At Home in His Heart by Glynna Kaye Page B

Grandma.”
    “Nonsense.” Mae’s chin jutted obstinately.
    “Back in a minute, Gran.” Bryce stepped between Sandi and his grandmother. Then motioning toward the little graveled parking lot, he herded Sandi in that direction like a cowboy rounding up strays.
    Uncomfortably conscious of the big man accompanying her, she strode to her car and opened the back door so he could place the whiteboard inside.
    “Sorry about that, Sandi.”
    She didn’t have to ask what he was referring to.
    “But she’s right, you know.” He opened the driver’s-side door and she slipped into the bucket seat, then turned to look up at him. “You deserve some fun.”
    He glanced at the ground. Scuffed a tennis shoe-clad toe in the cinder rock. “So, you know, if you change your mind, just give me a call. Invitation still stands.”
    “I appreciate that. But summer’s only begun and it’s filled with work, friends and family.” With a smile she reached forthe car door handle. “And surely you haven’t forgotten that this
is
a small town. I think we’d both agree showing up together would imply more things to your friends than you’d want implied.”
    He shrugged. “I can handle it. Never put much stock in what people have to say about me.”
    “Lucky you. As a widowed woman I find myself all too often the source of unwelcome speculation. I have to be constantly on my guard to protect my—”
    “Reputation?”
    Heat flooded her face as the insensitivity of her words belatedly struck her. As if being seen with him—a man with his sullied background—would sink her upright, pristine standing in the community.
    “I didn’t mean—”
    “I know you didn’t.” He gave a self-deprecating smile and stepped back. “Have a good rest of your day, Sandi.”
    With a casual wave he turned away.
    Mortified, she stared at his retreating back. Watched as he bent to speak to his grandma, then slipped an arm around her waist and helped her to the stairs leading to her apartment. How could she have spoken like that, so tactlessly, without even thinking how it might come across?
    She momentarily squeezed her eyes shut, then pulled the car door closed and started the engine.
    Please, God, forgive me. Will I never learn to think before I speak?
    “I wasn’t trying to set you up with her, Bryce.” With an aggrieved sigh at his accusation, Grandma Mae headed to the tiny living area just off the kitchen that did double duty as Bryce’s sleeping quarters. She eased down on the upholstered sofa. “I’m concerned about her.”
    He lowered himself into a nearby recliner, Sandi’s words about guarding her reputation still stinging. In the past he’dhave laughed it off. He’d never much cared what people thought about him, one way or another. Why was this any different?
    Grandma straightened a plush throw pillow, then fixed him with an accusing eye. “When are you going to tell her and the historical society about the remodeling plans?”
    He scratched his bearded jawline with a knuckled hand. “No point in alarming everybody just yet. I’m checking out the home supply places to estimate the cost plus labor for anything I can’t do myself. When that firefighter position opens up I won’t have much free time, so likely won’t be doing it all myself.”
    Which meant more money. But it was still cheaper than buying a new house.
    Grandma reached for her crochet basket. “What happens if the job doesn’t come through? Do you plan to stick around Canyon Springs and work odd jobs until you’re my age?”
    “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” He gave her a confident smile, unwilling to admit the possibility had already occurred to him. Concerned him. “It’ll work out. God’s timing, isn’t that what you always say? I’m settling into civilian life, getting reacquainted with the town. Joining up with the fire department will be like reenlisting. My time won’t be my own. So this is a good break. God only knows I needed