Through His Grace (18 page)

“Hi, yourself.” He widened the opening and stepped into the room. “Did you know that Lizzie gives Nibbles baths?” “Yes.” Grace giggled. “Did she blow-dry him, too?”

“Sure did.” Nickels chuckled. “I was a little worried, to tell you the truth.”

“So was I the first time she showed me.” Grace’s hazel eyes sparkled. “He hardly moved the whole time.”

“Still as a stone. But he seems just fine.”

“He always does.” Grace shook her head. “You ought to see Lizzie put him in her doll’s sports car and drive him around the house.”

“What?”

“You heard me.” Grace shrugged. “He’ll go along with whatever she’s got planned.”

“He’s no fool. Spa treatment, drives a sports car? That hamster’s living the high life!”

“Nibbles seems content—for the most part.”

“For the most part?”

“Well, occasionally he’ll plan to make a break for it,” Grace admitted.

“The incredible adventures of Nibbles the hamster.” Nickels figured she was weaving a story and decided to play along.
I’ll go along with just about anything she says—as long as she wants me nearby
.

“No, really—he plans it!” Grace’s eyes widened. “I can tell because he’ll be sitting there, same as ever, but his cheeks are bulging with all the food he’s packed in!”

He couldn’t hold the laughter in anymore as Grace puffed out her own cheeks in demonstration.

“Shh.” She put a finger to her lips. “You can’t tell Lizzie or Jake. It’d break their hearts.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” Nickels pledged. “Cross my heart.”

“Mmm.” Grace savored a chocolate-chip cookie straight from the oven, loving the way the warm chocolate flooded her tastebuds.

“I take that to mean you officially approve of this batch?” Sondra laughed.

“Further testing required.” Grace snagged another cookie. Sondra pulled a carton of milk out of the fridge. “You want some?”

“Sure.” Grace mumbled around a mouthful of cookie. “Pasteurized?”

“Has to be for the baby.” Sondra patted her tummy. “Chris is kind enough to bring me some when he picks up the eggs for By His Hand.”

“Chris is the mechanic, right?” Grace tried to make the connection between a mechanic and pasteurized milk.

“Mm hm.” Sondra took a sip of the milk. “He volunteers for By His Hand—bringing food to the less fortunate. The Curly Q donates our eggs, and when he comes to pick them up he usually brings me the milk.”

“Gotcha.” Grace wiped her lips with a napkin. “Sounds like a worthy cause.”

“We try to keep busy around this town.” Sondra slid another sheet of cookies into the oven.

“No fooling.” Grace grinned. “You bake more than anyone I’ve ever known.”

“I know—but I’ve got enough men around the place to dispose of the evidence.” Sondra piled a plate high. “Speaking of hungry men, why don’t you take these out to Nickels and the kids?”

Matt was napping, but Lizzie and Jake were gallivanting around the ranch under Eric’s close watch. Grace picked up the platter and nudged the screen door open with her hip. Placing her hand over her eyes, she scanned the horizon for a clue as to where everybody was.

A giggle floated on the warm breeze, and Grace headed around the barn to find everyone clustered at a corral.

“Cookie break!” She passed the platter to Danny, the nearest cowhand. “What’re we watching?” Grace looked to where he pointed, since his mouth was full.

About twenty yards away Eric led a chestnut mare at a sedate walk. Jake perched atop a small saddle, clinging to the pommel and grinning.

“Look, Auntie Grace!” He waved to her with one hand but swiftly clutched the horn again. “I’m a real cowboy!”

“Seems like it,” she agreed. “Do real cowboys eat cookies?” “I hope so!” Jake responded enthusiastically as Eric led him over to the fence, hitched the mare, and hefted Jake out of the saddle. “Yum!”

“Is it my turn, Mr. Nichols?” Lizzie straddled the lowest rung of the fence.

“Sure is.” Eric lifted her into the saddle, carefully placing her tiny hands on the pommel. “Now I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Jake: Keep a hold of the pommel, grip your horse with your legs and move along with her. Got it?” “Almost.” Lizzie looked down. “What happens if I fall?”

“I’ll be right here,” he assured her. “But I have a feeling you’re going to do just fine.” With that he loosened the mare’s reins and began leading Lizzie around the paddock.

Grace watched, admiring his easy rapport with the children and his broad shoulders as he kept firm control of the horse.
He’d make a good daddy
, she thought.
Kids love him. He’s a natural
.

“A natural, don’t you think?”

It took Grace a moment to realize Dylan was talking about Lizzie’s riding skills. She drank in the sight of Eric helping the little girl dismount.

“Absolutely.”

“How about a walk?” Grace asked Eric when she found him in the barn.

“Sounds good.” He gave Brassy one last pat and followed her out of the barn. “Look at that sky.”

“Beautiful,” Grace agreed. The setting sun streaked the clouds with glowing shades of rose and amber. They stopped for a moment to appreciate the sight. “I can’t believe another day is gone.”

“I can’t believe you’re taking Lizzie and Jake back home tomorrow.” He started walking again, and Grace hurried to match his stride.

“Hold up.” She put her hand on his forearm to slow him down.
Strange how I never really noticed how much he adjusts his pace to fit mine—until he doesn’t do it
.

