Page 31 of Gary

“You too, son.”

Grant watched him leave and was staring at the door, even when he was gone. A thin hand clutched the sheets, his expression one of self-pity. He supposed he should be happy that he was staying. The boy, No… He shook his head. He was no longer a boy, but a man. His son was staying, and he felt hope burst inside his thin chest.

He was being given a second chance and he was going to grasp it with both hands. He would work on getting Gary’s approval, ifnot his love. He was hoping it was not too late for him to make amends.

God knows, he had done some terrible things in his life, things he would rather not remember. After George’s death, he had started thinking and came to the realization that he had taken the wrong path.

Sighing softly, he closed his eyes and allowed sleep to claim him.

Chapter 7

She was with a customer when she heard the doorbell tinkle and knew instinctively that it was him. She had spent the rest of the night after talking to him recalling the sensations and feelings he had evoked inside her and could not sleep.

She was confused and frightened, but seeing him was clouding her mind, the anticipation making her nervous. She spent every minute since she opened the shop, looking at the door, expecting to see him walking in.

Her heart hammered inside her chest and her palms turned slippery with moisture. It took every ounce of control for her to be professional and answered the customer’s question about a book she had bought a few days ago.

“It’s a John Grisham and I could not put it down.” The woman admitted with a rueful laugh. “My dear, you have got me so hooked that I am spending my housekeeping money on these titles and of course your delicious coffee. I just picked up this one. Have you read it?”

Sadie barely glanced at the title. She was so acutely aware of the man standing in front of the bookcase that it excluded everything else.

“Yes. It’s an excellent choice.”

“I am going to go back to my house and settle in to read. Good thing my Larry is gone for the day.” She paid for the purchases and turned to see Gary standing there. “I am so sorry. Oh my.” Her hand fluttered to her throat as she gazed at him.

“It’s quite all right.” His charming smile had her fluttering her eyes, even more. She stood there a few more minutes before rushing out the door.

“Well then.” His long legs ate up the space between the shelves and the counter and before she could utter a word, his hand came around her neck and his mouth was swooping down to crush hers.

The protest she had been about to make died instantly and as soon as he fused his lips to hers, every conscious thought drained from her brain.

All she could do was feel. The shop and everything relating to it faded in the distance. She smelled his potent cologne and filled her senses with him. His tongue explored her mouth and left her trembling with a need so great; she wanted to weep.

Someone cleared their throat, and it took a second for them to remember where they were.

Pushing at him, Sadie jumped back to see her mother standing there, an interested look on her face.

“Mom!” Sadie had forgotten that she was there and had gone in the back to check on some stocks. “I…”

“I am Gary Russo.” Somehow, he recovered enough to introduce himself. An amused smile played around his sensuous mouth ashe extended a hand to the older woman. “I can clearly see where your daughter gets her beauty from.”

“Sharon Ellicott.” She shook his hand and decided that she liked him. She could also see how much her daughter liked him too. She also wondered what would have happened if she had not made an appearance.

“Thank you.” When he let go of her hand, she turned to her daughter. “I will take over the shop, honey, why don’t you go and talk to your young man?”

“He is not…”

“And invite him to dinner on Sunday, will you?” She turned back to smile at Gary, admiring his good looks. “I heard about your dad. How is he doing?”

“Feeling much better. I called earlier. And thanks for the dinner invitation.”

“You don’t have to accept.”

They both ignored Sadie.

“I would be happy to attend.”

“Perfect. We eat at seven.” She turned to her daughter. “Now darling, there are two busy bodies coming in, I will deal with them.” She shooed them to the back of the store.