Betting on Grace by Nicole Edwards Page B

threatened to set the smoke detectors
off.
    Oh, crap.
    “Grant,” Hope spoke directly to the man sitting at her
side, leaning over his shoulder. “I wanted to let you know that someone’s been
callin’ the ranch for you. I haven’t been the one to answer it yet, but the
girls who’re answerin’ the phone are gettin’ antsy. I think he said he was your
dad.”
    Grace watched Grant’s entire body tense, his eyes
narrow.
    Why would Grant’s father be calling the ranch?
    “Thanks,” Grant said roughly, his tone making the hair
on the back of Grace’s neck lift.
    Grace didn’t have a chance to question him about it
because Hope turned her attention toward her.
    “Hey, Grace,” Hope said, leaning down over Grace’s
shoulder. “I wanted to see if we could have a meeting Thursday mornin’ at my house.”
    And Hope was asking her this now? Because, what … they
weren’t going to see each other tomorrow? Grace didn’t feel comfortable
questioning Hope in front of the guests — which she figured was Hope’s angle —
so she simply nodded her head. “What time?”
    “Eight. If possible.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “Thanks. It was great to meet you both,” Hope stated,
obviously talking to Ben and Maddie. “I hope you have a great time while you’re
here. You’re lucky, you know that?”
    “Why?” Maddie asked, curiosity making her golden eyes
glow.
    Grace held her breath, waiting to see what Hope was
going to say. The woman was always completely professional — sometimes too much
so — when guests were around.
    “My sister Gracie… She’s the best cowgirl at the
ranch. You’re lucky to have her showing you around.”
    What the…
    Twisting so that she could see Hope still standing
over her shoulder, Grace was speechless. Her face heated, embarrassment making
her temperature spike. Her sister didn’t usually hand out compliments like
that. Ever.
    “I know!” the little girl agreed. “She showed me how
she races her horse, and tomorrow she’s gonna take me fishing.”
    Shit.
    Grace twirled back around in her seat fast enough to
shake the table, not wanting to look at Hope.
    “Well, honey, I think you’re gonna have a fabulous
time. It was nice meeting you, Ben,” Hope said before she turned and walked
away from the table.
    Grace noticed that Ben was still watching her sister,
even when Hope stopped at another table to chat with guests. She had no idea
what was running through his head, but the look on his face wasn’t lewd. No, she’d
be more inclined to describe his expression as wonder.
    When a smile tipped the corner of his lips, Grace
peeked over her shoulder one more time to see Hope looking back at him.
    Wow. And wonders never ceased.

Chapter Seven
    “Hey, let’s get outta here for a little while,” Lane
mumbled to Grant after they had cleaned off the table and headed toward the
door.
    Ben and Maddie had excused themselves a short while
ago. Apparently, seven thirty was the little girl’s bedtime, and if they didn’t
head back, she’d find a way to get out of taking a bath, something Ben wasn’t
looking forward to.
    “What’d you have in mind?” Grant asked, his eyes
searching their surroundings to ensure no one was listening.
    “I don’t know. Somethin’ fun. Let’s grab the horses
and head out for a bit.”
    As they stepped out onto the porch, Grant glanced up
at the evening sky. Still cloudless, although the sun had begun its descent in
the west, casting rays of pink and orange overhead. The days weren’t quite as
long as they used to be, but he knew they still had quite a bit of daylight
left to utilize.
    “I’m game,” Gracie said as she joined them.
    Hell, Grant hadn’t even realized she was there.
    “What d’ya say?” Lane asked Grant.
    “Why not,” Grant answered with a grin.
    Some time away from the place would do them some good.
And unfortunately, they never had much of a chance to spend time together
unless they were sneaking around anyway. An