CHAPTER TWO

      FACES HAD A way of blurring at a funeral reception, especially at the rate Gray was moving through the crowd to exchange kind words about Nana Rivers. Everyone was there, from Darla, who ran the bakery, to Carlos Ryker, the town sheriff. Even the florist, who’d supplied the arrangements at all corners of the room, had lingered when her job was done. Nana would have preferred for the money to be donated to animal rescue foundations, rather than spent on expensive flowers. The baby’s breath, however, she would have loved. It was the only flower she ever had in her home because she said it was the only one that didn’t make her sneeze. Gray was going to need some fresh air soon himself. Between flowers and perfume, his eyes were beginning to itch. Animal dander never bothered him, but pollen and artificial scents he could do without.

      He gave Nana’s friend from the library his condolences and spent seconds too long trying to pry himself away from two young women he recognized as teachers at the local high school. He hated crowds, and the idea that anyone could have the nerve to flirt at a time like this nauseated him. The only saving grace of having so many townsfolk present was that it kept things civil when he shook hands with John to briefly pay his respects. He wasn’t here for the man who’d almost become his father-in-law. He was here for Nana...and Mandi. Regardless of what had happened between them, he knew she was suffering right now. He knew firsthand how close she’d been to her grandmother.

      He’d come so close to stopping by Nana’s cottage earlier. If John hadn’t been there, he would have already spoken to Mandi. Something told him that there wasn’t anything random about her father getting there first. He wouldn’t be surprised if John stuck by his daughter’s side until she was back in New York, far enough away from Gray...the guy John had insisted was too old for her and not polished enough, as if six years’ difference mattered when two people were meant for each other. It wasn’t only about age, though. John was an elitist. A man of position, whether he held one or not. He would always look down his nose at Gray. Even now, Gray wasn’t wearing a tie, a fact that was emphasized when he shook hands with John and the man smoothed his own. Gray hated ties. Nana knew it and wouldn’t have wanted him wearing one on her account. She encouraged people to be themselves around her. But for John, he was too casual and too much of a bachelor. He didn’t have what it took to be a family man or good enough husband for Mandi. And boy, did John hate Gray’s love of motorcycles. There was just too much speed and freedom in a motorcycle ride for him to handle or wrap his head around. Motorcycles weren’t stable enough...a direct reflection of Gray’s character, apparently.

      He scanned the foyer of the funeral home, but there was no sign of Mandi. Clearly, she hadn’t lost her touch. He slipped through the group and stepped outside the massive oak doors that led out onto a raised decking with steps down to a walkway and the parking lot.

      There she stood leaning over the railing at one end. She looked amazing. Even more beautiful than the selfie Nana had taken of the two of them during her last trip to New York about eight months ago. It was the photo Nana used on her cell phone lock screen, and he couldn’t help but look at it the few times Nana had asked him to hold her phone for her.

      Mandi’s hair had gotten darker and longer but it still held loose waves, like the ones he used to run his fingers through. The wind kicked up, causing her skirt to hug the curve of her hip. She brushed the hair off her face and wrapped her arms around her waist as she watched clouds building up for a typical afternoon rain. Man, the sight of her made him long for the family they’d once talked about...like the one he’d witnessed on the beach that morning. He’d never wanted one with anyone else. He’d never wanted forever with anyone else. Only her.

      He tucked his fingers into the pockets of his black jeans and walked over, bracing himself with each step. This wasn’t about opening up an old can of worms. This was about getting the closure they both needed and making peace. Nana would have wanted that and it was the least he could do in the little time he had before Mandi left again. Chances were, without Nana to coax her into a rare visit, Mandi wouldn’t have any reason to come back here again. Especially given the way she felt about her father and him. He hesitated when she tensed, clearly sensing his presence, then he stepped closer and leaned against the railing next to her.

      “I thought I’d find you out here,” he said, trying to sound cool and matter-of-fact. She simply pressed her lips together and nodded. A lump trailed down her throat as she swallowed. He could tell she was struggling to find her words. “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am about Nana. I couldn’t find you inside. Besides, John would’ve found a way to intercept,” he said.

      That earned him a chuckle and she let her arms relax.

      “You’re right about that.” She smiled softly. “Nana used to joke about how he needed a dog to help him relax but that he’d never get one because you were the only vet in town.”

      “That would have to be one biddable dog. I would think your dad would love having someone around who would obey his every command.”

      “Shh. He might hear you.”

      She stifled a laugh and looked over her shoulder. Gray shrugged.

      “It wouldn’t make him hate me any less.”

      “How’s your dog? Laddie. Nana talks—talked—a lot about him,” she explained. Laddie and Mandi had never been formally introduced.

      “I usually take him everywhere I go when I take my truck, but he’s at home right now watching a nature documentary. He’s the best, smartest, most patient dog I’ve ever met, but I doubt he’d have the patience for your dad. Everyone has their limits.”

      “Don’t make me laugh.”

      He loved her laugh. Her face relaxed and her dark brown eyes softened like warmed chocolate. He was letting himself fall into dangerous territory. But he had a safety net. She’d be gone soon.

      “It’s okay to laugh. Nana would want you to. She was all about celebrating life.”

      Mandi nodded, but her smile disappeared and chin quivered.

      “She really was. I feel guilty about not being here. For not knowing something was wrong.”

      He reached over and put his hand over hers. For a fraction of a second, he thought she was going to pull away, but she didn’t.

      “You can’t feel guilty. No one knew. You can’t predict when an aneurysm will give, and she never told anyone she’d been diagnosed with one a few months ago or that the doctors told her operating in her case would be risky. It’s probably the only time I’ve ever known her not to take a chance. It was her choice, Mandi.”

      This time, she did pull away. She covered her face briefly, then pushed her hair back.

      “But don’t you see? I used to go to her doctor appointments with her when I was here. I would have known. I could have convinced her to try surgery or something. If she had told me, I would have at least come down to be with her.”

      “Maybe that’s why she didn’t tell you. She didn’t want you dropping what was important to you on her account.”

      Mandi’s lips parted and she shook her head. Oh boy.

      “That didn’t come out right,” he quickly added. “I mean that she knew you wanted to be out there following your dream. Maybe she didn’t want to get in the way of that.”

      “I