Every Step She Takes (Who's Watching Now Book 2) (36 page)

It had Grace.

After a month of late night phone calls and one three-day weekend together, he’d taken a hard look at his company’s finances and gone out on a long, very narrow limb. Opening a branch office in San Francisco would eat up a huge chunk of his capital reserves. He prayed the limb wouldn’t snap before he could get the new enterprise up and running. The risk was high, but Grace was worth it. Living without her for one more day just wasn’t an option.

“I have all the prospective employee interviews for tomorrow confirmed and scheduled along with two meetings set up with potential clients. Thank heavens this place came furnished, though I’m not thrilled with the outer office decor. I hope whoever you hire to do my job likes orange.”

Travis turned to smile at his personal assistant, wishing he could clone her. “I can’t thank you enough for flying down here with me. I couldn’t have accomplished half what you’ve done today.”

“Which is why you’re giving me a raise.” Donna’s direct gaze softened. “Don’t stress over the financial aspect of this move. You’ve been over the numbers a dozen times or more, and they work. This’ll be a success.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so. Now, I want you to quit worrying and go find Grace.”

He nodded as lightness filled him. Sticking his hand in his pocket, he touched a ring box. Grace should be home from work by now. He couldn’t wait to see her face when she opened the box.”

“Have a good evening, Donna.”

“I doubt it’ll be as much fun as yours, but I’ll do my best. Good luck tonight.”

“Thanks.”

The door shut behind her, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Why am I standing here when I could be with the woman I love?

An inner voice was quick to taunt him. Because you’re afraid she’ll say no.

She wouldn’t turn him down. Would she?

There was only one way to find out. Flipping off the light, he hurried through the too orange outer office and left the suite. His newly leased car was parked in a nearby garage. After paying the fee, he nosed out onto traffic-clogged streets, his stomach fluttering with nerves as red light after red light slowed his progress.

He took a deep breath. “Snap out of it, man. No woman wants a stuttering proposal.”

Darting into a parking spot two blocks from her apartment, Travis pulled his suitcase from the trunk and slammed it. The fog had lifted, and late afternoon sun peaked through thin clouds. Surely a good omen. Squaring his shoulders, he wheeled the bag down the sidewalk.

Half a block from his goal, he paused, and a smile stretched his lips. Back to him, Grace stood on the sidewalk in front of her building. With an audible grunt, she lifted a bulging suitcase and shoved it into the passenger seat of her Porsche. Raising a foot, she gave it a couple of kicks then threw her weight against the door to shut it.

A car driving by, stereo blaring, covered the sound of his approach. When he touched her shoulder, she jumped and spun, a hand pressed against her chest.

“Going somewhere?”

Her eyes widened. “You’re in Seattle.”

He grinned. “Apparently not.”

A slow smile spread as she leaned against the car door. “Too bad because that’s where I’ll be in about three hours, give or take depending on flight delays.”

His heart thumped. “You were planning a visit—on a work day?”

“I was. Looks like I should cancel my flight.” Stepping away from the car, Grace opened the door. The oversized suitcase fell out onto the sidewalk as she jumped aside.

“That’s a hell of a big bag.”

“I like to come prepared.”

He couldn’t wait a moment longer. Reaching out, he stroked her soft cheek then moved in for a kiss. The essence of Grace filled his senses as he deepened it. Breath coming in gasps, he finally pulled away when two teenage boys strolled past shrilling loud wolf whistles.

Eyes sparkling, she reached for the handle of her bag. “Maybe we should take this upstairs to my apartment.”

“Might be a good idea. I’ll get that.” His hand covered hers.

“Thanks. Wrestling it down here wasn’t easy.” Her car emitted a chirp as she locked it then followed him into the building.

Panting and swearing, he finally got both suitcases through her apartment door and collapsed onto the couch. She slid in beside him and rested a hand on his knee.

“Looks like we both have some explaining to do.”

He nodded. “Want to go first?”

“I missed you.” She turned to face him with serious eyes. “I’ve hated every minute of the last month. Long distance isn’t working for me.”

“For me either.”

“So, I decided to do something about it.”

“Me, too.”

