The Protector's Promise

“You’re going to keep doing what you’ve been doing—loving her unconditionally.” He bent close to whisper the words in Honor’s ear and caught the heady aroma of summer sunshine and wild flowers.

“You’re right. That’s exactly what I’ll do. That, and worry every day that her dreams will take her away from me.” She smiled, but the sadness behind her eyes was unmistakable. “For now, I’m just enjoying her. She’s such a funny little girl.”

“And a special one.”

“That, too.” Honor called to Lily and pushed through the heavy shrubs.

Grayson knew he should probably stay on his side of the barrier, but knowing that didn’t stop him.

He followed the two Malones through the shrubs and into Honor’s backyard, pausing as the two went up the back steps, not sure how he’d even ended up there. Honor was pretty. Intelligent. Compassionate. He’d known other women like her. What was it about Honor that made him want to know more? That made him want to talk to her about everything and about nothing?

She turned before she opened the door, the morning sunlight reflected in her blue-black hair and shimmering in her forest-green eyes. The sight made the breath catch in Grayson’s throat, made his heart leap in acknowledgment of her simple beauty.

“I’m putting on a pot of coffee if you’d like a cup.”

Being pulled into Honor and Lily’s lives probably wasn’t the best idea. Then again, sharing a pot of coffee with a neighbor seemed a lot more appealing than reading the deposition he’d left sitting on the table in the solarium. And, quite honestly, he wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet. “That would be great. Thanks.”

“Come in then, but just remember, I’ve been working long shifts. The house is still a bit cluttered.”

“Why would I notice clutter when I have two beautiful ladies nearby?”

Lily must have been listening, because she giggled.

Honor, on the other hand, didn’t look amused. “There you go again with your flattery.”

“Is it flattery when it’s the truth?”

“Grayson Sinclair, you are more trouble than I have time to deal with.” Honor shook her head and pushed open the back door, ushering Lily into the house. “Come in anyway. We’ll discuss what flattery is after I start a pot of coffee. And Lily, we’ll discuss the consequences of your behavior after Mr. Sinclair leaves. Off to your room, now.”

“But, Mommy—”

“Lily Mae, is that you I hear?” Candace’s voice rang out from the kitchen, cutting off whatever argument Lily might have made. Too bad. The kid was a good negotiator. A lawyer in the making. And Grayson enjoyed seeing her in action.

“Yes.”

“Where have you been? Do you realize how worried I’ve been? I was just getting ready to call the police.”

“I’m sorry, Aunt Candy.”

“Sorry? Sorry doesn’t help. You should never have disobeyed me. Do you realize…” Candace’s voice trailed off as she stepped into the mudroom and saw Grayson. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize we had company.”

“Mr. Sinclair is here for a cup of coffee. It’s a thank-you for keeping Lily safe until I found her.”

Honor seemed to want to qualify the invitation. Grayson told himself that that was fine with him. Whatever it was about her that attracted him, he didn’t have time to act on it. He had work to catch up on, a brother to worry about. He didn’t need to add more complications to his already complicated life.

Whether or not he wanted to, that was a different story altogether.

“You were in the neighbor’s yard? Lily, how could you?” Candace brushed thick blond bangs from her eyes and sighed, taking the little girl’s hand and leading her from the room. Lily sent a beseeching look in Grayson’s direction, and he did his best not to smile at the dramatics. Honor had quite a kid.

“She’s quite a drama queen, my daughter.” Honor spoke as she started the coffee maker, her voice lilting and exotic.

Maybe it was the accent Grayson found so appealing.

Or maybe it was simply the woman herself. “She’s definitely got an acting career ahead of her if she wants one.”

“Funny you should say that. Her father always dreamed of being a film star.” Honor smiled, but it didn’t hide the sadness in her eyes.

“And did you always dream about being a nurse?”

“I always dreamed about being married and having kids.”

“Then I guess you achieved your dream.”

“I guess. Sometimes, though, the reality of a dream isn’t nearly as beautiful as the dream itself.” She poured coffee and offered him a cup, her expression filled with a yearning that made Grayson’s chest tighten.

“You didn’t have a happy marriage.”

“Everyone’s definition of happy is different, Grayson. I was content enough. How about you? Did you always want to be a prosecutor?”

“For as long as I can remember.”

“Then you’ve achieved your dream, as well.”

“Yes, but it’s like you said. Sometimes the reality doesn’t quite live up to the dream.”

“You’re not happy?”

“I’m happy.” But he wasn’t content. And until this minute, standing in Honor’s warm kitchen, sipping coffee and listening to the lyrical sound of her voice, he hadn’t realized it.

“Then you’ve got nothing to complain about.” She reached into the cupboard and pulled out the box of cookies she’d offered the previous day. “Biscuit?”

“Thanks.” He took one, watching Honor’s face as she bit into one of the rich shortbread rounds. “I’ll have to remember how much you love these cookies if I ever visit Ireland.”

“No worries. Mum keeps me well stocked.”

“Yes, but I’d still want to bring back a gift for a friend.”

“Is that what we’re going to be, Grayson?”

“Maybe.”

“Unless my daughter comes in your yard and bothers you again?” She grinned, all the sadness and longing that had been so clear in her face gone.

“Actually, I was thinking we would become friends unless we became something more than that.” The words slipped out, surprising him.

Honor froze at his words, her expression closing off, her bright gaze dimming. “I’m afraid that is an impossibility.”

“I don’t believe in impossibilities.” He set his cup in the sink, took another cookie from the box. Honor might think that a relationship between them was out the question, but he didn’t have to agree.