Making the Play (20 page)

He chuckled as if that was the reaction he'd expected. “James is a good kid. He's got your smile.”

She'd met Travis the last time she'd been to his house but they hadn't really had much of a conversation. He'd been working with the cattle and then had stayed by the fire with his sons most of the evening. He wasn't unfriendly, but he was definitely intimidating. “Thank you, sir.”

“Sir?” He laughed. “Just Travis is fine.” He ran a finger over a groove in the table. “I'm surprised to see a young woman like you with Grant.”

That was cutting straight to the heart of things.

“Sir?” He shot her a playful warning look. “Sorry, Travis,” she muttered.

“Better.” He smiled warmly. “Grant's always been a serious boy, and an even more serious man. When he sets his mind to something, he gets it. Whatever that thing might be. There's no doubt that he will, it's just a matter of his making the decision that he wants it.”

She wasn't sure what he was trying to tell her. It could be anything from a question to a warning and Bethany didn't know him well enough to read which this was, nor did she feel comfortable asking him directly.

“I always knew he wasn't cut out for ranching. He's too big a personality to fit into this small of a pond without trouble ensuing. Football has been the only thing he's ever really cared about.” He scrutinized her carefully. “You know, he's never brought a girl home to meet his mother, not even when he was a kid.”

Bethany felt as if she were on trial, as if he was only just getting to what he wanted to say. Her stomach twisted into knots waiting. Her fingers gripped the glass so tightly she thought she might shatter it. Bethany chewed at the inside of her lip, tasting blood, but unable to still the nervous dread welling up inside her as Grant's father worked his way around to his point.

“I like you and James, Bethany. And I can see that my son cares about you and that boy of yours, more than I've ever seen him care about anyone who isn't family, but I don't want to see anyone get hurt when it doesn't work out.” His tapped his index finger on the table and sighed. “His mother would probably kill me for interfering but . . . I should probably mind my own business.”

“Yeah, you should, Dad.”

They both spun to see Grant standing in the doorway behind them. He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair before turning and storming out.

“Well, shit,” Travis muttered.

“Grant,” Bethany called, jumping up to follow him, catching him as he hit the front porch. “Stop.” She reached for his arm and he paused, not turning toward her. “It's not what you think.”

“What?” He gave a bitter laugh. “That my Dad was trying to warn you to stay away from me because I'm going to hurt you?”

“Are you?”

Grant turned around, the wound evident in his eyes. “What do you think?”

He'd never been anything but tender with her, gentle in every touch, kind in every way, but she couldn't just dismiss the concerns she'd had about his leaving, the same concerns his own father had brought up. Grant might care about her and James, but the fact was, he was going back to his team in Memphis, and she would be here with her son, trying to pick up the broken pieces of their hearts.

“Yes, I think you're going to hurt me.” She saw the sadness flicker in his eyes at her admission.

“Grant, I was devastated when Matthew left, broken for months when I received divorce papers by mail.” She shook her head and dropped onto the porch swing, reaching for a throw pillow and tucking it into her lap, wrapping her arms around it. “He couldn't even tell me himself.” She glanced up at him, still standing, watching her carefully. “But I got through it. I moved on and I came here to start a new chapter for James, for both of us. Then you showed up and threw a monkey wrench into everything.”

She saw him clench his jaw, dejection written in his eyes, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. “Is that what I did?”

“Yes. I had a routine. My life was predictable. Go to work, take care of James, go to bed and get up to do it again. Everything in my life made sense, not like this roller-­coaster ride I've been on with you.”

“Are you sure it's me and not the fact that you're finally living in the real world again, instead of that bubble of perfection you try so hard to maintain?”

She scowled at him but he was right. She knew it. She'd been living in self-­imposed isolation, thinking that it would protect her and James. It hadn't. Life had still happened all around her, without her. She'd simply wasted years of her life thinking about what-­ifs and could-­have-­beens because of a man who chose to walk away. It was time she finally faced it and admitted that she didn't want that for either of them any longer.

“Am I really the first woman you've ever brought home?”

Grant stuffed his hands into his front pockets and shrugged, looking hopelessly like the young man he must have been when he left this ranch to find his future. “I never met anyone I
wanted
to bring home to meet my family. That was something I'd always reserved for when I found someone special.”

