Chapter 12 - Take Your Time

Dani pulled off her smock the next afternoon and threw it in the laundry bin on her way to pick up Harry. She’d thought about seeing Grace again all day, and Michelle had called her out for being distracted several times.

“So, where you off to in such a hurry? Thought we’d grab a drink on the way home since we’re so friendly and civilized now.”

“Can’t. I’m taking Harry back to Grace’s this afternoon. It’s time to see what happens.”

Michelle cocked a hip to the side. “See what happens with Harry or with Grace?”

“Seriously, it’s time for Harry to be resettled wherever he’s going.”

“Let’s keep it real, boss. You’re more interested in Grace Booker than you want to admit. I’ve seen the same look you’ve got in more than a few women’s eyes.”

“You’re imagining things. I’m taking Harry to the B and B because I live there, for the time being. It has nothing to do with Grace.” A tiny flutter inside begged to differ, but what was the point of sharing that? “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Whatever, but if you come to work with that fresh-fucked look on your face, I’ll bitch-slap you hard with an I told you so.” Michelle tossed a flirty wave over her shoulder.

Dani tried to push the image of having sex with Grace out of her mind by concentrating on Harry’s resettlement. Being near Grace again was challenging enough physically without fighting her own traitorous feelings, which she hadn’t bothered to acknowledge or share with Grace.

She threw a towel over Harry’s cage and strapped it in the passenger seat of her SUV.

“On the road again,” he chirped happily along the way.

“Yes, my little friend, and I hope you like your new home.” She also hoped Harry’s sabbatical had somehow resolved his dislike of Grace, or he could end up re-homed, which was not good for a parrot with attachment issues.

When Dani pulled into the B and B driveway, Mary Jane greeted her. “Grace got detained by the sheriff but will be along as soon as she can. They’re wrapping up that drug bust and chase from yesterday.”

“I heard all the commotion. Is everybody okay?” Dani asked.

“Yeah, just paperwork now. Can I help with anything?”

“I’ve got Harry. Is his large aviary already in the sunroom?”

“We didn’t have time to move it this morning, but Grace said she’d take care of it when she got home. You can just park Harry on the coffee table for the time being. We’ll fix him up later. You probably have other things to do.”

“I told Grace I’d help get him settled, so I don’t mind sticking around.” She’d never been alone with Mary Jane without a meal between them. Their only other common topic was Grace, sort of, and she wasn’t comfortable having a conversation about her. She followed Mary Jane into the house and placed Harry’s cage on the coffee table in the sunroom, taking in the changes Mary Jane had made to accommodate him. “He’ll love it out here.”

“I think so too. What about a glass of sweet tea while we wait?”

“Sounds good.”

“I might even have a leftover slice of peach cobbler from dinner last night, if you’re interested.”

“I’m always interested in your food, Mary Jane.” Her initial caloric concerns about Mary Jane’s cooking had faded, along with the weirdness of eating with strangers. She almost looked forward to meal times now, sampling the latest recipes, and chatting with the small group of people who were becoming more familiar every day and the ones passing through.

Mary Jane heated the cobbler, added a dollop of ice cream, and placed it along with a glass of tea in front of Dani at the counter. “Enjoy.”

“None for you?”

“I’m watching my schoolgirl figure.”

Dani gave Mary Jane a visual once-over. She was verging on being too thin. “How do you and Grace stay so fit eating like this all the time? My grandmother used to say, never trust a skinny cook.”

“My motto is never trust anyone who doesn’t enjoy their own cooking, and I probably eat my weight in food every day. Just have a high metabolism I guess.”

Dani shoveled the cobbler like she hadn’t eaten all day and savored the blend of peaches with sugar and a crusty top. One thing Southerners got right was comfort food. Had her mother ever prepared a meal? Nothing about her home life seemed normal—fast food, strangers, and constant bickering over money—not one of her childhood memories was nearly as sweet as Mary Jane’s tea or cobbler. She’d gone quiet, and Mary Jane was staring. “This is fantastic, Mary Jane. Really good.”

