Claiming the Single Mom's Heart (13 page)

“I should do the same. Show a little Hunter hospitality. And maybe I'll grab a bowlful of that ice cream I see they're serving now.”

“I want to slip over there to personally thank your mother for inviting me. And meet your father.”

When she stood, he rose, too, oddly dissatisfied with the way their conversation was ending. He lightly touched her arm. “Hey, when you're ready to leave, find me okay? I'll walk you to your car.”

Catching the deliberately teasing lilt in this tone, she laughed. “Thank you, but I'll pass on your gentlemanly offer this time, Mr. Hunter. I've come prepared for a trek across your graveled parking lot.” She patted her jacket pocket. “Flashlight and—” she lifted her loafer-clad foot and wiggled it “—no heels.”

They stood smiling at each other, neither making any attempt to hurry off to their social obligations.

Grady silently absorbed the loveliness of the woman before him. Was he being stupid about his unwillingness to get involved with a woman who had a child? Using it as an excuse not to risk loving again? But no matter what conclusions he came to on that issue, she'd been clear enough tonight that she wasn't ready for another relationship.

As if suddenly self-conscious under his thoughtful gaze, the laughter faded from Sunshine's eyes. She lifted her hand in a parting wave, leaving Grady with an inexplicable ache in the region of his heart.

Chapter Thirteen

“I
'm praying everything will work out the way you want it to, Tori.” Sunshine stood just inside the guest room doorway watching as her friend packed her suitcase late Saturday afternoon. Her fiancé had called a short while ago and wanted her to come back to Jerome, saying they needed to talk.

Which left Sunshine with a real bad feeling. If a man had decided in favor of reconfirming his engagement, wouldn't he show up on his fiancée's doorstep, not ask her to drive over three hours to see him?

“That's just it.” Tori tucked her hair dryer into a side pocket. “I'm no longer sure how I want it to work out.”

“Your feelings toward Heath have changed? Absence isn't making the heart grow fonder?”

“I love him with all my heart, but I don't want to be his choice by default because nothing better came along during our separation.” Tori checked the contents of her bag, then zipped it shut. “Guess I'd better hit the road. I'll come back and get the rest of my stuff, you know, if—”

Impulsively, Sunshine gave her friend a quick hug. “No matter what, everything is going to be okay. If Heath's stupid enough to let you go, God has something better in mind.”

“I keep telling myself that.” She lifted her bag from the bed. “I'll call you, whatever the outcome. And thanks for letting me stay here. Tessa has been such a wonderful distraction. You're fortunate to have her. I only wish...”

Tori shook her head with regret, as if deciding her hopes were better left unshared.

“Wish what?”

“That God would bring a special man into your life. Someone like Grady Hunter. You know, real hero material.”

A prick of sadness pierced Sunshine's heart, an echo of the melancholy that had lingered since her encounter with Grady a week ago.

He might be genuine hero material, but he wasn't looking for a woman with a child. He'd said he didn't want to risk hurting a kid, but maybe, as with Jerrel, the real issue was that a kid took time and attention. Attention away from him. Even if she pulled out of the campaign and dropped the pursuit of proof that would hold his family accountable for wrongs done to hers, there would be no future there. He'd made that clear last weekend.

“It will be dark before long,” Sunshine reminded as Tori departed. “Call me when you get there so I know you made it safely.”

Despite the comforting sound of Tessa chatting with her dolls, the apartment seemed unbearably empty once Tori departed. Maybe she'd fix them something simple for supper, then pop in a Disney DVD to watch together. Or maybe...?

“Tessa?” She stepped to the open doorway of her daughter's room, her heart, as always, warming at the sight of the child God had given her. “How would you like to have supper at the Log Cabin Café tonight?”

With money tight, they didn't eat out often, but she had a coupon. Maybe they could split the Saturday-night burger special.

Tessa's face lit up. She loved Packy, who always brought her a special treat on the rare excursions to his restaurant. A small cup of yogurt or a piece of candy. “Can we have sweet potato fries?”

“I see no reason why not.”

Tessa scrambled to her feet. “Are we going now?”

“It's a little early. I'll come get you when we're ready to go.” Restless and highly conscious of Tori's departure to a future that might be decided tonight, Sunshine wandered to the kitchen and began straightening the pantry. There was nothing, in her opinion, like getting organized to chase away the blues. But she'd barely gotten started when Tori's words resurfaced in her mind.

I wish God would bring a special man into your life.

