Sufficient Grace

by Jessica Greyson

  “I’ll manage,” she whispered back.

  “Do you want me to tell your father?”

  She looked apprehensively up at him. Her father would most likely be angry. “I-I,” and she glanced over her shoulder at the girls.

  ~~~~~

  I am so confused right now.

  “Don’t worry, I will break it to him easy. I will try and make it back with your father to see how you are.”

  “Have you had her long enough yet, Mitch?” broke in Milly.

  “I am going now,” he said as he stepped out the door.

  “You look worn out,” said one of the girls as she turned back to her friends in the fully lighted room

  “Teaching can take a lot out of a person.” Grace covered for herself.

  “I told you we should wait until the weekend Milly,” scolded Ruby.

  “Nonsense. You girls will do me a world of good,” comforted Grace, grateful to have something to occupy her mind.

  “What was Mitch whispering to you about? Did he ask for your hand? Is that why he went to see your father?”

  “Milly! If he had, I wouldn’t tell but since he hasn’t I can. No, he has not asked Milly. He followed me home because he wanted to speak to my father on a matter of importance.”

  “Oh,” sighed Milly. “I just thought that since you were whispering, something might be up.”

  Ruby spoke, “Since Grace has had a long hard day, I believe that we should eat first and then play games. She needs to get her strength back.”

  Grace was incredibly grateful for the suggestion.

  At seven-thirty the girls began to disperse since they wanted to be safely home before it became too late to be out.

  Annie suddenly turned as she was going out the door. “Grace, I have the strangest request.”

  “What?”

  “May I stay the night?”

  “The night?”

  “I know it sounds strange, but when I was coming here, I had this strange feeling that someone was following me and I really don’t want to go out. I am the only girl who takes the east road home.”

  “You think that someone might have followed you here?”

  “Yes, I honestly think someone did. Maybe I am crazy. I just…”

  “No, you are not. No one can ever know, and you can’t be too careful. It will be all right.”

  “Thank you,” Annie sighed with relief. “Mama did say I could stay the night with friends if I felt so inclined so they won’t worry none.”

  “Do you want to help me get some coffee ready? My father should be coming home any soon, and he likes to have coffee and sweet cornbread before he goes to bed.”

  “Sure, I’ll help. How does he sleep after he has coffee, though?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t stand the stuff myself.”

  “You should let me brew a cup for you, I have a secret recipe.”

  “Maybe in the morning. I intend to sleep tonight.”

  Annie laughed, “Me too.”

  Just as the coffee finished, Grace heard steps coming up the back stairs. She tuned in carefully, they were familiar, and Grace let out a small sigh of relief. Her father and Mitch walked in the back door.

  “Smells good,” said her father. “Why, hello Annie, I thought the party was over, am I mistaken?”

  “I asked Grace if…”

  “She could stay the night, and I said yes. If you give me a minute, I am going to check on Mother and find Annie something to sleep in, and I will be right down. Come with me, Annie, I’ll show you where my room is.”

  Grace walked Annie out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

  “I am sorry Grace, I didn’t mean to put you in an odd position.”

  “It’s fine Annie, there is nothing strange about it really.”

  After showing Annie into her room and lending her a nightgown, she turned to her friend. “I am not sure how long I will be. I still have to grade papers before I go to bed but make yourself comfortable, there are plenty of books on the shelf if you want to read. I am going to go check on my mother.”

  “Thank you, Grace!”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Grace knocked on her mother’s door. “Come in.” was the languid reply.

  “Hello mother,” Grace stepped into the room her heart beating fast. If mother finds out how is she going to handle it?

  “Did you have a good birthday, my daughter?”

  “Yes, thank you. Annie is staying the night.”

  “I am so glad. You are young and can have fun my sweet.”

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “No, I am good, thank you, Grace. Just turn out the light.”

  Grace smiled as she turned down the lamp. Her mother’s hand was resting on her Bible, and an expression of peace was about her, a peace that Grace was afraid to disturb.

