The Way of Grace (Miller's Creek Novels)

by Bryant, Cathy

  A brief frown crossed his face, but he quickly whisked it away with one of his killer grins. “Well, that makes it kind of hard for people to reach you.”

  “Sorry. It was just an oversight on my part.” She hurried to the phone and plugged it in. If the anonymous calls returned, she could always unplug it again.

  “Good, I feel better knowing I can reach you. How’s your father?” He glanced down the hallway.

  “Fine. I expect him back sometime this week. He’s visiting my brothers and other family members.”

  He crossed one leg over the other, the couch groaning its complaint. “I came to see if you’d like to go to dinner with me tonight.”

  “Sounds wonderful.” The week had dragged by, painfully slow, with no one to talk to except prospective employers, all of which said “No” when she’d asked for a job. The bad economy made the job hunt incredibly difficult, especially in a small town where there weren’t many to begin with.

  “I’ll wait here while you change. You might want to dress warmly. It’s a little nippy out there.”

  “Okay.” Grace hurried to her room and locked the door behind her, frantically searching the closet for an outfit to complement what Jason wore. She finally decided on the designer jeans and black boots Elena had given her, coupled with a creamy white turtleneck and fitted lambskin jacket she’d purchased with her first credit card. The one she’d default on if she didn’t find a job. And soon. She zipped the boots, then sprayed a mist of perfume and stepped into it before she sped back to the living room.

  Jason flipped through a family photo album she’d put together for the purpose of remembering Mama. He glanced up as she entered. “You look nice.” He hoisted the album an inch higher. “Hope you don’t mind. I’m perusing your photographs.”

  Not really asking permission, just stating a fact. Grace didn’t answer. She did mind, but why? “I’m ready when you are.”

  His gaze once more honed in on the book. “You look very much like your mother. At least, I assume this is your mother?”

  “Yes.” For some odd reason, her eyes filled with tears.

  Jason cocked his head to one side, a frown at play on his forehead. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No.” The word came out in a croak. “Mama was killed in an automobile accident when I was a child.”

  He dropped the book to the coffee table and strode to her. Then he placed a hand on each of her shoulders and peered deep into her eyes. “I am so sorry, Grace. I didn’t know.”

  She nodded, still battling tears. “It’s okay.”

  He engulfed her in his arms, her face pressed to his chest, as he rocked back and forth. He didn’t speak, but only held her close, his scent and embrace comforting.

  The tears could no longer be controlled, but in fear she’d mess up his cream-colored sweater with her eye makeup, she pulled away, wiping the area beneath her eyes with her fingertips. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get so emotional.”

  He placed one hand on her face and used his thumb to caress her dampened cheek. “Don’t apologize. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for you and your brothers and sisters.”

  “No sisters. Just brothers.” She traipsed to the tissue box near Papa’s recliner, and wiped her nose.

  “That must have made it doubly hard on you, being the only girl in a houseful of men.”

  She nodded. Time to change the subject before she gave in to the sobs of self-pity hammering on her heart.

  In two steps he stood beside her. “You look so forlorn, love. Please accept my apologies again for bringing this on.”

  Grace stepped back and gave her head a shake. “It’s not your fault. It’s just been a rough couple of weeks, and I’m feeling a little sorry for myself. Can we just go?”

  “Of course.” He took her hand in his and escorted her out the front door, pausing only long enough for her to lock up.

  Soon they zipped down the road toward the far side of the lake, Jason leaning on the curves like a fearless racecar driver. “Hope you feel up to something a little different. I have a very special evening planned for you.”

  She swiveled to peer out the window at the blur of trees and pressed her lips together. He’d made plans just assuming she’d agree to the date? On one hand, it was nice to have everything arranged, but it was also disconcerting, like overkill.

  Half an hour later, they pulled into the circular driveway of a very large estate. A steel-spiked gate towered over them with dark rock columns on either side. Jason braked quickly, lowered his window, and punched buttons on a keypad.

