The Complete Arms of Grace Series

by Eleanor Chance

  2

  Grace flinched when the deadbolt on the front door turned as she carried plates and silverware into the dining room to set the table. She relaxed when Alec’s head peeked through the door. Grace and Ryan had caved to Alec’s begging for a house key since it was safer than leaving their doors unlocked to allow Alec to barge in whenever she wanted. Alec had always refused to knock because according to her, she was "family, and family doesn't knock.”

  Alec breezed in and set a covered casserole dish on the sideboard with a flourish. Grace marveled at how her friend never aged. Her thick auburn hair was still dark without a strand of gray, and she didn't have a single wrinkle. Giving birth to three kids, two of them twins, hadn't altered her perfect figure a bit.

  Her husband, Adam, who also had a knack for staying young and ruggedly handsome, followed Alec in carrying five-year-old Graham. Their nine-year-old twins, Rosie and Camilla, danced in behind Adam like miniatures of their mother and waved at Grace before running to find Johnny.

  Grace's heart always lightened at the sight of Alec. Grace wouldn't have survived those traumatic years when Johnny was a baby without her. It was an added bonus that Ryan and Adam got on so well, too.

  Adam put Graham down and said, "Where's Ryan?"

  "Changing," Grace said. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you started the bonfire."

  Adam gave Grace a peck on the cheek on his way into the backyard. Grace gathered Graham into a hug, but he squirmed free and headed for the plate of cupcakes on the sideboard.

  "Not until after dinner," Alec said and turned to Grace. "It's impossible to keep up with him. He's more of a handful than the twins put together."

  Graham snatched a cupcake and ran after Adam.

  "Scamp," Grace said and laughed. "I only have one to worry about, not three, and Johnny's pretty self-sufficient these days. If only I could figure out what to do about his attitude." Grace shook her head and went back to setting the table.

  Alec picked up the silverware and joined her. "What do you expect, that because he's disabled, he'll be perfect? I’ve told you before, he's a typical teenage boy. I think he does great considering."

  Grace set the last plate in its place and leaned on the back of the chair. "I forget that sometimes. We've been getting into it over the smallest things. It's exhausting. He's mad at me tonight because he wanted to go to Darnell's before the game instead of staying for dinner."

  It was Alec's turn to laugh. "And miss seeing me? I'm wounded. Naturally, he wants to be with his friends instead of a bunch of kids and old people. Let him go to Darnell's."

  "I gave him permission to go after we eat."

  Grace stared at her hands resting on the back of the chair and felt like they’d started to wrinkle overnight. Time had passed in a blur since Johnny was a baby, but the memories were as powerful as if it had been months instead of years.

  "What's up with you tonight? You seem off," Alec asked.

  Grace told her what had happened between her and Johnny the past few days. She lowered her voice, and said, "I put a tracker app on his phone this morning. Ryan was against it. Do you think it's too over the top?"

  "Hell yes. Johnny's never anywhere by himself, so what do you think is going to happen?"

  "Lots of parents use them, and their teenagers weren’t kidnap victims when they were babies like Johnny. Mara is still running free out there. You never know."

  Alec rested her hands on Grace's shoulders. "Let this go. It's been twelve years. Johnny's safe. Mara would have come back long before now if she wanted to get to Johnny."

  Johnny came down the hallway and Alec dropped her hands.

  "Hey, Auntie Alec," he said, and gave her a one-armed hug. "What were you two in such a serious convo about?"

  "Grown-up stuff. What's this I hear about you wanting to bail on us?" Alec asked.

  He turned and glared at Grace. "Mom, do you have to tell her everything?"

  "Everything. You should know that by now," Grace said, and winked.

  Johnny turned back to face Alec and smiled. "Nothing personal. I just wanted to hang out with my friends. When's dinner? I'm starving."

  Ryan came out of the kitchen and said, "Just what I was wondering." He kissed Alec's cheek. "Where's Adam?"

  "Outback, lighting the fire," Alec said.

  Ryan rubbed his hands in excitement and headed to the backyard with Johnny close behind.

  Grace said, "I'm glad Johnny has you and Steph. He hates me most of the time lately."

