Her Texas Family (5 page)

The cop scanned the room, and Lucy broke out in a sweat worthy of a marathon runner. Had Graham seriously called the cops? She needed a place to hide. But would that be considered resisting arrest?

Mattie and Belle were chatting and comparing ballet shoes, completely oblivious to Lucy's turmoil.

She dived behind the closest chair, body barely fitting in the space. She was probably overreacting—as usual. Maybe the officer had already moved on. Lucy leaned ever so slightly from behind the chair and peeked out.

Drat!
The woman's black boots were headed right for her! She ducked back behind the seat, hoping the officer hadn't seen her.

“Excuse me, but are you Lucy? Lucy Grayson?”

Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no.

Lucy winced, slowly standing from her position. She was going to use her one phone call to call Graham and yell at him. As if she had actually kidnapped Mattie. He could have stopped her if he wanted to. She wouldn't have left if the man had put up a fight. He'd been wavering the whole time. Lucy had simply taken advantage of his indecision.

And now she was going to suffer the consequences. Lucy squared her shoulders. Time to take it like a woman. “Yes. That's me. I can ex—”

“I'm Peggy.” The officer extended her hand. “Belle's mom. It's nice to meet you.”

Lucy's mouth flopped open. Belle's mom. Graham hadn't really called the police. Yet... Lucy had just been hiding behind a chair.

“You are the new instructor for beginning ballet, right?”

“Yes.” Lucy shook the woman's hand. “I am. I was just—” She glanced at the chair that had recently been her safe haven. “We were just...playing hide-and-seek.”

It was the truth. Only Lucy had been hiding from a police officer, not Belle and Mattie. She could have told Peggy more of the truth, but
I hide from law enforcement
hadn't seemed like the better option.

Thankfully Peggy was gracious and didn't ask Lucy about her strange behavior. She did ask about Belle's time in class, and by the time they left, Lucy hoped she'd redeemed herself and her escapades would be forgotten.

Hoped, but didn't necessarily believe.

After Belle left with her mom, Lucy stuffed Mattie's ballet shoes into her own dance bag and helped her put on her pink tennis shoes.

They walked outside, and again, Mattie's hand slipped into Lucy's. The child still sported that dreamy look. One Lucy understood well. Dance had always been that place for her. Olivia had played volleyball, creating a bond with Dad, and Lucy had danced her way through life.

Even if Graham didn't forgive her, the morning had been worth it.

They got into the car, and Lucy pulled out her phone and texted Graham.

Are you still mad? She had THE BEST time. She's got natural talent. No injuries.

His reply came back in record time.

Maybe a little.

The man must have been glued to the phone. Remnants of guilt slithered across her skin. She definitely could have handled this morning better.

Lucy would have to work on that whole think-before-you-do thing.

I'm sorry I stole your daughter.

I'm still considering pressing charges. :)

He'd included a smiley face? He was putty in her hands.

If it makes you feel any better, when one of the dance parents arrived in a police uniform to pick up her daughter, I thought you HAD called the cops on me.

Ha! That does make me feel better. Did she really have fun? She fit in okay? She didn't get hurt?

Overprotective man. His barrage of questions made Lucy grin.

“When are we going?”

“One sec, Mattie.” Lucy had forgotten about the little girl in the backseat.

She looked so happy. Like she was living a fairy tale.

That might be overdoing it a little, but Lucy needed to plead her case a bit. She continued texting.

It's dance. There's not that many ways to get injured.

Not completely truthful. But at Mattie's age, the steps and classes were simple. The older girls had more chances of injury.

Any chance I can keep her for another hour? I think the first dance class deserves an ice cream celebration.

Crickets. No answer. Lucy glanced in the rearview mirror. Mattie was staring out the window. Patient, serious little thing.

Fine.

Graham's begrudging response made Lucy laugh. He didn't exactly sound excited, but she'd take it and run.

“What's so funny?” Mattie piped up from the backseat.

“I was just texting your dad that I thought we should grab some ice cream before I drop you off. What do you think?”

