The Way of Grace (Miller's Creek Novels)

by Bryant, Cathy

  Matt released a short sigh, his frustration mounting. So much for putting his feelings for her behind him. She’d made it more than clear two years ago that friendship was all she was interested in. He’d accepted it and eventually moved on. Then why was he feeling so . . . so disappointed? He swigged another sip of coffee, and tried to swallow his disappointment at the same time. Perhaps some part of him had hoped that once she was out of law school she might feel differently. Obviously nothing but wishful thinking on his part.

  Behind the receptionist’s desk, Gracie easily handled multiple phone calls, multi-tasking through several projects like a well-oiled, organized machine. With her thick dark hair swept up into a twisted knot at the back of her head and the dark business attire, she looked almost formidable. All five-foot, four-inches of her.

  “Are you planning on hanging out here all day?” Her voice held an irritable edge.

  “Maybe.”

  She huffed a puff of air from between pursed lips and returned to her work.

  Two summers ago he’d glimpsed her softer side—and her better side, in his opinion—the sweet country girl with the voice of an angel and a heart for God. He pressed his lips together. Was there any hope of getting that Gracie back? More importantly, would he ever be able to prove he wasn’t the slacker and daydreamer she imagined him to be?

  The phone rang again and she answered, jotting down a note while rearranging her desk to keep everything in perfect order, as though she’d marked the distance between each item with a ruler. Even notepads were placed exactly on top of each other, their sides precise and even.

  He crossed his arms. Everything about her was too perfect, from her professional voice to her sensible shoes. But it was more than just role-playing. More like her thinking she could be perfect if she tried hard enough. Matt frowned. This wasn’t good at all. If Gracie kept heading toward the illusory trap of perfectionism, she was destined for a fall—and not a minor one.

  The back door swung open and closed with a bang. Gracie turned her head at the sound, then smoothed her hair and skirt and checked her teeth in a small mirror near her desk.

  Matt swallowed a gulp of tepid coffee, his forehead tight. Who was she trying to impress?

  Andy rounded the corner, and his face broke into a grin. “Bro, when did you get here?”

  “Late last night.” Matt hugged his brother and patted his back, careful not to spill the contents of his cup on Andy’s dark suit or crisp white shirt. “Didn’t wanna wake you and Trish, so I stayed at the apartment.”

  “You’re here early, Gracie.” Andy strode around her to the coffee pot.

  She looked up momentarily before rifling through a stack of papers. “It’s a good thing, too. The phone’s been ringing off the hook. Where’s Sandra?”

  “Called earlier to say her youngest has the chicken pox.” He hesitated, his face strained. “Can you cover for her?”

  “Not a problem.” She spoke the words sincerely, though the enthusiasm in her voice lowered a couple of notches.

  Matt pressed his lips together, the coffee aftertaste in his mouth growing increasingly bitter. Her disease to please had grown worse. Why didn’t she stand up for herself?

  “Good old Gracie, as dependable as always.” Andy patted her on the head like an obedient puppy. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were after something. A raise, maybe?” He winked at Matt.

  Gracie flashed Matt a “don’t-you-dare-tell” look, but didn’t answer.

  He flinched inwardly. Him and his stupid promises. How could he help Andy see that he needed to treat Gracie more like an attorney and less like a crack-filler, yet not breathe a word about Gracie’s desire to become a prosecutor? More than that, what could he do to help Gracie feel more appreciated? The seed of an idea rooted in his brain.

  Andy stopped beside him. “Wanna do lunch later?”

  “Sure. I’ll hang around ‘til then.” That would give him time to work on the surprise for Gracie.

  His brother checked his wristwatch. “I have a few client appointments this morning, but should be done by noon.” He turned to Gracie. “Can you bring me the files for this morning’s clients?” Without waiting for an answer, he stepped to his office and closed the door behind him.

  Her lips tightened and her shoulders drooped. “Sure.”

  Matt’s heart tumbled. Poor thing. Today should have been a day of celebration for her. Instead it had turned into the same boring routine. He caught her attention. “You okay?”