  "He doesn’t hate you. Like I said, typical teenager. But speaking of Steph, are Ryan's kids coming tonight?"

  "Doubtful. Mark and Valerie are chained to that restaurant these days. They're supposed to come for dinner Monday, and we're keeping Fisher and Sophi next weekend. We haven’t seen much of them since the restaurant opened. They live thirty minutes away, but it might as well be two-hundred for as much as we see them.”

  “I’m guessing Jen and Jason won’t be here?”

  “Jen’s too close to her due date to travel, especially since she’s carrying twins.”

  Alec instinctively pressed her hands to her stomach. “I remember what that was like.”

  “We’re heading to DC in a few weeks to visit them.”

  “And Steph. Is she back in the country?”

  “She called to tell us she got in last night. She’ll stop by if she’s not too jet-lagged."

  Alec followed Grace into the kitchen to check the potatoes. "How's she doing after the big breakup?"

  "She sounded good on the phone. Those months in Africa were what she needed to get her head straight. She got a photo spread in a nature magazine. It's a big deal apparently."

  "That's perfect. Steph needs a boost after what she's been through."

  "What's Steph been through?" Johnny asked as he came into the kitchen. Grace gave him a glance but didn't answer. Johnny switched to Alec. "What's wrong with Steph?"

  Alec raised her eyebrows at Grace in question. Grace lowered her shoulders and gave a slight nod.

  "She and Greydon broke up. The truth is, he abandoned her in some third-world backwater while she was on a shoot, that slimy snake," Alec said.

  "When?" Johnny asked. "She never told me."

  Grace hesitated before saying, "Three months ago."

  "Three months? Why didn't you tell me?"

  A new reason for Johnny to detest me, Grace thought. "She's been in South Africa and didn't want the entire world to know. She was heartbroken and embarrassed."

  "I'm not the whole world. I'm her brother." Johnny looked at Alec. "Mom hides everything from me."

  "Not true," Grace said. “Steph asked me to keep it quiet. I was respecting her wishes.”

  “Whatever,” Johnny said. "Poor Steph, though. I always hated that Greydon."

  "Don't say hate," Grace said. "Please don't mention the breakup if Steph comes over tonight. She's still sensitive."

  "Steph's back? See, never tells me anything," Johnny said to Alec.

  "She got in late last night, and it slipped my mind. I wasn't keeping it a secret."

  Johnny turned and grunted on his way back outside.

  "Take that tracker off of his phone," Alec said, but the doorbell rang, saving Grace from having to defend herself. She had no intention of removing the tracker.

  She went to the door expecting to find the Nichols, but it was Stephanie. Grace gave her stepdaughter a hug before stepping back to get a look at her. She'd always been stockier than her twin sister, Jennifer, but she'd lost weight since Grace last saw her which accentuated how wiry and fit she was. Her usually short dark hair was long and fell in highlighted waves on her shoulders.

  "You look amazing," Grace said. "I love your hair that way."

  "You're sweet but there’s no need to flatter me. I'm not fragile," Steph said and laughed.

  "She's not lying," Alec said and hugged her. "You're gorgeous." Alec took her hand and dragged her inside. "Tell us everything about what happened with Grey
don."

  "There's time for that at dinner. Where's my Johnny?"

  Dinner didn't turn out so bad, especially since Steph had come. Johnny always missed his sister when she was out of the country, but this time she'd been gone for almost a year.

  He rushed to the living room as fast as he could on his crutches and hugged her. "Why didn't you tell me about Greydon?"

  Steph backed away and laughed. "Hi, Johnny. Great to see you. I've missed you. How have you been?"

  Johnny smiled. "Sorry. Mom just told me about Greydon. She keeps everything secret from me because she thinks I'm still a little kid."

  "I heard that," his mom said. "And good job not bringing up a sensitive subject the minute Steph walks in the door."

  "I asked her not to tell anyone," Steph told Johnny. "I was crushed and embarrassed. Everyone warned me about Greydon, but I didn't listen. Learn from my mistake. If everyone tells you your significant other is bad news, pay attention."

  Johnny blushed and glanced at Jessie, who was looking super cute that night. "Will do."