Mattie's eyes grew to the size of quarters, and she nodded quickly.

Lucy's phone beeped again, and her mouth curved, picturing another text from Graham. Directions on what Mattie could and couldn't do, most likely.

When are you coming home? I miss you.

Disappointment sucked the air from her lungs. It was from Bodie. Not Graham.

Bodie Kelps. Lucy had gone on a total of three dates with him back in Colorado. After which, Bodie had started talking about the future and Lucy meeting his parents. He'd even brought up the relationship-defining talk, which was Lucy's cue to exit the scene.

The move to Texas couldn't have come at a better time in terms of Bodie. Lucy liked him. They'd been friends during college and after, and she didn't want to lose that friendship because things hadn't worked out between them. She'd told Bodie in clear terms that they were not in a relationship and that she didn't want to keep dating after she moved.

But the man didn't listen.

He must think she was using moving as an excuse and he could prove his affection by continuing to pursue her. She wasn't. Even if Lucy had stayed in Colorado, she wouldn't have continued dating Bodie.

He'd texted her every day since she'd moved and called twice. Once she'd answered and talked to him—after all, she didn't want to be rude—but she'd tried not to encourage him in a romantic way. Her hints definitely weren't working.

Maybe she could etch it into stone or something. Although that would be pricey to mail.

Lucy put the phone to the side, started the car and drove out of the parking lot. Bodie could wait for an answer on that text since she didn't know what to do about him. He obviously hadn't believed her when she'd told him she was moving and that they were over. Lucy just didn't do serious relationships.

She didn't have some heart-wrenching story like the one her sister had endured. Lucy had just learned her lessons young. One time she'd attempted that whole
falling for someone
thing. The results hadn't been good. One time had been enough for her to realize she much preferred to love and embrace everyone in life without ever getting too serious.

Lucy had been young—her junior year in high school—the first time she'd been tempted to let her feelings for a guy progress beyond friendship. A senior had asked her to prom, and she'd accepted. He was gorgeous, and she'd let her imagination get the best of her. She'd started daydreaming about him, thinking maybe he was really interested in her, acting like one of the silly girls she usually detested. Then, one day after school, she'd needed someone to give her a ride home. She'd headed to Nate's locker to see if he could, but realized as she approached that he was talking about her to his friend.

At first she'd been giddy, thinking he must really like her. But then she'd realized they were discussing a plan regarding her.

They were talking about how long Nate would date her before passing her on to his friend who wanted a turn with her. Discussing her as if she were a piece of playground equipment.

She's already fallen for me. I have no doubt that by prom, I'll get what I want. After that, she's all yours.

If Lucy hadn't overheard, she'd never have known that all of Nate's flattery and attention had only been done with one goal in mind.

Thankfully it had been early enough in the relationship that Lucy had come out of the experience with her heart still intact. In fact, she considered that day, that conversation, one of her biggest blessings because of how it had changed her life.

From that point on—after telling Nate exactly what she'd thought of his plans—she'd made a few decisions.

First, she'd started rescuing herself. She hadn't called her parents or sister for a ride home from school. She hadn't found one of her girlfriends and bummed a ride. Lucy had walked. Granted, it had been only a few miles to get home, but that had been the beginning for her.

No more looking for a prince when she could rescue herself.

And second, she'd tossed out serious (not that she'd ever had an extra supply in that department) and stuck to fun. She hung with groups of friends and even went to prom that year with a bunch of people. Guys. Girls. Everyone knew her. Most loved her. She loved back. Simple. Easy. No mess to clean up when she went through life with the objective of having fun.

“Ms. Lucy?”

“Yeah?”

“This really is the best day ever.”

The contented sigh that came from the backseat wrapped around Lucy. Good thing she didn't resist getting involved with people in general, just dating relationships. Because she feared she'd already lost her heart to the adorable five-year-old in the rearview mirror.

Chapter Five

H
e missed his daughter.