“Please, call me MJ, honey.”

“I can see why people keep coming back here year after year. It feels like a home, or what I imagine one should feel like.”

Mary Jane’s broad smile made her look younger and even more welcoming. “Thank you. That’s probably the best compliment you could pay a Southerner.” She refilled Dani’s glass. “You mentioned your grandma. Is she still alive?” Mary Jane leaned casually against the stove as if she’d inquired about the weather. She had no way of knowing her question cut through Dani like a finely honed blade.

But she’d opened this door and couldn’t ignore Mary Jane’s question. “N—no.” She choked down the unexpected flood of emotions that brought tears. She pretended to sip her tea but couldn’t swallow. “Died years ago.”

“You were close.”

Dani nodded.

Mary Jane moved to her side, rubbing her hand soothingly down Dani’s back. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

But her kindness did exactly that in the most bittersweet way. Dani wiped her eyes and looked away. “Granny was the best. Caring, understanding, and always on my side. She used to say home was the most important thing in life, whether with blood relatives, family of choice, friends, or lovers. She was the only real family I had, and I miss her every day.”

“And your parents?”

Dani shook her head, emotionally unwilling and physically unable to speak.

Mary Jane hugged Dani and held on, probably sensing the subject of her parents wouldn’t be covered today. Besides, a woman as compassionate as Mary Jane would never understand her parents’ poor life choices and preference for drugs and booze over their only child. She’d tried to erase the painful memories, but occasionally a soft touch or kind word reminded her of what she’d missed.

* * *

Grace watched the scene unfold between Dani and Mary Jane from the back door. She desperately wanted to know what they were talking about but couldn’t bring herself to interrupt. Dani was more emotional than Grace had ever seen her, so Mary Jane had touched a nerve. She waited until Dani composed herself before making her presence known.

“Hey, sorry I’m late. Is there any peach cobbler left or has Dani bogarted it all?”

Dani finally turned toward Grace, looking almost normal except for her red-streaked eyes. “You snooze, you lose.”

Grace feigned shock and fell to her knees at Dani’s stool. “Please give me the tiny morsel on your plate. I’ll be forever in your debt.”

Dani glanced between her last bite of cobbler and Grace with a mischievous grin and then offered her hand. “How can I refuse such a beautiful woman? It’s yours.” She slid the plate to her left and pulled the stool out for Grace.

“You are indeed a kind woman.” Grace picked up the saucer, swiped Dani’s fork from her fingers, and raked the last bite of cobbler into her mouth. “Oh my, so good.”

“Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?” Mary Jane pretended to be shocked, but her eyes glinted with satisfaction.

“Sorry, no breakfast or lunch today.” She grinned at Dani and plopped beside her at the counter. “How are you, Doc?” She wanted to touch Dani, to let her know that no matter what she was going through, both she and Mary Jane were there for her, but decided the attention might upset her more.

“Better after my snack. Did you work all night? I heard about the drug bust.”

“Pretty much, but it’s all squared away now.”

“Good. Harry is in the sunroom.” She nodded toward Mary Jane. “We were waiting for you so we could move his aviary from the cottage. Are you still up for it?”

Dani’s concerned tone tugged at Grace, and she placed her hand gently on Dani’s forearm. “I’m fine. Really. Thanks for asking and for bringing Harry home.”

“No problem.” Dani’s voice was thick with emotion as she hurried out the back door toward the cottage.

“What’s going on, MJ?”

“Another time, honey. Let’s keep it light. Sure you’re okay?” When Grace nodded, Mary Jane fell in behind Dani, and Grace had no choice but to follow along.

She’d forgotten how much trouble she and Karla had getting the aviary into the cottage in the first place, so wedging it back through her tight front door took longer than she’d hoped. By the time she and Dani got it to the larger sunroom door, Mary Jane was done.

“Hate to leave you girls, but I need to finish supper or there won’t be any tonight.”

“We’ve got it now, MJ,” Dani said, giving her a quick hug.

Grace stared at the exchange while Mary Jane gave her a wink over Dani’s shoulder. All Grace could do was smile and wonder what had transpired between the two of them to create this sudden bond.