Their gazes locked, and the nerves that had deserted him at the sight of her kicked in again.

“What did you do, Travis?”

“Ladies first.”

Her chest rose as she took a deep breath. “I quit my job.”

His heart skipped a beat. “You what?”

“Quit. I plan to freelance stories. Eventually, maybe I’ll get a job in Seattle. There’re plenty of options open for an ace reporter like me.”

“Oh, Grace.”

“What?” She straightened, and her voice rose. “What did you do?”

“I signed a lease on office space today—with a nice view of the bay.”

She pressed both hands to her chest. “Please tell me you didn’t sell your business!”

“I didn’t.”

She slumped back against the couch. “Thank God.”

“I expanded it. I opened a San Francisco branch. It’ll be a bit of a financial stretch, but my personal assistant assures me I can handle it, and she’s
never
wrong.”

Their gazes held until slowly her lips curved in a smile. “Maybe surprising each other wasn’t the smartest move either of us has ever made.”

He took her hand and held it. “Do you know how much it means that you would leave your life here for me?”

“I still will if you want me to. My career is important, but it means nothing without you in my life. I love you, Travis.”

Emotion clogged his throat. He stared at her a moment before he could speak. “I did something else.”

She closed her eyes and took a breath before opening them. “How bad is it?”

“Good, I hope.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the box and slowly flipped back the lid. The princess cut diamond sparkled in a shaft of light creeping through the lowered blinds.

Tears brighter than the gem glistened in her eyes.

“Will you marry me, Grace? We can live here or in Seattle or both. I don’t care as long as we’re together.”

Nodding, she held out her hand.

He slipped the ring on her finger then kissed her hand. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

When tears slid down her cheeks, he wiped them away with his thumbs.

She captured his hand and pressed it to her face. “Know what?”

“What?”

“With you, I’d even live in Alaska. Moose Flat here we come.”

He laughed and dropped a kiss on her upturned lips. “You’re crazy.”

Green eyes smiled into his. “I am. Crazy in love with you.”

Write what you know.
Jannine Gallant has taken this advice to heart, creating characters from small towns and plots that unfold in the great outdoors. She grew up in a tiny Northern California town and currently lives in beautiful Lake Tahoe with her husband and two daughters. When she isn’t busy writing or being a full time mom, Jannine hikes or snowshoes in the woods around her home. Whether she’s writing contemporary, historical or romantic suspense, Jannine brings the beauty of nature to her stories. To find out more about this author and her books, visit her website at www.janninegallant.com.

Turn the page for a special excerpt of Jannine Gallant’s

No matter where she goes, he knows her every move…

Long ago, Rachel Carpenter was a glamorous soap star. She gave it all up to move to Napa Valley with her daughters to open up a bookstore near her family vineyard. Her life is safe and dependable, until she encounters Kane Lafferty at a wilderness camp in the rugged High Sierra. A burned-out police detective struggling with his own demons, Kane is instantly attracted to Rachel. And like Rachel, he isn’t sure if he’s ready to open up his heart. But everything is about to change…

Someone is watching from the darkness. A fanatic obsessed with Rachel for years has decided to claim what he believes is his. It will be up to Kane to not only protect his new love and her family, but to uncover the identity of the stalker before it’s too late for all of them…

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“My baby has pink hair.” Rachel Carpenter planted her elbows on the table and held her face in her hands. “No, I take that back. Not pink. Magenta. Her beautiful, blond hair is magenta.”

Her sister smiled from across the table, the green eyes they’d both inherited from their mother sparkling with amusement. “Magenta is a lovely color.”

“Did I mention she cut it, too? Her hair is short and spiky. She looks like a punk rocker.”

Grace Hanover covered her mouth but couldn’t hide a smile. “I bet she still looks cute, even with short, magenta hair.”

“Of course she does. Lark would be beautiful bald.” Rachel let out a deep sigh and poked at a scallop on her plate. “I don’t know what to do with her. She’s so rebellious and angry all the time. She’s only fourteen, for heaven’s sake.”

Grace reached across the table to squeeze her sister’s hand. “Lark is too smart to do anything really stupid.”

