Feeling as if he’d run a marathon since he left the diner, Grayson arrived at the Abbotts’ barn a few minutes before nine. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been more excited about anything than he was about surprising Emma with his plan. What if she didn’t go for it?

“Don’t be stupid,” he muttered as he let himself into the mudroom. “She’ll go for it.” Though he was fairly confident that she would be excited, he wouldn’t relax until he was sure.

In the kitchen, Max held Caden as he ate breakfast, Linc read the morning paper, and Molly was doing something with Simone, who smiled brightly at the sight of him.

“Want a cookie, Grayson?” she asked.

“I never say no to a cookie or a pretty girl.”

Her smile did crazy things to his insides. She handed him a napkin containing two chocolate-chip cookies.

“Gray,” Linc said. “A word in the study?”

“Sure.” Eating one of the cookies, Grayson followed his uncle to the study he used as a home office. “What’s up?”

“Mary called from the office. We’ve received a letter from a law firm in Burlington that’s been retained by a former employee at the Christmas tree farm. Ed Sheehan was let go after he told Gavin, in a bar, that we wasted our time in Iraq and the two of them got into a fight over it.”

Shocked, Grayson stared at his uncle. “Someone who worked for our family actually said that to Gavin of all people?”

“He did, and when Lucas found out about it, he fired him on the spot.”

“Which is exactly what he should’ve done.”

“Sheehan disagrees. He’s retained an attorney, and he’s looking for damages. Can you get the letter from Mary and see what you can do?”

“Absolutely. I’ll start by talking to everyone involved, if you agree.”

“Please do.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with it.”

“Thank you.”

“I should tell you I’m going to be working from New York this week and for the foreseeable future.”

After a long pause, Linc said, “Is that right? I didn’t realize you and Emma were to the point of making plans.”

“We’re not,” Grayson said with a laugh. “Not even close. I haven’t told her yet I’m going with them today.”

“What brought this on?” Linc asked.

“A conversation with Gramps. He told me if I feel something special for her, which I definitely do, don’t let her get away.” Grayson shrugged. “So I’m not letting her get away. Had a go-round with my mother about it, but that’s a whole other story.”

“She doesn’t want you to leave. You just got home.”

“I understand that, but I need to do this. I have no idea what it is I’m even doing. I just know I have to go with her.”