Grayson's Vow

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After taking a shower and letting the conversation with Vanessa roll off my shoulders as much as possible, I went downstairs in search of Grayson. We were going to have a sit-down and talk about exactly what I was supposed to be doing in this strange, uncomfortable situation.

I called hello, but when I didn't receive an answer, I walked outside to find Shane tinkering with the fountain. He had a small toolbox on the ground next to him and was leaning all the way over the apparatus in the middle of the empty well. "Hey," I said.

He sat up, smiling at me. "Hey there."

"I was hoping someone would be interested in getting this thing fixed at some point," I said, smiling.

He smiled more broadly. "It seems it just needs a new part. I'll run into town tomorrow and pick it up."

I nodded and there was an awkward silence before we both started laughing softly. He grinned, and I saw so much of Grayson in his smile. He really was a very handsome man—more boyish-looking, whereas Grayson was striking, but just as tall and masculine. "Do you know where Grayson is?" I asked.

His smile faded. "He went into town for dinner."

My heart plummeted. Grayson leaving without a word—leaving me to fend for myself in this awkward situation—only confirmed that I mattered very little to him. "Oh, um, with Vanessa?" I whisper-croaked and then cleared my throat.

Shane shook his head slowly, his eyes focused on my face. "No. Vanessa drove out to see her parents."

I let out a breath. "Oh. Right." I hadn't even thought about Vanessa growing up here, too. My belly clenched when I thought about all the history these three had together. And I wondered where I fit in amongst them, deciding I probably didn't fit in at all. Temporary, Kira. You're temporary.

Shane sat down on the edge of the fountain and nodded his head next to him, silently asking if I'd like to sit, too. He offered me a tentative smile. I walked the few steps and took a seat, turning and facing him. He studied me for a moment, and I blushed under his gaze.

"Can I ask how much you know about the situation with Vanessa, Gray, and me?"

So we were going to cut right to the chase. "Not much," I answered honestly. "Just that Grayson and Vanessa were . . . together, and you and Vanessa got married while he was in prison." I bit at my bottom lip.

Shane pressed his lips together. "And that, naturally, he feels betrayed by us."

I nodded, my eyes trained on his face, trying to read his expression. If I had to assign any name to the emotion that seemed to cross over his features, I'd pick grief. Strange. "Naturally," I murmured.

"There's more to it than that," he said. "I love my brother, Kira."

I nodded and strangely believed him. His expression was so somber and filled with sadness. "Then why?" I asked.

Shane exhaled a deep breath. "I really owe it to Grayson to explain first. I realize we've put you in an awkward situation—and with no warning. I just wanted you to know we've tried everything." He shook his head. "He won't answer letters, won't take phone calls. The only thing we haven't done is strap him to a chair with duct tape and force him to listen to us."

I laughed without much humor. "You might want to consider it. Men in general can be stubborn and prickly—I find The Dragon especially disposed in that direction."

Shane squinted at me, smiling with amusement. "The Dragon? Is that what you call him?"

"Only when he breathes fire and goes flapping around the house."

"Flapping around the house." Shane's grin broadened. "Charlotte said as much, but I could hardly believe it about my serious, detached brother. Then I saw him sliding down the bannister like the child he never was . . ."

"Oh, that? We were just settling a bet."

Shane tilted his head. "I think you're good for him. And I had hoped he would be more willing to listen to us now that he's found happiness with you." Embarrassment gripped me. How would this man feel when he found out the truth? Maybe there was no reason for him to. If Grayson hadn't simply up and left without even saying goodbye to me, I could have asked him. And why had Charlotte set this up? I had thought she wanted to see Gray and me together. I couldn't understand it, and I couldn't help feeling betrayed even though I couldn't figure out exactly why.

"Well, he didn't kick you out anyway, right? That's a start."

Shane smiled. "Yes, that's a start." He stood up, offering me his hand. "Charlotte and Walter are having dinner with friends. She put something in the oven and it's just about time to take it out. Join me for dinner?"

I took his hand and stood up. "Sure."

We went inside and he took Charlotte's stuffed chicken out of the oven and I mixed up a small salad. We sat and ate together as Shane told me about the software business he'd started in San Diego. It sounded like he loved it, and it allowed him to work from home as well.

"So you had no interest in making wine?" I asked, taking a bite of salad.

He shook his head. "No interest and no skill. Computer technology has always been my thing. When my father left me a little chunk of money, I used it to start my own firm."

I nodded. "Well, luckily your brother did want to make wine."

He nodded, but his expression was somber. "Yes, luckily."

I told him a little bit about myself, skirting around the fact that I was estranged from my father—it would only invite questions. Once we'd eaten and cleaned up the kitchen, I told him I was going to head to my room and read since it'd been a long day and I was tired. More truthfully, though, I was nervous he was going to start asking questions about Grayson and me that I wasn't prepared to answer.