Page 101 of Good Girls Don't Kiss and Tell (Rock Canyon, Idaho 7)

She pushed her wild hair out of her face to reveal a dark scowl. “Next time a woman says to let her go, maybe you should listen.”

Grant threw his hands in the air. “Can you deal with this, bro? For such a little woman, she’s ornerier than a three-legged cat in a gunny sack.”

Gracie turned all her attention to Eric and pointed. “You.”

He crossed his arms calmly and confirmed. “Me.”

She closed the distance between them until they were toe to toe. Eric was aware of the people standing around them, but he didn’t care. His attention was completely riveted.

“I was fine you know,” she said. “I was doing great until you hauled me off that stage on Valentine’s Day almost two years ago. And even when you kept pestering me and coming into the shop, I was still good. Why couldn’t you just leave me alone?”

“I did leave you alone. I’ve left you alone for months at a time.”

His words carried a definite bite, which drained away as he added, “And it killed me to do it.”

Her eyes filled with tears and his heart hammered as he wondered what all this meant.

“Why, though? You could have picked any other girl!”

He didn’t know what else to say but,“They wouldn’t have been you.”

“See, and then you have to go and say all these amazing things when I want to be mad.” She sniffled loudly. “You know I’m a wreck when it comes to relationships. You’ve said it yourself, I always run.”

“I have a theory about that.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“I like to think you weren’t running away from them, but toward me.”

She didn’t struggle as he pulled him to her. “What about the times I ran from you?”

“Your feelings were just too strong. But now that you’ve seen the worst, you’re ready for the best.”

Gracie’s lips twitched. “Weeding through all the frogs?”

“And penguins.”

She laughed huskily. “Penguins?”

He nodded. “Yeah, penguins. Nice enough fellows, but aren’t as cool as a bald eagle.”

“Except you aren’t bald now. Your hair’s getting a little too long, actually.”

He scowled at her. “You know, I have no idea why I missed you. Grant is right; you’re ornery. You are the orneriest woman I’ve ever met. First my beard makes you itch, and now my hair is too long? Are you never satisfied, woman?”

Her laughter died. “With you? Yes. And I missed you too. I haven’t slept very well without you.”

“Just because you’re still sleeping on that hard couch.”

“It could just be that maybe I’m used to your snores.” Her smile was teasing and a little sad.

He clenched his hands into fists around her waist so he wouldn’t reach up and shake her. “I’ve told you how I feel. I love you. The question is, how do you feel about me?”

She seemed to be thinking awfully hard for someone who had just fought his brother to have her say.

“I’m waiting.”

She took a deep breath and stared up at him, and the look on her face nearly brought him to his knees. Her smile was soft, her eyes were shiny in the dim light, and she was watching him with such a tender expression, his arms fell limp at his sides.