Graham was a big sap, and even one more hour without Mattie felt like a year.
Pathetic
would be a good word to describe him right now. Even though Mattie was likely having a ton more fun with Lucy at dance and now going to get ice cream, he wanted her here. He wanted to look across his desk and see her at the credenza in the corner where she kept her art supplies and liked to color. He was selfish, that was what he was.

And he was getting nothing done.

With time to himself, his workload should be dwindling. But since Lucy and Mattie had left, he'd only dealt with a few charts and organized his pens. Who didn't want to claim an accomplishment like that for their Saturday?

He wanted to ask Mattie about class. Sure, he'd got some answers from Lucy, but he wanted to hear from his daughter.

Graham checked his watch. Lucy had texted only a few minutes ago that they were going for ice cream. He could go meet them. But that would be overprotective of him. Which he wasn't. He was more...curious. Another good word.

He grabbed his keys.

If he happened to be at the same place as them, nobody could fault him for that. And Graham knew just where his daughter would want to go.

* * *

Lucy judged the ice cream places in town by the level of excitement coming from the backseat. Clear River, a red storefront that boasted bakery, ice cream and deli signs, garnered the most response, so Lucy found a parking spot, and she and Mattie walked the short distance. If the smell of sugar and cinnamon that greeted them when Lucy opened the door was any indication, Mattie had impeccable taste.

Red booths with white tables lined the space, and a curved glass display case held mouthwatering treats with the menu hanging behind. When it was their turn to order, Mattie still hadn't decided which flavor to choose, so Lucy ordered first.

“I'll have a double-scoop cone. Chocolate peanut butter cup, strawberry cheesecake and... Let's make that a triple. One scoop of caramel turtle fudge, too.”

She felt a tug on her arm. “Can I have that many scoops?”

Lucy imagined her answer should be no, but she didn't know why. “Go for it.”

Mattie told Lucy the flavors she wanted and Lucy conveyed the order to the person behind the counter. She paid and they scanned the place for a seat. Once they grabbed a booth and slid in, Lucy tasted her ice cream.

“Mattie, why didn't you tell me this ice cream was amazing?”

The girl's small shoulders lifted. “I kind of did.” She gave a shy smile and took a lick of chocolate.

True. She had squealed.

Lucy had thought no one could top Josh & John's—her favorite Colorado Springs ice cream—but she might be wrong. She'd probably need to return to Clear River and taste all of their homemade ice cream before she could make a truly informed decision.

Mattie pointed toward the front windows. “Daddy!”

Lucy turned to see Graham stepping inside the restaurant. He spotted them and headed in their direction.

“How's my girl?” He slid into the booth next to Mattie, and she threw herself into his arms. For a second, Lucy had thought he'd said
girls
, as in plural. And for a moment, her heart had leaped.

Strange.

“You have some kind of tracking device on me?” Lucy patted down her arms.

“Ha. No. I knew where Mattie would want to go for ice cream and I just—” He shrugged, then kissed the top of Mattie's head, accepting a bite of her ice cream.

Oh.
He hadn't been checking up on her. He'd missed his daughter. A forgivable trait.

“You just wanted some ice cream?”

“Something like that.” Graham's answering grin absolutely
did not
make Lucy's knees the consistency of Jell-O. She must just be out of shape or something. It had been a few weeks since she'd taught dance. “But it's almost lunchtime. Shouldn't we be eating lunch?” He glanced at Mattie's cone, then back at Lucy. “Instead of a triple-scoop cone?” His voice had lowered to a growl. And that was why she should have said no. “She's five.” He raised an eyebrow at Lucy.

“They didn't have a quintuple scoop.”

He groaned. “You can't have ice cream for lunch.”

“Um, whyever not?” Lucy finished the caramel turtle fudge and moved on to the strawberry cheesecake. Oh. My. If she could marry this ice cream, she would. “Haven't you ever had dessert for a meal?”

Graham's head tilted. “No. Can't say that I have.”

“We're going to have to change that.” Lucy winked at Mattie.

“I'm going to get us something to eat.” Graham pushed out from the booth. “Mattie, you're going to get a stomachache if you only eat that.”

