LITMIR.BIZ

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from the burning fire. The beer bottle on the wooden end table and the gigantic leather recliner seemed typical for a bachelor pad, but the couch with color-contrasting pillows and coordinating throw blanket seemed out of place for a guy living alone. A far cry from her cheap apartment in Columbus.

      Was there a girlfriend or wife in the picture? Maybe an ex who had lived here and decorated?

      Male laughter, rich and deep and smooth, washed over her like water from a hot shower, heating her from the outside in. Forget feeling warm; she was downright feverish.

      She’d forgotten the appeal of a man’s laugh, the happiness and humor contagious. A higher pitched squeal joined in. That laugh, one she knew better than her own, brought a smile to her lips.

      Liam.

      Her chest tightened.

      He could be such a serious boy. She was pleased he was having so much fun.

      Grace entered the charming kitchen, with its dining area separated by a breakfast bar.

      Bill sat at the table with her son, who was wrapped in a blanket, his little hands around a mug. Peanut sat on the table with his own mug in front of him.

      What kind of guy would fix a cup of hot chocolate for a stuffed animal?

      The sheriff had told her Bill Paulson was a cross between an Eagle Scout and an X Games champ. Yeah, that seemed to sum him up.

      Grace moved behind Liam. She placed her hands on his narrow shoulders. “It looks like you boys did fine on your own.”

      Bill stood, his manners excellent. “Your cocoa is on the counter.”

      She noticed the steaming mug. “Liam doesn’t drink his very hot.”

      “I’ve been around kids. I put ice cubes in his and Peanut’s cups in case they decided to share.”

      She appreciated his treating Peanut like a living, breathing elephant, not a stuffed one. “Liam could spill on your blanket.”

      “It’s washable. Isn’t that right, little dude?”

      Liam looked up at Bill. Her son had a case of hero worship. “That’s right, big dude.”

      “Okay, then.” Grace took her cup from the counter and sipped. “This is delicious.”

      Bill raised his cup. “My mom makes her own cocoa mix.”

      Liam took another sip. “It’s yum.”

      Interesting. Her son seemed perfectly content to be away from her. Usually he didn’t want to be out of eyesight.

      A twinge of regret pinched Grace’s heart. She’d done everything she could to be a good parent, but that didn’t seem to be enough. Liam liked having Bill—a man—around. Well, her son better enjoy the company because tomorrow they would be on their own again.

      “You have a very nice home.” She wouldn’t expect a single guy’s house to be so clean, with homemade cocoa and cookies at the ready. “Thanks for everything.”

      Bill gave her the once-over.

      Grace knew better than to be flattered, especially since she couldn’t tell what he thought of her. Probably not much, given she was wearing his baggy pajamas, had no makeup on and her hair was a scraggly mess.

      Her appearance wasn’t due only to traveling. She hadn’t cared how she looked since Damon died. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had her hair cut. She hadn’t thought about her hair, her nails, her looks.

      Until now.

      She combed her fingers through damp strands, all too aware of how she’d let herself go these past two and a half years. Not that she wanted a man in their life. She could have stayed in Columbus and married Kyle if she’d wanted a husband.

      Liam needs a father. You need a husband. You’ll grow to love me.

      As if saying “I do” was all it took to make a marriage work. Grace shook the memory of Staff Sergeant Kyle Gabriel’s proposal from her mind. She dropped her hand to her side. “I don’t know how I’ll repay you for tonight.”

      “No need.” Bill motioned to the empty chair next to Liam. “Send me a postcard once you’re settled in Astoria, and we’ll call it good.”

      Relief washed over Grace, grateful that he hadn’t asked for more, for something she might not want to give. A postcard would be easy. She would have to remember to get his address. She sat. “I can manage that.”

      “You mentioned trying something different by moving to Astoria. Why there and not a bigger city?”

      “The Goonies.”

      “Excuse me?”

      “There’s a movie called The Goonies,” she explained. “When I was dating my husband, Damon was saving money to buy his truck, so we didn’t go out on dates that cost a lot of money. One time he came over to my house to watch movies. We saw The Goonies. Damon said when we got married we should go to Astoria for our honeymoon.”

      “Astoria, Oregon?”

      She shrugged, waiting for hot tears to prick her eyes. Surprisingly, they didn’t come. Sadness and grief ebbed like the tides. “It sounded cool to a couple of kids from Iowa. We didn’t have the money for a honeymoon after we eloped. We got married at city hall. Two excited kids—me in my Sunday best and Damon in his army dress uniform–with a bouquet of carnations and two plain gold wedding bands. Going to Astoria ended up on our to-do list.”

      “You and your son are doing it now.”

      Grace nodded. She thought Damon would approve.

      Liam yawned.

      She took the mug from his hand. A preemptive move. “Tired, baby?”

      He shook his head. “P-nut tired. He ready for nighty-night.”

      “It’s been a long day for Peanut. You, too.” Bill pulled out Liam’s chair. “I’ll show you the guest rooms.”

      “One room is fine.” She stared at the dirty cups and spoons on the table. “Less of a mess to clean up tomorrow.”

      “Help yourself to the spare toothbrushes and toothpaste in the bathroom drawer.”

      “Have a lot of unexpected guests?” she asked.

      “Not a lot, but I like to be prepared.” He winked. “You never know who might knock on the door.”

      His tone teased, but Grace doubted his houseguests were stranded like her and Liam. Most likely they were attractive young females eager to spend the night.

      The realization unsettled her.

      Maybe she was wrong.

      For all she knew, he had a girlfriend or a fiancée. The thought didn’t make her feel better.

      “Thanks. I appreciate your hospitality. I hope having us here won’t cause you any problems with your...girlfriend.”

      “No worries,” he said. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

      Yay. Single. Grace stiffened. Being happy he was available was a crazy reaction, but oh well. She was only human.

      And out of his league.

      She needed a haircut, a good night’s sleep, a job and the ability to converse with a hot guy without losing her cool.

      Not only out of his league, in a different grade. Grace was a kindergartner when dealing with the opposite sex. Bill was working on his master’s thesis.

      “Come on, Liam.” She reached for her son. “Let’s get you to bed.”

      Liam held his arms out to Bill.

      Hurt flashed through Grace. Her chest tightened. She struggled to breathe.

      “What

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