When Dani turned back toward her, she must’ve had a strange look on her face. “What’s wrong, Grace?”

“Nothing.”

“You look like it’s something.”

“You and hugging? MJ? Just surprised.”

Dani looked down and scuffed her leather lace-up boots in the grass. “Well, she said I should call her MJ, and we sort of had a moment. She’s a really nice woman.”

She waited for Dani to expand on the moment, but when nothing followed, she added, “Yes, she certainly is. And just so you know, if you ever need anything, we’ve got your back.”

Dani offered a weak smile and her eyes darkened, showing how much Grace’s offer meant. The air between them shimmered with emotion until Dani said, “Thanks. Let’s get this monstrosity inside.”

They positioned the aviary in the space Mary Jane had cleared on the southwest corner, stood back, and assessed their work.

“This looks perfect,” Dani said.

Grace tried to scoot around her, placed both hands lightly on her waist to pass between her and a nearby lamp, and stopped when their bodies came together. Dani tensed at the initial contact but relaxed when Grace lingered.

“You’re a very touchy person, Grace.” Dani’s voice was a strained whisper.

“I’m sorry. Does it bother you?”

“Just different. Takes some getting used to.” Dani’s tone remained soft, almost wistful.

Grace inhaled Dani’s special blend of shampoo with outdoorsy cologne and placed a light kiss in her hair. She loved the feel of Dani’s body pressed against her breasts and released a contented sigh.

“Uh…Grace?”

“Yeah?” Grace was lost. Her task swept away on a current of emotion. She rested her cheek against Dani’s back and wrapped her arms around her waist. A shot of arousal pulsed through her. “Oh God. Why do you feel so damn good?”

Dani moved one of Grace’s hands up between her breasts. “Can you feel what you do to me, Grace?”

“I want you, Dani.”

“Anytime, anywhere.” Dani swallowed hard. “But shouldn’t we finish this first?”

Grace returned her hands to Dani’s waist, kissed the back of her neck, and finally raised her head. “Oh yeah. The cage. Just one tiny adjustment. The door needs to face this way. Could you turn it a bit?”

“Right.” Dani’s voice was husky as she made the change and then placed one hand over Grace’s and tightened her grip. “How’s that?”

“Perfect,” Grace whispered and once again pressed against Dani’s back. “Just perfect.” Whatever had happened between Mary Jane and Dani had softened her, at least temporarily, and Grace soaked up the comfortable change.

“What’s perfect?”

A voice from behind shattered the moment, and Grace stepped back. “Hi, Jamie. We’re relocating Dirty Harry.”

“I see.” Jamie’s tone implied she’d seen more than a simple birdcage transfer. “It looks great out here. He should like the sunlight and views across the yard.”

Grace regained some of her composure but realized one hand still rested at Dani’s waist. She pulled back slowly enough to appear casual just as a dreadful odor filled the room. She glanced down at Petunia leaning against Jamie’s leg. “You better take her in the front door. MJ won’t like her so close to the kitchen while she’s cooking.”

“Thanks. I forget. She’s like an appendage.”

“Any results from her checkup with Trip?” Grace asked.

“Not yet. She’s still doing tests.”

“Well, good luck. Jamie, have you met Trip’s new vet, Dani Wingate?”

“Of course. We’re both staying here.” Jamie gave her a quirky smile and nodded at Dani. “Nice to see you again and thanks for your help with P the other day.”

“No problem,” Dani replied.

The room grew quiet. Jamie was too discreet to comment on what she’d seen, Dani wouldn’t acknowledge what Jamie had walked in on, and Grace was temporarily lust dumb.

“Okay then. I’m going to shuck this uniform. Got plans. See you later,” Jamie said.

“Yeah, later.” Grace hadn’t changed out of her uniform either, so distracted by Dani that she’d completely forgotten. “I should probably do the same.”

Dani caught her hand as she turned to go and pulled her close again. “Shouldn’t we put Harry in his cage first to let him get acclimated?”