  Quietly, Grace slipped downstairs and entered the kitchen. The men were sitting at the table talking.

  “What exactly happened, Grace?” Her father fired the question.

  Grace's stomach turned, “Please don’t ask me, Father.” Her eyes pleaded with him. She felt so queer even now. I don’t want to faint again. Not here in my own kitchen in front of them both. A hot flush rose on her cheek.

  “I need to know,” he reiterated firmly.

  Her eyes fell to the floor, her chest was so tight she could hardly breathe, and her stomach rolled at the mere thought of the man. How was she supposed to get through an entire narration of what happened? She tried to take a deep breath, it was impossible. Grace closed her eyes and plunged forward.

  “I was taking the shortcut between the general store and the tailor’s shop when—when he called my name. I stopped. I knew it was him instantly. I panicked.”

  “Did you call for help, scream, anything?”

  “I was too scared Father. It was like he was waiting for me but I didn’t see him when I entered the alley. How did he know that I take that shortcut from school?”

  “Tell me everything he said, Grace.”

  “Everything?” asked Grace, a blush rising on her cheek. Some of those things she didn’t want to repeat, she never wanted to think about them again. With her eyes on the floor, Grace repeated word for word everything that had passed between them, describing his actions. When she glanced up at the men’s faces her face was hot red, tears stinging in her eyes. She read a mixture of outrage and fear on her father’s face and mixed pain on Mitch’s face. Grace wanted to run and hide her face in her pillow and pull the covers over her head, but it wasn’t possible. Her father wouldn’t let her, and Annie was in her room.

  “How dare he treat you like that?” Mitch spat out between clenched teeth, anger flickering in his eyes.

  “It is his way, but he is serious about hunting us down. He usually doesn’t make threats. He wants to scare us. Me especially. We can’t let him do that. Grace, no more shortcuts anywhere and you leave the school with your students, you can do everything here at home.”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “You can go now, Grace.”

  “Father, the reason Annie is staying the night, she had a queer feeling that someone was following her and she didn’t want to go home in the dark so I said she could stay since she is the only girl that takes that road home.”

  “That is fine. But you stated that she felt as if she was followed?”

  Grace nodded.

  “Mitch, do you mind staying here for the night?”

  Mitch shook his head. “Don’t mind.”

  “Sleep with your guns close. Grace, go to bed. You can grade papers in the morning.”

  “Yes, Father. Goodnight.”

  Grace crept up to her room, Annie had already fallen asleep reading. Grace turned down the lamp and slipped behind the partition to dress. As she stepped out, she noticed a shadow fall across her floor. Her heart stopped. Keats was at her window looking in. Grace tried to scream but when she opened her mouth no sound would come. She turned and fled down the stairs bre
aking into the dining room. The men glanced up at her in surprise.

  “He’s at my window,” she said breathlessly.

  “What?” said her father standing up.

  “My window he was there, I saw him, on the porch roof.”

  There was the sound of hoof beats outside.

  “Mitch, stay inside just in case it’s a feint!” shouted her father as he dashed outside, drawing his guns.

  Mitch pulled his guns out. “Hide.” He said with a nod.

  Grace lay down beside the wood box and behind the stove. Fear clutched her, and she curled into a tight ball and closed her eyes. God, please protect me! Protect us all. Keep us safe. Lord, please let this be over with.

  A shot was fired in the darkness, and Grace cringed. In a few minutes, Grace recognized the sound of her father’s boots coming up the back stairs. “Whoever it was is gone now. Are you sure it was him, Grace?” he asked as she retreated from her hiding place.

  She nodded. Fear had taken away her speaking capabilities.

  Just then there was a feeble call from upstairs. “Tom? Tom!”

  “I’ll go to her,” sighed Sheriff Coates, with a shake of his head, he left.

  ~~~~~

  Mitch looked at Grace. She was trembling, her face trying to suppress emotion. There was nowhere to run, no place to hide.