  She nodded and went back to work.

  The front door creaked open, and a spry, elderly man strode by. He nodded at Matt. “Morning, Gracie.”

  “Good morning, Ben.”

  The man tottered down the hallway and entered one of the offices.

  Matt gazed after him. “Who was that?”

  Gracie raised one eyebrow. “One of the new partners, Ben Snodgrass. He joined the firm about the same time as Jason.”

  “Jason?”

  She stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “Jason Dent, the other new partner. You haven’t been here in a while, have you?”

  “Then why don’t you fill me in?” He nodded toward the office the old man had entered. “What’s he like?”

  Wavy lines wriggled their way onto her forehead. “Honestly, he kind of gives me the creeps. He’s always sneaking up on me, like he’s part feline or something.”

  “And the other new guy?”

  This time her face took on a certain fascination, but before she could speak, the door opened again, and a guy who looked like he’d stepped off the cover of GQ strode in. He wore an expensive black suit and tie which set off his dark complexion, steely blue eyes, and broad shoulders. “Good morning, Grace.” His British accent was the proverbial icing on the cake.

  “Good morning, Jason.” Her eyes widened, and she spoke the words downright cheerfully, accompanied with a brilliant smile.

  Matt’s stomach lurched unexpectedly, depositing the taste of acid on his tongue. The smitten look on Gracie’s face told him all he didn’t wanna know.

  “Any messages for me?” Andy’s partner directed the words at Gracie then turned his way with a nod and closed-lip smile, obviously confident in his ability to turn women’s heads wherever he went.

  “Yes.” Gracie reached for a stack of pink memos. “You seem to be in high demand as usual.”

  Jason reached for the pile of notes, his fingers casually touching Gracie’s. “Thanks.” He stepped toward another office as he perused them, his perfectly polished shoes tapping against the laminate floors and the scent of his tastefully expensive cologne clogging the air.

  Gracie’s eyes trailed after him wistfully, but then she turned to pull the files his brother requested.

  “You didn’t answer my question.” Well, maybe she had.

  She glanced up, her brow creased in a frown. “Hmm?”

  “What’s Jason like?”

  A non-committal shrug lifted her small shoulders. “He’s a great attorney.”

  “Married?”

  “No.” Her voice held hostility. “Why do you ask?”

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d say that you’re interested in him—other than professionally.”

  Her dark eyes shot sparks. “First of all, I don’t remember asking you. Secondly, Jason happens to be one of the best defense attorneys in this area of the state.”

  “I thought you were more interested in the prosecution end of things.”

  “That doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate his legal skills.” Now her voice escalated in volume.

  Matt gave a short laugh. “Quit deceiving yourself, Gracie Mae.”

  Jason exited his office, a frown connecting his dark eyebrows. “Is there a problem, Mr.—?” A protective edge colored his words.

  Matt extended a hand and looked up at him. It didn’t help matters that Jason outsized him by a good six inches. “I’m Matt.”

  Gracie cleared her throat, her cheeks still red fr
om the argument. “Matt is Andy’s younger brother.”

  Jason grasped his hand quickly. “Oh, I’m Jason. Sorry if I came across as rude. I thought you were harassing Grace.”

  “Every chance I get.” He ignored the glare Gracie shot at him. “How do you like Miller’s Creek?”

  The handsome attorney nodded agreeably. “Love it.” His eyes perused Matt’s appearance. “I take it you’re a college student?”

  “Perpetually.” Grace drawled out the word and turned back to her computer.

  Matt’s blood boiled. How like her to pass judgment without bothering to check the facts. He turned back to Jason. “Actually I finished my grad work this past May and started my doctoral studies online.”

  Gracie’s mouth flew open, but she quickly snapped it shut. The phone shrilled, and she answered. A minute later, she hung up and faced Jason, her lips curved upward.

  Matt’s heart felt like it was ground into the floor beneath the heel of one of Dent’s shiny black shoes. Gracie was clearly enamored with him, and judging by the glint in the attorney’s beady eyes, he was exulting in every minute of her schoolgirl adulation.

