Through His Grace (7 page)

“It’s okay, Auntie Grace.” Jake stroked her hair as if it were a puppy’s fur, obviously trying to calm her down. “We’re good.”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath and forced a smile. “You’re both very good, but you can’t scare Auntie Grace by doing things that could get you hurt.”

“I’ll do better,” Lizzie promised. “Please don’t be mad, Auntie Grace.” The little girl was apparently afraid of upsetting her.

“I’m not mad. I just got upset because I love you so much.” Grace hugged them both. “Now what do you say we go and get some lunch?”

“Yeah!” Jake patted his stomach. “Mr. Tummy is hungry.”

“Let’s go then.” Grace held their hands and led them to the car, pushing away her doubts. “Miss Sondra’s invited us to lunch on her ranch!”

“You invited who, where?” Nickels growled at the part owner of the Curly Q.

“Quit scowling, Nickels.” Sondra patted him on the arm. “You look so much more handsome when you smile, and we both want you to look your best this afternoon.”

“Why?” he managed to ask.

“Because I know you’re friends with them, and it’s the neighborly thing to do,” Sondra explained.

“Don’t you think you should have asked me first?” Nickels couldn’t explain why he was so put out, but having Grace and the kids on the ranch while Sondra dragged them into every part of his life—it was too soon.
I was taking things slow!

“Now why would I do a thing like that?” Sondra blinked up at him.

He sighed. “Because I might have preferred you not ask them.”

“And that’s just why I didn’t ask.” Sondra nodded pertly. “Sometimes men make cotton-headed decisions where pretty women are concerned.” She shot him an appraising glance. “You never mentioned she was so pretty, Nickels.”

“I—” Nickels bit his tongue before saying he hadn’t noticed.
Of course I noticed. What red-blooded man wouldn’t?
He squared his shoulders. “I don’t want you doing something like this again.”

“I think you’re forgetting it’s my ranch. I’ll invite whomever I like into my home for a hospitable lunch.” Steel underlined her words.

“I wasn’t trying to get you riled, Sondra.” Nickels knew she had a point.

Her voice softened. “And neither was I. Did you ever think that maybe I would enjoy having another woman around occasionally? Grace and I are both neighbors and have young ones. It’s only right we share friendship and understanding.”

“I wouldn’t want to deny either of you something that important,” he apologized.
I hadn’t even thought about how selfish I was being, wanting to keep Grace and the kids to myself
.

“I knew you’d see things my way.” Sondra flashed him a smile before heading toward Dylan.

I’m not sure, but I think she just got the better of me
. He shook his head ruefully and caught sight of Grace leading the kids to the car.
Then again maybe I’ll have cause to thank her before the day is done
.

“Hey, there.” Nickels smiled and edged nearer the barbecue— and Grace.

“Hey, yourself.” Grace shaded her eyes to look up at him. “I like your hat.”

“Thank you kindly.” He drew out the words in a slow drawl.

“Now you just need a six-shooter, and you’ll be ready for a duel at high noon.”

“You got someone who needs to learn a lesson?” He crossed his arms, playing along.

“Not really.” She laughed. “Though everyone has some area that needs improvement.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” He reached around her for a paper napkin.

“Oh?” Her eyes held a question before she caught his meaningful gaze, and a becoming flush lit her features.

“I happen to have a very high opinion of myself,” he said as she took a sip of lemonade, his grin stretching when she all but spit out her drink.

He handed her his napkin and stepped closer to reach for another one. “You ought to be more careful, Grace.”

“That”—she dabbed at the corner of her mouth—“was all your fault, Eric Nichols.”

“I wasn’t talking about the way you drink your lemonade,” he said. “But a reaction like that is liable to crush a man.” “Somehow I think you’ll survive.” With that, she wandered over to where Sondra sat with a heaping plate of food in her hands.

He waited then took the seat on her other side.

“This looks wonderful, Sondra.” Grace gestured toward where Jake and Lizzie were making a fine mess of their ribs.

“Dylan barbecues like nobody’s business,” Sondra said.

“I happen to know Grace thinks highly of your lemonade, Sondra.” Nickels tossed her a wicked glance. “She’s so eager to get to it that she practically breathed it in!” He ducked as a wadded-up napkin sailed his way.

“Now, Grace, I don’t know how you do things at your house,” Sondra teased, “but at the Curly Q, littering carries a severe penalty.”

“I see I’ll have to pay for my crimes.” Grace hung her head in mock shame. “How much time will I have to serve?”

“This afternoon certainly won’t cover it.” Sondra turned to Nickels. “What do you think?”

“She’ll have to come back next week.” Nickels waggled his brows.

“Motion carried!” Sondra rapped on the picnic table with a barbecue fork. They all laughed before she became serious again. “Honestly, Grace—I love having another woman around. I’m just sure we’re kindred spirits. Our hair color is even the same! We want you to know that you, Lizzie, and Jake are welcome anytime.”

“I appreciate that, Sondra.” Grace’s carefree smile made the day complete.

I should never have doubted Sondra. She’s reaching out in a good way. Everyone likes having Grace and the kids around…I hope this will be the first of many happy afternoons
.

