by Tara Randel
“And you don’t want to be alone now?”
A wealth of emotions simmered in his chest, at the forefront the knowledge that he wanted Grace in his life for the long haul. “Not anymore.”
She inched closer, placing her hand on his arm. “Are you saying you’ve given yourself a break? That you can’t totally take the blame for what happened?”
“The part I played will always haunt me. But with time and perspective, I’m seeing that coming to Golden has given me a chance to forgive myself. Life, and death, isn’t a thing we can control. Happiness and tragedy strike without warning and it’s better to accept both and learn from each experience. I get what it feels like to be overwhelmed by circumstances, Grace.”
“Wow. You gleaned all that from being in Golden?” She must have read the depth of his emotion because she turned away and gazed out at the crowd. “I could see you settling down here. You do fit.”
“But not you?”
A flash of uncertainty came and went in her eyes. “I couldn’t wait to get out of Golden, yet I keep being drawn back.”
“That’s a bad thing?”
She ran her finger over the rim of the cup. “I honestly don’t know.”
He waited a moment before saying what was on his mind. “And if I decided to stay here?”
She slanted a glance his way. “I told you I can’t make any promises, Deke.”
Sadly, he knew that. Instead of pushing, he said, “Then let’s make the most of the time we have together.”
Their gazes met and held. Deke ran his hand around the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in wisps of hair, savoring the satiny-soft skin beneath his touch. His heart triple-timed at her gasp when he touched her. As if under a spell neither could break, she leaned in and Deke lowered his mouth to claim hers.
Their first touch sent his blood racing. This kiss was different from the others. Before had been exciting and new, the first thrill of attraction. This was deeper. Significant. He didn’t think he was alone in his estimation, and when Grace placed her hand on his chest, as if she needed to feel his heart beating under her palm, he hoped she felt the same way. His heart ached, but in a good way. Like he’d finally found his true north. And just like that, he realized he was falling for a woman he had initially vowed never to get involved with. Fate laughed and set this path before him, one he didn’t have to think twice about traveling down.
Hating to end the kiss but needing air, Deke broke the connection. Amazement, and a tinge of bewilderment, crossed Grace’s lovely features. Deke caressed her cheek with his finger.
“Wow,” she said, voice jittery. “That was...”
“Life-changing?”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far.” She playfully slapped his arm. “We have to stop.”
“Why?” He looked up. “There’s nothing I’d rather do than kiss you under the stars.”
“I mean it, Deke. With my life up in the air, I’m not sure of the direction I’m headed.”
“Fair enough.”
“You understand?”
He did. Didn’t like it. But understood that life threw curves when you were happily walking down the straight and narrow. The best thing to do was go with the flow, even if it meant losing your heart in the process.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
BY MIDMORNING MONDAY, Grace, Faith and their mother sat in the chilly examining room in Dr. Collier’s office. Grace had made an early call and, after much wrangling, secured an appointment time. Faith had made arrangements for the children to stay at a friend’s house for a play date. Her mother sat on the examining table covered in white paper, fidgeting with the edges, gently flexing her still-injured ankle. Getting her in the car to visit the office was a study in patience, but between the two of them, Grace and her sister had pushed the issue enough that a mutinous Wanda Sue went along.
“You know I hate doctors,” Mama complained. “They poke and prod and can never figure out what’s wrong with you.” She wrinkled her nose. “Plus, it smells like antiseptic in here.”
Yes. A study in patience.
“When was the last time you had a complete physical?” Grace queried.
Her mother shrugged. “A year or two ago.”
“Try five,” Faith corrected.
Their mother sent her a flinty stare. “How would you know?”
“It was when you had that upper respiratory infection. I know because I drove you to that appointment.”
“Oh, right, now I remember.” She sent a sheepish glance Grace’s way. “I stand corrected. Five years.”
Biting back a retort, which wouldn’t help the situation, Grace said, “This is a good thing. If nothing is wrong, you’ll be happy. If the doctor finds something—” she waved a hand between her and Faith “—we’ll deal with it.”
“Humph.”
“Mama, please keep—”
The door opened and a middle-aged man with soft brown hair and tortoiseshell glasses entered. He walked straight to their mother and shook her hand, impressing Grace immediately. “I’m Dr. Collier, Mrs. Harper. We haven’t met, since I’m new to the practice.” He looked down at the chart. “I understand you’ve had some falls?”
“It’s nothing,” their mother protested.
With a brisk movement, he set the chart aside. “How about you let me be the judge of that?”
Wanda Sue pouted.
As he checked her bruised ankle and then her joints, the doctor asked, “How many times have you fallen?”
Her mother shot Grace a cagy look, then said, “About six times.”
Six? Why hadn’t she told them? Now more than ever, Grace was glad she’d forced the issue to bring her mother here.
“Is this right after you stand up?”
“Sometimes.”
He went on to ask more questions, which Mama answered in what Grace thought was complete honesty. Had she been more shaken by the falls than she let on?
