Page 24 of The Fear (The Hillers of Barratt County #7)

The man’s biggest endearing quality, Hala decided, was how good he was with children. That, and maybe that he did kiss really well, too. And he was just always there when his family needed him. There was that, too.

Of course, a woman would find that beyond attractive. Someone you could count on was utterly priceless.

He just took over after he explained to the boys what had happened. Hala found herself being lifted into the front seat of his big red truck, after he’d lifted the boys into the backseat, where he had two booster seats already waiting.

Like she couldn’t climb in by herself or something. She climbed into her brother’s nearly identical beast of a blue truck all the time. Hudson didn’t exactly lift her in like she was helpless.

Nor did her brother lift her out . Especially when there were two little boys who needed help out far more.

Grady just told her to stay right where she was, lifted the boys out and carried them both to the porch at the same time, like adorable giggling sacks of potatoes, then came around and reached for her.

Hala wasn’t exactly certain what to do about that man—so she just stayed where she was…to see what happened. She was very curious…

There had been something in his eyes when she’d first seen him today…

The boys headed inside.

It didn’t look like anyone else was around right now. Just her luck, she was going to be alone with him—with only a pair of four-year-olds to chaperone. The last thing Hala wanted to do was be left alone with Grady Hiller right now. Things…could happen. Four-year-old boys took naps…

She hadn’t figured out what she was going to do about him yet. Whatever happened between them, it would really change things. For both of them. She wasn’t certain she was ready for that at all.

Then again, another part of her was saying ‘grab that Hiller boy and hold on tight forever’. Usually when he got close to her and everything.

Something was making her lose all grips on her sanity here…

Paste fumes. That was what it was—she’d lost all of her senses because of toxic paste fumes or something. Hazard to kindergarten teachers everywhere.

He unlocked the door, and the boys carried their backpacks and lunch bags inside to the kitchen. Hala held her own bag like a shield.

Calvin and Ryan took off toward Calvin’s room, her nephew stomping in his cast on the hardwood.

Then…Hala was alone in the Hiller kitchen.

With Grady.

“When do you think everyone will be here?” she asked. Like…some sort of bodyguard? Greer would make a good one. Or…Gunn. Seeing Preacher Man Gunn would really remind her she was supposed to be good, right?

He just shrugged, then his hand was on the strap of her bag. “Let me take that.”

“I’m hardly helpless.” It was heavy, but…it made a decent shield. Hala let him take it, though.

Hala seriously needed to think here. She was going to stay with her nephew until her brother came to get them. She was going to make sure Hudson and Gia were okay. Then she was going to get far, far away from this man. Fast.

“Do me a favor, Hala…” Grady said, almost in a whisper. His hands slipped around her waist, and she was off her feet. Just like that.

Only to be plopped onto his kitchen island, with his hands on either side of her hips, his scent surrounding her. “What are you doing ? What do you want? You will behave yourself, Grady Treyton. There are children running loose around here.”

Well, Hala kind of had an inkling of exactly what the dratted man was after, considering. Maybe a part of her wanted him to be after that, too.

“I just…would really like to see you smile right now. I lost two of my best calves this morning, then all of this with my sister being hurt…it’s been a hard day all around.

I just…really need to see you smile right now.

Your smile always warms a guy’s soul, did you know that?

It always has. Even when you were a tiny little brat and I was having a sucky day, I’d see you smile and would feel better.

I really need that right now more than anything. ”

Her heart turned to mush at the look in those Hiller hazel eyes of his. He meant it. He was hurting. There was such a sensitive soul beneath his crusty exterior. She just melted.

She didn’t smile. It just didn’t seem right in that moment. She did something completely crazy instead. She did the exact thing she’d just told herself she wasn’t going to do.

Hala leaned forward, and pressed her lips to his.