fit body and sheer stubbornness. It was that head-strong will that sent a ripple of alarm through Grace.
His gold/brown gaze took in her disheveled appearance, and a scowl of disapproval darkened his expression. “It’s after ten in the morning, Grace. What are you still doing in bed?”
Enjoying myself. Pleasing myself. Falling in love all over again.
Biting back the private comments, she casually clutched her robe at her neck, too aware of the fact that she was naked beneath. Very aware, as well, that her father was too close to her bedroom door for comfort. “It’s Sunday, Dad,” she said, heading into the kitchen, knowing he’d follow. “I don’t have to work, so I can be as lazy as I want to be, which means sleeping in till noon, if I’d like.”
“Hrmph,” The sound of disgust erupted from somewhere behind Grace—a typical sound from her father. Ellis Holbrook believed in rising early and making the most of a day. Grace did too, but she’d wanted to make the most of her day with Ford—in bed. Especially since he was leaving today.
Filling her coffee carafe with water, she glanced over her shoulder at her dad. “Why didn’t you call before coming out here like you normally do?”
“What, I’m not allowed to stop by and see my daughter any time I want?”
Refusing to give into his guilt tactics, she gave him a sweet smile as she scooped coffee grounds into the basket. “I’m just surprised to see you, is all. Didn’t you go golfing this morning with Gene and Emmett?” Rain or shine, her father had a standing reservation with his two old friends to play eighteen holes at the Whitaker Country Club on Sunday mornings. Only a medical emergency or some other life threatening crisis could drag him away from the sport—which was what worried Grace.
“I was golfing, when we came across Sheldon and his golfing buddies out on the ninth hole. He imparted some disturbing news that ruined my game.”
Sheldon was the president of the only savings and loan in town. Suspecting where this conversation might be headed, she remained nonchalant. “Oh, and what news was that?”
“Ford McCabe is back in town.” Ellis’s face flushed again, a long ago rage brewing just below the surface.
Grace’s stomach clenched tight, and she tried desperately to act surprised at his announcement. “Sheldon saw him?”
“No, he didn’t see him.” He scrubbed a hand through his thick, salt and pepper hair, the gesture agitated. Her father normally had calm, steady nerves, but not where Ford McCabe was concerned. “Yesterday after closing time at the bank Sheldon was reviewing the new accounts and came across a savings and checking account under the name of Ford McCabe. The signature card was signed with Ford’s name and dated yesterday.”
Grace wasn’t sure what to make of that, and wondered why Ford hadn’t divulged that bit of information to her last night. Certain there was a logical explanation for the information her father had discovered, she shook off the unease settling over her, and turned toward the cupboard to retrieve two coffee cups.
Her father paced the small confines of the kitchen, the volatile energy surrounding him nearly palpable. “And guess what company is listed under his place of business?” He didn’t give her time to guess the answer to his question, though her belly twisted with an awful apprehension. “FZM, Inc. He’s the owner of the company who bought the land out at Cutter Creek! That house is listed as his primary residence!”
Ford was going to be living in Whitaker Falls? Why hadn’t he told her? Grace’s mind reeled, and a horrible sense of betrayal pierced her heart. The hand pouring the coffee into their mugs shook uncontrollably, and she set the pot back on the burner before she spilled hot liquid everywhere.
With her mind and body numb from disbelief, and a dozen other different emotions clamoring to the surface, Grace brought their mugs to the table. She sat
His gold/brown gaze took in her disheveled appearance, and a scowl of disapproval darkened his expression. “It’s after ten in the morning, Grace. What are you still doing in bed?”
Enjoying myself. Pleasing myself. Falling in love all over again.
Biting back the private comments, she casually clutched her robe at her neck, too aware of the fact that she was naked beneath. Very aware, as well, that her father was too close to her bedroom door for comfort. “It’s Sunday, Dad,” she said, heading into the kitchen, knowing he’d follow. “I don’t have to work, so I can be as lazy as I want to be, which means sleeping in till noon, if I’d like.”
“Hrmph,” The sound of disgust erupted from somewhere behind Grace—a typical sound from her father. Ellis Holbrook believed in rising early and making the most of a day. Grace did too, but she’d wanted to make the most of her day with Ford—in bed. Especially since he was leaving today.
Filling her coffee carafe with water, she glanced over her shoulder at her dad. “Why didn’t you call before coming out here like you normally do?”
“What, I’m not allowed to stop by and see my daughter any time I want?”
Refusing to give into his guilt tactics, she gave him a sweet smile as she scooped coffee grounds into the basket. “I’m just surprised to see you, is all. Didn’t you go golfing this morning with Gene and Emmett?” Rain or shine, her father had a standing reservation with his two old friends to play eighteen holes at the Whitaker Country Club on Sunday mornings. Only a medical emergency or some other life threatening crisis could drag him away from the sport—which was what worried Grace.
“I was golfing, when we came across Sheldon and his golfing buddies out on the ninth hole. He imparted some disturbing news that ruined my game.”
Sheldon was the president of the only savings and loan in town. Suspecting where this conversation might be headed, she remained nonchalant. “Oh, and what news was that?”
“Ford McCabe is back in town.” Ellis’s face flushed again, a long ago rage brewing just below the surface.
Grace’s stomach clenched tight, and she tried desperately to act surprised at his announcement. “Sheldon saw him?”
“No, he didn’t see him.” He scrubbed a hand through his thick, salt and pepper hair, the gesture agitated. Her father normally had calm, steady nerves, but not where Ford McCabe was concerned. “Yesterday after closing time at the bank Sheldon was reviewing the new accounts and came across a savings and checking account under the name of Ford McCabe. The signature card was signed with Ford’s name and dated yesterday.”
Grace wasn’t sure what to make of that, and wondered why Ford hadn’t divulged that bit of information to her last night. Certain there was a logical explanation for the information her father had discovered, she shook off the unease settling over her, and turned toward the cupboard to retrieve two coffee cups.
Her father paced the small confines of the kitchen, the volatile energy surrounding him nearly palpable. “And guess what company is listed under his place of business?” He didn’t give her time to guess the answer to his question, though her belly twisted with an awful apprehension. “FZM, Inc. He’s the owner of the company who bought the land out at Cutter Creek! That house is listed as his primary residence!”
Ford was going to be living in Whitaker Falls? Why hadn’t he told her? Grace’s mind reeled, and a horrible sense of betrayal pierced her heart. The hand pouring the coffee into their mugs shook uncontrollably, and she set the pot back on the burner before she spilled hot liquid everywhere.
With her mind and body numb from disbelief, and a dozen other different emotions clamoring to the surface, Grace brought their mugs to the table. She sat
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