Grace (The Family Simon 5)

“How well?”

The blood now spilled between his fingers and he watched as a few drops fell to the ground. His chest was tight and all those old feelings came back with a vengeance. Had he really thought to keep them supressed? Was he that dumb?

“I know her well enough to miss her more than I’ve ever missed anyone.”

“So she’s like your girlfriend?” Awe clung to Justin’s words and Matt glanced up at him.

“She was. I guess.”

Justin made an, are-you-kidding-me face. “How can you not know whether someone is your girlfriend or not? Especially when she’s as hot as Grace Simon. Dude, that doesn’t even make sense.”

Matt would have liked to have said something clever, but his brother was right.

“So why did you break up?” Justin tossed his towel and stared at Matt expectantly.

This entire conversation was making Matt more than a little uncomfortable. “We…I…”

Fuck. He had no excuse. He had nothing but the truth and for once he was going to tell it.

“I screwed up. I pushed her away because I’m a dumbass.”

Justin’s eyebrows rose so high he looked comical, and then he laughed. An honest to goodness laugh that eventually kick-started something light and good inside Matt. Before he knew it, he was laughing along with his brother and the two of them must have looked as if they were off their rockers when Dory entered the barn.

“What’s so funny?” she asked. The woman had a hard enough time as it was trudging through the snow, but here she was with a wiggling bundle of fur in her arms. Her pea green coat was too big and the red and black plaid boots she wore sure as shit made some kind of statement. Matt just wasn’t sure what it was.

He walked over to Dory and tickled Rookie under the muzzle. The pup yipped and tried to eat his fingers before licking every inch of his hand with a very wet tongue. “I was just telling Justin that I screwed everything up with Grace.”

Who knew that a chance exchange with his teenage brother would do more good for Matt than therapy ever would have.

“You sure did.” The older woman nodded. “I miss her.”

“Yeah,” Matt murmured.

Dory moved so that he was forced to look into her eyes. “I miss her,” she repeated, handing him the puppy. “But you love her.”

“Jesus,” Justin said, turning back to his engine. “The shit’s getting real now.”

Dory put her hands on her hips. “That there gala she was working on is tomorrow night, you know.”

Matt stared at her, wondering where this was going. He knew about the gala. Betty Jo and Beau had headed to the Big Apple the day before.

“It’s in New York City. I hear you can make the drive in ten hours or so, or catch a plane and be there in two.”

Matt’s mouth dropped open and it took a few moments for him to find his voice. “I can’t just leave, Dory. I’ve got responsibilities now. I’ve got Justin and Rosie to look after.” He pointed to the ’56 Plymouth. “That car is supposed to be delivered before the new year and I’ve got another job booked right after.”

“Those are excuses, Mathew. You need Grace. End of story. I know you know that. So why aren’t you doing something about it?”

“I can’t just leave,” he said again, looking to his brother for something. But the kid shrugged and reached for a tool. He sure as hell wasn’t offering up any help.

“Sure you can.” Dory winked at him. “And take that dog with you.”

33

The gala was in full swing before Grace had a moment to catch her breath. She found a quiet corner, back near the silent auction table, and sipped her champagne. The bubbles made her nose itchy and she rubbed at it, glancing at her watch once more

It was approaching nine o’clock and she still had a few more hours before she left with Beau and Betty.

Nervous at the thought, she smoothed the front of her deep red silk gown. A Gucci, it fit her like a glove—a pencil thin, elegant and simple glove. Strapless, the dress emphasized her chest in a not-so-subtle fashion, and judging from the looks sent her way, her butt looked pretty damn good too.