Page 143 of Perfectly Matched: Harbor Falls Romance Collection

Twenty minutes later Rick lifted the last spoon of creamy vanilla ice cream topped with a slice of just-ripe strawberry to his lips, savored the flavor, rolling it over on his tongue. The strawberry literally melted in his mouth along with the ice cream. He swallowed, then closed his eyes and leaned back on the padded redwood chaise lounge and sighed.

Heaven. Pure heaven.

“Good, huh, Dad?”

“Absolutely.”

Rick opened one eye only to find the two females on the deck staring at him.

“Worth it?”

Gracie asked.

“Yummy,”

he answered.

She grinned.

“Told you so. More?”

Opening the other eye and sitting up, he told her no.

“I’ve eaten more than my share already.”

“But you did all the hard work,”

Gracie said.

“You deserve more than the rest of us.”

“Oh, I think you did the most important work,”

he replied.

“I mean, killing those fish eggs was extremely important. Simon Ellen says so.”

Gracie and Izzie looked at each other and burst out laughing. Rick found that he immensely liked the sound of their voices blended together in laughter like that. But all too quickly Gracie stopped laughing and rose to gather their bowls. She reached for his and he handed it to her, holding onto the bowl just a tad longer than he’d intended. Her fingertips grazed his and their gazes briefly touched. A puzzled look crossed Gracie’s face and he let go of the bowl. He couldn’t deny though, that he liked the electric sizzle her touch had sent up his hand.

Quickly, she retrieved Izzie’s bowl and set about cleaning up other things. Rick rubbed his hand on his leg to try and stop the sizzle. It wasn’t working.

His daughter slowly made her way to where he was sitting on the chaise and curled up in his lap.

“Sleepy Munchkin?”

She yawned and nodded.

“A little.”

Glancing at his watch, Rick realized it was an hour past her bedtime. Making the ice cream had taken a lot longer than he’d expected.

“Well, let’s help Gracie clean up then we should get you to bed.”

He rose, taking the child with him. Izzie clung to him, snuggling closer into her daddy’s chest. Gracie turned, her hands full of bowls and such.

“I can do this. Why don’t you put her to bed?”

She smiled and Rick felt warm. Warmer than the humidity and Izzie’s hot body was making him. This was something else entirely.

“I tell you what,”

he answered.

“You do the dishes and as soon as I get her down, I’ll come back and take care of the freezer, empty the ice, and hose the salt off the deck. All right?”

Gracie must have liked the sound of that because she smiled at him.

“All right.”

He liked the sound of that, too. It would give him one more chance today to be with her. Like he needed to do that, just to see if what was happening between them, was really happening.

And to determine if he wanted what he thought was happening, to really happen.

There was not a doubt in his mind—Gracie Hart was getting to him on some level. Okay, multiple levels. He just wasn’t sure that was a good thing.

****

Gracie sat looking out over her back view of Harbor Falls as she waited for Rick. She liked her private view to the world off her apartment and gravitated to her deck often. Today was different, with Rick and Izzie joining her for ice cream. She had to admit she liked the company—liked their company.

She was falling for Izzie, the little urchin. She was precious and precocious and a delight to her heart. She also had to admit that despite everything, she liked Rick a little too. He was growing on her. If only he hadn’t lied to her.

Was lie to harsh?

Maybe they needed to deal with that—misconception.

The evening was cool and crisp as dusk settled around the town. The hint of an approaching storm in the west kicked up some stiff winds and occasional gusts. The day was long, and Gracie was tired, ready to relax. It had been a good day, a nice weekend. For the first time in forever she’d given herself two full days off.

Night sounds skittered, birds called, people talked somewhere down the street, a cat meowed. She rested her head on the back of the chaise and closed her eyes as she strived just to be present in the moment. After a short while, her back door creaked, and she heard Rick’s footsteps. Then they paused and the redwood creaked, and she knew he’d sat in the chaise next to hers.

“She asleep?”

Gracie asked, her eyes still closed.

“Finally,”

he answered after a minute.

“That’s good.”

“Yes.”

Gracie thought about Izzie for a moment.

“Don’t know how you do it sometimes, Rick.”

When he didn’t immediately answer, she opened her eyes and turned toward him.

He was watching her with intent.

“I love her.”

Smiling, Gracie said.

“I know. It’s obvious.”

Then she added.

“She’s a great kid, Rick. Full of energy. I like her a lot.”

“Even though she broke your crystal cookie plate?”

“Even though.”

She grinned.

“I know sometimes she’s a nuisance.”

Gracie sat up and faced Rick. “No,”

she returned softly.

“She’s never a nuisance. I love having her around. I hope you’ll let her come over whenever she likes. I really enjoy her company.”

Glancing away, she looked toward the sky to her left. More clouds were tumbling in. An awkward silence enveloped them.

