Page 37 of Bad Boy Bakers, Vol. 2

Chapter Ten

When the brass he’d come to meet extended a hand across the desk, Grey took it. “I certainly appreciate you taking the time to meet with us and hear our pitch.”

“This sounds fantastic. I know you’ll take some time to get up and running, but consider yourselves on the list when you are.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Can’t have enough programs to help our veterans with the transition back to civilian life.”

“We couldn’t agree more.” Ned Maguire offered his own firm handshake. “We’ll be in touch.”

The pair of them filed out, making their way down labyrinthine halls and through security.

Grey felt weird being back in Washington.

Weirder still being in a suit instead of his uniform.

He’d only been gone for a matter of months, but already the life he’d led for thirty years was starting to feel alien.

Or maybe that was simply the exhaustion and emotional upheaval of the past twenty-four hours.

The moment they were out of the building, Ned burst into a broad grin. “Well, I don’t think that could have gone any better.”

“No. No, that was exactly what we wanted.”

One sandy brow winged up. “You don’t seem as excited as I thought you’d be.”

“Well, I was up all night driving to get here, so please excuse my lack of enthusiasm and energy. I think I used it all in the presentation. I’m pretty damn tired.

” And that fatigue went so much deeper than his friend could know.

The two-hour nap he’d managed prior to their meeting hadn’t done a damned thing to restore him. His dreams had been full of Rebecca.

Despite the necessity of his presence for this meeting, Grey knew leaving town last night was shitty of him.

He knew that call he’d made had hurt her, which—despite everything—was the last thing he wanted to do.

It had been more than obvious that she felt guilty about the whole thing, and she’d unquestionably suffered from the decision she’d made.

He wasn’t interested in punishing her for it because that wasn’t who he was.

So he’d spent the long drive processing and spinning through what ifs, trying to decide where they should go from here.

Did this change things for him? Was this whole situation a sign that he needed to slow his roll and take a step back from her until things settled with Jonah?

Or was it just another reason to go full-steam ahead on his original plan?

“Earth to Mitchell.”

Grey blinked. “What?”

“Man, your head is off in the clouds. Is there something else going on with you?”

I found out I have a grown son with the woman I’ve been in love with most of my life. I’d say that qualifies as something going on. But he couldn’t bring himself to talk about it with anyone else before he’d discussed things with Rebecca.

When he said nothing, Ned turned to face him. “Does this have something to do with the other reason you went down there?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on. The woman.”

Grey stared at him. “I never said—”

“You didn’t have to. I’ve known you for what? Twenty-five years? You always got this look any time you talked about Tennessee. I figured there was somebody. You’ve got that same look now.”

When he only waited, Grey blew out a breath. He couldn’t fault his friend for paying more attention than he might have wanted. No sense in denying the truth. “Yeah, it’s about her.”

They began walking again. “How are things going in that department?”

“Before yesterday, I would have said absolutely amazing.” He’d finally had her back in his life, in his bed—metaphorically speaking. They’d been on the same page.

“Something happened?”

They’d hit an emotional landmine. “You could say that. I don’t want to get into it.” He was too damned tired and there was too much history that needed to be explained.

Ned nodded. “All right. But does this impact where you want to set the program? Because we’re to the point where we need to be buying land.”

Over the course of the meeting, an idea had begun to percolate in the back of Grey’s brain in conjunction with all he’d been pondering on the drive up.

“Yeah, I think it might. I’ve gotta get my ass back to Tennessee and do some checking.

When I narrow it down to the contenders, do you want to come down and see, or do you trust my judgment? ”

“I’m ready to move when you’re ready, so your say goes. You find the property. I’m in for whatever.”

“Okay. I’ll let you know as soon as I know something.”

“Sounds good.” At their vehicles, Ned pulled him in for a back-thumping hug. “It’s good to see you, man. And I hope things work out whichever way you want them to.”

“Thanks.” Grey returned the thump. “I’ll call you.”

He waved his friend away and got into his Jeep.

The phone in his pocket began to vibrate before he cranked the engine. Maybe it was Rebecca. He fished it out, his spirits sinking a little when the Tennessee number flashing across the screen wasn’t hers.