  Steph followed him to the table. "You're a speedster on those crutches now. You should enter the Paralympics."

  "That would only work if video-gaming was a sport. He'd win the gold for sure," his dad said and kissed Steph's cheek. "Welcome back. Congrats on the magazine spread."

  "Thanks, Dad," Steph said. "I'm on the fast-track to National Geographic."

  Steph kept them entertained with stories of her adventures during dinner. Johnny had planned to race through the meal so he could get to Darnell’s quicker, but he was so absorbed in Steph’s stories that he forgot. Her vivid descriptions of exotic locations made him wish he could go along on her next assignment, but he knew the last thing she’d want was her gimpy little stepbrother tagging along.

  As soon as they finished eating, Johnny went to his room and threw some game controllers and clothes into his backpack before going to find his dad. Auntie Alec was alone in the living room flipping through a magazine when he got there.

  "Where is everyone?" he asked.

  "Out by the bonfire, except your mom. She kicked me out of the kitchen because I dared critique her pie crust."

  "Big mistake. She's touchy about her cooking because she'll never be as good as you."

  "Don't ever let her hear you say that. She'll never cook again." Alec patted the couch cushion next to her. "I have something for you." She reached down by her feet and picked up a wrapped package.

  Johnny's eyes brightened. "Is this your new book?"

  "It's your signed, advanced copy."

  Johnny tore the paper off and ran his hand over the smooth, shiny cover. "Your illustrator did a great job with this one."

  "Yes, I'm pleased with it."

  Johnny beamed at her. "I'll read it tonight."

  "You're taking a children's book to Darnell's?"

  Johnny slid the book into his backpack. "My friends think it's cool I have a famous aunt."

  "I’ll sleep better at night knowing I have their approval.” She winked, making Johnny laugh. “I’d hoped to do story-time with you and my kids tonight, but you got a better offer."

  Adam came in from the backyard and joined them. "He's too old for children's stories, Alec. He’s graduated to YA."

  Alec put her arm around Johnny's shoulders and gave him a squeeze. "He's the one that pushed me to become a writer after all the hours of listening to my make-believe stories at bedtime. He'll never be too old for my books."

  "I'll come over Sunday night for story-time if you'll wait,” Johnny said. “What are you working on now?"

  "I'm doing a new series based on these characters. The second book is in production, and I'm almost done writing the third, but I have another project I've been working on for a long time. It’s a secret. Your mom won't like it."

  Johnny sat back and crossed his arms. "Mom doesn’t like anything lately. Even me."

  "Stop that, Johnny. You know she loves you. You know she said the same thing about you before dinner. She thinks you hate her. You two need to call a truce."

  "She said that?" Johnny was shocked when Alec nodded. It bothered him that his mom thought he hated her or anything else. She made him crazy sometimes, but he still loved her. "I'll talk to her tomorrow."

  "Make sure you do," Adam said. "Seeing you two butt heads is getting old. You both deserve better."

  “I promise.” Ryan and Steph came inside, and Johnny said, "Can I go now, Dad?"

  Ryan nodded. "I'll get my keys."

  Grace came out of the kitchen carrying Graham. "That'll take an hour. That man can't seem to put his keys in the same place twice."

  Johnny laughed at her joke, and Grace gave him a surprised look. "We should get him one of those Binki clips Graham used to have." His mom smiled, and he felt a little less guilty for the way he'd acted earlier.

  "I’ll give him a ride, Dad,” Steph said. “It'll give us a chance to catch up."

  “Thanks,” Ryan said and handed her Johnny’s pack.

  Johnny surprised his mom again by giving her a hug and saying “love you" on his way out.

  "Love you, too. Have fun. Check in from time to time, so we know your brain hasn't melted."

  "Always do," he said. "See you Sunday, Auntie Alec. Thanks for the book."

  Johnny buckled his seatbelt and took a deep breath through his nose. "Nice. New car smell."

  “I splurged on myself," Steph said. "I’m still getting used to being able to afford a new car instead of old junkers. I love all the toys.” She pushed the start button with a flourish.

  “I can’t hear the engine.”

  “It’s electric. I’m waiting for the day when I can afford a car that drives itself.”

