Santa's Sweetheart (The Christmas Tree Ranch #4)(56)

Maggie stayed after the other students had left, waiting for Grace to drive her home. Grace took a few minutes to lay out some lesson materials for tomorrow. Then she and Maggie put on their coats and went out to the car.

The house was only a few blocks from the school. Maggie chattered all the way. “Do you think my dad will be home?”

“He said he would,” Grace drove out of the parking lot and into the street.

“How do I heat the lasagna we made? Do I put it back in the oven?”

“It’s easier if you just cut a piece, put it on a plate, and put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Just make sure it’s warmed all the way through.”

“Oh. I should have figured that out.”

“You’ll figure out a lot of things, Maggie.” Grace pulled up to the curb in front of the house. She helped Maggie out of the backseat. The icy wind whipped at their coats as they trudged up the walk and climbed the steps to the porch.

“I can hear the TV!” Maggie exclaimed as they reached the door. “Daddy’s home!”

Flinging the door open, she dashed inside. Sam was on the couch watching the news. He put up an arm to protect his shoulder as Maggie hurled herself into his lap.

“Whoa, there.” He laughed, wincing as she hugged him. “Careful, honey. I’m still pretty sore.”

She backed off, staying close. “I’m sorry. I’m just so glad you’re home.”

“I’m glad, too.” He tousled her curls and kissed her cheek.

Grace had followed Maggie into the house and closed the door behind her. The room was pleasantly warm. She hadn’t planned on taking off her coat, but she slipped out of it and laid it over the back of the couch.

“Are you all right, Sam?” she asked. “Is there anything you need?”

His gaze took her in, welcoming, questioning. Grace sensed that he was anxious to resolve things between them. But after today’s encounter with her boss, she was emotionally drained. How could she tell Sam that this wasn’t a good time?

“I don’t need anything at the moment,” he said. “But I’ve got some news for you, Maggie. The McDermotts came over to bring me some homemade bread this afternoon. You remember their granddaughter, Ann Marie, don’t you?”

“Sure. We had a lot of fun when she was here last summer.”

“She’s staying here for a few days while her parents take a trip. When you get time, she wants you to come over.”

“That’s great! Can I go over now, just for a little while to say hi? I’ll be back in time to fix you some lasagna.”

“Stay as long as you want,” Sam said. “I’ll be fine.”

Still wearing her coat, Maggie dashed out the door, leaving Grace and Sam alone.

Now what? Should she tell him about her encounter with Judkins? Should she make a hasty excuse and leave? Or should she stay and face what had to be faced?

Looking at Sam, she felt her heart overflow with love. But her nerves were still raw from the facedown with her boss. And the fear was still there—the fear that she didn’t have what it took to stay in a relationship. Not even with this wonderful man.

“Come here, Grace.” Sam motioned to the spot beside him on the sofa. His expression told her that he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Grace sat down next to him, close, but not too close. Maybe he’d gotten tired of her games. Maybe he would be the one to end things between them here and now. “Is something wrong?” she asked.

“Not really. But I’ve got something to say, and I want you to hear me out. No interruptions, all right?”

“All right. I’m listening.” Grace prepared herself for his good-bye. It wasn’t what she wanted, but maybe it was what she deserved.

“When you come as close to dying as I did last week, it brings some truths home,” he said. “You realize that time and life are uncertain gifts, and you can’t expect anything to last forever. Before I lost my wife, I thought that we’d grow old together. I thought we’d have years to have more children, to watch them grow up and have families of their own. Then she went shopping and never came home. She was gone, just like that. I never even had the chance to tell her good-bye.”

“Sam—” She laid a hand on his arm.

“No, let me finish,” he said. “I don’t know how much time I have left on this earth—or how much time any one of us has. I only know that I don’t want to waste any more of it waiting around for happiness. Life is too short and too precious.”

He turned toward her, his gentle eyes gazing deep into hers. “Grace, I know we can’t make any big decisions until we know each other better. But I don’t want to wait around playing these silly games. I want to end this damned standoff and start spending serious time together.” He paused, searching her face for answers. “Blast it, woman, I’m in love with you.”

Stunned, she let him cup her face between his palms and bring his lips to hers. His tender, seeking kiss went through her like a warm spring flood, stirring pulses of buried desire in the depths of her body. She wanted him. She needed what he was giving her. But the fears were there, too, the raw nerves sending out alarm signals. Grace could feel them holding her back like invisible chains, blocking her response.

Sam could feel them, too. Abruptly, he released her.