  Uneasiness trickled through her. “This looks interesting.”

  He released a short laugh as he raised the window and drove through the open gate. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” Jason cast a sideways glance. “Don’t look so frightened, goose. I’m not going to eat you.”

  Grace attempted a laugh, but it came out sounding high-pitched and nervous.

  As they made the curve in the driveway, a dark house loomed from behind tall evergreens. Jason parked in front of the massive double doors and came around to the passenger side to help her from the car. The wind blew eerily through the tops of the trees. “Welcome to my house.”

  “It’s lovely.” She inhaled deeply to quiet her out-of-control nerves. Why hadn’t she thought to let someone know her whereabouts?

  “I still sense fear.” He chuckled and led her away from the front door, around the right side of the house on a rock pathway.

  When they finally cleared the dark stone, the view that unfolded before them stole Grace’s breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so breathtaking.” The words were hushed.

  An expansive and tastefully-landscaped patio overlooked the lake, every tree and shrub lit with miniature Christmas lights which twinkled off the water, and mimicked the sky. A flagstone terrace stepped in tiers to the lakeshore, a table decked with a white tablecloth and candles in the midst of it all. A white-coated server stood near a hewn-stone fireplace, a crackling fire within, and a guitarist strummed soft, relaxing music. Blanketing it all was the fishy stench of the lake.

  Jason laughed, obviously pleased by her awed reaction. He took her hand in his, escorted her across the terrace, and seated her at the table like a perfect gentleman.

  Grace viewed her surroundings once more. Another fairy tale. “I don’t mean to sound rude, but why are you doing this?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? I like you, Grace. I want to spend time with you, to see if there’s a future for us.” Ice clinked in their glasses as he filled them with water from a nearby pitcher. “I must confess, it bothers me that you question my motives.”

  She placed a hand on his arm. “Don’t be upset. I’ve never been treated so royally, and I just wanted to understand why.”

  His eyes bore through her like a laser beam in search, and her discomfort grew. She fidgeted, struggling to maintain eye contact. A slow, one-sided smile curved the corner of his mouth. “So you enjoy the princess treatment. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Grace longed to explain how she’d served as little more than a housekeeper for her family her entire life, never feeling fully loved or accepted by anyone. Who wouldn’t have their head turned by fineries and attention with that kind of background? Instead she simply nodded and focused on the meal set before them by the man in the white coat.

  Shrimp cocktail, pan-seared fish, twice-baked potatoes, and lightly steamed vegetables were set before her, but she reached for a steaming hot roll, so light it dissolved like sugar in her mouth. The conversation grew more amiable during dinner, and Grace relaxed into her surroundings.

  After dinner, Jason moved his napkin to the plate and took a sip from his glass. “Mind if I ask you something, princess?”

  “No, what?”

  “Why did you break into the office?”

  She swallowed the bite she was chewing and laid down her fork. “I heard a rumor and wanted to see if it was true.” Grace turned her head
to listen to the peaceful sound of the lake lapping at the shore. “I should’ve handled the situation differently. I did the wrong thing for the right reason.”

  He didn’t answer.

  “It sounds like an excuse, or like I’m trying to shirk the blame, but I’m not. I’ve kicked myself ever since. I just hate how everyone’s reacting, almost as if they hate me. The crack in her heart deepened.

  “I believe you.”

  A weight disappeared from her shoulders. “Thank you. That means more than I can express.”

  Jason leaned in closer, his breath warm on her face, and rested an arm along the back of her chair. He briefly lowered his gaze to her lips, and then stared into her eyes. “I think you and I share a common connection.”

  Grace battled to disengage herself from the penetrating intensity of his gaze, but something about his eyes hypnotized her. Her heart pounded in her chest and her breath came in short spurts. “How so?”

  His entrancing gaze still had her pinned down, like a butterfly on a piece of cardboard. “Well, as I see it, we’re both attorneys with a stronger-than-normal desire for justice.”