Grace glanced down at their joined hands. “I’d rather stand here and hold your hand for a while, but if you insist.”

Dani’s cheeks flushed. “Do you always say exactly what’s on your mind?”

“Mostly. I quite like the feel of our hands together.”

“So do I, Grace, but—”

She placed her fingers over Dani’s lips, the soft heat flashing through her. “And that’s enough for now. Just let whatever happens happen. Don’t overthink it.” She kissed Dani lightly and forced herself to stop. “Let’s get Harry settled.”

Dani pulled the light covering off Harry’s cage and lifted it toward the aviary. He spun around in his cage, looked straight at Grace, and squawked, “Man down. Man down.” He flapped against the side of the small cage until his outstretched wings became trapped in the bars. “Grace. Five-O.”

“Harry, please.” Grace stepped closer, and he screeched louder.

“Grace, I think you should go. He’s not going to calm down with you here.”

The look Dani gave her pulsed with questions Grace had no answers for. The charmed seconds they’d spent together vanished, along with Grace’s hope of an intimate evening getting to know Dani better.

* * *

Dani closed the sunroom door when Grace left to take a shower, thinking it best to protect Harry from any further upsets tonight. Maybe he’d simply responded badly to his new environment, or maybe not. His reaction to Grace had been just as bad, if not worse, than the first time she’d seen the two of them together. Animals had keen instincts about people. Was Harry’s dislike of Grace a warning of some type? Did he sense something Dani had missed?

She glanced at Grace when she returned and pulled out a chair across from her at the table. Her eyes were dark with sadness and confusion. Harry’s continued rejection hurt Grace, and Dani didn’t know how to help.

“Sorry if I kept you waiting.”

“Your timing is perfect, honey.” Mary Jane placed a platter of fried chicken in the center of the table. A bowl of green beans, sweet potato fries, and a basket of freshly baked biscuits completed the meal.

“This looks delicious.” Dani smiled at Mary Jane and then Grace, trying to engage her.

“Yeah, really good.” Grace’s usually sincere tone sounded flat and forced.

“Well, I hope you enjoy it because I have to run out for a while.” She folded her arms and glanced from Dani to Grace. “I don’t know what happened in the last thirty minutes, but you should probably resolve it before you eat or you’ll get indigestion, and that would be an awful waste of my food. Grace, you know what to do with the leftovers when you’re finished.”

“Is anything wrong?” Grace asked.

“Doreen Divine-Dot asked me to come by and give her a hand with arrangements for a wedding this weekend. I shouldn’t be late.” She waved on her way out.

“Okay, bon appetit,” Grace said to Dani.

“I’m sorry about Harry. It must be upsetting not to know why he rejects you, but I’m not sure what else to do.”

“I’m starting to get a complex, but thanks for understanding.”

The hurt in Grace’s voice pierced Dani’s heart. If being rebuffed by a bird upset Grace this much, how would Dani’s departure affect her? Was it more merciful to eventually leave Pine Cone without further explanation of how she felt or to tell Grace the truth? Her leaving would probably hurt worse the longer they continued this dance. The safe, arousing feeling of Grace’s arms around her earlier returned and Dani made a split-second decision. “I can’t be with you, Grace. Get involved with you. Care about you.”

Grace slid her chair back and moved to Dani’s side of the table. “Your eyes are saying something else.”

“They are?” Damn it. She couldn’t even lie convincingly when Grace was near.

“Your eyes are begging me not to believe what your mouth is saying. They’re begging me to kiss you.” Grace scooted Dani’s chair away from the table so they were facing each other and knelt between her legs. “Am I wrong?” Grace slid her hands up Dani’s thighs, kneading her flesh with strong, sure fingers.

Dani swallowed hard and shook her head, unable to admit what she really wanted. But she had to be clear before this went any further. “Grace, you need to know—”

“You’re leaving as soon as you get a job up north?”

“Yes.”

“I’m aware, Dani, but it doesn’t change how I feel. I just don’t want to waste any more time pretending. Let’s get to know each other and enjoy the moment. No pressure, no promises.”