“Grace—” He stopped at the pressure of her hand, turning to look at her with an intensity that took her breath away.

He’s going to kiss me
, she realized.
And I want him to
. She forced herself to look away.
But not until we straighten out a few things
.

“To tell you the truth, we need to talk about a few things.” Eric rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s been a strange time, what with the hospital and you staying here, but—”

“Neither of us has forgotten our last conversation before my appendix ruptured,” Grace finished for him.

“A lot has passed between us since that day,” Eric pointed out.

“Yes,” she agreed. “And I wanted to tell you I’ve known for a while that I was wrong.” She held her breath, waiting for his response.

“No, you weren’t.”

How could three words tear a hole in her heart? She had just admitted she’d been wrong about staying away from him… and he took the opposite side. Had the time they’d spent over the past weeks deepened her affection and lessened his? She looked at him mutely.

“Protecting Jake and Lizzie is always the right thing to do, and I respect the fact that you were strong enough to stick to your priorities.” He stepped closer. “It’s one of the many things I admire about you, Grace.”

“But I shouldn’t have put you in that position,” she whispered.

“I put myself in that position,” he countered. “You made me face some things I’d been avoiding. I’ve sought wise counsel, prayed, and searched my heart. That day I couldn’t commit to you because I wasn’t spiritually prepared.” He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “Now I am.” He rested his forehead against hers, his warmth encompassing her. “Let me make myself clear, Grace. Friendship is only part of what I’m asking of you. With me it’s all or nothin’. What do you say?”

Nickels nestled her in his arms, loathe to let her go.
Here’s where I should probably give her some space and time to think it over
, he acknowledged.
But I’ve waited too long to get her in my arms
.

When Grace shook her head the barest amount, his heart froze.

“Here I was, trying to tell you I didn’t need you to make any promises.” Her words floated to his ears, a soft caress. “You’ve always been there for us. You don’t have to prove anything or make a final decision, Eric.”

“I know I don’t have to.” He cupped her cheek. “I want to.”

“Oh.” She sucked in a sharp breath as he drew closer.

“Now I’m giving you fair warning,” Nickels rumbled. “I’ve been waiting to kiss you for months, and I need you to know that once I do there’s no going back.” He slowly lowered his mouth to hers, giving her time to pull away if she chose to.

Instead she raised her lips to meet his in a kiss sweeter than he’d ever imagined. He reveled in the feeling of holding her in his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“No going back now,” he murmured triumphantly as she laid her head on his chest and snuggled closer.

“Who would want to?”

“Welcome home!” Carl threw open the front door as they got out of the car.

“Good to see you, too.” Grace hugged him, never mind the fact she’d seen him the day before.

Nickels grabbed luggage out of the bed of his truck to bring inside. He couldn’t blame Carl. Grace’s hugs were addictive. He set the suitcases on the floor in the hall and came back out.

“We’re home!” Lizzie sped past him.

“Slow down,” he warned.

“Sorry, Mr. Nichols.” She stopped to look at him, excitement shining in her eyes. “I can’t wait to put our furniture in my dollhouse.”

“After we get you unpacked, I’ll help you.” Nickels grinned. Over the two weeks Lizzie’d spent on the Curly Q, they’d created a miniature store’s worth of doll furniture.

“And then we’ll show Auntie Grace the surprise!” They’d kept it secret, waiting until they’d finished. Only Sondra knew, and that was because she’d helped by sewing the pillows and cushions.

“Grace, could you make us some iced tea while I help Lizzie unpack?” Nickels tossed Lizzie a conspiratorial wink.

“Sure. Jake, why don’t you help me in here?” she called.

“Okay!” Jake followed her into the kitchen. “Can we have some ‘nilla wafers, too?”

“I’ll take your suitcase up to your room.” Carl grasped the handle and tugged it along, bumping the bottom on each stair.

It took hardly any time at all to help Lizzie unpack. Jake’s room was easy—clothes in the hamper, shoes in the closet, and electric car on the desk hutch. They repeated the five-minute process in Lizzie’s room, setting her doll on her bed and shelving a few books before getting down to serious matters.

“Ready?” Nickels withdrew the box of tiny furniture replicas.

“Oh, yes,” Lizzie breathed as she opened the lid. “Which room first?”

“Maybe we should put down the rugs first,” Nickels suggested. Sondra had given them velvet and wool scraps for carpeting. He used his pocket knife to slice off any long edges as Lizzie chose tan wool for the bedroom, light green felt for the living room, and deep blue velvet for the dining room.

“It already looks more like a home!” Lizzie clapped her hands excitedly. “Now the couch.”

He’d made what was little more than a wooden bench, but Sondra’s pink cushions turned the piece into a sofa. Lizzie tucked the matching coffee table in front of it.

The replica of Lizzie’s own four-poster bed—complete with comforter, courtesy of Sondra’s skill and enthusiasm—went in the bedroom, along with a minute facsimile of her vanity. Lizzie had glued a shiny bubble-gum wrapper onto the frame for a mirror. The dining table took up most of its designated area—then it was time for the chairs. Of all the things he’d cobbled together, the chairs had been the most challenging. He watched with satisfaction as she carefully arranged the four pieces around the table and situated one of the figures so it was sitting down.