“Her actions lately haven’t shown a lot of forethought. I’m worried about this new friend of hers. Rose is the one who talked Lark into dyeing her hair. Rose’s hair is Day-Glo orange.” Rachel pleated the napkin in her lap. “Why did Bryce have to go skiing that weekend? He might have been a lousy husband, but he was good with the girls.”

“The avalanche was a freak accident—one that wouldn’t have happened to him if he’d taken the girls to Hawaii like he promised.” Grace’s tone hardened. “Oh, no, his current bimbo wanted to hit the slopes instead.” She tossed long, brown hair over her shoulder with a sharp flip of her wrist. “Too bad you wasted over ten years of your life on the bastard before you finally divorced him.”

“They weren’t wasted. He gave me three beautiful daughters. You and I both know Bryce was a cheating idiot, but the girls loved him. They miss him so much. Jade and Ivy are adjusting, but Lark broods. She’s been seeing a therapist. The woman assures me she’ll come around eventually.”

“There you have it. Your daughter just needs more time. Eat your dinner.”

If only Rachel could dismiss her worries so easily.

They dined at her favorite restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf. Through the window, the sun cast a golden glow over San Francisco Bay. To their left, the majestic span of the Golden Gate Bridge stretched northward. Farther out in the bay, Alcatraz stood sentinel on its lonely rock.

“How’s work? Do you have a full staff for the summer?”

Rachel turned to face her sister. “I think so. Ellen and Chandra are still with me, and I hired a new guy, Tim.”

Grace’s eyes held a challenge. “How about a quick fling with a young stud?”

“Very funny. I would never hit on an employee. Anyway, I think Tim’s gay, and I don’t date college boys.”

“You don’t date anyone.”

“Let’s not go there. It’s your turn for the hot seat. Who’s the new guy you’re seeing?”

“Nolan Marconi. He’s Italian and very intense.”

“What does he do?”

“Believe it or not, he’s a cop, a detective with the SFPD. Cops usually hate investigative reporters as a rule.” She sipped her wine and smiled. “But this one seems to like me—and not just in bed.”

Rachel covered her ears. “Too much information. Geez, Gracie, some things should remain private.”

“I’m trying to motivate you. Live a little. At thirty-five, you probably still have a few good years left.”

She ignored the direct hit. “Am I going to meet him before he goes by the wayside like the legions of men you’ve dated before him?”

“Yep. He’s picking me up when his shift is over.” Her eyes brightened. “In fact, here he comes now, and he has someone with him. Talk about hot.” She fanned a hand in front of her face.

Rachel glanced over her shoulder. Two men approached, and more than one woman in the crowded restaurant gave the pair a lingering look. They were definitely worth a second glance. One was of medium height with a rangy build. With his black hair tied back in a ponytail, he was movie-star handsome. The other man stood well over six feet and looked like he spent some serious time in the gym. Chestnut hair brushed the collar of his shirt, and sharp blue eyes didn’t miss a thing. When his gaze landed on her, Rachel sucked in a breath. Her sister was right about the hot factor.

Grace greeted the black-haired man with a lingering kiss.

“Grace, this is a friend of mine, Kane Lafferty.” The detective’s gaze never left her sister’s face. “Kane, this gorgeous creature is Grace.”

“Nice to meet you. Nolan and Kane, say hello to my big sister, Rachel Carpenter.”

“It’s a pleasure.” Nolan reached across the table to shake her hand. “Grace has told me all about you.”

“That can’t be good.” Rachel turned to the man at his side and smiled. When he grasped her hand in his large, warm palm, a tingle jolted through her. The last person she’d felt that kind of chemistry with was her ex.

Kane’s brow creased as he released her hand. “Rachel Carpenter... Why does that name sound familiar?”

“Not because you saw it on a rap sheet.” Grace scowled. “Her husband was Bryce Carpenter.”

The frown cleared. “Of course! I was a huge fan.”

Nolan nodded. “Everyone on the force was a fan. With that amazing arm, he led the Niners to some incredible victories. What’s not to love?”

“Plenty, but we won’t get into it. Have a seat, gentlemen.” Grace pointed to the empty chairs. “How about a drink before we leave?”