The sharing part terrified Dani, but her choices were to face her fear or push Grace away entirely. The latter scared her more. They would eventually go their separate ways. “We can try.”

“Excellent.” Grace rose and straddled Dani in her chair. “I’d really like to kiss you right now. May I?”

Dani nodded and wrapped her arms around Grace. “I’d like that.” Grace licked her lips and met Dani’s with a touch so light she wasn’t sure they’d connected until Grace’s hot breath brushed the side of her face. “God, Grace.”

“Kiss me. Like you mean it.”

She cupped Grace’s face and slowly brought their mouths together. Determined not to fumble like last time, Dani kissed her lightly, traced her lips with the tip of her tongue and requested entry. The gentleness of their connection set Dani’s body on fire. When Grace opened, Dani claimed her, explored the soft heat of her mouth, poured everything she felt into Grace and prayed she wouldn’t have to explain it in words. She slid her hands under Grace and pulled them closer, rubbing their chests together but resisting the urge to rock her pelvis. “You feel so good.”

Grace kissed the side of Dani’s neck and back to her ear, sucking her lobe and rimming her ear with her tongue before dipping inside.

Dani shivered and the sensations swept through her. “Grace, please.”

“Please what?”

Grace’s hot breath in her ear melted Dani’s insides, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She was so out of her element with Grace, letting her take charge, lead wherever she wanted, and she’d gladly follow.

“Do you want me to stop?” Grace asked.

“Never.” Dani wanted this, wanted Grace more than she’d ever wanted anyone. Grace was fearless, diving into a situation with no net, no promise of anything, and Dani felt weak by comparison.

“If I don’t stop, we might not have dinner.” Grace ran her fingers through Dani’s hair and sniffed the spot where her hairline stopped at her ear. “This smell is so you. I love it right here.” She inhaled deeply and seemed to purr. “So good.”

Dani kissed Grace again but this time didn’t try to control the shifting of her hips against Grace’s bottom. “I need you, Grace.”

“I’m all yours.”

“Well, is this what’s for dinner?” Jamie’s amused voice behind them again brought everything to an abrupt halt.

Dani started to get up, but Grace held her firmly and said, “Did anybody ever tell you your timing sucks, Grant?”

“Not until now. I was a basketball star, and my timing was impeccable. As I said, I’m on my way out and thought I’d grab a chicken leg or something to hold me over. Imagine my surprise.” She motioned toward Grace and Dani.

Grace waved her hand toward the food spread out on the table. “Help yourself to whatever you want.” Then she turned back to Dani. “Are you hungry yet?”

Dani played along. “Absolutely starving.” Grace’s subordinate had found them in a compromising position, but she remained unfazed, unwilling to relinquish her position on Dani’s lap. She had to admire her guts.

“Why don’t I make us a plate and we’ll go to the cottage?”

“Sounds good.”

“Yeah,” Jamie said, “That would probably be more appropriate than the dining room table. After all, I have to eat here and I don’t want to imagine you two…you know.”

Grace gave Dani a quick kiss on the lips and rose as Jamie snagged two drumsticks and headed for the door. “See you lovebirds later.”

“Jealous much?” Grace called after her, winked at Dani, and started filling two plates with food. “What would you like?”

“A little of everything and a lot of you.”

“Good answer, Doc.” She handed Dani her plate, quickly
put away the leftovers, and led the way across the yard to the cottage.

Dani followed in Grace’s powerful current, oblivious to hazards in the deep emotional waters Grace navigated so effortlessly. How would she communicate the things she’d kept buried for years? Was it even necessary? Grace said no pressure or promises. Her insides tightened the closer they got to the cottage. When Grace opened the door, Dani was in a full-blown panic and faltered at the threshold.

“Relax, Dani. I’m not a black widow and I’m not asking you to marry me. We’re just having dinner.” Grace waved her inside, threw the sofa cushions on the floor, and turned on a small fan on the corner of the kitchen island. “It’s not much, but it’ll circulate the air. “Sit. What would you like to drink?”

