They both knew Ethan never missed a candy bowl. He’d had more than one sweet tooth just like her grandfather for as long as Grace could remember. She’d never understood why Sarah Ashley hadn’t simply baked cookies or bought brownies for Ethan whenever she’d needed to apologize to him. Had Ethan been her boyfriend, Grace would’ve taken up baking and shared every dessert with him.
She didn’t have time to get lost in blue eyes and charming smiles and decadent dessert recipes. “I like to be prepared.”
“For the peppermint rush.” Ethan walked beside her toward the cash register.
Adeline smiled at them like they’d won the Thursday night bingo challenge at the community center in Livingston, before she dropped four bags of ginger pops on the counter to add to Grace’s peppermint candy. Ethan reached for one of the lollipop bags. Grace reached toward the row of coconut-flavored lip balm, extending her arm in front of Ethan and knocking his hand away from the ginger candy. Grace latched onto the oval containers and tossed several lip balms on her pile.
Ethan grabbed the packages of lip balm and juggled three to Adeline’s delight. He asked, “Does the coconut lip balm enhance the peppermint flavor of the candy?”
Adeline watched the pair of them banter, her gaze jumping from one to the other, as if she were forming a response to land her the Montana State Debate title.
Grace shoved her items into a plastic bag, taking over Adeline’s job duties and tossed her cash on the empty counter.
Adeline gathered the money without taking her attention away from Grace and Ethan. “You two come back soon.”
Grace wasn’t coming back anytime soon. The speculation in Adeline’s gaze would only intensify to head-popping explosion once the town learned about Grace’s pregnancy. Internet shopping was all the rage now, anyway. It was past time she joined in.
On the sidewalk, and far enough away from Sundries employees with eavesdropping habits, Grace blurted, “Was that the account paperwork and receipts from the Blackwell Ranch in those folders?”
Ethan shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and stared down Front Street. “Big E has an old-fashioned accounting method.”
“At least he has a method.” If Grace could translate Big E’s system quickly and organize the books, she’d be done working for the Blackwells before the end of the week. That gave her three days to tell him about the baby.
“The books aren’t really portable. Only the bank statements are in the folders I left those on the table beside Pops. If you need more, and you will to solve this accounting fiasco, it’ll be best if you come up to the ranch.” Ethan kicked a stone down the sidewalk. His voice sounded gravelly, as if he wasn’t quite certain about his offer.
As if he wasn’t glad about spending more time with Grace. On his family’s land. In his family’s house. Grace switched the bag to her right hand, holding it between Ethan and herself. Surely she’d find a moment to talk to him at the Blackwell Ranch. Three days offered plenty of opportunities. Like right now. Grace opened her mouth.
But Ethan misinterpreted her silence and filled the space between them with an uncomfortable truth. “Look, we really need your help. I really need you. We have a family of thirty checking in later this month. We can’t cancel their reservation because we can’t pay back their deposit. There’s no money.”
Grace closed her mouth. She’d already assumed that much about the Blackwell Ranch, given Jon’s delay in paying their bill at Brewster’s. She’d extended the due date on the Blackwell account twice already. But she’d never seen Ethan panic, not even when one of their bulls wandered onto the highway and Ethan had to rescue him. Yet Ethan looked panicked now. Would the baby put him into full-scale anxiety mode?
He stepped in front of her. “I can come into town and pick you up when you get off work, if you prefer not to drive those roads at night.”
She would not be touched by his consideration. That looked like dread he was feeling. And any decent guy would’ve made the same offer. “I can drive myself.”
Relief rushed through his words, reaching into his full smile. “Give me your phone?”
Confused, Grace handed him her cell.
“I’m adding myself to the top of your contact list. Call me when you get on the property and I’ll come meet you.” He typed quickly and handed the phone back to her. “I’m mostly there as there’s so much to do and not enough ranch hands to help.”
He scowled, and his voice sounded irritated, like he’d swallowed a handful of prickly burs.
They’d traded secrets during their night together. One secret for another. She’d confessed she’d once had a crush on him back in high school. Ethan had told her how he’d left the Blackwell Ranch, vowing he wouldn’t ever need Big E’s support or assistance again. From the conviction in his voice then, she doubted he’d take pay from the ranch now, even if the family wasn’t facing a financial disaster.
At Brewster’s, Ethan dropped into the rocking chair across from Pops. Grace frowned at Ethan. “With so much to do, I’d think you wouldn’t have time to sit.”
“I have eighteen minutes until the bank opens.” Ethan settled into the rocker and grinned at her. “Besides, Pops and I have an important game to finish.”
“Your mother was already asking about you, Gracie. Better get inside or she’ll start hollering over that intercom. Seems Sarah Ashley got it into her head to update the inventory this morning.” Pops rubbed his hands together and adjusted his chair closer to the chess table.
Inventory? Grace reeled. It had taken her ages to create a database that was a perfect fit for Brewster’s. What had gotten into her sister?
Grace also had a conversation to rehearse.
One that was more overdue than last year’s taxes.
ETHAN CLOSED BUTTERSCOTCH’S stall and stretched. Between the chess game with Pops that morning and sitting by the mare for the past hour, his back had begun to protest. He’d spent longer with the pregnant horse than he’d expected, trying to coax her to eat. He should’ve been out in the south pasture, fixing the broken fence Katie discovered yesterday. The cattle had to graze there tomorrow, which meant Ethan had to fix the fence tonight.
He also had to apologize to Grace tonight. He decided to saddle up two of the horses, Faith Blue and Dewey, who were used for trail rides, and bring Grace with him. He’d mend the pasture fence and things between him and Grace at the same time.
A large black head shifted into his view. He strode over to Devil’s Thunder and stroked the feisty stallion’s neck. “Not today, Devil, I’m afraid. I need to concentrate on other things. But you and I are going out for a ride soon.”
Being out in the pasture with Grace, he wouldn’t worry about anyone walking in on their private conversation.
He smiled. His style contrasted with his grandfather’s, who was always oversharing in line at the bank or South Corner Drug & Sundries as if he’d sought the approval of the teller or cashier that day. Big E had never even lied about his schemes, just doled out the truth, no matter the reaction from whoever listened to his latest ploy.
Should they be more worried about Big E’s whereabouts?
Not even Pops had any insight to offer about Big E this morning when they’d played chess. Big E wouldn’t have left town without telling someone where he was going, and why.
Ethan supposed there was a first time for everything. Still, his grandfather hadn’t changed in over seventy-five years. Ethan doubted he’d changed in the last month. Ethan just hadn’t found the one person