  Johnny nodded in approval. “Seems like you’re over Greydon. I thought you’d be all weepy and depressed.”

  “I was at first, but I woke up one day and realized he wasn’t worth it. I’m learning I don’t need a guy to be happy. So, what's new with you? Dating anyone?"

  Johnny was glad it was dark so she couldn’t see him blush. He pointed at his crutches. "I'm only fourteen and not exactly a prize catch."

  "What, you're like eight feet tall and have rock-star blond hair. Who wouldn't want that?"

  "Only six foot, but will you come to my school and tell the girls that?" He looked out the window at the Halloween decorations on the houses they passed. He'd loved Halloween and was kind of sad that he was too old to trick-or-treat even if he'd never admit that to anyone. It was hard enough to get people to treat him like a normal person.

  Thinking of being normal reminded him of his genetics assignment. He wondered if Steph would be an even easier mark than Dad and decided to test her.

  "How much do you remember about me as a baby?"

  "That was random. Most of it. Why?"

  He told her about his assignment. "I tried to ask Mom, but she blew me off like always. You never do that. What happened to me when I was little?"

  Steph was quiet for a few seconds, and he was afraid she wouldn't tell him the truth either.

  "Jennifer, Mark and I came on the scene shortly before you turned two. I wasn't around much because I was away at school, but I remember when your mom took you home from the hospital. She told me about your coma and how you almost died. You had to go away for some reason before Grace adopted you. Then, you came back, and you’ve been with our parents since then. That’s all I remember. I was too absorbed in college life to pay much attention."

  "But what about my real parents? What happened to them? What happened before I ended up in the hospital?"

  "Dad and Grace are your real parents, but I know what you mean. Like I said, we showed up long after that. Your mom never talked about it much. She was just so happy that you survived and that she got to adopt you. You were such a cute little smooshy-face."

  Steph laughed, but Johnny didn't think it was funny. His gut told him there was more to the story, but he understood his mom not telling Steph what happened
. She liked to keep secrets. Not Auntie Alec, though. She couldn’t help but blab about everything. Maybe she would be his next target.

  Steph pulled into Darnell's driveway and turned off the car. "Sorry I don’t know more. Need help getting out?"

  Johnny shook his head. "I've got it. Thanks for the ride. When will I see you again?"

  "I'll come hang out on Sunday. Have fun at the game. Go Ravens!"

  "We're Rams. Ravens are Jessie's school," Johnny said and laughed as he closed the door.

  Mara was late getting back to the surgical unit where she was scheduled to assist the orthopedic-spine surgeon in a lengthy procedure after her break. She glanced at the TV in the surgical waiting room as she hurried past. Late or not, she skidded to a halt when she saw the image on the screen. Oblivious to the anxious family members seated behind her, she moved closer to the TV to read the closed captioning scrolling across the screen.

  Her eyes hadn’t deceived her. It was Alec Covington, or Alec Emerson now according to the scrolling words! It can't be her, Mara thought, but there Alec was, being interviewed on a cable news network. Mara grabbed the remote off an end table and turned up the sound. As she listened, her lips curled into a sneer.

  Interviewer: "My children love your books. They were thrilled when I brought this latest one home." The news anchor held up a shiny children's book. "Will there be more in this series?"

  Alec: "Yes, the next one is in production, and I'm writing the third. The release for that one is on hold because I've been working on a different project that has taken me several years to complete."

  Interviewer: "Another children's series?"

  Alec: "No, this one is a biography of my dear friend, Grace Ward Walker, and her son, Johnny. Many remember their story from twelve years ago, but I felt compelled to get the truth out to the public. Grace is a remarkable person. She's been a role model and mentor to me, and she's my biggest cheerleader."

  A grainy picture of Grace from a news clipping popped up in the corner of the screen.

  Alec: "You asked about my rock-climbing accident earlier. I would have given up after I broke my back from that rock-climbing fall if it hadn't been for Grace and Johnny. It's because of them that I got out of bed and learned to walk again. It's because of them that I became a writer when I couldn't be a nurse anymore. I think it's important for women, well, not just women, anyone really, to know the inner strength they have to succeed against seemingly insurmountable challenges. We don't need to be victims of our circumstances."