Until Then (Cape Harbor #2) - Heidi McLaughlin Page 0,73

up. Typically, this would be an annoyance. Graham didn’t care. He felt like a stack, not a ton, of bricks had been lifted off his shoulders when he confronted his brother, and he looked forward to going back next week. There was a glimmer of hope when it came to Grady, and while he knew he shouldn’t look too far into it, he couldn’t help himself. He was honest earlier when he told Grady he wanted his brother back. He did.

After Graham dropped his parents off, he stopped at the market and picked up dinner. He would toss a couple of steaks onto the grill, along with some sliced potatoes, and make a salad. Before he checked out, he picked up a bottle of red wine and made his way home. His family couldn’t afford to pay Rennie, but he could make her a nice dinner to thank her for everything she had done for his brother and what she was about to do for him.

SEVENTEEN

White lights sparkled on the outside of Graham’s houseboat. The sight of them gave Rennie pause. Not many single men decorated for the holidays, let alone the outside of their homes, especially those stationary in the water. Still, seeing lights brought a smile to her face.

Rennie stepped onto the patio and raised her hand to knock. The door opened before she had a chance. Graham stood on the other side, looking devilishly handsome and happy. It had been a long time since she’d seen him smile brightly, and it warmed her to think she was part of this change.

“Hey,” he said as he held the screen door open. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.”

“It’s not exactly short when you have nothing to do.” She started to take her coat off and felt his hands on her shoulders. The gesture was automatic for Graham, and her thoughts instantly went to Theo and how his and Graham’s manners were so opposite. She shook her head to clear her mind and shrugged out of her jacket. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” Graham disappeared up his floating staircase, leaving her to explore his house. The houseboat had an open-concept feel. It was small yet cozy, with a love seat, a coffee table, and a chair that she pictured Graham sitting in and reading a book. The kitchen sink and stove faced the dock, and across from the counter was a small table set for dinner. She half expected there to be a candle burning, but that would send a romantic message, and they were friends. Best friends, if Rennie had to put a label on their relationship.

Graham came thundering down the stairs with a smile on his face. “What do you think?”

“It’s cute.”

He laughed. “It’s small, but I like it. I’ve thought about buying a house, but I love living out here. Come on. I’ll show you the rest.”

Rennie followed Graham through the living room and out onto the deck. It was wide and comfortable with two adirondack chairs, which had afghans thrown over the armrests; a grill; and a space heater.

“I like to sit out here,” he told her as he motioned toward the heater. “It can be downright chilly, but it’s refreshing.”

Graham took Rennie back into the house. He showed her the all-too-small bathroom before taking her upstairs. She remembered Brooklyn saying something about building Graham a staircase, sometime in the fall. “Is this safe?” she asked as she put her foot on the first step and wiggled.

“It is. If not, blame your bestie.”

Rennie climbed up after Graham, and when she reached the second floor, her eyes went wide. The bedroom wasn’t grand by any means, but the view from the second floor was what caught her attention.

“You wake up to this every day?”

“I did this morning. I haven’t in a long time. I’ve kept my blackout curtains closed. But last night, I left them open, and this morning I watched the sunrise. It was the best damn feeling I’ve had in a long time, and I have you to thank for it.”

“Me?” She pointed her finger at her chest.

Graham nodded and stepped closer. For a brief moment, Rennie thought he was going to kiss her, but he brushed by her and went to the sliding glass door. He opened it and stepped out. She followed and placed her hands on the railings. The first-floor deck was nice, but the view from Graham’s bedroom was breathtaking.

“What did I do?” she asked him, needing to know what spurred the