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Probably not . From what her father had intimated, Grace was pretty much a recluse who had spent the years when most young women socialized or dated either studying or working behind the scenes on projects for the company or her community church.
    In other words, a diamond in the rough , Jack thought to himself.
Grace dipped the spoon again and scooped up the last of the dessert.
“Want the last bite?” She held the spoon toward his mouth.
“No,” he shook his head. “You take it. It’s much more fun to watch you, anyway.”
    “Are you flirting with me, Jack Ellis?” Grace wondered aloud. More importantly, was she flirting with him ?
    “Princess, I think it’s time you had a little nap,” Jack felt a wave of heat hit his face at her question.
    “Mmm. That was good.”
    “It definitely was.” Jack leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. It was all he could do not to laugh aloud as the prim and proper Miss Woodhouse attempted to flirt. He wondered if she was even aware that she was doing it.
    Grace watched her visitor from across the table. Jack had changed into a different pair of jeans, but these were just as worn as the ones from earlier today. The crisp white tee-shirt did nothing to conceal his muscled chest, either. He looked so good that Grace was tempted to look away.
    But she didn’t.
    “Yep, I think it’s definitely time for bed,” Jack said over the hum of the window air conditioner. “I’m pretty sure that a princess like you requires hours of beauty sleep.”
    “What do you mean by that?” she pouted. “You think I’m ugly? You think I need beauty sleep?”
    “I think you’re beautiful, Grace,” Jack surprised her by saying. “Whether or not you can attribute it to sleep is not my call.” He gave a careless shrug.
    Grace’s response was drowned out by a series of clanking thuds from the air conditioner. They looked toward the window unit. From all appearances, it would be a miracle if the thing made it through the night. Jack decided he would have to take a look at it tomorrow. While the mountain nights were turning cool, the days were still hot. If Grace planned on staying any length of time, she’d need the air conditioning. Plus, it would give him a chance to see her again.
    “Never mind, Grace,” Jack told her as he picked up the spoon she’d dropped onto the floor. “You seem a little sleepy. Your medication must be working. How about if I move some of this stuff out of the way?” He motioned toward the plate of uneaten food on her lap.
    “You’re a lifesaver. A genius! Just like...” Grace was in the middle of the compliment when her chin suddenly made a downward arc toward her chest.
    “I’m sure,” Jack told her sleeping form.
    He lifted her injured foot from its perch on a small stool and moved it onto the chaise. He walked over to the bed and grabbed a pillow and a soft throw. Careful not to wake her, he loosened the sling and propped her arm on the pillow. The doctor had insisted that she elevate her injured extremities as much as possible, and Jack knew that if he left it up to her, it would never happen.
    Grace moaned in pain with the action. The sound stabbed at Jack’s heart, but he knew that he was only following the doctor’s orders. He arranged the blanket across her legs and moved the table out of the way before heading toward the door, locking it on his way out.
    When he reached the front door, Mrs. Elderman called a ‘goodbye’ from the kitchen.
    “Goodbye, ma’am,” he answered. “Keep an eye on her, okay?”
    “As if I need you telling me how to take care of that sweet little thing in there, Jackson Ellis,” she replied. “Don’t you forget, I changed your diapers, young man!”
    “I’m sorry, Mrs. E.,” he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Forgive me?” He raised his brows in an action familiar to the older woman.
    “Get on with you, you little flirt,” she swatted him on his backside as he headed outside onto the porch.