“Don’t worry, Walt, we’re on this, not only for you and your granddaughter but for Harmony Falls. We’ll catch the niggers who did this.”

I suck in a sharp breath at the awful word, waiting for Pap to give them a piece of his mind, but it doesn’t come. Without waiting another second, I open the screen door and walk down the porch steps to find all three men off to the left of the house. All talk ceases when they spot me. Both Eddie and Lane quickly remove their hats.

“Howdy, Miss Olivia.” Eddie greets me first.

“Eddie. Lane.” I nod at them both. I might be pissed off, but I was not raised to be rude. “What are y’all doing out here?”

Pap puts an arm around me and pulls me in close to his side. “They just came out to check on ya, darlin’.”

“We’re real sorry about what happened, Miss Olivia.”

I swallow thickly and keep my composure. “Thank you, Lane. I appreciate that. I’m getting better every day. I know the police are doing everything they can to find out who did this.”

I feel Pap tense next to me, sensing I’m upset.

Before anyone can say another word the sound of an approaching vehicle calls our attention. My heart kicks up in excitement when I see whose truck it is. The blue pickup comes to a halt not far from us and out steps Grayson Taylor.

Not Deputy Taylor, just Grayson.

He’s in worn, blue jeans and a red plaid button-down left open over top of a white T-shirt that stretches across his hard, lean body. Wearing a baseball hat that covers his brown rumpled hair he looks like the country boy I remember from high school. The town’s football star and golden boy.

The man who saved my life.

“Hey, Liv,” he greets, his magnetic smile locked firmly in place.

“Hi, Grayson,” I reply, not bothering to hide how happy I am to see him.

His long legs eat up the distance as he makes his way toward us. “Walter.” He extends his hand to Pap as he comes to stand next to me then does the same to both Eddie and Lane.

“Hey, Grayson, no work today?” Eddie asks.

“Actually, I’m on duty tonight.” He looks around, taking in the awkward tension surrounding us. “What about you two? What are you doing out here?”

Lane clears his throat before answering. “We just came to check on Miss Olivia and have a chat with Walt.” I grind my teeth, remembering their chat and the horrible comment he made. “But we were just leavin’.” He reaches out and shakes Pap’s hand. “We’ll be in touch.”

“Sounds good. Thanks again for stoppin’ by, boys.”

“No problem.” After a goodbye to Grayson and me they leave together in the same pickup they came in.

“Good to see you, Grayson,” Pap says, breaking the silence. “What brings you by?”

Grayson looks down at me. “I thought I would see if Liv wanted to grab some lunch in town.”

I stiffen, both in surprise and apprehension. The thought of going into town has anxiety robbing me of speech.

“What do you say? Wanna grab something to eat?” he asks.

“I’ll bet she’d love that. Wouldn’t ya, Livy?” Pap says, responding for me.

I finally snap out of myself and find my voice. “Or I could make us lunch here instead?” I suggest hopefully. “I need to fix Pap something anyway and—”

“Nonsense.” Pap interrupts, waving his hand through the air. “You go on now, darlin’, I can fix myself something. I’m not hungry yet anyway.”

Before I can argue more he leans down and kisses my cheek then walks away, leaving us alone.

I glance up hesitantly at Grayson to see him staring down at me, sensing my unease. “Have you left the house since you’ve been home, Liv?” he asks quietly. I shake my head, having a hard time finding words at the moment. “What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not really sure,” I answer honestly. “I hate that the entire town knows what happened to me. I guess I worry for their initial reaction and how they’ll see me now.”

“You’re still the same girl, Liv. What happened doesn’t change that.”

I’m glad he knows that, but will everyone else?

“Listen, if you’re that uncomfortable we can stay here and eat. I just thought you might want to get out, but if you’re not ready that’s fine. Just as long as I eat with you I don’t give a shit where we go.”

Warmth spreads throughout my entire body. I think about the date we missed out on and realize it will likely never happen now. But it’s clear he still wants a friendship, and I’ve been yearning for his company since last time I saw him. I refuse to let my anxiety ruin a chance to spend time with him. I will have to face everyone sooner or later, and I’d much rather do it with Grayson by my side. In such a short amount of time he has become someone I trust and feel safe with.

“Let’s go out,” I say, catching him off guard.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Just let me grab some shoes.” I glance down at my bare feet, remembering I stormed out of the house after hearing Pap’s conversation with Eddie and Lane. I lift my eyes back to his. “I’ll meet you at the truck?”

I catch his nod just as I bound up the stairs and into the house. Slipping on my flats, I ignore the mirror hanging on the wall, beckoning me to look. I refuse, knowing if I do I will probably back out of going.

Grayson is waiting for me by the truck with the passenger door open. He takes my hand and helps me up before getting in on his side. “Is the diner okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

We make small talk on the way into town, not about anything in particular, just everyday stuff and it feels nice. It feels…normal. I start feeling good about my decision to get out and do this.

As we drive down Main Street I take in the long row of shops owned by so many locals I’ve grown to love, and get a feeling of nostalgia. Remembering how many times I skipped along behind Pap and Grams down these streets as a little girl has warmth flowing inside of me. Whether it was to stop at the hardware store with Pap where Mr. Myers would always give me a lollipop. Or the craft store with Grams where Mrs. Dillard gave me shiny new beads for my jewelry. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I believe that with every fiber of my being. This town and its people helped shaped me to be who I am today.

However, my easiness evaporates and my anxiety sparks again as we pull up to the local diner to find the parking lot packed.

A strong, warm hand wraps around my clammy fingers and my head snaps to Grayson. “We can go somewhere else. Maybe we can just grab fast food and go park?” he suggests.

My heart warms at his patience and willingness to let me have an out if I want it. But instead of taking him up on it I decide to tamp down my nerves and gather my confidence. I refuse to let this fear rule me. I am no coward. Pap raised me to be strong, and strong I will be.

Feeling a little better at my internal pep talk, I smile at Grayson and shake my head. “No, here is as good a place as any.”

He returns my smile, looking proud of my decision, and it sends another dose of confidence through me. “Good, because I love their chicken fried steak.”

“No one can cook chicken fried steak like Jack,” I agree. “And let’s not forget Gwen’s corn bread. It’s out of this world.”

“That’s true, but don’t ever tell my mom I said that.”

I giggle. “Your secret is safe with me.”

His smile softens into a sexy smirk. “Come on, baby, let’s eat,” he says before climbing out of the truck.

Baby?

My heart stalls in my chest at the endearment. I’ve never had anyone refer to me as that before, and I really like it.

A moment later my truck door is opened for me. Taking Grayson’s offered hand, I use it as a crutch to carefully step down. “Your ribs?” he asks.

At my nod his jaw flexes in anger. “They’re getting better every day,” I add, not wanting to see him upset.

I watch him blow out a breath, as if trying to compose himself, then instead of letting go of my hand he links our fingers together, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.