The doctor nodded, made notes, then looked at his patient. “When the nurse’s assistant took your blood pressure this morning, the reading was very low. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the problem. To be sure, I’d like you to have a blood test. This will determine if there are any underlying problems causing the low pressure.”
Wanda Sue’s displeasure radiated across the room. “A blood test?”
“It’ll only take a few moments but the results will give me a better idea of what we’re looking at. You can have the draw done here and, after I review the results, we can get you started on a treatment plan. How does that sound?”
“Horrible. If you take blood out of me, I can’t guarantee I won’t fall flat on your incredibly clean floor.”
The doctor chuckled, then assured her, “You’ll be fine, Mrs. Harper. I’ll have one of my staff take you back to the lab.” He turned to Grace and Faith. “Any other questions?”
“No,” Grace said. “I’m just thankful you could see her.”
The doctor nodded and left, Grace hurried over to help her mother lower herself from the table. “Happy now?”
“Yes,” Grace and Faith responded in chorus, to which Mama rolled her eyes.
A woman dressed in scrubs arrived to take Wanda Sue to the lab. Faith walked out to the main office but before Grace could follow, her mother grabbed her arm with a death grip.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
Grace forced a smile to her lips. This was Mama, a bit pale and unnerved, leaning on Grace as always, but her resentment dried up in the face of this real threat to her mother’s well-being. She understood Mama’s fear. No one liked to be sick, but when the cause was unknown, it led to all sorts of conjecture, right or wrong. And since Mama didn’t take bad news well...this could be tricky. Grace held her mother’s cold fingers in hers and squeezed. “I know, Mama. But once the doctor figures out th
e problem, you’ll be good as new.”
“You can’t make promises like that.”
“You’re right, but I know you. You may not think so, but you’re a fighter.”
Her mother’s teary gaze met Grace’s. “How can you say that, after I put so much responsibility on you? I was a mess after your daddy left.”
“But you pulled yourself up.” Grace straightened her shoulders, as much a show of confidence for her mother as for herself. “We Harper women can take our lumps and still come out on top. Don’t you forget it.”
Her mother patted her cheek. “You’re a good daughter, Gracie.”
Swallowing the emotion lodged in her throat, Grace said, “So go have the test and then we’ll deal with whatever the results are. Together.”
The nurse acknowledged Grace and then said, “Are you ready, Mrs. Harper?”
“No, so let’s get this over with.”
Blowing out a sigh of relief that her mother hadn’t insisted they leave, Grace went back to the waiting room. Still jittery about what the test results would reveal, she forced herself to stop pacing and sit. Faith, on the other hand, had grown very silent. Another concern, thought Grace.
“What’s up, Faith?”
Faith straightened her shoulders. “I’m going to move in with Mama.”
Not bothering to hide her surprise, Grace said, “Really?”
Faith clasped her hands together. “Since the day she confirmed another fall, I’ve been worried. I’ll admit, moving back home was not what I’d planned, but then, nothing is going my way lately.” She shook her head, like she was revving up to give herself a pep talk. “Anyway, Mama should have someone there and Donna can’t be there all the time. You’ll be going back to Atlanta soon, so I need to step up.”
“That’s very adult of you.”
Faith seemed offended. “Are you mocking me?”
“No, I’m being honest.” And with one look, the animosity Faith had targeted toward Grace since they were kids returned. So she quickly added, “You’re right. Mama needs all hands on deck and I will be leaving.”
Pushing her tangled hair from her face, Faith said, “I know she’ll love having the kids around. And I can keep an eye on her until the doctor determines what the problem is.”
“It’s a wonderful idea, Faith. The office is running smoothly and once Mama’s back on track, you two can keep the business going. Maybe expand.” She paused. “I know I’ve tried to get Mama to sell, but with you and Nathan engaged, we won’t have to.”
Determination gleamed in her sister’s eyes. “We can do it.”
“I know you can.”
The door opened and another patient was called to an examining room. Grace settled back, feeling optimistic for the first time since she’d been home. Mama would get better, her siblings would pick up the slack and she could go back to what was left of her career. Smiling at the thought of making a comeback, it took Grace a moment to realize Faith had spoken.
“Sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked if you’d help me move our things to Mama’s house today.”
“Sure.” Another thought surfaced. “What will Lyle think about you moving in with Mama? Will he join you?”
Faith averted her gaze, looking at everything in the room except Grace.
“Faith?”
“Things aren’t working out between me and Lyle.” Her voice broke. “I think maybe I should file for divorce.”
As tears began to shimmer in her sister’s eyes, Grace pulled her into an embrace. Just the fact alone that Faith and her kids had moved into the cabin was proof that there had been problems, but to this extent? True, she’d never liked Lyle, but she hated her sister’s heartache more. They hugged for a long moment, then Faith pulled back, swiping her eyes.
“Are you sure?” Grace had to ask. Faith had a way of making decisions, then bailing before carrying through.
