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now engaged to Ellie Frasier. Those two were so deeply in love it was difficult to imagine that little more than a month ago Glen had invited Nell and not Ellie to the biggest dance of the year. In the end he’d gone by himself and then he’d practically come to blows with Richard over Ellie. Richard—always the spoiler.
    â€œI don’t know what was in the air that day,” Nell murmured. “Grady and Glen calling me up like that.”
    â€œDid you go to the dance?”
    â€œBriefly,” Nell said, “but Emma had an upset stomach that day. I made an appearance, said hello to some friends I don’t see often and left shortly after the music started.”
    â€œGrady was there,” Caroline said, fondly re calling their one dance. Ladies’ choice, and she’d been the one to approach him. Those few short minutes in Grady’s arms had been wonderful. Afterward she’d hoped he’d ask her to dance himself, but he’d wandered back to where he’d been sitting with Cal Patterson and hadn’t spoken to her again. Caroline had felt bitterly disappointed.
    â€œâ€¦any reason?” Nell asked.
    Caroline caught only the last part of the question. “Reason?” she repeated.
    â€œThat you’re asking about me and Grady?”
    â€œNot really,” she said, then figured she owed her friend the truth. “He asked me to lunch the other day.”
    â€œAnd you went?”
    Caroline nodded.
    â€œAnd you had a good time?”
    â€œA great time,” Caroline admitted.
    Nell shifted the weight of the groceries in her hands. “Listen, Caroline, if you’re worried about there being any thing romantic between me and Grady, don’t give it another thought. Grady’s one of the most honorable men I know, but—” her voice dipped with emotion “—I’m still in love with Jake.”
    â€œOh, Nell.” Caroline hugged her friend.
    â€œOh, damn it all,” Nell said, blinking furiously. “I’ve got to scoot. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
    â€œSure.” It would be good to sit down and talk with her friend. Both their lives were so busy it was difficult to find the time.
    â€œJeremy. Emma.” Nell called her children again, and the two came running.
    Caroline waved them off and headed toward the parking lot, deep in thought. So, what Richard had told her was true. This was what made him dangerous. He tossed in a truth now and then just to keep everyone guessing. But for once, she wished he’d been lying.
    Â 
    G RADY HAD BEEN PENSIVE ever since the night Caroline stayed for dinner, Savannah observed. He sat at the kitchen table, supposedly writing out an order for Richard to pick up at thefeed store later that afternoon. But for the past five minutes, all he’d done was stare blankly into space.
    Savannah had to bite her tongue. Laredo had repeatedly warned her against any further match making efforts between her brother and Caroline, but he might as well have asked her to stop breathing. Grady was miserable and Caroline hadn’t been any happier. If it was within her power to bring them together—these two people who were so obviously meant for each other—what possible harm could it do?
    Considering that thought, Savannah poured her brother a fresh cup of coffee.
    Grady glanced up and thanked her with an off-center smile.
    â€œSomething on your mind?” she asked. If he voluntarily brought up the subject, all the better.
    â€œNothing important,” he murmured and reached for the steaming mug. He raised it tentatively to his lips, then glanced at her as if tempted to seek her advice.
    Savannah held her breath, hoping Grady would ask her about Caroline. He didn’t.
    â€œThe church dinner’s this weekend,” she said, speaking quickly.
    Grady responded with what sounded like a grunt, the translation of which she already knew. He wasn’t