Grady gazed out over the ocean, which was choppy today, with rain in the forecast. Every day when he woke up at the beach house with her it was like a dream come true. Knowing she hated mornings, he had let her sleep while he brewed strong coffee with a touch of cinnamon and cooked breakfast before they headed out to the beach. He knew now without a doubt that he wanted her to be by his side for the rest of his life. And he wasn't shy about telling her so, even though she would give him a shove and a smile, not committing to forever . . . yet. But he still had a few weeks and he planned to use the time well. He knew better than the average Joe how life could take a loved one away too soon.
Not that Grady wasn't scared. Giving Arabella the power to hurt him again wasn't something he'd done without some trepidation. But now that she was back, his fear of not having her in his life trumped his fear of getting his heart broken again. He was also aware that he could be an example to his brothers to get out there and take a chance on love.
Arabella laughed, drawing his attention.
"The water is cold!" she shouted as the frothy tide swept over her bare feet. "And now my jeans are wet." Turning her back to the ocean, she leaned over and rolled up the soggy bottoms.
"I warned you not to get too close."
"I like living dangerously."
Grady saw another wave cresting, but before he could warn her, the cold water slapped against her legs. He laughed so hard at her squeal that he had to sit down in the soft, cool sand. "That was awesome," he said as she ran away from the water toward him.
Arabella raised her arms skyward. "Look at me! I'm soaked up to my thighs. My jeans already feel crusty," she complained as she flopped down beside him. She opened the palm of her hand and showed him a few perfect shells. "But it was worth it to get these little beauties."
"You do know that you live in a house overlooking the ocean? You can hunt for shells whenever your little heart desires. You don't have to brave the cold water."
"I just can't help myself. Shelling was one of my favorite pastimes with Granny York. She has a bunch of them displayed in a glass case in her house," she said, but then frowned. "I need to get to Cincinnati soon before my dad sells it and gets rid of everything. Her attic is full of so many memories and treasures. Or at least they're treasures to me. Mom wants me home for Christmas. I know it's only October, but I need to start making plans.
Grady pulled her sideways and kissed her. She didn't know that her Christmas present was going to be her grandmother's house. He'd asked her father to pretend that he hadn't put the house on the market so it could be a surprise. The deed was going to be beneath the Christmas tree. Hopefully he'd convince her to stay after the concert, through the holidays and beyond. But, not wanting to break the spell, he'd refrained from asking anything too deep. For now, he just wanted to keep things easy and simple. "I think you need a sugar cookie fix from Thelma's."
"I think you're right." She stood up and dusted sand from her butt. "And it's meatloaf Monday at Daisy's Diner. Let's get takeout!"
"Sounds like a plan," Grady said. He loved that Arabella adored Main Street in Sea Breeze just as much as he did, and he looked forward to when they could spend more time exploring the shops.
"Do not let me go into the candy store. I can't resist the salted caramels and I'll have to hide the candy from myself."
///
"Explain how you can hide something from yourself?"
Arabella tossed her head back and laughed. "That's the problem."
"God, I love that sound."
"Of the waves crashing against the shore?"
"No, the sound of your laughter." He pulled her close and captured her mouth in a tender kiss that quickly ignited the passion that always simmered beneath the surface when she was near him. The cool breeze blew her hair over her shoulders, caressing his cheeks. He threaded his fingers through the cinnamon silk and tugged her head back gently so he could kiss deeper, longer. His mouth trailed downward to the special place on her neck. Her pulse throbbed and her breath caught, letting him know she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He slipped a hand beneath her sweatshirt, feeling warm skin. She shivered beneath his touch.
"Your hands are cold!" she said with a low laugh.
"I can fix that." Grady scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the beach house. Not his house, their house. He'd built the house while they were still a couple and had intended to surprise her after the world tour. She'd been on the deed from the beginning and he'd never changed it, even after she fled. Maybe he'd always had hope lingering in his heart. Even now it was difficult not to push for something lasting. Evidently patience wasn't his strong suit.