She wanted me to make sure you tell her how much she owes you for the candles.” He gives me a sly side-eye.
I shake my head. “Nothing for the candles. The practice is payment enough for now.”
“Yeah? Just like you didn’t want her to pay you for the coffee bar? Which, let me say again, is cool as hell. Word’s gonna spread like wildfire in town, knowing how Amy and Alicia love to gab. Just wait until you get a call from Granny Coffey—that old woman’s a certified ballbuster. She’s got a soft spot for crafts and spends like the devil. Let Amy pay you, Grace.”
“Well, maybe so. But I’m just barely getting back into this. I really don’t mind a few free practice runs.”
Honestly, I feel guilty charging for such little jobs, even though I could use the money. I’m hardly a seasoned pro. There’s also this imaginary tally in my head that keeps adding up how much I’m going to owe Ridge by the time this is over.
Sure, he’s a freaking gazillionaire. I couldn’t repay him for Dad’s care even if I tried...but I feel like I owe him something. A token payment for pride more than anything else.
“Would you have expected Jess to give me this truck without buying it?”
“Apples and oranges,” I answer. “That’s not even close to the same thing.”
“Your skills are valuable, darlin’. You’ve got ninja shit no one else in this town has, and they’re willing to pay you like they should.”
His eyes stay glued to the road, but there’s no missing the excitement, the determination in his gaze.
“They’re candles, Ridge. And I just told her how to toss around a few things she already had,” I tell him matter-of-factly.
“It’s more than that. You’re a hell of a lot more than that. Don’t keep thinking you aren’t worth anything because you are. Hell, people write books telling others how to wipe their asses, and they charge for it.”
Okay, that gets a giggle. It may be crude but it’s true.
“I’m not trying to play comedian,” he says. “Although I do love to hear you laugh.” He reaches over, taking my hand. “Seriously, Grace. You’re talented. You’re smart. You’re beautiful. You deserve to be paid for that in spades. Never sell yourself short, sweetheart.”
I’m so not worthy.
“I know I owe you a lot, Ridge. The cost of us staying here—”
“Hold up, Grace. This has nothing to do with me. Nothing to do with you living with us. I can spend my money any damn way I please, and right now, I want to spend it on you. And Nelson. It’s mine. I earned a good portion off my talent, just like you should.”
I know he means well, and don’t point out the fact that our ’talents’ are leagues apart.
“I know the VA isn’t paying for Jackie, Ridge, like you told Dad. They don’t pay for home care.”
He’s silent for a moment before asking, “Would it make you feel better if they did? If I gave them a donation to match the cost? I donate to veterans groups all the time, nothing out of the ordinary for me to—”
“We’re already big enough charity cases for you.”
“Bull. That’s not what I mean, and you know it.” His grip on my hand tightens. “I want you here, Grace. You and your old man both, as long as it takes. I like you and I like helping Nelson. And damn it, this isn’t about me for once. It’s about you finding your lady-balls and telling Amy how much those frigging candles cost.”
“I know. I just...”
“You just don’t want to believe your work’s good enough. Too bad, woman. I’m proud of you, and I’m going to make you proud of yourself, even if it takes all summer.”
I get what he’s saying. His persistence pulls a smile out of me.
“It’s like a dozen candles, Ridge. Hardly enough to shake a stick at.”
“It’s a start,” he says firmly. “We all start somewhere with any venture. Make a wish and get paid.”
The dreaded W word again.
A shiver ripples down my shoulders. Mom’s words echo in my head again.
If you’ve got a light, you’ve still got a wish.
He’s saying exactly what she’d meant. That light, wherever it is, can mark the way to better things.
“My big start was a diaper commercial,” he says. “Now that’s groundbreaking shit right there.”
I bite my bottom lip at the smile forming.
Unbuckling my seat belt, I stretch across the console and kiss his cheek. “Thanks. I could use a