Faith raised her shoulders, uncertainty written on her face. “It’s been over for a while, Grace. Lyle’s never wanted to be tied down or accountable, and the more he stays out, the more I pressure him, and the more I pressure him, the more he stays away. I hung in there for the kids, but Lyle... He won’t be happy with the news. I have to do better. For the kids and myself.”
Grace took Faith’s hands in hers. “And you will. I’ll help anyway I can.”
A bitter laugh escaped Faith. “Can you refer me to a good lawyer?”
“The best.” Grace hitched a thumb in her direction. “I’ll handle your case.”
“You’ll be in Atlanta.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t file the paperwork and do what needs to be done.”
“How about you just refer me to someone local.”
Faith’s request made sense. Grace would be busy once she got back to the firm, but she couldn’t ignore the little jab of hurt. It shouldn’t bother her, but it did.
The door opened again and their mother limped across the threshold, muttering as she rolled her sleeve down.
“All finished?” Grace asked as she rose.
“For now. The doctor popped his head into the lab and said he hoped this would answer his questions so I didn’t need any more tests.” She hooked her purse over her good arm and pointed to Grace. “This better do it.”
Grace held up her hands. “Hey, I have no control.”
“Since when?” Faith teased.
“Well, with this.”
Faith wrapped her arm around her mother. “Remember this day. It’s the first time Gracie admitted she can’t handle everything.”
“Hey, no ganging up on me,” Grace said, following her family out of the office into the bright summer day. Hope brimmed inside her, for the future of the business and that at least they were getting to the bottom of what ailed her mother.
On the ride through town, Grace noticed Faith hadn’t told their mother she was moving back home, but figured her sister was going to discuss it later. Mama dominated the conversation, talking about the Summer Gold Celebration, the historical tour she missed leading and how happy she was that all her children were working together.
Grace dropped Faith off at the Put Your Feet Up office and then dropped her mother off at her house, promising she’d be back later to check in. Driving back downtown, Grace parked behind the office and hurried to the back door. When she went to yank it open, it didn’t budge, forcing her momentum forward, and she slammed against the glass.
“What on earth?” she muttered, digging in her purse for her keys. She opened the door and stepped inside. “Faith, you forgot to unlock the back door.”
Her heels echoed as she walked up the hallway, stopping short. The office was empty.
After dropping her purse on the desk, Grace quickly checked the restroom and storage closet. No Faith. Puzzled, she took her phone from her purse and dialed Faith’s number. A muffled ringtone came from the other side of the room. Grace rounded the desk and opened the top drawer. Inside, her name, visible in bold letters, flashed on her sister’s phone screen.
Hanging up, she removed Faith’s phone and set it on the desk. She tried not to panic as her mind flashed from one scenario to another. What had happened to her sister? She’d left her only twenty minutes ago, but other than the phone, there was no trace that Faith had even been here.
With shaking fingers, she dialed Nathan, hoping to catch him before his next tour.
“It’s Nathan. Leave me a message.”
“You have got to be kidding me.” She left a quick message for him to call her.
Grabbing her purse, she locked up the office and headed to the cabin. Since Grace had driven everyone to the doctor’s office, she didn’t know how Faith would have gotten out here unless she called a friend, but she didn’t know where else to look. Sure enough, Faith’s dusty van was still parked in the same spot. She ran insid
e, calling her sister’s name. Silence greeted her.
Panic rising, she called her mother. Moderating her voice, she asked, “Is Faith with you?”
“No, she and Lyle just dropped the kids off. Faith said she’d be back later.”
Faith had taken off with Lyle?
“Did she seem okay?”
“Why wouldn’t she?” Her mother moved the phone from her mouth as she told John not to tease his sister. “She said she’d be back in a few days.” Grace heard the pleasure in her mother’s voice. “Gives me some time to spoil my grandbabies.”
A few days? But Faith was scheduled to work. What happened to being responsible? Stunned, Grace lowered herself to the couch as her legs gave out. “Thanks, Mama.”
She sat there staring into space for what seemed like forever. What about the divorce? Had Faith taken her husband back? Was she still moving in with Mama? Her phone rang in the middle of her attempt to figure out what had happened.
“Deke,” she said after reading the caller ID.
“Hey, where is everyone? There are clients waiting at the door.”
Not good. “I’ll be right there,” she said, slowly rising. She didn’t know what was up with her sister, but it couldn’t be good. And there was no way Grace could help her, since she’d fled to parts unknown with Lyle, just like she had years ago. Was this history repeating itself?
She made it back to the office in record time. Deke had the clients in the office, chatting them up before heading to the lake. He sent her a questioning glance, but she shook her head. Maybe later they’d have this discussion, but not in front of tourists. As he herded them out to the parking lot, she snatched his arm to stop him. Worked hard to keep her voice calm. “Have you talked to Nathan?”
“He’s with a group at Deep North Adventures.”
“You’re sure?”
“Pretty sure.” He frowned. “What’s up?”
“Probably nothing.”
Lines of concern formed between his brows. “Are you okay?”