She gave him a small smile. “I’m sorry. I know how frustrating that must be for you.”
He shrugged. “I’m dealing with it. Alex is a good driver, though. He’ll finish out the season for the number fifty-three decently enough, and I’ll be back in the car in time for Daytona in February.”
“Are you healing well?”
“Doctors all say I’m doing fine, but I’m restless. It’s hard for me to just sit and . . .
heal.”
“But it’s important that you don’t push yourself.”
He let out a laugh. “Pushing myself is what I do best. I’m not much of a sitter. I did spend some time at the beach house.”
“I’m sure that was relaxing.”
“It would have been more relaxing if you’d been there with me.”
She frowned. “Obviously, that wasn’t possible.”
“No. You have a job to do.” He pushed up and stood. So did Evelyn.
“You’re leaving?”
“Actually, I’d like you to take a ride with me, if you can spare a few minutes.”
“A ride where?”
He gave her a direct look. “Just trust me?”
She studied him. “All right. Let me grab my purse.”
He led her outside where his car was waiting. She climbed in and he shut the door behind them. “You have the address, Tom.”
“Yes, sir.”
She looked over at him. “I admit to being more than a little curious.”
“It’s not far.”
He hoped to God this worked, that she wasn’t angry when he showed her, that she understood his intention.
When they pulled up the drive, she looked over at him. “I don’t understand.”
“You will when I explain. Let’s get out.”
Evelyn got out and looked over the stunning home. She’d seen the For Sale sign when they pulled into the long driveway, could only imagine the price since the property itself must cost a fortune, considering its location in Georgetown.
“All these trees, and is that a pool back there?”
“Yeah. Tennis court, too. Let’s go inside and take a look.”
A woman stood by, nodding and smiling as she opened the door for them.
Inside was even more breathtaking. Rustic and homey, with hardwood floors and exposed wood beams, it was open and expansive, with high ceilings and wide windows, curving staircases, and the most amazing bathrooms and kitchen Evelyn had ever seen. Obviously a restored farmhouse, it boasted huge rooms and a playroom, and she lost count of the number of bedrooms.
There was even an enclosed porch, and acres of green lawn and mature trees. After being back in her cramped apartment, Evelyn was in love with the place.
“Wow,” was all she said after the tour. “That was fun. Whose place is this?”
Gray nodded at the Realtor, who left them alone in the kitchen.
“It could be ours.”
Her heart stuttered. “Excuse me?”
“Ours. Yours and mine.” He hobbled over to her and took her hands in his. “I want us to be together, Evelyn, which I know won’t be easy, but nothing worth having ever comes easy. I learned that a long time ago. If there’s something you want, you have to work hard to have it. And I want you.”
She took a deep breath. “Gray.”
“I love you, Evelyn. I might have handled some things badly, and for that I’m sorry. I know you’re capable of juggling the entire world on your shoulders, but you don’t have to do it alone. Do it with me. Marry me.”
She couldn’t hold back the tears. “Gray. I love you, too, and I let my own fears get in the way of telling you that. And for that I’m the one who’s sorry. You were only trying to help me, to clear the way for me to be able to do my job, and instead of being grateful, I jumped all over you and walked away from you. Please forgive me for that because I’ve been so miserable without you.”
She walked into his arms and his lips came down on hers. She relished his anguished groan of need as he kissed her. Suddenly, everything that had been wrong was suddenly right again, and her world was dizzy because of it. She held on to him like she never wanted to let go of him again.
She would never let go of him again.
When she broke the kiss, she swept her fingers over his cheekbones, his lips, and his strong jaw. “You bought this house?”
“I put a deposit down on it. If you don’t like it, we’ll keep looking. But I saw the trees and thought several of them were strong enough for a tire swing.”
“Oh. God. Yes. I love this house, Gray. It’s perfect for you and me and our children.” She brushed her lips across his, unable to believe he remembered the tire swing. “But what about your house in Daytona? Please don’t sell it.”
“Congress recesses, Evelyn. I’m not selling the house in Daytona. I thought we might also want a town house in New York. You liked it there, too.”
She took a deep breath and let it out. “You’re too good to me.”
“I don’t know about that. You’ve been pretty good to me, too. I’d say we’re good for each other.”