“You’re good with her,”

Rick finally said.

Shaking her head, she replied.

“No. She’s good for me.”

He placed his elbows on his knees and made a tent with his fingers. Both faced the other now, sitting on the sides of the lounges. He appeared to study her for a moment, as though he were contemplating asking a question. Gracie simply studied him back, trying to anticipate his thoughts.

“I’m surprised you don’t have children,”

he said.

“You’re good with Izzie.”

At that, Gracie dropped her gaze.

“Just one of those things,”

she said softly.

“Do you want children someday?”

Lifting her gaze back to connect with his, she firmly replied.

“Yes. More than anything. Someday.”

It startled her that she admitted that aloud. She hadn’t talked with anyone lately about her obsession with having a child. Not even Constance or Amie.

“Difficult to plan those things sometimes, huh?”

Keeping the connection fully between them, Gracie smiled and replied softly.

“Perhaps more than you realize.”

They sat in silence for a moment. Then Gracie thought of something.

“Rick, there’s something I need to tell you. I’ve put it off.”

He arched a brow. It was almost the eye thing and Gracie had to stifle a giggle.

“What?”

“I don’t want you to get mad—but it’s something you should know.”

“Oh hell. What? Are you revoking the lease?”

She sat up straighter.

“Oh, my goodness no. It has nothing to do with the lease, or the bar, or…”

“Whew. Good. I was sure—”

“It’s Izzie.”

His face froze.

Gracie took a breath.

“She tossed a couple of water balloons out your apartment window onto Suzie Matthews’ head the other night.”

Gracie chewed the inside of her lip. Last thing she wanted to do was get Izzie into trouble, but she figured Rick had a right to know.

“She didn’t,” he said.

“She did.”

He studied her for a moment.

“Did she get her good?”

A hint of a grin flashed across his lips.

Gracie clamped her lips between her teeth, not wanting to smile, and slowly nodded.

“Afraid so. New hairdo, too.”

Rick glanced off.

“Well. I’ll have to talk to her.”

Gracie nodded.

“You do that.”

Then before she realized it, both burst into laughter. After a minute, Gracie had to hold her sides.

“It’s really not funny,”

she told him.

“I know. I’m going to have to punish her.”

“You should have seen Suzie’s face.”

Gracie giggled.

“If she wasn’t so furious, she would have laughed herself.”

Rick took a breath and tried to control himself.

“I’m glad I didn’t see it. It would be hard to keep a straight face while setting Izzie straight. That child.”

He shook his head and then looked back at Gracie.

“Thanks for telling me. Please don’t keep things like that from me. It’s hard enough doing this parent thing on my own.”

Gracie thought about that for a minute, her smile turning serious. She was sure what he said was the truth.

“So, what about Izzie’s mother, Rick? Does Izzie ever get to spend time with her?”

His expression took a sudden dive into seriousness, too. Shaking his head, he simply said, “No.”

Gracie let it lie. A few moments later he added.

“Izzie’s mom and I divorced three years ago. She left us to pursue an acting career in California. She’s not seen Izzie since. We’ve caught glimpses of her on commercials from time to time and occasionally she calls or sends a gift. That’s about the extent of it.”

The mood changed, and Gracie realized that Rick was finished with that subject. She felt no need to pursue it further. Even though she knew she’d think about that for some time to come. Poor Izzie.

A clap of thunder sounded in the distance and each of them glanced toward the sound. A few seconds later a streak of lightning snaked across the sky.

“Cold front coming in,”

Rick offered.

“I caught a bit of the weather when I was inside. Looks like it might storm. I’ll get that freezer now.”

He stood and Gracie stood, too.

“I already took care of it.”

“Oh?”

He glanced about and sat back down again. So did Gracie.

“I told you I would do it.”

“I know. I just finished with everything else and it only took a minute. Besides, I was watching the storm too.”

Still sitting opposite her, Rick once again tented his fingers and Gracie continued to glance around, trying not to stare at him.

Thing was, she liked looking at him. Those eyes, which had caught her off guard from the very first time they’d met, mesmerized her each time his gaze took hold and held. Even small, skittering glances, where their gazes flitted and danced around one another caught her in a web of enchantment and made her only want to stare into them more.

“May I ask you a question?”

He nodded slowly. “Sure.”

“Was it you who tucked me into bed the other night?”

Again, their gazes locked, and Gracie was determined not to let hers skitter away this time. The question had rattled through her mind for two days. She needed to know.

Finally, he dropped his chin in a nod. “Yes,”

he replied in a low voice.

“Your friends abandoned you and I was left to the task.”

A task. Now she was a task.

“Ah. I see.”

Her gaze skittered then.

“Not that I minded, however.”

“Oh.”

“I think your friends planned it.”