Mattie just smiled and took another lick of her cone.

Graham ordered at the counter, returning a few minutes later. When their food arrived, Lucy accepted the sandwich he'd ordered for her, digging in. Her first bite was absolutely to die for. She swallowed, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “What in the world is this sandwich? It's amazing.”

“Smoked beef brisket on a jalapeño bun. They make their own sauce for it.”

“What if I was a vegetarian?” She took another bite.

“I've seen you eat at work.”

“True. You're forgiven for making us eat lunch. This is really good.”

“Thank you.” Graham's dry response made her tamp down a smile. He handed Mattie an extra dish. “Here, honey. You can put the rest of your cone in this while you eat some lunch.”

Mattie acquiesced, moving on to her sandwich while Lucy dug into her purse and found some cash. “Here.” She held the money out. “Will this cover it?”

“Cover what?”

“Lunch.” She waved the bills at him.

“I bought lunch, Lucy. I don't want your money.”

“But you don't need to pay for mine.” Again, she attempted to get him to take the money.

“Anyone ever tell you that being unable to accept help or gifts from others is not a good quality?”

Ouch. Lucy lowered her hand. If anyone had ever said that to her, she hadn't listened. “Fine.” She shoved the bills back into her purse. “Be noble.”

His lips twitched. “Besides, I see that Mattie's in dance clothes, which had to come from somewhere. I assume you paid for those. Now I owe you money.”

“We found some pieces in the giveaway box.”

“And the other ones Lucy bought for me.”

“Ms. Lucy,” he corrected his daughter, shooting Lucy an accusing look. “And that's interesting information, Mattie.”

“Does she really have to call me Ms. Lucy? It's so old lady.”

“Old lady would be Ms. Grayson.”

“Oy. Fine. Mattie, you're welcome to call me Lucy when your father's not around.”

Mattie giggled, and Graham shook his head while swallowing a bite of his sandwich. “You really don't have a mature button, do you?”

“I hope not.”

“Look, Daddy.” Mattie leaned across Graham and pointed. “It's Grandma and Grandpa!”

A couple approached the booth, both looking as though they should be going to a business meeting instead of out for lunch. Mattie's grandmother was dressed in black dress pants and a yellow shirt, her perfectly styled brown hair shining, and her grandfather wore charcoal-gray pants and a white polo.

Mattie scrambled over Graham's lap to get out of the booth. She wrapped her arms around her grandmother's legs. The woman's hair stayed in place as she hugged Mattie back. “Honey, it's so good to see you.”

She looked at their booth, gaze resting on Lucy, then Graham. “This looks cozy.”

Cozy. Interesting word choice. But it wasn't so much what she'd said as the way she'd said it. Lucy rubbed her bare arms. She hadn't realized the temperature in Texas could drop so fast.

“Hi, Grandpa.” Mattie hugged him, also, and he visibly softened. “Do you know Ms. Lucy?” Mattie's bubbling excitement regarding Lucy didn't transfer to her grandparents. Two wary pairs of eyes swung in her direction. And stayed. They didn't miss a thing, traveling from her messy bun to her bright green high-tops. She must look about twelve. Maybe fifteen on a good day. Perhaps Mattie's grandparents would think she was the babysitter.

Graham made introductions, and Lucy received some polite nods from the couple, Belinda and Phillip Welling. Could their last name sound more regal? It definitely fit them. The name also meant they were Graham's late wife's parents, not his parents. That realization and the fact that they were looking at her as if she'd stolen their granddaughter made Lucy want to slide off her seat and hide under the table. Maybe Graham had called them this morning instead of the police. At least that would explain their tense faces.

Enough of this. Lucy could handle almost anything, these two included. “I'm Mattie's dance teacher.”

“Mattie takes dance?” The woman's eyes widened before landing on Graham with accusation.

“She just started this morning,” Graham answered. “Lucy's working at the clinic, covering for Hollie while she's on maternity leave.”