  “So what are your plans now, Matt?” Jason’s cultured voice held a friendliness which had been curiously lacking until he’d learned his relation to Andy.

  “Well, I’m spending some time with Andy and Trish while I check out a few career options.”

  Gracie turned back to the computer and typed furiously, pretending not to listen. But the smirk on her face let him know she heard every word.

  “What kind of work are you looking for?” Jason continued his probe.

  “Leaving my options open at this point, but I—”

  Before he could mention his desire to open a counseling practice, Gracie let out a snort, then pressed her lips together and pretended to focus on the stack of papers to her left.

  If the expression on her face didn’t irritate him so much, it would almost be comical. Her “Dear-John-speech” two years ago had made it clear he didn’t meet her high expectations. Now it was more than obvious that he still didn’t qualify and probably never would, especially since her image of manly perfection had moved in right down the hall.

  Jason didn’t respond further. Instead he turned to Grace. “I have to leave for a meeting in Morganville in a few minutes, and don’t know when I’ll return. Just stack messages on my desk when you leave.”

  “Sure.” The light in Gracie’s eyes faded as Jason strolled to his office and closed the door. In a few short words, he’d effectively dismissed them both.

  Unable to endure the hurt inscribed on her face, Matt stepped down to the stairwell, the smell of their shared breakfast only emphasizing his thoughts of Gracie. She just couldn’t fall for someone like Jason Dent. His polished image—the Armani suit, Berluti shoes, not-a-hair-out-of-place haircut—might ooze money and sophistication, but it also screamed control freak.

  Matt stopped short and ran a hand through his hair. He had to go back. How could he be so hard on Gracie for running away when he was doing the same thing?

  She looked up from her work as he approached, a grumpy expression on her face. “Did you need something else?”

  “I—uh, was wondering if you’d like to eat lunch with us today?”

  Gracie lowered her gaze and licked her lips. “Actually I have some errands to run, but thanks for the offer.”

  A brush-off or the truth?

  Jason exited his office with a manila folder in his hands, his dark eyebrows furrowed in a way that made him look ominous. He made eye contact with Matt. “Still here?”

  Matt overpowered the malicious desire to ask him the same question. “Yeah, Andy and I are eating lunch together.”

  The tall dark handsome rested against the counter—obviously waiting to speak to Gracie alone—and eyed his perfectly groomed fingernails.

  Matt glanced down at his raggedy jeans and wrinkled t-shirt, feeling more out of place than ever. How could he possibly compete with the likes of Jason Dent? His rapidly deflating ego pulled his head and shoulders toward the floor.

  God, help me. You know how much I care for Gracie, but more than my selfish desire to win her heart, help me to want what’s best for her. Even if that means Jason gets her and I don’t.

  Matt made his way to the stairs. The man could obviously provide her with a better life than he could ever dream about. And Gracie deserved it. She’d spent her entire existence caring for others, and it was time she had someone taking care of her for a change. Maybe it was best if he just kept his distance.

  He reached the stairwell and cast one last look at Jason and Gracie, now engaged in private conversation, her face lit up like a Christmas tree. He halted, his eyes narrowed and nebulous thoughts suddenly solidified.

  Why would a guy like Jason be interested in someone like Gracie?

  He took in the man’s too-smooth manner. Hmm, on second thought, maybe he should stick around and make sure Gracie’s penchant for perfection didn’t land her in a heap of trouble.

  Matt toyed with the tamale. The food at Soldano’s was delicious as always, as were the tempting aromas floating around his head in the bustling restaurant. Gracie’s dad was good at many things, but especially excelled at mouth-watering Mexican food.

  No, the problem was definitely not the food. He needed to sort through his emotions and shake this troubled feeling, and in addition, figure out what he was supposed to do with his life. Maybe Gracie’s response to him—or lack thereof—was God’s way of telling him to move on.