Sunshine sighed. Well, He hadn't. Maybe He never would. But the Bible said God had a good plan for her. A plan not to bring harm, but to give her a hope and a future. She had to hang on tight to that now, just as she had since Jerrel had walked out of her life.

Someone like Grady Hunter.

She plopped a can of beans on the shelf with a thud. That door was closed, and there was no point in dwelling on it.

You know, real hero material.

Nonsense. She didn't need a hero. She and Tessa were doing fine on their own. Hadn't God generously given her a job that came with housing? A schedule that allowed her time to paint in order to supplement her income and spend quality time with Tessa? And hadn't He, too, brought any number of people into her life at exactly the right moment?

Like Tori, who'd stepped in to care for Tessa when Sunshine needed more time for campaigning. And someone to assist when her vehicle had conked out on the highway at night. To help get her SUV fixed. And to rescue Tessa when she'd gotten caught on the slide.

With a growl of irritation, Sunshine halted herself before she slammed another can onto the shelf. Just because Grady happened to fill a few of those roles, that didn't mean he was meant to be
her
hero. Or Tessa's.

He'd made it clear he wasn't interested in anything like that. But could she stand to live in this town if he someday became some other woman's hero?

* * *

“I admit it surprises me, but I actually like Sunshine.” Across the table from Grady at the Log Cabin Café Saturday night, Luke took a final sip from his coffee mug. Then he smiled at his bride seated next to him in the high-backed booth. “Delaney said
she
did. But until last weekend, I didn't agree.”

He slid a look in Grady's direction. One intended to make his younger brother squirm.

“I like her, too,” Rio, next to Grady, chimed in.

Grady looked around at the packed restaurant, animated conversations swirling around him keeping the sound volume to a low roar. Typical Saturday night. Was there any hope he could sneak out of here to escape the direction this conversation had taken?

“So what do you think of her, Grady?” Luke wasn't about to let him off the hook. “The two of you seemed to have a lot to talk about at the cookout.”

“You noticed that, too?” Delaney laughed and slipped her arm into the crook of her husband's. But she was looking at her brother-in-law. “Seemed very chummy to me.”

A smiling Rio elbowed him. “Have anything you want to fill us in on, Grady?”

Remembering how he and Rio had mercilessly teased Luke about Delaney a few short months ago, the tables were now turned. He pushed his plate away, conscious of everyone's eyes on him.

“Sunshine and I were talking business.”

Rio giggled. “Nice try, Grady. Tell us another one.”

“Maybe the three of you have forgotten, but Sunshine Carston's is Mom's
opponent
.”

Luke grimaced. “There is that drawback. And the fact that she's the primary spokesperson for an artists' contingent that won't shut up.”

“Now, Luke,” Delaney chided, “they do have good points. I mean, why were they turned down on having an art-in-the-park event? That makes no sense to me.”

“Because, sweetheart,” Luke said, patting her hand in a patronizing manner that would likely get him yelled at once they got home, “they intended to bring in outside vendors—like food trucks and others who would take away from local businesses and restaurants. Summer is a make-it-or-break-it deal for most people around here. Losing ground one weekend a month for three or four months could be a significant loss.”

“Or it could be—” she nudged her husband, undaunted “—that the event would draw even more business to the locals. Put Hunter Ridge on the map.”

Grady grinned. “Looks as if you have your work cut out for you, Luke. Delaney's starting to think like one of them.”

To his relief, the owner of the café appeared at their table before the topic could switch back to him and Sunshine.

“Anything else I can get you folks? More coffee? Water?”

“I think that's it, Packy.” Grady patted his own flat but full stomach. “Great meal as always. Thanks.”

“You're welcome. Have a good rest of your evening.” Packy placed the bill on the table and moved on to the next.

Grady snatched up the slip of paper, but he'd barely risen to his feet and moved away from the booth when he felt a tug on his sleeve.

“Hi, Grady!” Tessa, smiling ear to ear, threw her arms around him as Sunshine walked up behind her. He returned the exuberant hug.

“I'm sorry for the interruption.” Sunshine looked apologetically at him and the others at the table. “But Tessa didn't want to leave without saying hello.”

“Good to see you again.” Luke nodded to Sunshine as he, too, slipped out of the booth. “I don't believe I've met your daughter.”

Grady made introductions to his family, self-conscious as the little girl clung to his hand.

Tessa looked up at him, her expression reflecting awe. “You have a big family, don't you, Grady?”