  Her eyes widened at the accuracy of his words. At least it was true for her. “Sometimes I think it’s easier for people to disregard wrongdoing than it is to do what they can to stop it.”

  “And that bothers you.”

  “Yes.”

  He took another drink from his glass, never breaking eye contact. “Is that why you went to work for the DA’s office?”

  How had he figured that out? And how much should she reveal? Her brain zoomed in high-speed pursuit of answers, though it sounded like he already knew the truth. “Yes.”

  “So you had suspicions and you attempted to achieve justice by proving them true.”

  Grace nodded, willing her spastic breaths to an even pace.

  “And did you find anything?”

  “Nothing that can be proved. At least not yet.”

  At last he broke eye contact, his gaze moving past her for several minutes. When he once more focused his attention on her, a calm and cool demeanor had settled over him like a familiar cloak. “I’m guessing Ms. Delgado set you up for the purpose of silencing you.”

  “That’s what I think, but I could be wrong.”

  “Always trust your instincts.” Jason fingered the stem of the glass. “It will serve you well in life and as an attorney.”

  “If I ever get to be an attorney.”

  He placed his hand atop hers. “It will happen. I’ll see to it.”

  Grace searched his face, only his chiseled jaw hinting at staunch determination. “It would mean so much to me if you could put in a good word for me with Andy.”

  “That,” he said, leaning back in his chair, “could be problematic. Right now, he sees you as the enemy. Your best bet would be to find a job in another place and work your way up from there. I have a friend in Bellview County who could probably use your services. Would you like me to check with him? I think he would be understanding when it comes to your situation.”

  She thought through the offer. Never had she imagined working anywhere other than Miller’s Creek, but a job was a job, and her financial situation grew more desperate by the day. “That would be wonderful.”

  His head tilted ever so slightly and he smiled. “My pleasure. It’s near enough that we could still see each other on weekends.”

  “I’d like that very much.” Now how to turn the conversation back to Elena? “What do you know about Elena Delgado?”

  Jason’s cool mask morphed momentarily to a startled one, but he quickly lowered his head. “I’ve a confession to make, one I hope you understand. You asked earlier about Elena, and I dodged the question.” He raised his gaze to hers. “I apologize for not being truthful. I guess I feared she’d already poisoned you against me.” He swallowed. “Elena and I were once married.”

  Now it was Grace’s turn to be surprised—so surprised she had no idea what to say.

  Jason spoke again. “Please don’t share that information. It could cause unnecessary problems as I’m sure you understand. Jessie is my daughter. I moved to the area to be closer to her and hopefully convince Elena to let me see her, even though she has full custody.”

  “Why did the judge grant her full custody?”

  He inhaled a deep breath that noticeably raised his broad shoulders. “I suspect foul play, but like you, I have no way to prove it. Another point of connection—Elena has duped us both.”

  Her emotions twisted inside, and his sorrow became her own. How sad to be unable to see his child because of Elena’s ability to manipulate situations to her advantage. “I’m so sorry. This makes what she did to me seem small in comparison.”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed beneath his sweater. “In response to your original question, all I can say is that in my dealings with her, she’s proved to be rather eccentric, hyper-sensitive, and unstable. It drives me crazy that she’s the one raising our daughter.” He rose to his feet and heaved a frustrated sigh, staring off into the distance. “After Jessie was born she changed and then punished me . Our marriage disintegrated in spite of everything I did to keep it going.”

  Overwhelming compassion cracked open her heart removing the walls between them. In less than a beat of her heart, Grace wrapped her arms around him. Lord, help him through his grief. Show me how I can help. “Do you want to talk about it more?”

  “Not at the moment.” His voice sounded hoarse.

  “I understand.” Grace’s cell phone buzzed within her purse. She reached to silence it, but noticed the number. Consuela. Was she in danger? “Sorry, but I need to take this call.”

