Free The Perfect Gift by Kathleen Brooks

relax.  She didn’t even want to know what she had said. She remembered talking, getting up to go to the living room, and the kiss. Wow, that kiss had rocked her world. Then things got a little fuzzy. She just hoped she didn’t do anything to embarrass herself too badly.
    A knock at the door made her grab her head. Who in the world was here so early? She rolled out of bed and stumbled to the door. She pulled back the curtain and hissed as the sun blinded her. Apparently she was not just hungover. The tea had also turned her into a vampire.
    “Who is it?” Grace called out before hissing again in pain.
    “Nabi,” came the chuckled response.
    Grace blinked in surprise and swung the door open. She jumped back out of the bright sun and hid behind the door as Nabi walked in, carrying a brown paper bag and a huge cup of coffee.
    “Coffee!” Grace grabbed the cup like a lifeline and took a deep drink.
    “I thought I owed you that much after last night,” Nabi said as he set the bag down on the kitchen table. “And breakfast. Biscuits and sausage gravy, my favorite. I hope that’s okay with you.”
    “It’s great. But I should apologize. I don’t ever drink, but I was so nervous,” Grace said as she brushed her hair from her face. Oh gosh, her hair. She looked down at her bare feet and old T-shirt. She put her hand to her head and cursed under her breath. Her hair was sticking up everywhere, and she was pretty sure there was a giant crease mark running along her cheek.
    “Actually, I need to apologize. Sit down; there’s something I need to tell you,” Nabi said as he pulled out a kitchen chair for her.
    “This doesn’t sound good,” Grace murmured as she sat.
    Nabi took the seat across from her and looked nervously at her. “I swore I could keep it a secret, but I want us to always be honest with each other. I got you drunk so I could ask about your husband.”
    “What?”
    “I was so worried you could only care for him that I kept topping off your drink so you would tell me if your heart was closed to a new relationship.” Nabi grimaced. “I know, I was horrible to do that to you.”
    Grace was so surprised she just stared at him. He fidgeted like one of her students who was in trouble, and for some reason that made her heart soften. “Why?”
    “I have not been a saint over the years, but none of those women were relationship-worthy. The past couple years I have been looking for someone I actually wanted to get to know better . . . someone I wanted to make breakfast for. I have been on so many first dates, but no one has sparked my interest. I was about to send my father a request that he arrange a marriage when I met you. The spark was immediate. But being a widow, I didn’t know if your heart was still wed to someone I could never compete with.”
    Grace shoved her chair back. “I’m so sick of this widow crap! Yes, I had a husband. Yes, I loved him. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be loved again. It doesn’t mean I don’t dream of marriage, a family, and someone to share my life with. I’m not dead!”
    Nabi jumped up and wrapped his arms around her. “I know. I found that out last night. I’m so sorry. I was just so afraid to get my hopes up. And here I go and ruin the chance I was given. Please, Grace . . . please say you will give me another chance. Just one more date.”
    “I felt it, too, Nabi,” Grace whispered against his chest. She took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and heard the steady pounding of his heart. She felt him breathe. She smelled horses and the outdoors. She wanted to be near him forever. “I will give you one more date on the condition that you ask me if you want to know something. I’ll always tell you the truth.”
    Nabi leaned back so he could look in her eyes. “I promise. I’ll also always tell you the truth. You’ll never regret giving me a second chance.” Nabi leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Heat flared through her body in