Heart of Texas Vol. 2 by Debbie Macomber Page A

corsage on her wrist. “Who gave you flowers?”
    â€œGrady,” Maggie answered with such pride her entire face lit up. Her eyes fell to the pink and white carnations on her wrist. “He yells some times.”
    â€œDoes it bother you?”
    Maggie had to think about that a moment before she shrugged. “He bought Mommy flowers, too. She was surprised and so was I, and when Mommy asked him why, he said it was ’cause we’re special.”
    â€œYou are very special.” Wade smiled.
    Maggie’s return smile revealed two missing front teeth. “Mommy likes him,” she said, and Wade had the feeling that she’d decided perhaps Grady wasn’t such a bad guy, after all.
    Petey Bush approached. “Wanna hold hands?” the six-year-old boy asked.
    Maggie looked to Wade for permission. “I think it’ll be all right,” he advised.
    She nodded solemnly and the two children strolled off hand in hand.
    â€œIt’s a sorry day when five- and six-year-olds have an easier time getting a date than we do, don’t you think?” Cal asked him.
    A sorry day indeed, Wade mused.
    Â 
    C AROLINE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME at the dinner. A perfectly wonderful time, she reflected as they walked out to Grady’s truck. Everything about the evening had been like a dream. Not once had she exchanged a cross word with Grady. Not once had they disagreed. Not once had he yelled at Maggie. There just might be hope for them.
    Maggie, worn-out from the evening’s activities, fell asleep between them in the truck. She slumped against Caroline, her head in her mother’s lap. When Grady pulled up in front of the house, she was still asleep. It seemed a shame to disturb her.
    Grady must have thought the same thing, because he turned off the engine and made no move to get out of the truck. The only light available was from a quarter moon set crookedly in the dark Texas sky.
    Night settled about them. Neither one of them spoke. Forher own part, Caroline wanted the evening to last as long as possible. If it never ended, that was fine with her.
    â€œI had a lovely time,” she finally whispered.
    â€œMe, too.”
    She assumed he’d open the truck door then and was pleased when he didn’t.
    â€œIt was sweet of you to bring Maggie and me flowers.”
    â€œIt was the only way I could tell you how much—” He halted midsentence.
    â€œHow much…?” she prodded.
    â€œI like you both,” he finished.
    â€œDo you, Grady?” she asked, her voice low.
    â€œVery much.” He brought his hand to the side of her face, and Caroline closed her eyes, delighting in the feel of his callused palm against her cheek. Smiling to herself at how far they’d come, she leaned into his hand.
    â€œDo you think it’d wake Maggie if I kissed you?” he asked, whispering.
    Caroline didn’t know, but she was prepared to risk it. “I’m game if you are.”
    Still Grady hesitated. “This is the first time Maggie’s been willing to have anything to do with me. I don’t want to ruin that.”
    â€œIf you don’t kiss me now, Grady, I swear I’ll never forgive you!”
    He laughed softly and without further delay took her face between his hands. Once again Caroline shut her eyes, just for a moment, treasuring these rare moments of intimacy.
    Slowly Grady bent toward her and she angled her head to accommodate his movement. His mouth was so close to hers. So close she could feel his breath against her skin. So close she could sense his longing—and admit her own. Yet he hesitated, as did she.
    Caroline realized—and she suspected that Grady did, too—that everything between them would be forever changed if they proceeded with this kiss. It was more than an ordinary kiss. It was a meeting of two hearts, an ad mission of vulnerability and openness.
    Caroline wasn’t sure who moved first, but chose to think