“Beer, if you have it.” Dani chose the cushion closest to the door and set her plate on a small side table. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I’m usually a…”

“A player, free-range chicken maybe?”

Dani grimaced. The words didn’t totally describe her anymore, at least not the way she wanted Grace to see her. Now those descriptors conjured up a sense of being unfinished or lacking, and she didn’t like the feeling.

Grace handed her a beer and settled beside her on a cushion, leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “Dig in while it’s still warm.” Grace brought her plate closer and started eating. She’d taken a couple of mouthfuls before she noticed Dani watching her. “What?”

“Why do you have furniture if you prefer to sit on the floor?”

Grace’s face turned pink as she sucked a fry into her mouth. “Uh-oh, busted. A habit I picked up as a child. Reminds me of happy times traveling the world with my folks.”

“It’s sort of sexy. I’m a little turned on right now.” Grace’s blush deepened, and Dani wanted her entire body to feel the heat. “You on the floor, fingers in your mouth, sucking on a fry. Damn hot.”

“Thanks?” Grace’s face glowed red. Mission accomplished.

“Did you like traveling with your parents?”

“Loved it. Different cultures, exotic foods, unique animals, wearing next to nothing, and all the diversity. Great times really.” The laugh lines around Grace’s mouth gradually disappeared and a worry line formed above one brow.

“Are you sorry now?”

Grace shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder if the nomadic lifestyle made me want more stability as an adult. I stayed in Pine Cone partly because of the people I met as a child.”

“And the other part?”

“The B and B is home. I want to eventually put down roots here. Maybe even have a family.” Grace grabbed several sweet potato fries and nibbled. “Do you have any childhood habits that remind you of your parents?”

“You mean other than self-preservation?” She hesitated, unsure if she should or even could say more about her pathetic upbringing. Recalling those times made her sick and weak, but Grace gave her courage to face them. She took a deep breath and steadied her voice. “Are you sure you want to hear this?”

“More than anything.”

“My childhood home in the city was a series of crack houses and apartments shared with other addicts. The cops raided our place one night looking for drugs, ripped up furniture, and broke dishes. I was just a kid. They dumped my cereal out of the box all over the floor.” Dani paused until the lump in her throat eased. “That was all I had to eat when my parents were drugged out.”

“Oh, Dani.” Grace’s shocked voice was a whisper.

“And then,” Dani sounded like the scared little girl she’d been that night, “they tore apart my stuffed giraffe and left his guts everywhere.” Dani clasped her hands together until her knuckles turned white.

“I’m so sorry, Dani. No wonder you hate cops.”

“I was twelve when we moved from the city into subsidized housing in a smaller town. I hoped for a fresh start, but my mother felt isolated with Dad looking for work all the time. He brought pills home to help her relax at first, but gradually the drugs replaced everything, and they forgot about work and me altogether. I left home at sixteen, and their addictions killed them.” She forced it all out and waited for the look of pity in Grace’s eyes, but it didn’t come.

“Well, at least you didn’t pick up those habits, right? You obviously have a lot of drive and determination.”

Grace nudged her shoulder, and Dani did something she never imagined doing when she talked about her family—she laughed until tears streamed down her face. Her shoulders relaxed and she felt lighter. When she finally stopped laughing and wiped her eyes, she leaned over and kissed Grace. “Thanks. Guess I really needed to purge.”

“That must’ve been a hard way to grow up. I am sorry about your folks and the things you missed.”

“Thanks,” Dani said.

“One more question?”

“Depends.” Maybe this talking stuff wasn’t so bad after all. Was this intimacy? Dani often wondered if she’d ever meet a woman she’d share her stories with and love enough to make sacrifices for. If that woman was Grace, Dani had to risk being totally honest.

“How did your childhood affect how you live your life now?”

“My parents taught me how to hide in the anonymity of the city, dull my feelings with the anesthesia of choice—which in my case was sex—and keep so busy that none of it ever catches up to me. The only thing I really learned was to avoid drugs and personal connections because one way or another they cause pain.” Except for her career, she’d summed up the entirety of her life in two sentences. Way too much information. Grace seemed to be thinking about what Dani said, quietly studying her face.