Gracie frowned. The little matchmakers.

“I wouldn’t put it past them. I apologize.”

Shaking his head, he replied.

“Don’t apologize.”

Then his voice lowered, became soft.

“I told you, I didn’t mind.”

Gracie looked back at him. He looked questioningly into her eyes. She wasn’t quite sure what she should say back to that. A small shiver snaked down her spine and she had to concentrate not to let her body shiver.

“Well, thank you for taking care of me,”

she finally said.

“I’m not quite sure what possessed me that evening. It’s, um, it was a little embarrassing. I usually don’t do things like that.”

A smile cracked Rick’s face.

“I know that. No need to be embarrassed.”

His smile broadened then.

“You were pretty darned cute, you know.”

Suddenly, Gracie felt hot and flushed.

“Well gee, if I’d known before now that I was a cute drunk, I’d have done it long ago.”

Chuckling, Rick dropped his hands and stood. In one movement, he stepped the distance between them and sat beside Gracie on the lounge chair.

“Well, as cute as you were, I really don’t think it’s you.”

Gracie bit her lip.

“You know, I don’t think it’s me, either.”

They sat for a minute, thunder still gently rolling in the background, studying the sky. Gracie studied Rick’s profile while he looked up. A moment later, he slowly turned toward her, leaned closer, and before she knew it, had touched his lips to hers in a soft, slow kiss.

It was only a brief kiss but very sweet. When Gracie opened her eyes, she saw Rick staring back. Her heart pounded then, and she wasn’t quite sure she was breathing.

A moment of silence fell between them and then he spoke.

“Mind if I ask you a question?”

Gracie continued to study his face, her heart fluttering.

“No. I don’t mind.”

He glanced away for several seconds then turned back to her.

“When I tucked you into bed the other night, I couldn’t help but notice the photos on your lamp table. I thought you might tell me about them.”

Gracie was stunned. That question came from way out in left field and there was no way she was prepared for it. The kiss was all but forgotten. Hesitantly, she pushed away, stood and walked toward the edge of the deck, facing out over the parking lot. Several minutes passed and she didn’t answer him.

She didn’t know how to answer him. She rarely talked about it with anyone. And if she did talk about it, it was with Amie or Constance, who were both women and understood. She’d never once discussed it with a man. At least a man she was attracted to.

“I’m sorry. I guess it’s personal. I shouldn’t have asked.”

She heard Rick rise and step toward her back door. Turning, she watched as he reached for the doorknob.

“Which picture do you want to know about?”

she called out softly. It was an impromptu decision, but she was glad after she’d blurted it out. For some reason, she didn’t want him walking away. Not yet.

He stopped and turned, dropping his hand to his side. His gaze met hers again and for some reason, she wanted to tell him something. Perhaps not all and not every detail. But something.

“The one of you,”

he told her quietly.

“as a ballerina.”

She thought for a moment, and then from somewhere deep inside, she mustered up the words.

“Ten years ago, I was a ballet dancer. In New York. For five years of my life. I’d studied as a child. It was all I ever wanted to do.”

It was more than she’d planned on telling him.

“But you don’t do it anymore?”

She shook her head.

“Why?”

“It’s...complicated.”

“I’d like to hear.”

“Someday, maybe. Not now.”

Nodding, he conceded and paused the conversation for a moment. Then he asked.

“And the other picture?”

She had a feeling that was the one he was most interested in knowing about. Did he think she had a lover somewhere? Did that bother him?

Gracie lifted her chin and again called upon that ball of courage deep in her gut to find the words.

“He was my fiance,”

she simply said.

Rick swallowed and stared at her.

“Key word being ‘was’.”

“Yes.”

“So, he’s not your fiance anymore?”

“No,”

she replied.

“What happened?”

Gracie felt tears prick the backs of her eyelids, so she decided to get this over with as quickly as possible.

“He died,”

she told him.

“The same night my ballet career died.”

Then not wanting to discuss any of it further, she quietly stepped around him and escaped to the solitude of her apartment. Where she belonged.

Her sleep that night was laced with confused visions of lost love and hope as Rick’s brief kiss invaded her dreams.

****

The next evening Gracie sat near the center of her bed, Izzie sitting cross-legged in front of her, Claire curled up in a ball in Izzie’s lap, and Bandit chewing on an old shoe at the foot of her bed.

Gracie gently grasped another strand of Izzie’s hair and ran a brush over it. Continuing to brush the child’s long curls, Gracie found herself smiling. Brushing Izzie’s hair was soothing and relaxing and she enjoyed it very much. Just bathed and dressed in her pajamas, Izzie smelled of powder and soap. The hair closest to her scalp was slightly damp, she noticed, the results of running bath water up to your chin.