Her heart pounded against her ribs. She tried to still the hope building in her heart. Was he suggesting that
she
might be that someone special?

“Bethany,” he began, sliding onto the swing beside her and reaching for her hand. “I don't want to hurt you or James.”

Bethany felt her heart plummet to her toes. They'd started this conversation several times—­how to define their relationship, what would happen when it came time for him to leave—­and she wished they'd come to some sort of resolution before now. But neither had wanted to face the crossroads where their feelings met with reality. Now the conversation with his father had forced it and she was scared to hear what he said next.

 

Chapter Twenty

G
RANT KNEW HIS
father hadn't meant any harm. It was who he was—­brutally honest, to a fault—­but he wondered how deep the doubts about him had been instilled in Bethany now. If his own father was warning her to leave, to walk away from whatever they wanted to call this relationship they had, what woman in her right mind would stay? And if she wanted to walk away, she might as well rip his heart from his chest now.

His thumb brushed over the back of her hand, sending a sizzle of heat up his arm and making his heart pound. Just touching this woman had the power to undo him. Fear swelled in his chest at what he was about to say.

“Bethany, if you decide that you need to walk away from this, from me, please, do it before I fall for you any harder than I already have.”

Bethany's lips parted slightly in shock, her eyes startled by his admission, but they brimmed with tears, liquid and warm.

“Honey, please, say something.”

She pressed her lips together and looked down at their hands, still clasped. Without warning, she leaned into him, pressing her lips against his and cupping his whisker-­roughened jaw with her fingers. Every part of his body lit with longing for her. His tongue swept against hers, caressing her even as his free hand slid up the column of her neck into the waves of her hair, losing himself in the taste of her, the scent of her, the feel of her soft curves under his hand. He wanted to escape with her, if only for a short time, to show her exactly how much he cared for her.

But there was no privacy here. At least not until later this morning when he could show her the surprise he'd arranged for her. Sighing, he withdrew from their kiss slowly, wishing it could last.

“I should get back and check on James.”

She lifted her gaze to his, her dark lashes shadowing her eyes. “Is he okay?”

One corner of Grant's mouth lifted. “He's fine, sleeping soundly. I actually just came over because I saw the light go on in the kitchen.”

She matched his grin with a wicked smile of her own. “Why, Mr. McQuaid, were you sneaking into the house to tuck me in?”

Hunger, white-­hot and electric, shot to his groin making him ache and he couldn't stop the agonized groan that slipped from between his lips. “That was just cruel and unusual punishment.”

And now that is the image that will be in your mind. So much for getting a few more hours' sleep.

Yes, he did want to tuck her in, and climb in with her, cradling himself within her body. She laughed quietly, her gaze innocent.

“You still could.” Her eyes gleamed.

He knew she was teasing him. “Now you're just being mean.”

Grant stood slowly, adjusting his jeans and reached for her hand. He pulled her up from the swing, tugging her into his arms, sliding his hand down her back to press her hips against his, even though it tortured him.

She gasped as he leaned his head down, his lips just a breath from hers. “I will definitely make you pay for that later.”

“Promises, promises,” she whispered.

“Oh, you better believe it. I am a man of my word, remember?”

His fingers dug into the flesh of her rear, pressing her fully against his erection. As much as he wanted to pick her up and take her back to his room, he didn't want either of his parents to question his motives, or hers. Besides, the surprise he had waiting for her would be that much more special for waiting.

“I need to get you inside or I'm not going to be able to behave.”

“What if I don't want you to?” She brushed her lips over his jaw and he could feel the pressure building within him making him want to cave.

He wanted her, more than he'd ever wanted a woman. But he also respected her more than any woman he'd ever met. They still had to make some decisions but he felt like they'd at least face his departure, and whatever happened with his career, together.

He wasn't going to ruin what could be for a quick romp, even if it was amazing—­and he had no doubt it would be incredible—­but he was also pretty certain that what they could have was the real deal. He wasn't willing to risk losing his family's respect for her.