This seemed to placate them somewhat. Perhaps the temporary nature of the position pleased them. Lucy wouldn't call them rude. They weren't even antisocial. There was just something about the way they looked at her. They almost seemed...hurt.

Lucy could totally go for a hole in the ground right about now. But a better option would be to simply leave them to their family affair. It didn't matter that she hadn't finished her lunch. Her stomach had suddenly turned. Maybe from eating dessert first.

Or something like that.

“It was great meeting you.” Lucy pasted on her brightest smile and stood. “I'm going to take off.”

“Are you sure? You're welcome to stay.” Though he said the right thing, Graham's uncomfortable body language didn't support his words. He looked as though he wanted to hide in the same hole as Lucy. Only that would make them far too close for his comfort, she was sure.

He certainly wasn't confronting his in-laws about the way they were acting toward her. Not that she expected him to. After all, she was just the help.

Lucy would love to stay and keep feeling like a piece of gum stuck under someone's shoe, but she really did have to go.

She offered Mattie a fist bump. “You did great this morning.” Mattie beamed, then switched to a pout with impressive speed.

“You're leaving? But Daddy's here and we're not done with lunch. Don't you want to stay?”

Her innocent question caused the tension in their small circle to triple.

“Actually, I've got to run. Graham, I'll leave Mattie's car seat by your car.” No one would steal it in this town, would they? And with that, she bolted for the door. Once outside, she struggled for calm, but even the quaint Main Street didn't lighten her mood.

Lucy really needed to shake off that encounter. She knew better than to let other people's opinions affect her.

Back in high school when she'd overheard that horrible conversation that had reduced her to a pawn in a game, she'd instantly felt like a body—a shell—and nothing more.

She hated that she'd given Nate the power to impact how she felt. That was why ever since then she'd stuck to being carefree, to loving everyone without loving someone in particular. Because when things got serious, when she let herself get too involved, it gave far too much control to someone else. The encounter with the Wellings just now had brought back all of that turmoil. They'd treated her like an item that had outlived its shelf life and no longer belonged anywhere.

Lucy hadn't felt that unwanted in a long, long time.

And she'd do just about anything to avoid that feeling.

* * *

Graham felt as though he'd walked into a freezer. The way his in-laws were looking at him made him feel about two feet tall. What was going on? He'd always had a good relationship with the Wellings, so this scenario didn't make sense. They had to be upset about something.

He handed Mattie his phone, and she began playing a game while he stood and faced the couple. “Belinda. Phillip. What's wrong?”

“Are you...?” Belinda studied her perfectly manicured nails, then looked up, tears pooling. “Are you dating that woman?”

“Lucy?”
Graham glanced from one wounded face to another. That was what was bothering them? “No. I'm not. Why would you think that?”

Belinda looked out the front windows to where Lucy had recently disappeared. “When we saw the three of you together, it just looked...” She trailed off and shrugged.

Somehow catching up with Lucy and Mattie after dance class amounted to him being in a relationship. Perfect.

“You already heard Lucy works for me. She took Mattie to dance class this morning and then I met up with them afterward. It was nothing more than that.”

“How well do you know her?” Phillip's brow furrowed. “If she's spending time with Mattie, I assume you've checked her out?”

“Did I run a police report? No.” Graham stifled his irritation at their unwarranted intrusion. “She's fine. Her sister is married to Cash Maddox.” Though the Wellings were sometimes overprotective—even more than Graham—this conversation didn't need to continue. His in-laws should trust him.

Belinda touched his arm. “Be careful, Graham.”

Of what?

“You wouldn't want to confuse Mattie or fill her mind with ideas.”

In the past five days, he'd been closer to losing his temper than he had in years. “Trust me, I'm not planning to date. Anyone.”

His in-laws nodded, and while their tension lessened, Graham's grew. “Would you...?” He forced out the words. “Would you like to join us for lunch?” It was the right thing to say, but it came out wooden.

“Thank you for the invitation,” Phillip responded, “but we don't have time. We're grabbing something to go since we're meeting with the foundation lawyers today.”