“I’m really sorry, Dani.” A progression of emotions played across Dani’s face when she talked about her parents—fear, shame, embarrassment, anger, and finally relief. She was heartbreakingly sad, and her expression was like the one Grace had seen with Mary Jane. “Were you and MJ talking about your parents in the kitchen earlier?”

“My grandmother. She was my only close relative, but I didn’t see her much because she lived far away. When I did visit, she tried to make up for all the crap in my life. We’d go to the lake for a picnic, or I’d help care for her menagerie of strays, sometimes for her…if she needed me. Other times we’d just sit and talk about life and what I could expect along the way. She helped me win my first girlfriend’s heart when I was fifteen. Gran said a home and relationships were the key to happiness…” Her voice cracked. “But I never found that key.”

“So, she’s the reason you became a vet?”

“Probably. Her backyard was a zoo of cats, dogs, birds, and wildlife she’d taken in to nurse back to health or just feed, and I loved helping, feeling needed. I couldn’t have a pet in the apartment.”

“Sounds like an exceptional woman.”

“She was, but I didn’t even know the right questions to ask at fifteen. I’d probably be a better person if I’d had her guidance a bit longer. I still don’t know much about relationships.”

The sadness in Dani’s voice wrenched Grace’s heart. She moved their plates aside and shifted in front of Dani. “What don’t you know?”

Dani edged closer until their knees touched and took Grace’s hands. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, so bear with me, Grace.” Dani clenched her jaw several times before gathering enough courage to speak again. “I like you and I know I haven’t done a very good job of showing it. You’re fun to be around, easy to talk to, a great kisser, and you’re damn gorgeous, not to mention smart, accomplished, and compassionate.”

“You better stop, or I’ll start believing you. Where’s the but in this scenario?” Grace thumbed the back of Dani’s hands, encouraging her to continue.

“I don’t know how to give you what you want. I don’t have a role model for long-term relationships. I’ve never had one myself. And the need for deep conversation escapes me. What’s the purpose anyway, to expose your weaknesses so someone else can exploit them?”

“Not if you’re lucky. Haven’t you ever heard that two share the pain and disappointments of life and double the fun? If you find someone who’s strong where you aren’t and vice versa, it’s a gift.” She rubbed her hands back and forth on Dani’s thighs until she looked at her again. “You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. I’m just interested in you, in everything about you.” Her words registered on Dani’s face like a splash of ice water.

Dani straightened and pulled away from Grace. “What if you don’t like what you find?”

“I’m an excellent judge of character. You’re a good person, Dani Wingate, but for some reason you don’t want others to see that side of you.”

“How do you know that?”

“You gave money to a homeless man, tried to save me from what you thought was an angry biker, animals love you, and we all know they have great instincts. You’ve spent your off time figuring out what’s wrong with Harry. And you’re constantly warning me to stay away from you so I won’t get hurt.”

Dani rolled off her cushion and stood. “And maybe you’re just seeing what you want to see. Maybe you should find someone who can give you the stability you want. Why would you settle for less?” She waved her hand at the discarded plates and said, “Thanks for dinner…and the chat. I’ll see you around?”

“Wait. What? You’ll see me around?” The transition from intimate conversation and kissing to total shutdown had been a matter of seconds, and Grace felt the loss acutely. “What did I say wrong?”

“Nothing. This just isn’t a good idea.” Dani didn’t wait for her to say anything else.

The cottage door closed softly behind her, and the room was too quiet and empty. Grace heard the disappointment in her own voice when Dani withdrew. Was she imagining a connection between them, heading down a familiar road with a woman who had no long-term potential? Her heart said no, but she’d pushed Dani outside of her comfort zone.

Grace ran her fingers across lips that still burned from Dani’s kisses and hugged herself against the absence of Dani’s touch. She wanted to understand what had gone wrong. She’d gotten a glimpse of the real Dani Wingate and was hooked. Would Dani take the time to recognize and accept the bond between them?