Hart's Harbor

Her mother had called it tomboyish and unladylike. She’d always thought it rather practical, herself. And now was certainly no exception. She wasn’t going to be able to get a glimpse of the gazebo any other way.

After nimbly shifting down to her stomach on the tree branch, her knees braced around the rough bark for security, she was finally able to get a good glimpse of Dr. Hart.

Gracie watched Kyle shrug back into his jacket and attempt without success to retie his bow tie. She got the unspoken message, even if the other women cheering on the green didn’t hear what he was silently trying to tell them with his actions.

He didn’t want to be paraded around like a piece of meat. And though he was going along with it like the gentleman he was, it was killing him to do it. From the tortured look on his face, he’d like to be anywhere but here in Safe Harbor, and most especially not on the bachelor’s block.

Suddenly, Gracie found herself experiencing feelings she never thought to encounter when she climbed up this tree on the green.

She felt sorry for Dr. Hart.

She’d always been outrageously outgoing by nature, and she’d grown up in Safe Harbor, after all, with their strange traditions and irascible characters. It was all she’d ever known, and she was perfectly comfortable in this uncommon little part of the world. Up to and including taking her stand on the bachelorette block when it was her turn to do so, even flirting with the fellows to get a good price.

But Kyle was different. He came from another world entirely. He was educated, distinguished, refined. He wasn’t some hick right off the farm who looked at the bachelor’s block as his opportunity to make his mark in the world.

Her heart swelled into her throat. She could almost physically feel Kyle cringe from where she crouched in the tree as Chelsea made yet another bid. Gracie knew how much it cost Kyle not to jump right off that block and make a run for it.

The next moment, her decision was made, and her heart was firm.

She swung her leg around and shifted down, swinging herself so she was dangling on the branch from her arms, where everyone on the green could see her, if—when—they looked in her direction. There could be no mistaking what she was about to do.

“One thousand dollars,” she said, her voice as crystal clear as her mind was made up, and as her heart was strong and true.

“The doctor has been sold. To me.”

Chapter Four

K yle had never been so relieved in his life. “I could kiss you,” he told Gracie as she approached to redeem her prize.

He handed her the chocolate rose with a bow and a flourish, laughing when she colored and snatched the rose from his grasp. “I’m going to kiss you.”

With that, he quickly leaned over and planted a noisy kiss on her cheek, knowing it would take only a moment for her to become indignant.

Or rather, more indignant. She already looked like she was agitated, from the beautiful pink color in her cheeks and the way her eyes were shining. It made Kyle want to smile.

“Hold that pose,” said a voice at their side. Nathan appeared suddenly at their side, and flipped open a large sketchbook. He quickly began sketching the pair of them with a stick of charcoal.

“I didn’t know you were an artist, Nathan,” Gracie commented, obligingly offering her cheek up to Kyle so Nathan could finish his picture. Whatever else Gracie was, she was a community woman, and she put her own desires aside to placate the good of the whole.

It was one of the things Kyle liked best about her, one of the traits he most admired.

And he wasn’t about to look this gift horse in the mouth. With amusement brimming over in his heart and, he was certain, in his expression, he pulled out one side of his black tuxedo jacket as if to slyly hide the both of them, then pressed his lips once again to Gracie’s soft cheek, this time pausing long enough for Nathan to get what he needed on paper.

“You two make a fine couple, you know,” Nathan commented cheerfully, tipping his sketchbook so Kyle and Gracie could see the completed drawing.

“Just beautiful,” Gracie said softly, brushing her fingers just shy of the paper, tracing the lines of Kyle’s jaw.

“You sure are,” Kyle agreed, feeling extra generous with his praise as he saw how well Nathan had captured Gracie’s classic features in charcoal. “Look at that smile.”

“Like I said,” Nathan agreed with a knowing grin and a nod, “you two are great together.”

Nathan started to stride off, sketchbook in hand, no doubt eager to capture other moments of Safe Harbor Memorial Day fun, when Kyle jogged to catch hold of his sleeve.

“Listen, man,” he murmured lowly, so Gracie couldn’t hear what he was saying. “What are you going to do with that picture?”

Nathan’s eyebrows shot into his hairline. “This? Why, I don’t rightly know. Did you want it?”

“Can you frame it for me?” Kyle asked, knowing he was asking the older man to go the extra mile. But somehow, here in Safe Harbor, it didn’t seem too out of place to make such a request. “I can pay you. I’d like to give it as a gift.”

“To Gracie.” It wasn’t a question and was accompanied by Nathan’s wide, friendly grin. There wasn’t a hint of condescension, only kindness.

Kyle smiled back. “Of course.”

“Then it’s on me. Would you rather I deliver it straight to Gracie, or would you like to do the honors yourself?”

“I appreciate that, Nathan. I’ll be glad to pick it up from you. Just name the date and time.”