Her Unexpected Family

Emily had the sudden urge to march across that room and push that hand away from Grant’s water-resistant jacket.

She didn’t, of course, but she wanted to, which meant the tall, brown-haired, hassled single father had gotten beneath her defenses. Based on her instantaneous reaction, she needed more than a mental list to keep the attraction at bay. She’d write a physical list that evening and post it on her mirror so she’d have a firm visual of why she should shy away from tall, handsome, rugged guys who had issues with her past.

“Emily.” Gabby waved her in, excited, and Rachel met her halfway.

“We’ve got some amazing things for you guys to taste, Em. And I am all over that coat!” Rachel admired the waist-length bolero-style jacket with a sigh. “I can’t afford it, but I’m more than slightly envious.”

“It’s a leftover from my buyer days,” Emily told her, then slipped the short coat off and handed it over. “Try it—see what you think.”

Rachel looked mortified. “No, I couldn’t, I shouldn’t have said anything. Mom will kill me for embarrassing her. And myself,” she admitted, sheepishly.

“Rach, the one thing I walked away from Barrister’s with was way too many clothes, and it’s silly not to share. We’re the same size. You should come over tomorrow and go through my closets. Noon, my house, bring doughnuts.”

Gabby cleared her throat, which meant they should get busy, and she was right. Emily reached out to shake Grant’s hand. “Hey, you got here early. The lure of cake, right? It does that to me all the time.”

* * *

He’d like to say it was just the sweets that brought him to Gabby’s ten minutes before their meeting time, but he’d be lying. He shook her hand, smiled and found himself in a fine mess because now that he had her hand, he really didn’t want to let go.