Page 56 of First Bride to Fall
He seemed just as reluctant to break contact. Their connection had felt so right. So warm. Tender and reassuring. “Guess I’d better get that.” He winked, and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “Don’t go anywhere.”
…
Grant prepared their tea, brooding over Karl Kramer. He was glad the guy was out of the way. The idea of Nell being with him—or anyone else—sent a searing surge through his gut. At least she wasn’t seeing anyone now, and he was glad. Nell Delaney was a very special woman. And the more he got to know her, the more amazing she seemed.
He grabbed a pack of frozen mixed vegetables from the freezer and brought that to her along with her tea.
She accepted the mug he handed her and perused the veggies. “Ooh, it’s a medley this time.”
He chuckled. “It’s good to mix things up.” He positioned the bag around her propped-up ankle. “Looks like the swelling’s gone down.”
“Yeah, it’s feeling much better.”
“That’s a really good sign.”
He retrieved his tea from the kitchen and joined her on the sofa again. He’d liked holding her hand before and intended to do it again. “So,” he said casually. “Where were we?”
He held out his hand, and she smiled, lacing her fingers through his. “Right about here.”
He chuckled and brought their linked hands to his lips, giving the back of her hand a kiss. A pink hue arched across her freckles like a pretty little rainbow.
“You’ve been so great,” she said. “So nice to me.”
He stared into her incredible brown eyes with those amber highlights. “Well, you deserve it.”
She pursed her lips. “You’d better be careful, Grant. I might think you’re flirting with me.”
“You don’t have to guess,” he growled. “I am.”
She blushed even harder and hung her head, but he could tell she’d liked the compliment.
After a moment, she looked up.
“So,” she asked. “When are we going to Mariner’s?”
“When would you like to go?”
“Anytime that’s good for you.” Then she amended, “As long as it’s soon.”
He squeezed her hand. “We can go as soon as you’d like.”
“Tomorrow’s Sunday,” she said. “By the time we both get home, we’ll probably both have catching up to do.”
“Yeah, and you probably should rest that ankle another day or so, anyhow.”
She frowned. “Mariner’s is closed on Mondays.”
His eyebrows rose. “Tuesday, then?”
Her smile sparkled. “Tuesday would be awesome.”
“Great. Consider it a date.” He lightly thumbed her nose with his free hand, and she wrinkled it up, looking the cutest.
She tilted her head, and her long reddish curls spilled sideways, shimmering in the firelight. “I’m excited about going on a date with you.”
“I’m excited about going on a date with you.” He paused to consider how beautiful she was, even sitting there wearing his baggy sweat clothes. “What time do you get off work?”
“A little past six.”
