Page 59 of Bidding on a Second Chance
“I’m sure we did.” Graham lifted a hand; a goodbye wave, she realized. He planned to walk with everyone else.
“You’re the hero. The least we can do is give you a lift back.”
“No, thanks. It’s not far.” He turned and started down the sidewalk.
* * *
Not getting in the car, not spending one evening acting like everything between them was better, was the hardest thing he’d done in years. He cared about Piper and Bryce. He’d do anything to ensure their safety and happiness—including walk away when he knew Piper would be glad he had. If she’d needed time after the robbery, she’d require even more now. After all, scary events had never led the Piper he knew to feel more at peace. Quite the opposite.
“Graham, wait.”
His feet drew to a stop.
She caught up and touched his arm as she circled to stand in front of him. “If you’d been injured in the robbery, the whole police force wouldn’t have been able to keep me from your hospital room. I would’ve kept you company until you healed. I imagine there’s lots of paperwork associated with doctors and work leaves, and we both know I have more patience for that kind of thing, so I would’ve helped. I would’ve nagged you about rehab if you’d been assigned exercises. I would’ve taken you to dinner to celebrate when you were able to return to full duty—because we both know cooking is more your thing.” She bit her lip, her eyes glimmering with hope.
She’d done what he’d asked. She’d thought through the steps of what would happen if one of her fears had come true. And instead of focusing on losses and what couldn’t be, she’d stuck to the practicalities.
She’d chosen him.
She’d chosen him, right? Before he could find the words to ask, she grabbed his hand. “Could you stop over? I do need to get Bryce to bed, but then, I’d really like to talk with you. I know you said after Christmas, but …”
How was he supposed to say no? “I’ll see you soon.”
Her shoulders lifted with giddy joy, and a noise somewhere between a laugh and a squeak of delight slipped from her throat. She clamped a hand over her mouth.
He chuckled. “I’ll give you a little while to talk to him.”
“Okay.” She hurried off, and Graham continued to the school.
Inside, he changed into his dry work pants, socks, and boots. When he came back out, Cody walked up. Though Graham was anxious to finish his conversation with Piper, he spent the next half an hour chatting with Cody to allow her time to get Bryce to bed.
When he finally pulled up to her house, lights shined warmly through the windows, but that was nothing compared to the warmth of the smile she offered as she let him in.
“How is Bryce?” he asked.
“Tucked in, snug and warm. I’ll have a longer talk with him tomorrow, but for now, I tried to make sure he knows how loved he is.” Energy radiating off her, she probably didn’t even notice the limp that suggested she’d overdone it tonight as she stepped back into her living room. But instead of inviting him to sit, she turned back toward him. “About what I said about taking on the police force to see you …”
Was he allowed to laugh? Because that did form quite the image.
She chuckled. “For the record, I don’t think the police would’ve tried to stop me from being by your side. Because one of the gifts God’s given me is this wonderful community. The people of Redemption Ridge saw me through the loss of my parents. Sometimes, it felt like there was never the same amount of love and joy after they died, but part of the reason for that was the way I walled people off. I didn’t let many people close. So, family and friends and the community get a role in the answers to all my what-ifs.
“I hope you’ll let me have a role in the answers to all the what-ifs I’ve asked about you. Like, ‘What if you get sick?’ I hope the answer is I get to be your nurse. And if you get hurt, I hope I get to be your support. And if you are still open to a future together, I hope to discover it with you.”
His hands found their way to her arms, resting gently on her shoulders. “You’re really … Are you sure?”
She nodded, bit her lips together, and nodded again. “Tonight, having you and so many other officers to turn to when I needed help … I saw how important your job is. I’m beyond grateful for what you do and proud to know a man who helps people on their worst days. So, if you need me, Graham, I’m going to be right here. By your side. The way you’ve been here for me.”
He touched her jaw. The warmth of her skin signaled that his fingers were too cold to touch her. He was about to pull back when Piper covered his hands with hers, allowing him to touch her neck and cheeks without flinching at the cold.
He studied her lips. Those were probably warm and soft too. “This isn’t just the emotions of getting Bryce back?”
“I thought it through. The truth became clear when I faced my fears instead of trying to push them away. I’m sure I’ll have moments in the future, but I’m done being crippled by worry.” Without disturbing his touch on her neck, she lowered her hands to his sides, moving close enough that her dress whispered against his button-down. “There’s only one what-if I can’t answer on my own.”
He brushed his thumb over the edge of her mouth. “Which is?”
The corners of her lips quirked. “What if I told you I love you?”
He hooked his finger under her chin and lowered his lips to hers. She was warm, her mouth soft against his as her arms tightened around his waist. He threaded his fingers into her hair, keeping her close, making up for lost time.