Grant brushed his fingers over her jaw, lifting her face for a gentle kiss, one that he couldn't let deepen into more. “I'll see you in a few hours. I have a surprise for you.”

“I thought we were helping your brothers with the cattle.” She looked confused.

“
James
is helping them. Mom and Maddie are going to stay with him.
We
are doing something different. I'll be here about seven.” He couldn't help but have one last taste of the sweetness of her lips. “Sweet dreams, Bethany,” he whispered against her lips.

Grant forced himself to walk down the porch steps and head back to the bunkhouse without looking backward.

B
ETHANY WAS SITTING
in the kitchen with Grant's mother at five minutes to seven when he and the rest of his brothers showed up.

“Sounds like the army is coming,” Sarah said with a laugh as she rose from the table, opening the back door. “Well, good morning!” Bethany's eyes misted when Sarah signed
good morning
to James. “I was beginning to wonder if you guys were ever coming in.”

“Mom, I got to help feed horses this morning. The hay was this big!” He held his arms open as wide as they would stretch.

“You did?” Her gaze immediately sought out Grant and she felt her insides heat when he returned James' grin. The man had a way of getting her to let down every barrier she had around her heart. “I bet you're hungry then. You should sit down and try some of the pancakes that Mrs. McQuaid made.”

James frowned for a moment as he sat, twisting his lips to one side.
I only like yours
, he signed.

She tipped her chin down at him with a warning look, but before she could answer, Grant moved behind her and she saw his hands moving from the corner of her eye. She was just about to ask what he was signing when James' eyes grew wide and a grin split his face.

“Really?”

Bethany turned in her chair. “What did you tell him?”

“That Mom usually keeps whipped cream in the refrigerator for boys and that she probably didn't tell you about it.” He opened the door. “Yep, here it is.” He set the can in front of James. “And you're going to work up quite an appetite today, so you'd better eat up.” He winked at her son who began bouncing slightly in his chair.

“More sugar. Just what he needs,” she scolded Grant.

“Don't worry, Mom and Maddie can handle a boy on a sugar high. They're pros.” He cocked his head to one side and jerked his chin toward the twins. “Trust me, those two were a handful.”

“Speaking of that, are you sure we should leave him with them? What if something happens?”

“Like what?”

She could see he realized she was trying to wiggle her way out of leaving James behind. It was one thing for her to be comfortable leaving him with Maddie when she was nearby, but she had no idea what Grant had planned. They could be leaving town for all she knew.

“We won't be far. I'll have my cell and you'll have yours. Plus we'll have this.” He held up a walkie-­talkie. “Just in case the cells don't work for some reason.”

“Where exactly
are
we going?”

“I know,” James chimed in.

“Don't tell, James. Remember, it's a secret.”

“I 'member,” he replied through a mouthful of pancake and whipped cream.

“We should probably head out. Jackson saddled Ginger for you again.”

She eyed him distrustfully. “I have to ride again.”

“Riding is something you might want to get used to sooner than later if you plan on spending much time around here,” Sarah warned. Bethany didn't miss the hopeful note to her voice. “I wasn't too fond of horses either when I first married Travis. They'll grow on you.”

“Kinda like this guy.” Maddie jabbed Grant in the ribs with an elbow. “Go, we'll manage to keep this little man out of trouble today.”

Grant pinched his sister lightly in the ribs, making her squeal as she scooted out of his reach and eliciting a giggle from James. Grant wiggled his fingers at James. “Careful, buddy, or you'll be next,” he warned playfully. “You ready?”

“When you're all done with breakfast, James, one of the cats had kittens in the barn. We can go see them,” Maddie offered.

His smile could have lit up a city block. “I'm done,” he said, pushing his full plate away.

Maddie laughed. “They're too little to go anywhere. Go ahead and finished those, then we'll go out.” She jerked her head to one side, indicating to Bethany that they should leave. “Say bye to your mom.”

Bethany squatted down in front of her son as he wrapped his arms around her neck. “Bye, Mom.” He pressed a sticky kiss to her cheek. “I love you.”

“Love you too, baby. I'll see you when I get back.” She looked to Grant for confirmation as to when that might be, but he simply nodded.

Well, that wasn't very informative.

