Run to You by Rachel Lacey Read Free Book Online Page A

wouldn’t like to, but I just got out of a relationship so I’m kind of taking a break from dating right now.”
    Ethan pressed a hand to his chest in mock devastation. “That’s a tragedy.”
    She twisted her hands together, wishing she wasn’t silently agreeing with him right now, because dinner with Ethan? Yeah, it would be awesome. “Well, you shouldn’t keep your grandmother waiting. Thanks again for your help last week, and for the flowers.”
    “Any time. And if you change your mind about that no-dating thing, you know where to find me.” He winked, walking behind her as she headed for the front door.
    “I won’t, but I appreciate the sentiment.” That sounded way too formal, but she couldn’t help it. Ethan had strange effects on her ability to speak coherently.
    His easy smile never faltered. “I totally respect that. But just so you’re forewarned, I’m going to keep asking you to try the zip-line course.”
    Her palms got sweaty just thinking about it. “Not my style, Ethan.”
    “No?” His gaze drifted down over her skirt again. “I’d miss the skirt, it’s true. But I bet you look great in jeans, too.”
    With a look that left her knees feeling ridiculously weak, he climbed into his Jeep and waved good-bye.
    *  *  *
    Ethan watched her drive away, feeling stupidly disappointed she’d turned him down, even though he had no right to. It wasn’t like he had trouble getting a date in this town. Too bad the only woman who’d caught his eye recently had just driven away without him.
    He glanced over at Gram. She’d nodded off in the passenger seat, hands clasped over the purse in her lap. In sleep, she looked…older maybe. More vulnerable.
    That feeling was back in his stomach, a sick, clenching fear that slid upward, squeezing his chest until he could barely breathe. He cranked the engine, and the Jeep roared to life.
    Dixie opened her eyes and looked over at him with a smile. “You and Gabby get things sorted out?”
    “Yeah.” He turned out of the driveway and headed toward Gram’s house just a couple of miles down the road. Neither of them spoke during the short drive.
    “Come in for a few minutes, will you?” she asked as he turned in at the brown-paneled house she’d bought over fifteen years ago when she’d pulled him out of foster care and settled here in Haven. Home, or the closest thing to it he’d ever known.
    He followed her inside. She went into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with two steaming cups of tea. He wasn’t a huge fan, but he’d learned long ago that she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
    “We have a few things to talk about.” She handed him a cup and sat on the couch.
    Yeah, they did, and there was no sense putting it off. He sat opposite her in the overstuffed chair by the window. “Gram—”
    She shook her head. “My time is coming, and there’s nothing either one of us can do to change it. I just wanted you to know that I’m meeting with my lawyer tomorrow. I’ve put all of my final wishes in writing so that none of it falls on you. Everything will be taken care of.”
    He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Okay.”
    “There is one thing you can do for me.”
    He leaned forward. “Anything.”
    “I’d like to go to the beach one last time.”
    Whatever he’d been expecting her to say, it wasn’t this. But this was a request he could definitely handle. “Consider it done.”
    She sipped from her tea and nodded, but he saw her chin quiver. “I always have loved the ocean.”
    That was the truth. Dixie had been born and raised by the beach in Wilmington, North Carolina, about five hours from Haven. She and his grandfather had planned to take a cruise around the world after they both retired, but his grandfather had died of cancer before they got the chance. Since she’d adopted Ethan, they’d gone to the beach every summer at least once. This year, between plans for Off-the-Grid Adventures and a visit from one of her