Nevertheless he still had a score to settle. He reached behind his bench and groped around.
Now where’s that napkin?

“I’m glad we stopped by home so the kids could change out of their church clothes,” Grace observed after a lunch filled with as much good-natured ribbing as there were spareribs.

“Lizzie’s probably glad she’s in her jeans instead of that dress.”

“Looks as if the hands are having as good a time as the kids.” Sondra pointed to where Eric and Hank, each with a child on his back, were racing toward the chicken coop. “Looks like Hank’s got the lead.”

“I wouldn’t count Eric out just yet.”

“Eric?” Sondra looked at her in surprise.

“That’s what he told me to call him,” Grace said. “Why?”

“I only know that’s his name since I take care of the accounting for the Curly Q.” Sondra squinted at him in the distance. “He’s always just gone by Nickels, even though he spells it like the coins and not the same as his last name.”

“It’s not that unusual for a man to go by a nickname,” Grace said. But if he has everyone call him Nickels, why did he ask me to use Eric?

“That’s what I always thought.” Sondra shot her a sideways glance. “I wonder why he changed his mind?”

Grace shrugged, grateful Sondra didn’t delve into the matter further. No sense in overanalyzing something. He probably goes by Nickels at the ranch, and that’s all there is to it.

“Auntie Grace, we won! We won!” Lizzie came running to the porch.

“That’s great, sweetie!” She gave Jake an encouraging smile. “It was a close race.”

“We’ll get ‘em next time, slugger.” Eric clapped his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“That’ll teach you to eat the last cookie!” Lizzie crowed. “Now, Lizzie. Don’t brag—it’s not good sportsmanship.” “Sorry, Jake.” Lizzie didn’t look sorry for long, as she grabbed Grace’s hand. “Come play with us! We’re gonna try Blind Man’s Bluff!”

Grace laughed. “I don’t think so.”

“I do.” Eric’s rumble instantly caught her attention.

“Oh?” She looked at him with wide open eyes.

“If Auntie Grace doesn’t play, nobody does.” He put his hand on his hat brim. “Those’re the rules, ma’am.”

“He’s got you there, Grace.” Sondra gave her chair a nudge. “You’d better get going. You know these cowboys…they’ll lasso you into anything!” She shared a smile with her husband, Dylan.

Grace couldn’t help but grin at their good-natured relationship—a grin that got her into trouble.

“That means ‘yes’!” Jake proclaimed. “Mr. Nichols, how do we play?”

“First we take a blindfold.” He whipped a bandana out of his pocket and folded it lengthwise. “Like so. Then we put it on the ‘blind man.’” He leaned and demonstrated on Grace.

Deprived of her sight Grace focused on her other senses. The scent of the man—leather, sawdust, and the earthy smell of cinnamon—enveloped her as he placed the folded cloth over her eyes. His roughened fingertips along her temples made her skin prickle as he brushed a few stray hairs away from the bandana. She took a breath when he folded her hand in his warm grasp and led her off the porch.

“Now.” His deep voice filled her ears as he finished instructing the children. “You stay in this clear area close by, but don’t let her catch you.” He spun her around, further disorienting her.

When he let go, the warm day took on a sudden chill. Reaching forward, her palms facing out, Grace took slow, questioning steps at first. As she heard the whisper of moving fabric, the patter of tiny feet, and the hushed giggles of the children trying not to give themselves away, she moved with more confidence. She chased after a loud breath, turning up nothing but air for her desperate lunge.

“I’ll get you yet!” she threatened, giving a breathless chuckle of her own.
It would help if they were taller
, she thought then remembered that a few of the ranch hands—including Eric— were playing, too. The heavy footfalls of their boots bore a marked contrast to Jake and Lizzie’s lighter steps.
They’d make bigger targets, but I’m not aiming to catch a man—literally or figuratively
.

Just as she finished that thought, her arms closed around a big one.

Nickels grinned to see Grace lost in the fun of the game. Her hair danced in the wind, framing cheeks rosy from exertion. Her disappointment when she caught nothing but air again and again swiftly gave way to laughter.

It’d be so easy to step behind her
, a voice whispered inside him.
If you let her catch you, a moment in her arms will be more than reward enough
. But with Sondra watching, Nickels wasn’t about to make any sudden moves.

But Danny didn’t share his reservations. Nickels came to a dead stop and glowered as the muscular ranch hand, always ready to help out, edged closer to Grace. She had stooped over to try to grab Jake or Lizzie, but her arms closed around Danny’s waist before she straightened.

Stable mucking duty for the next week
, Nickels told himself as he watched his so-called friend gently lift the blindfold from Grace’s eyes. She blinked at the bright sunlight, smiling up at her catch.
No. Two weeks
.

“You caught me fair and square, miss.” Grace’s hands were no longer around his waist, but Danny hovered as close as possible.

“Bad luck for you.” Grace shrugged, obviously comfortable with the man.

“I’ll have to disagree with that.” Danny stepped even closer and pulled a piece of nonexistent fluff from her hair.

And roadkill detail for a month
. Nickels wouldn’t watch another minute. He headed for the porch to get some lemonade.