It was a pleasant and contented scene and Gracie was immensely enjoying herself. Claire was quite satisfied being the receiver of Izzie’s ministrations and Bandit was happy just to chew.

Gracie was happy just to have Izzie for the evening. The child had bathed in her tub, bubbles and all, while Gracie had pampered her like a little six-year-old girl should be pampered. Well, perhaps maybe she might have even gone overboard just a tad.

She’d lit some aromatherapy candles in the bathroom and burned some incense while a favorite classical piece played low in the background. She’d even allowed Izzie to soak in the tub and drink a flute of lemon-lime soft drink while she bathed.

The child had looked so cute, her hair all piled on her head, bubbles up to her chin, the crystal flute dangling from her fingertips, black smudges still on her face from where she’d crawled around under the deck earlier.

She was spoiling the child, she knew. But she also knew that Izzie needed girlie things—even if she thought she didn’t want girlie things. And Gracie needed to give her girlie things.

She’d worked hard all day and was immensely glad to be able to relax with Izzie. Hard work and concentrating on the child kept her mind off the one thing it wanted to drift to all day long. Rick.

Their conversation the night before had dredged up the nightmares of her past. Her sleep was interrupted with faces and images and she hadn’t slept well. But worse than that were the images of Rick’s face that popped into her head all day long, along with the phrases he’d used the night before which made her wonder just where his thoughts were leading.

She was confused. Not only about him, but about how she felt for him.

“Do you think I should cut my hair?”

Izzie asked then, startling her from her musings.

“No!”

Gracie quickly answered, diverting her attention back to the child.

“Why would you think of cutting this beautiful hair?”

“It gets in my way. I was thinking I’d like it better cut like a boy’s.”

“Oh, Izzie, it’s beautiful! You don’t want to cut it. Besides, it’s all grown out now and you can simply put it in a ponytail if it gets in your way. When it’s shorter and growing out, you can’t do that.”

“I know. That’s what Daddy said.”

“Well, you’re Daddy is right about that.”

“Her Daddy is right about what?”

Gracie looked up, startled that Rick had entered her bedroom. Evidently, from the look on his face, he was startled that she was startled.

“I knocked. I guess you two didn’t hear. The door was open, so I just thought I’d step on in. I, uh…”

Gracie waved her hand and smiled trying to act nonchalant.

“No, don’t be silly. Of course, it’s all right.”

This was the first she’d seen of him all day and even though it was a little unnerving to have him step into her bedroom, she tried to relax—for Izzie’s sake. She’d felt a little guilty that she hadn’t given him a chance to further discuss her ballet career or Evan’s death. She’d quickly bid him goodnight and slipped inside her back door, leaving him alone on the deck.

The storm blew in a few minutes later.

Gracie rather liked, and was thankful for, the pounding of the rain and the howling of the winds against her windows. It made her tears and emotions feel all the less significant. She’d cried herself to sleep that night, unsure of whether she was sad about her past, or the uncertainty of her future.

Both bothered her. Both were difficult to get a handle on.

“Izzie asked me about getting her hair cut,”

she finally said to Rick.

“And you told her no, right?”

Allowing a grin, she nodded.

“I told her that her hair was too beautiful to cut and a ponytail should work just fine to keep the hair out of her eyes.”

Rick nodded in agreement. “Thanks.”

He shuffled from one foot to the other.

“Do you mind tucking her in for me tonight? We’ve got a big birthday crowd coming in a few minutes downstairs and I might not be able to get away when I’d like.”

Gracie shook her head.

“Of course not. You know I don’t mind. We can leave the doors ajar and I can hear her if she needs me.”

Izzie jumped up on her knees.

“Can I stay with Gracie tonight, Daddy? She has an extra room.”

Rick shook his head.

“Izzie, you don’t invite yourself.”

“She won’t care.”

“But that’s not the point, Iz. Besides, you and I have to get up very early in the morning to go to Asheville. Gracie might not want to get up that early. I think you should just stay in your bed tonight, and perhaps, if you are invited, we can consider that for another time.”

Ever the negotiator, Gracie was reminded of Rick’s former law profession. She supposed those skills might have some merit in parenting, too.

“But Dad...”

“Iz.”

The child frowned, but obviously knew her father’s warning face. “Okay.”

He motioned for her and in the next instant she flew from the bed and into her father’s arms. Gracie watched as a disturbed Claire arched her back, stretched, and then yawned and curled herself into the dent on the bed where Izzie had been sitting. Bandit was now nipping at Rick’s ankles.

“Give me a kiss.”

Izzie did and he sat her back on the bed. Turning to Gracie, he said.

“You’re sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Anytime.”

Rick hesitantly grinned, then stepped toward the door.

“I’ll check with you later, Gracie. Night, Munchkin. Bandit! Quick nipping at my heels!”

Laughing, Gracie watched him leave.