“It’s the truth. Nobody will ever replace John Shaw in my heart. But I’m lonely and it’s been a long time since I’ve had a warm body to rub my cold feet on under the covers.”
Emma didn’t want to think about Gram under the covers with anybody, never mind Russell Walker. “Fourteen years.”
It occurred to her after she said the words that just because it had been fourteen years since her grandfather died didn’t mean it had been fourteen years since her grandmother had rubbed her cold feet on a warm body under the covers. She propped her elbows on the counter and rested her chin on her hands, hoping she looked attentive but mostly wanting to hide the heat she could feel in her cheeks.
“But it’s more than that,” Gram continued. “When I read something interesting in the paper, I don’t have anybody to share it with. And when I’m watching a murder mystery, I don’t have anybody to tell who I think dunnit.”
It was on the tip of Emma’s tongue to tell Gram she should move back home and they could figure out the plot twists together, but she bit it back. Not only because Gram was happy in Florida, but because she knew it wouldn’t be the same. Gram didn’t just want somebody else to make conversation with. She wanted a companion to share her life with.
“He seems like a nice man,” Emma said, which sounded lame, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“He is, and I enjoy his company.”
“That’s good, Gram.” She meant it and she hoped Gram could see that she did.
Sean walked in with the plate of ham steaks and then stopped, as if his man radar had just pinged on the level of feminine drama in the room. “Everything okay?”
“Of course.” Gram dumped the diced tomatoes into the salad bowl. “Emma was just telling me you’re going four-wheeling Saturday.”
“Only if you don’t mind,” he said, setting the plate on the table.
“Of course not.”
“Gram’s going dancing with Russell.”
“Oh.” He searched Emma’s face for a moment, then turned to Gram. “He seems like a nice guy. Hope you have a good time.”
“I haven’t been dancing in ages, but I’m sure I will. Let’s eat before the ham gets cold.”
“Sean and I have to give an estimate on a job tomorrow, but then we can drive down to Concord and find you a dress, if you want.”
Gram beamed. “I’d love that. I think the last time I bought a new dress, shoulder pads were still all the rage.”
They all laughed, putting an end to any lingering tension in the room. And later, when Sean slipped between the sheets and asked her if she was really okay with her grandmother dating, she could honestly say she was.
“I want her to be happy. If dancing with Russell makes her happy, she should go for it.”
He stretched out against her body. “I agree. Know what would make me happy?”
“If I buy a more manly brand of toilet paper?”
“No. Well, yes. But we can talk about that when we’re not naked.”
She draped her arm over his shoulders and ran her fingertips over the sweet spot at the back of his neck. “What should we talk about while we’re naked?”
He groaned and rolled onto his back, but he took her with him so she was straddling his hips. “Let’s talk about how you look working in the sun, with your skin all shiny and a smear of dirt on your nose.”
“Does me being all grubby and sweaty turn you on?”
“Watching you work turns me on. You work hard and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty. I like that in a woman.”
“Flattery will get you—” she swiveled her hips, brushing over his erection and making him suck in a sharp breath, “—everywhere.”
He reached up and cupped her breasts, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples. “Don’t wanna be anywhere but here.”
The man knew all the right words. He definitely had all the right moves. And he was a quick learner, so he already knew all the right ways to touch her to drive her out of her mind. He had a way of looking at her with those intense blue eyes that made her feel like he’d been waiting his entire life just to make love to her.
And, as long as she wasn’t stupid enough to imagine she could see forever in those eyes, she’d take it.
He ran one fingertip down her forehead to the bridge of her nose. “You’re frowning. What are you thinking about?”
She shoved the word forever out of her mind and ran her hands over his rippled abdomen. “I was wondering why you’re not inside me yet.”
“Because you’re frowning at me. Gives me confidence issues.”
Reaching between their bodies, she stroked the hard length of him. “Confidence is never an issue for you.”
He grinned and flipped her onto her back. “I’m confident I can have you whimpering my name into your pillow in five minutes or less.”
“I don’t know,” she said as his hand brushed over her stomach and kept going south. “I’m not an easy woman to please.”
His mouth followed the trail his hand had marked against her skin. “I never could resist a challenge.”
Chapter Fifteen