  He huffed out a sigh. Why worry about it? God had it under control. And since when had he become a worrier? Easy answer. Any time he was around Gracie Soldano. Yet another reason to avoid her like the plague.

  “Sure you’re okay, bro?” Andy talked around a mouthful of fajitas and guacamole.

  “Eh, guess I’m not hungry.”

  His brother’s eyebrows rose, creasing his forehead in thick wavy lines. He laid down the tortilla-wrapped fajita and wiped his mouth. “Okay, spill it. The only time you’re not hungry is when something’s bothering you.”

  Matt shook his head. “Probably nothing.”

  “C’mon, Matt, you know I only have a few minutes. Let it out.”

  He sighed. “What can you tell me about Jason Dent?”

  Andy shifted in his seat, his green eyes darkening momentarily, and clenched his jaw. Holding in something he really wanted to say? “One of the best defense attorneys I’ve ever seen in action. His confidence level makes him almost unbeatable. Came highly recommended and at this point has done an excellent job for the firm, not to mention the town.”

  Won. Der. Ful. So not only was Jason an immaculate dresser, he was also Mr. Perfect in every other way. How could Gracie not fall for him?

  “Why do you ask?”

  Andy’s question raised Matt’s gaze. What was it about Dent that made his skin crawl? “I dunno, something about him just troubles me.”

  His brother let out a short laugh and forked refried beans into his mouth. “Don’t worry. All us males are bothered by it. We just don’t measure up when we compare ourselves to guys like him.”

  Matt chewed a bite of the pork tamale. Andy had hit the nail on the head. What he was feeling was nothing but the green-eyed monster. But his brother couldn’t be as bothered by Mr. Perfect as he was. He had a lovely wife, two sons, and a beautiful new baby girl waiting for him at home. Meanwhile, Gracie was somewhere running errands and contemplating a perfect life with the perfect man. He tossed his fork to the plate, where it landed with a clatter, then raised fingers to scratch the stubble on his neck.

  “Man, you are bothered. What gives?” Andy studied him.

  “It’s Gracie. I think she’s falling for him.”

  “Our Gracie? You really think so?”

  Matt bobbed his head.

  For a long moment, Andy chewed silently, his eyes fixed on nothing in particular. Finally, he shook his head. “Ah, c’mon, Matt, you know her as w
ell as I do. Her career aspirations are too high to be side-tracked by Jason or anyone else.” Andy continued to eat, but Matt could tell his brother was considering the possibility. “Don’t you think I’d have noticed if something was going on between them?”

  “No. You’re too wrapped up in your job and family.”

  Andy nodded. “True. But let’s pretend your supposition is correct. Why should we care if Gracie’s falling for him? He’s a nice guy and could provide a great life for her . . .” His words dwindled away, and he cocked his curly head slowly to one side, revelation dawning on his face. “You’re in love with her.”

  A comment, not a question. “I wouldn’t go that far, but I care about her, and I don’t wanna see her get hurt.”

  His brother eyed him in a way that suggested he didn’t completely believe him. “Whatever. The question is, what are you gonna do about it?”

  “Keep my eyes on him, and make sure he doesn’t do anything to hurt her.”

  “That’s it?”

  Matt shifted in the booth and sat up straighter. “What do you mean, that’s it?”

  His brother shrugged. “Seems to me if you really cared about her you’d make a play for her yourself.”

  “Me? What do I have to offer? Besides, you’re the one who always said I need to find out what I want to do with my life before I go looking for a relationship.”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore how you feel. Maybe God brought you here, not only to figure things out, but direct your path toward Gracie. That’s how it worked for me.”

  God, please let it be true. “Think about it, bro. The guy looks like a movie star or a model.” He sighed and shook his head. “I can’t compete with him.”

  Andy gently laid down his fork, his face and tone sincere. “You don’t have to, Matt. In my opinion, Jason can’t compete with you.” He paused a long minute, as if struggling to find the right words. “I know it’s not easy, especially with our background. Every chance at a relationship carries with it the risk of going through what we went through with Mom.”