“Yeah, and there are more who aren't here.” As an only child, she probably found siblings a fascinating concept. “I have one brother and three sisters.”

“Wow.”

“Come on, Tessa. Time to go.” Sunshine held out her hand.

“Can Grady walk home with us? It's dark outside.”

Noting her voice was tinged with apprehension, he exchanged a quick glance with Sunshine. Was this what she'd alluded to earlier? Anxiety related to the mysterious presence in the little girl's closet?

“We'll be fine walking home, honey. There's nothing to be afraid of.”

While Saturday night in town usually had lots of people out and about and they'd be safe on the way to their apartment, the gallant thing to do would be to see them safely home. But after that too-close-for-comfort incident in the parking lot last weekend, he sensed her reluctance.

As he quickly debated with himself, his family filed past him, Luke snagging the bill from his fingers.

“I'll get this. And Rio can ride home with us.”

Looked as if that settled it. “I'd be happy to see you home, Tessa, if your mother doesn't mind my company.”

“You don't mind, do you, Mommy?”

* * *

Tessa's eyes pleaded and, after a moment's indecision, Sunshine gave in. “Thank you, Grady.”

But she wasn't happy about it.

Outside, she was relieved that the wind had died down and, although as chilly as a mid-October evening in the Arizona high country was expected to be, the walk would warm them.

She needn't have worried about making conversation. Gripping Grady's hand, Tessa chatted like a proverbial magpie, telling him about the late-season butterfly she'd seen at the park that morning, how her kindergarten teacher praised her for a picture she'd drawn and that Tori would be gone a few days.

Her daughter's enthusiasm at having this man's full attention again dredged up memories of her own childhood, triggering an ache in her heart for Tessa. Grady was right. When things didn't work out in relationships, innocent kids could get hurt. Although Grady barely hesitated when Tessa expressed hopes that he would accompany them, that concern had to have been on his mind.

As they neared the gallery door, Sunshine fished in her jacket pocket for the key, but she sensed Tessa slowing her pace, reluctant for the walk to come to an end.

“Mommy, can Grady come in and see my new goldfish?”

She should have anticipated this bedtime-delay tactic. “I imagine he's seen goldfish before.”

“But he hasn't seen
my
goldfish.” She looked up at him, her eyes imploring. “Please, Grady?”

He looked to Sunshine. “I have a few minutes. That is, if—”

“Okay. But we can't keep Grady long, honey. He has to walk back to the café and then drive home.”

Tessa jumped up and down as Sunshine let them inside the gallery and locked the door behind them. Then Tessa eagerly pulled Grady forward, among the dimly illuminated displays and up the stairs to the apartment.

Acutely aware of Grady's presence beside her, Sunshine tensed as she inserted the key in the door.

Had she put away the stuffed animals Tessa had dragged to the living room that afternoon? Was the kitchen clean? And most of all, had Tori's research that she'd been reviewing before they left for the café been tucked out of sight?

As they stepped inside, she scanned the room. Everything appeared to be in order.

“Nice place.” Grady's eyes took in their living quarters as Tessa again tugged him forward.

“My room is nice, too. Come and see.”

At his questioning look, Sunshine nodded and he allowed Tessa to guide him into the diminutive space, softly lit by a bedside lamp. Big enough for a single bed, dresser and skirted nightstand, it had been decorated with secondhand and discount store finds that lent it a fashionable shabby-chic look. The white-painted furniture set off the pink floral bedspread, area rug and throw pillows. Dolls and stuffed animals lined a wall shelf next to the bed.

“There he is!” Tessa pointed proudly to the goldfish in a bowl atop her dresser. “Goldie.”

Sunshine had bought the fish for her when in Canyon Springs on business earlier in the week, hoping the tiny fellow's presence might ease Tessa's nighttime fears. Unfortunately, Tessa insisted the aquatic creature was afraid of the dark and continued to keep the night-light on.

Grady leaned in to inspect her new friend. “That's a handsome-looking fish you have there.”

“I know.”

Then Tessa hurriedly rummaged through a dresser drawer.

Sunshine frowned. “What are you looking for, sweetheart?”

“My new jammies. The ones Tori bought me. I want Grady to see me in them.” Locating them, she clutched them to her heart, a serious look on her face. “Don't leave, okay, Grady? I'll be right back.”

“Tessa, I don't think—”

But Tessa wiggled past her and out the bedroom door. Seconds later, the bathroom door shut behind her.