When It's Right(58)
“But you said they only want family.”
“That’s what Gabe said.”
Which meant that Gabe understood how important Gillian had become to Blake, even in such a short amount of time. Did he want to take that step and bring her to the family wedding? Yes. No hesitation. No worry that she wouldn’t fit in. He wanted her there. But would she go?
She turned and stared at him across the yard. When he didn’t smile or anything, she took a step in his direction, stopped, and smiled at him. His heart skipped. Then she waved for him to come out and join her. She wanted him to come to her. This time, his heart warmed and grew two sizes in his chest.
He stuffed the wedding invitation in his back pocket and walked out the door. He met Gillian in the drive. She didn’t back away when he approached, but he still stopped two feet away from her. She closed the distance, stood beside him, and leaned against his side, looking up at him, smiling as they watched Bud and his dad going back and forth about the engine. His dad talked about working on his own father’s truck when he was a boy of Justin’s age.
When Gillian didn’t pull away but stayed close, he wrapped his arm around her and held her to his side, feeling like he was ten feet tall and granted his greatest wish.
“They look good together,” Dee said to Joan.
“Yes, they do, but she’s wary of him. She hasn’t let him in. Blake’s nervous about Bud’s reaction. Bud’s keeping his eye on them. Blake’s holding back, afraid to make a wrong move with him—and her.
“Blake’s been so focused on work and just cruising through his life that it’s nice to see him put on the brakes and actually think about his future. It started with Caleb and Gabe, but it was still more of a rolling stop–a passing thought that maybe he’d find someone to share his life. Now he’s slammed on the brakes to pick her up and take her on the ride with him if she’ll get in the car.”
Dee laughed. “I have a feeling he’ll idle beside her as long as it takes for her to decide to go along with him. Or knowing Gillian, she’ll ask him to step out of his comfort zone and detour down the path she’s on now.”
“I know my son. He’ll go anywhere she wants, because he’s finally found someone who stopped him in his tracks.”
“Let’s hope they both find what they’re looking for.”
“I think they already have, now they just need to find a way to make it work and let it bloom into a lasting future.”
Justin ran to both of them and threw his arms around Gillian and Blake’s legs, holding onto both of them.
Joan’s eyes softened on them. “They make a nice picture.” Joan hoped the reality would be even better.
Chapter 17
Gillian accompanied Grandma Dee into town to do the grocery shopping. Justin wanted to come with them until Blake promised to take him riding again. Gillian couldn’t blame Justin for staying behind. She found herself drawn to the horses, especially the wounded and sick ones.
“I’ve lost you,” Grandma Dee said. She pulled the truck into a parking space outside the market and stared over at her.
“Sorry. I got lost in thought.”
“Thinking about Blake?” The hint of a knowing smile and the glint in Dee’s eyes made Gillian smile.
“No. The horses.” And Blake, too. Always Blake.
“You’re very good with them. Why, in just ten days Boots has improved remarkably. He eats regularly now. Even the vet said he’s got more energy, and his blood work has improved.”
“It’s the feed mix Blake put together for him. High calories with lots of vitamins and minerals.”
“You soothed Rocky after he hurt his leg on the track.”
Gillian slid from the truck seat, closed the door, and walked around the truck to join Grandma Dee. They walked toward the grocery store.
“The vet said it’s a mild sprain.”
“You seemed very interested in what Dr. Potts did and had to say about Rocky.”
“Once upon a time, I thought I might like to be a vet,” she admitted.
“Why once upon a time? Why not now?”
“It always seemed a dream out of reach. I spent all my time scraping together the money my dad drank or smoked away instead of paying the bills. Although I had the grades to get into college, I didn’t have the money.”
“Why not a student loan?”
Gillian grabbed a cart inside the store and followed her grandmother. “Sure, that would help, but then I’d have to come up with living expenses and babysitting or daycare money for Justin. I saved some money, hoping one day I’d have enough to take Justin and set us up in our own place. I hoped once he was in first grade and in school for more than half the day I could maybe take some classes at a junior college. Get a start on becoming something more than a dishwasher, waitress, bookkeeper.”