“You be sure to count those cows for Jackson, okay? Otherwise he's going to want to arm wrestle me again and I don't want to hear him cry when he loses.” Grant scooped up whipped cream on his finger and plopped it on James' nose.

“Hey!” he yelled before giggling. Grant reached out a hand and ruffled his blond hair. James held up his hand with his thumb, index and pinkie fingers extended.

I love you.

Her heart stopped beating. Grant lifted his hand, repeating the gesture to James. Bethany felt her heart swell two sizes, making room for the football player who'd just filled it with so much tenderness, she thought she might explode.

B
ETHANY COU
LDN
'
T BELIEVE
her eyes as they rode over the hill, entering a small valley. The area was dotted with pines and spruce and the sweet scent of the coming spring hung in the chilled air. In spite of the warmer than usual weather, there were still a few puddles left from melted snowfall. The chatter of squirrels and the warbling chirp of several birds in the trees as they awakened to the coming season greeted their arrival. In the center of the meadow, surrounded by trees to the rear, was a large canvas tent.

“What's this?”

“Privacy.” Grant smiled at her. “An entire afternoon away from everyone. We can stay as long or short a time as you decide.”

She bit the inside of her lip as they rode closer and she tried to see inside the tent. It seemed far too elaborate to set up for one occasion but it was far too immaculate to have been out here long.

He'd done all this for her? And he was willing to go through this much effort for only a few hours if that's what she decided? He couldn't possibly be for real.

“This is a chance for us to get to know one another.”

He dismounted and reached for her mount's reins to hold the animal so she could climb off. He led both horses to a rope tied between two tree branches and tethered them. When he turned back toward her, she moved closer to him, sliding her arms around his slim waist.

“Mr. McQuaid, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to seduce me.”

She was rewarded with one of his playboy grins that made her heart skip. “You haven't even gone inside yet.”

Her brows lifted in question as he slipped his hand into hers and pulled her toward the opening. As soon as she stepped inside, she realized this was no regular tent. This was a portable hotel room, complete with a screened patio with wicker furniture. Moving farther inside, a large bed—­a
real
mattress with a comforter—­filled much of the room and in the back was a small portable bathroom, complete with shower and generator.

“How did you even manage this?” She couldn't keep the awe from seeping into her voice. How in the world had he arranged this on such short notice?

He shrugged. “Would it surprise you if I told you this was one of the business interests I had outside of football? I invested in some property not too far from here where I offer glamping facilities.”

“Glamping?”

“Camping for ­people who don't want to rough it.”

She leaned backward to look up at him. “You're serious?”

He laughed. “You'd be surprised at what ­people will pay for these. At my place, we even deliver breakfast. I had my staff bring up one of the tents yesterday and set it up while we were at the house.”

Bethany ran her hand over the rough canvas as she peeked out of one of the six windows lining the walls of the tent. She turned back to face him and clasped her hands behind her back. “You continue to amaze me. You're a real jack-­of-­all-­trades. Rancher, plumber, football star, businessman . . . Is there anything you can't do?”

“I'm sure there's something.” His eyes were mischievous and she knew he was up to no good. His hands circled her waist and pulled her close to him. “For the record, I'm no rancher. That is
definitely
something that's not in my wheelhouse.”

“Your Dad mentioned that you don't like it.” He frowned and Bethany cursed herself for bringing up the early morning conversation. She looked up at him and spotted another window on either side of the ceiling of the tent. “Is that a skylight?”

He smiled down at her, his eyes heated with yearning. “It is.”

“Were you hoping we could discuss astronomy tonight?”

“Not exactly.”

His head dipped to her throat as he pressed kisses to the pulse that kicked into warp speed. Bethany sighed and dropped her head backward, her fingers sliding to the nape of his neck, holding him to her. His hand slid down her spine to grip her hips and she pressed herself into his body, feeling his arousal through their clothing. Grant groaned deep in his chest, the rumble vibrating against her own chest deliciously as he pressed kisses to her collarbone. She splayed her hands over his back, feeling the muscles rippling against her palms. He lifted her and she wound her legs around his hips as he carried her to the bed. Laying her down gently on one side, he moved to lie beside her.