  He nodded his consent, his eyes distant and dark.

  She stood and moved a few feet away, intentionally keeping her voice low. “Consuela? Are you okay?”

  “Si. I am so glad to have caught you.” Relief sounded even through woman’s Hispanic accent. “I need to speak with you. Tomorrow if possible.”

  Jason strolled closer, both hands in his pockets, his gaze focused on the lights of a nearby boat.

  Grace feigned a cheery tone since he was within earshot. “Of course, will ten work for you?”

  “Yes, that will be good. I must go now.”

  “Bye.” Grace clicked the phone off and hurried to where Jason stood staring out over the placed lake.

  He turned at her approach and smiled slightly. “Anything important?”

  “Just meeting a friend tomorrow.”

  Jason clasped her hand in his own and headed back to the table.

  She dropped the phone in her purse. “May I use your rest room?”

  “Certainly. James will show you the way.” Jason snapped his fingers and the white-coated gentleman stepped quickly.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Show Miss Soldano to the rest room.”

  “Yes, sir.” He headed toward the house.

  Grace sent Jason an encouraging smile and followed James. When she left the restroom a few minutes later, she gazed around the lavish interior of the house, her jaw agape. The great room faced the lake and soared at least three stories high, lit by the largest chandelier she’d ever seen. How could he afford this?

  Just as she was about to explore the area a little more carefully, a voice sounded behind her. “Mr. Dent is waiting outside, Miss Soldano.”

  She brought a hand up as she twirled to face the butler. “Oh, you scared me!”

  His face revealed nothing. Instead he merely pointed the way with one hand.

  Grace obeyed and rejoined Jason on the terrace. She trailed a hand along the nubby fabric of his sweater. “Feeling better?”

  He latched onto her fingers and brought them to his lips. “Seeing you always makes me feel better.”

  How was it that he always knew the perfect thing to say? She searched his face. No trace of his previous sorrow remained.

  “Sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to get sentimental.” His words held no emotion and were spoken m
atter-of-factly.

  The flesh along her neck tingled, as though a multi-legged insect crawled along the surface. Something about the emotionless comment disturbed her. She quickly dismissed the feeling. Everyone handled grief in different ways, or perhaps the calm reserve the British were known for had come into play.

  He stood. “I should get you home before it gets any later. Don’t forget your cell phone.” Jason pointed to the table.

  A frown crept onto her face as she picked up the phone and dropped it into her bag. “I could’ve sworn I put that in my purse earlier.”

  He laughed and moved closer. “I do the same sort of thing all the time. Yet another example of how much we’re alike.” He planted the softest of kisses on her lips.

  Part of her heart melted as she returned the kiss. What was happening? And what about her feelings for Matt? Confused thoughts clouded her brain. He’d left without even saying good-bye, and Jason, in so many ways, was what she’d always wanted in a man. Besides, he obviously needed her more. Matt would always be, well, Matt—happy-go-lucky and carefree as the wind.

  Jason pulled away. “I definitely need to take you home.” He tucked her hand in his and led her to the front of the house.

  Soon they were headed back to Miller’s Creek, with not a word passing between them. Strong emotions swirled inside, but the more Grace struggled to bring them into sharper focus, the more twisted and irrevocably knotted they became. They finally arrived at her house, which now seemed downright dowdy compared to Jason’s lakeside mansion, and the evening ended with a polite kiss to her forehead.

  Her sleep that night was restless and agitated, her dreams shrouded with intermittent images of both Jason and Matt. She slept late the next morning, but finally forced herself from the warm covers to fix a pot of coffee.

  Grace released a sigh as the machine gurgled. She’d hoped her thoughts would be more cooperative this morning. If only she could see Matt. He had a way of grounding her like no one else. But wouldn’t that only make things more complicated?

  She poured the aromatic liquid into her cup, doctored it with extra sugar, and sipped it as she padded to the bathroom to get ready for her meeting with Consuela.