off the ATV and grabbing a rag to wipe her hands. “So they tracked you down. I thought they might.”
“It was only a ruse to see you. I sent them on their way.”
Her eyes widened briefly. “You did? Why?”
“I knew you wouldn’t care to see them. They’re losers.”
“I know that—and I can take care of myself. Besides, maybe I’m interested in one of them.” She met his gaze, and suddenly a rueful grin appeared. “Well, okay, maybe not. But regardless, it’s up to me to choose, so please don’t act in my place.” She touched his arm as she moved past him toward the tool bench.
Adam went outside and took a deep breath of the cold. He’d acted as her protector without even thinking about it. Protecting people had been his job for ten years, but still . . .
He was already acting like Brooke was his, as if they had some kind of a relationship. Would that be so bad? he wondered, thinking of his promise to move forward in life rather than linger in pain and regret.
Chapter Fourteen
Friday evening, Adam went to spend time with his grandma, and once again, she was waiting for him at the door wearing her coat. He couldn’t see what outrageous dress she might be wearing, and that had him worried.
“Where are we going now?” he asked patiently.
“The Silver Creek Community Center,” she said, smiling at him. “I’m entertainin’ the Chess Club this evenin’.”
Adam blinked at her suspiciously. “Doing what?”
“Readin’ their cards, of course!” She held up a little drawstring bag. “I’m goin’ to teach them about the mysteries of tarot, too.”
Shooting pool and having a beer might be more enjoyable, but this night was his grandma’s. He followed her into the community center, an old brick factory that had been converted for the town into meeting rooms and even a large reception room for small weddings and other events. Grandma told him about the huge deck where people gathered for the Music to Eat By programs during summer lunches. In the reception room, he saw various small booths along one wall, advertising local business like music quartets and romantic picnic baskets made to order. Someone worked hard to play up Valentine Valley’s romantic reputation.
But his grandma kept walking at a slow but steady pace, and as he studied her gait, he noticed she wasn’t acting quite so feeble as she had been the first week or so of his arrival. She must think he was completely under her spell—and he was, he admitted to himself. He followed her into a slightly smaller room, with kitchen cabinets and appliances in one corner, pool table, Ping-Pong table, a large-screen TV, and groups of comfortable couches and chairs.
And then he saw Brooke, Emily, and Monica huddled over trays spread on the kitchen counters. Brooke was dressed in black jeans, a patterned top, and a sexy leather jacket. Her brown hair hung loose though pulled back from her face. He realized he was staring, when his grandma stepped into his line of vision, unbuttoning her coat. He helped her take it off, then hid a wince as he saw her dress patterned with stars and moons. Where did she find these clothes?
Brooke glanced their way. “Hi, Mrs. Palmer!” she called, then, “Hey, Adam. Guess Nate didn’t keep you forever.”
Adam smiled. “Yeah, I finally got it right.”
Monica wiped her hands on a towel. “Got what right?”
“I couldn’t manage to cut a cow from the herd and rope her. Nate needed to doctor her. I probably galloped through that herd a hundred times, but he insisted I needed to learn.”
“It must have taken hours,” Brooke said solemnly. “Adam’s a slow learner. Maybe he’s even saddle sore.”
Monica and Emily both laughed, and Adam tolerated being the butt of their jokes.
“So when do the kids arrive?” he finally asked, when the women headed toward the kitchen.
“Anytime now,” Brooke called back.
“How did you guys get involved with this?” He followed them, while Grandma Palmer limped away to claim a small square table and spread out a glittery cloth.
“Steph heard about your grandma’s many talents through her own mom,” Brooke began.
“Faith is into all the mystical stuff,” Monica confided. “Steph, not so much, but they were looking for a fun guest, and who’s more fun than your grandma?”
“I offered to provide refreshments,” Emily said, coloring a bit.
He understood why. She was eager to become closer to her new little sister and probably relieved and excited that Steph had accepted.
“So what do we