Her Forever Hero (Unexpected Heroes #3)(47)

“Mr. Whitman, what a pleasure to see you,” Grace said as she stood up and went to him. “Cam isn’t back yet. He’s running late with a client.”

Martin was truly a kind man and one of the most giving people she’d ever known. He was the first to jump in and help a neighbor, and the last to leave when something needed doing. His laughter was infectious, and so many times during her childhood she’d envied the Whitman boys for having such a father. She’d always wondered what it would be like to grow up in a house so filled with love.

“I came to see you, Gracie,” he said, stopping in front of her and then pulling her in for a bear hug. “You’ve been running around so much, I keep missing you. When I found out about your scare in the snow, I told Cam I must come over and see for myself that you were all right.”

After Martin held Grace long enough that she was afraid he’d squeezed all the oxygen out of her lungs, he drew back and looked at her. “You have circles beneath your eyes, young lady. You’re not getting enough rest. Did Spence give you a full checkup?”

The love and worry was evident in his eyes and tone of voice. It choked her up for a moment and she was unable to answer him. Blinking rapidly so she wouldn’t show him how much his parental concern meant to her, she turned her head and took a deep breath before looking him in the eyes again.

“I have to admit, I was pretty scared out there in the snow, but it all worked out. Cam found me, got me warm, and force-fed me for two days. I’m still a bit worn-out, but I’m tough. I’ll be back to a hundred percent by tomorrow.”

“You’ve always been a fighter, Gracie. I remember your determination to lift those hay bales every summer. If the boys could do it, then you were darn well gonna do it, too. That first summer, you sure had some sore muscles, but you also earned the respect of every one of my ranch hands,” Martin said as he led her to the couch and the two of them sat down.

She laughed. “I’ve never liked being one of those girls who just sits on the sidelines while someone else does all the fun stuff.”

“Sitting on the sidelines isn’t all that bad. You get to watch all the chaos that is sure to happen if you wait long enough.”

“You’ve always enjoyed a bit of disaster,” Grace said, a big smile lighting up her eyes. “But you’re always the first one in to help clean it up.”

“I sure missed you all those years you were gone. I hope you’re planning on staying for good now,” Martin told her with a stern look. “I understand the need to go out there and find yourself, but this is your home. Once you live in a place like Sterling, there’s no leaving. The town gets into your blood and it will always call you home.”

“That’s because wonderful people like you live here, Mr. Whitman. I’ve been to a lot of places, and I’ve never felt as happy as I do here.”

“I can’t believe no one managed to snatch you up in the years you were away,” he said with a laugh. “You’ve always been such a kind and beautiful girl. You know, I always hoped that you and Cam would marry so I could call you my daughter.”

“I would have loved to have you for a dad,” she said, avoiding the rest of his statement. “Are you hungry? Thirsty? I know this isn’t my place, but I can’t believe I didn’t offer you something the moment you came in.”

“I know how to find things around this place. Cam is actually pretty organized,” he said before standing. “I think I’ll have coffee and something sweet, if you have it.”

“I’ll make a fresh pot. I could use some, too. And Cam’s cook just made a Bundt cake that’s the best thing I think I’ve ever eaten.”

The two walked into the kitchen, and Martin sat at the table while Grace made coffee and pulled the cake from the fridge.

“I’m going to miss Sally,” Grace told him as the coffee finished percolating and she poured them each a cup. “The creative ways she turns ordinary food into masterpiece dishes is out of this world. She’s spoiled me rotten in a few days’ time. I wish I’d learned how to cook better.” It was just one more disadvantage she’d had in growing up in such a cold home. “My mom wasn’t the milk-and-cookies type,” she said with a brittle laugh. “My dad wasn’t so hot in the kitchen, either.”

“I know you don’t like to hear this, Grace,” Martin said after she joined him at the table. “But you’re strong enough to know that you’re important. I know your parents have put you through the wringer, but you have to remember that you’re a survivor and what your parents have done or said, or didn’t do or say, doesn’t define who you are.”

“I was just making a joke, Mr. Whitman. I know that.” Grace wished she had just kept her mouth shut.

“There are a lot of truths in jokes,” he told her.

“Sometimes,” she said, then lifted her coffee cup to her mouth to keep herself from saying more. Why did she want to bare her soul to this man? It had always been that way. She blamed his eyes, his beautiful, soulful eyes.

“I’m not going to push you, Grace. And I know you have Sage, and Spence, and Cam, and even Michael and Jackson. Our family loves you as one of our own. As long as you know that, you’ll always be just fine.”

“I do know that,” she said, her voice quiet.