Heart of Texas Volume 2: Caroline's Child

Caroline drew a breath and held it until her lungs ached. “About you and Grady Weston.”

Nell frowned again. “Me and Grady?”

Caroline nodded.

“Grady’s a friend,” Nell said. “I’ve always liked him and if I were ever to consider remarrying, I’d certainly think about Grady.”

Caroline broke eye contact. This wasn’t what she’d wanted to hear.

“He’s a good man and he’d make an excellent husband and father,” Nell continued, then asked a probing question of her own. “Is there any reason you’re asking?”

“Not really.”

“He asked me to the dance last month,” Nell added, as if she’d suddenly remembered.

So it was true. Caroline’s spirits sank.

“In fact, I received two invitations to the dance within a few hours.” This was said with a note of amusement.

“Two? Grady and who else?”

Nell’s mouth widened in a smile. “You aren’t going to believe this, but both Grady Weston and Glen Patterson asked me to the dance.”

“Glen?” That was a kicker, considering he was now engaged to Ellie Frasier. Those two were so deeply in love it was difficult to imagine that little more than a month ago Glen had invited Nell and not Ellie to the biggest dance of the year. In the end he’d gone by himself and then he’d practically come to blows with Richard over Ellie. Richard—always the spoiler.

“I don’t know what was in the air that day,” Nell murmured. “Grady and Glen calling me up like that.”

“Did you go to the dance?”

“Briefly,” Nell said, “but Emma had an upset stomach that day. I made an appearance, said hello to some friends I don’t see often and left shortly after the music started.”

“Grady was there,” Caroline said, fondly recalling their one dance. Ladies’ choice, and she’d been the one to approach him. Those few short minutes in Grady’s arms had been wonderful. Afterward she’d hoped he’d ask her to dance himself, but he’d wandered back to where he’d been sitting with Cal Patterson and hadn’t spoken to her again. Caroline had felt bitterly disappointed.

“…any reason?” Nell asked.

Caroline caught only the last part of the question. “Reason?” she repeated.

“That you’re asking about me and Grady?”

“Not really,” she said, then figured she owed her friend the truth. “He asked me to lunch the other day.”

“And you went?”

Caroline nodded.

“And you had a good time?”

“A great time,” Caroline admitted.

Nell shifted the weight of the groceries in her hands. “Listen, Caroline, if you’re worried about there being anything romantic between me and Grady, don’t give it another thought. Grady’s one of the most honorable men I know, but—” her voice dipped with emotion “—I’m still in love with Jake.”

“Oh, Nell.” Caroline hugged her friend.

“Oh, damn it all,” Nell said, blinking furiously. “I’ve got to scoot. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Sure.” It would be good to sit down and talk with her friend. Both their lives were so busy it was difficult to find the time.

“Jeremy. Emma.” Nell called her children again, and the two came running.

Caroline waved them off and headed toward the parking lot, deep in thought. So, what Richard had told her was true. This was what made him dangerous. He tossed in a truth now and then just to keep everyone guessing. But for once, she wished he’d been lying.

* * *

GRADY HAD BEEN PENSIVE ever since the night Caroline stayed for dinner, Savannah observed. He sat at the kitchen table, supposedly writing out an order for Richard to pick up at the feed store later that afternoon. But for the past five minutes, all he’d done was stare blankly into space.

Savannah had to bite her tongue. Laredo had repeatedly warned her against any further matchmaking efforts between her brother and Caroline, but he might as well have asked her to stop breathing. Grady was miserable and Caroline hadn’t been any happier. If it was within her power to bring them together—these two people who were so obviously meant for each other—what possible harm could it do?

Considering that thought, Savannah poured her brother a fresh cup of coffee.

Grady glanced up and thanked her with an off-center smile.

“Something on your mind?” she asked. If he voluntarily brought up the subject, all the better.

“Nothing important,” he murmured and reached for the steaming mug. He raised it tentatively to his lips, then glanced at her as if tempted to seek her advice.

Savannah held her breath, hoping Grady would ask her about Caroline. He didn’t.

“The church dinner’s this weekend,” she said, speaking quickly.

Grady responded with what sounded like a grunt, the translation of which she already knew. He wasn’t interested.

Savannah glared at him. If she wrung his neck, she wondered, would he have any idea why? “Caroline’s bringing her applesauce cake,” she added casually. “Her mother’s recipe.”

At the mention of her friend’s name, Grady raised his head. “Caroline’s going to the church dinner?”

“Of course.” At last, a reaction. Her brother might be one of the most intelligent men she knew, but when it came to women he was the class dunce. “I’m bringing my chicken teriyaki salad,” she added, as if this was significant.

“Is Laredo going?”

“Yes, and Ellie and Glen and just about everyone else in town.”

“Oh.”

Savannah figured she was due a large heavenly reward for her patience. Oh. Was that all he could say? Poor Caroline.

“It isn’t a date thing, is it?”

Savannah didn’t know how to answer. If she let him assume everyone was bringing a date, it might scare him off. On the other hand, if she said nothing, someone else might ask Caroline.