Sara.” He stopped in front of her. “I’d like to take you to dinner, if that’s all right.”
“I have to pick up Ben—”
“I’ve already called Rachel and asked her to keep Ben for a few more hours.” Grant slipped his hand into hers and pulled her toward the passenger side of the SUV. “I promise to have you home by eight. I know tomorrow is a work day, and Ben has school.”
She did have responsibilities calling, but it would be nice to table them for a few hours and spend time with Grant. She hopped into the SUV. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
He shut the door, and Sara latched her seatbelt. She waited until he was pulling out of the parking lot before asking, “I don’t even get a hint?”
“Nope.”
She arched her brows. “You do realize the last time you surprised me was Halloween when you jumped out at me from the bushes, right? After that I refused to go anywhere with you unless I knew exactly what was happening.”
He laughed. “There won’t be any jumping out of the bushes. Scout’s honor.”
“You were never a scout.”
Grant opened his mouth, then paused. He slanted a look her way. “That’s true. I dropped out the first year. Too many rules.”
She chuckled and shook
