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in addition to providing funds for therapies insurance didn’t cover.
    Except at the wedding when his devotion to Katie had been evident, all Grant showed the world was a rich, charming man out for a good time. This new facet touched her soul. “That’s truly remarkable.”
    “I’m glad you think so,” Heather responded. “We like to have members from the community sit on the board of directors, and our education liaison resigned last week.” She smiled hopefully. “Would you consider taking a position?”
    “I’d love to…” Her gaze darted to Grant and her excitement ebbed just as quickly as it peaked. “But I can’t. I’m leaving the country at the end of May,” Abby said, using the reason easiest to explain. “I’ll be gone an entire year so cannot commit to anything.”
    “That’s too bad.”
    Just then, Heather’s phone announced a text. While the woman’s attention was diverted, Abby eyed Grant. His cobalt-blue eyes did things she was better off not thinking about.
    “That’s the sitter,” Heather announced, standing and gathering her coat. “Grace is having a hard time settling down for the night. I better go.”
    “I can handle it if you’d like,” Grant said.
    “No, you stay,” she said, waving off his offer. “See if you can sweet talk Abby into changing her mind.”
    As Heather left through the kitchen’s back door, Abby braced for the onslaught of charm.
    He shook his head as if he’d read her mind. “No spiel. But, would you at least think about taking the position?”
    Her gaze trailed across a pair of broad shoulder and up to his strong jaw. His blue eyes melted her resolve to do the sensible thing. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”
    “Good,” he said, the corners of his generous mouth turning up.
    His smile made her want to agree to things other than charity work. Several seconds passed before she realized she was staring. “Do you have a picture of Grace?” she asked, needing the diversion.
    “Of course,” he answered, pulling his phone from his hip pocket.
    After a moment of flipping through several pictures of the little girl, she exclaimed, “My God, she’s beautiful.”
    “She definitely got her mother’s looks.”
    Abby expanded a snap of Grace sitting on a rocking horse. “I see you in there; she’s got your lips and chin.”
    He laughed. “Thankfully, she didn’t get my nose.”
    She shook her head. There wasn’t one thing about his looks that wasn’t practically perfect. “You have a nice nose. It suits your face.”
    He took the phone, stowing it in his pocket. His face grew serious as he turned his attention to her. “She’s my reason for getting up in the morning.”
    Such tenderness. “She’s a lucky little girl.”
    “I’m the lucky one, and while I’m not ready to say her autism is a blessing, it has made me a better man. It really got me to see just paying the bills isn’t what makes a good father. Being there for your kid is.”
    His honesty did more to disarm her than all his dimpled smiles. “What if I pitched in on the Board until I leave? That should give you time to get someone who can serve long-term.”
    His brow furrowed. “You sure you can do that with all that’s on your plate?”
    “Yeah, I’m sure.” Abby said. She reached for his hand. The strength she felt as he returned her squeeze did something warm and wonderful to her insides. She upturned his hand in hers slowly stroking his calloused palm.
    He tugged it away. “Sorry, my hands are a mess.”
    She stopped him before he could tuck them in his lap. Pulling them both toward her, she wove her fingers with his. “No, there’s something honest about them.”
    Grant’s eyes were heavy on her and he unwound one of his hands to trail lightly up her arm. When he cupped her cheek, she leaned into his touch, finding something alluring about a hard man with a soft spot for his family. Their lips touched for an instant before footsteps drove them apart.
    Jackson