‘‘You always let me know it.’’

‘‘Words count, though. Who would know that better than a man who spent his life trying to teach the young the love of them?’’ He sighed now. ‘‘Words count, Ethan, and I know some of them come hard for you. But I want you to remember that. You and Grace have a lot to say to each other yet.’’

‘‘I don’t want to hurt her.’’

‘‘You will,’’ Ray said quietly. ‘‘By trying not to. I wish you could see yourself as I do. As she does.’’ He shook his head again. ‘‘Well, fate takes its time. Think of the boy, Ethan, think of Seth—and what pieces of yourself you see there.’’

‘‘His mother—’’ Ethan began.

‘‘Think of the boy for now,’’ Ray said simply, and he was gone.

SIXTEEN

THERE WASN’T A HINT OF rain on the breezy summer air. The sky was a hot, staggering blue, an unbroken bowl that held a faint haze and fragile clouds. A single bird sang manically, as if mad to complete the song before the long day was over.

She was as nervous as a teenager on prom night. The thought of that made Grace laugh. No teenager had ever dreamed of nerves like these.

She fussed with her hair, wishing she had long, glossy curls like Anna’s—exotic, Gypsy-like. Sexy.

But she didn’t, she reminded herself firmly. And never would. At least the short, simple crop showed off the pretty gold drop earrings Julie had loaned her.

Julie had been so sweet and excited about what she’d termed the Big Date. She’d launched straight into a what-to-wear-and-what-to-wear-with-it routine—and naturally had deemed the contents of Grace’s closet a total loss.

Of course, letting Julie drag her off to the mall had been sheer foolishness. Not that Julie had to yank very hard, Grace admitted. It had been so long since she’d shopped simply for the simple pleasure of shopping. For the couple of hours they’d spent swarming through the shops, she’d felt so young and carefree. As if nothing was really more important than finding the right outfit.

Still, she’d had no business buying a new dress, even if she did get it on sale. But she couldn’t seem to talk herself out of it. Just this one little indulgence, this one little luxury. She so desperately wanted something new and fresh for this special night.

She’d yearned for the sexy, sophisticated black with its shoestring straps and snug skirt. Or the boldly sensuous red with the daringly plunging neckline. But they hadn’t suited her, as she’d known they wouldn’t.

It had been no surprise that the simple powder-blue linen had been discounted. It had looked so plain, so ordinary, hanging on the rack. But Julie had pressed it on her, and Julie had an eye for such things.