“Greyson.”

“Captain. This is Magnolia Bradford.”

After a moment of stunned surprise, he got his manners in gear. “Magnolia. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. How are you feeling?” That was the safe thing to ask after someone gave birth, right? She wouldn’t be calling if something had gone wrong.

Her warm chuckle filled the line. “Tired, but happy to be home with the new little one. That’s why I was calling, actually. To say thank you for the lovely baby gift.”

“Oh, well, it seemed like the least I could do given the lengths you went to on my behalf when you were in labor. Um. What did you have?”

“A girl this go-round. Willow Elise. Eight pounds, thirteen ounces. Twenty-one inches. She’s gonna be tall, like her daddy.”

Was that a good weight and height? He had no idea. “Congratulations. I assume Calvin is a very proud papa.”

“He is absolutely besotted. Right now, so is her brother. We’ll see how long that lasts. How did you find the property I sent you to?”

Shit. With everything else that had happened, he hadn’t actually had a chance to come clean about this part. “It was something of an adventure. We actually got trapped out there overnight by the ice storm.”

“Oh my God!”

“It was fine. I had supplies in my Jeep, and we left the place as we found it, other than the ashes in the fireplace. I figured I’d explain to the owner and apologize. I’m happy to send any kind of reparations.”

“No, no. I’m sure he’ll be fine and grateful you were able to take shelter. Did that improve or destroy your opinion of the property?”

For a moment Grey had a flash of bare skin in firelight.

Face heating, he cleared his throat, grateful she couldn’t see him.

“It certainly fits the parameters and is a solid contender. There’s actually another property I’d like you to check on.

Or rather, get your assistant to check on, if possible.

I’m not aware of it being on the market, but I’d like to find out who owns it and whether they’d entertain an offer. ”

Her tone sharpened. “I’m intrigued.”

He told her what he had in mind.

“Now I’m doubly intrigued. I don’t know offhand who owns it, but I can certainly find out.”

“You need to stay home and enjoy time with that baby. If your assistant can find this out quickly, great. But I don’t want to interfere with your maternity leave.” No matter how much he wanted an answer ASAP.

“Seriously, it would just take a phone call or two. No time at all.”

“I heard that!” Calvin’s voice echoed from the other end of the line.

Magnolia heaved a put-upon sigh. “That one’s not gonna let me do anything.”

“I heard that, too!”

“Please don’t get in trouble with him on my account,” Grey begged.

“Fine. I’ll call my assistant and have her look into it.”

“I appreciate it. We’re basically to the point of being ready to make an offer somewhere. I just want to check on all the options.”

“Understood. I’ll—okay, Deena will be in touch as soon as we know something.”

“Thanks, Magnolia. Now go enjoy your daughter.”

“I certainly will.”

Grey hung up the phone, wondering if he was out of his mind. Maybe. But the answer to his query just might determine what happened next.

In the meantime, he had every intention of falling into his bed at the hotel and not moving for the next twelve hours.

Rebecca picked at the crème br?lée that was the last course of the rehearsal dinner.

The fact that she hadn’t inhaled every bite of the magnificent meal prepared by award-winning Chef Athena Reynolds Maxwell was a damned tragedy.

But at this point, she just didn’t have it in her to do more than count down the minutes.

She’d been aware of the looks everyone had shot her tonight.

Word was starting to spread through the wedding party.

That big new family had felt so warm and right at Christmas.

Now she wasn’t sure where she stood with all of them.

No one had outright asked her about Jonah’s parentage.

She wouldn’t have had a clue what to say if they had.

The last week had passed in a blur. She’d been able to lose herself in the million-and-one last-minute tasks surrounding the wedding.

Mostly, it had kept her from dwelling on the fact that she hadn’t heard a word from Grey since that brief phone call.

She’d tried to embrace gratitude for the fact that her son was still speaking to her, and that he was adjusting to the new normal.

Sort of. And Sam had taken the news better than expected.

But the silence from Grey’s quarter had been killing her.

She wanted to believe that he would really come back.

But deep down, a part of her thought she deserved it if he didn’t.

She’d kept his son from him. No matter her reasons, nothing could change that.