  “Grace?”

  She looked up at him. The fear sank into her very core and shone in her eyes.

  It would be stupid to ask if she was all right. It’s clear she isn’t. What should I do? He stepped toward her. A sob tore through her, and she flung her arms around his neck.

  “Mitch.” Was all she managed to utter, her body shaking like a leaf of a quivering aspen in a storm.

  “It’s okay, Grace, it’s all over.”

  “It’s only the beginning,” she sobbed, “Only the beginning.”

  “By God’s mighty hand, though, Grace, all will be well.”

  “I hope you are right.”

  “I know I am, Grace.”

  Bending his head over hers, he began to pray. In a moment the door swung open and Sheriff Coates popped his head in.

  “I told your mother I was shooting at a coyote that was after the chickens if Annie asks tell her the same thing.”

  Grace nodded.

  “Get some sleep,” he said with a nod and turned away.

  Mitch felt the wound go through Grace’s heart. How can he be so callous? Can’t he see she is need of comfort? I can be her support, but it isn’t my duty. You are her father. It is to you she should be clinging to you not me. Oh, God, protect her, guard her, Lord, pour your love into her aching heart. He tightened his hold then released her.

  Grace gently pulled away. “Sorry for flying at you, I...” and she blushed.

  Mitch lifted her chin so she would look up into his eyes. She met them timidly. His finger ran along her face. Mitch realized he didn’t know what to say. Grace took his hand and pressed it gently against her cheek.

  “What is it, Grace?”

  ~~~~~

  “Your hand doesn’t give me goosebumps like that gun did.” The tender look in his face and his gentle, almost affectionate fingers running where the cold, hard, frightening gun barrel had was a balm to her trembling fears.

  “Grace, sit down for a minute. I want to show you something.” He walked over to the shelf in the dining room and pulled off the Bible. Carefully he blew off the dust. Grace blushed. Father hasn’t read out of his Bible since—I can’t remember.

  Mitch pretended not to notice, but she knew he did. Sitting down beside her he opened the pages and tapped his finger on a passage. “Read it out loud please,” he asked gently.

  A smile pulled faintly at the corner of her mouth. I could sit here and stare at it and say that is nice. He wants me to get something out of this.

  “Be merciful unto me, oh God, be merciful unto me for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over passed. I will cry unto God oh most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. My soul is among the lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: Let thy glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down; they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. My heart is fixed, O God my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up my glory; awake psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise the, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations, For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God above the heavens: Let thy glory be above all the earth.”

  Tears were sliding down Grace’s cheeks by the time she had finished reading it. “Oh, Mitch, it’s like he wrote it for me,” she half smiled, half choked.

  “He loves you, Grace. He loves you. He will never leave nor forsake you for you are loved with an everlasting love that cannot die. Ever.”

  “Thank you for the reminder.”

  He smiled. “I am only His vessel in His service, serving you.”

  Grace smiled in return and squeezed his hand. “Goodnight Mitch.”

  “Night, Grace, sweet dreams.”

  “Let’s hope at least.”

  Grace slipped into her room. Annie was still sound asleep. A sudden wave of gratefulness swept over her. She would have been terrified to sleep alone in her room tonight. Sharing the wide bed with Annie was a blessing. Slipping between the sheets Grace’s mind ran over the verses once again. Be merciful unto me, oh God, be merciful unto me for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over passed. I will cry unto God oh most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up….My heart is fixed, O God my heart is fixed. A tear slid onto her pillow. “You have fixed my heart God, haven’t you? You have made me whole in you.” A moment later she was asleep her heart at peace with God and the raging world around her.

  Chapter 29

  Grace awoke with a start. It was the dream again.

  Except now she knew how it ended.

  With a shiver she turned to look at Annie, she was still sleeping. Quietly she dressed and slipped downstairs. Mitch sat on the sofa reading the Bible.

  “Morning Grace,” he said as she tried to slip by, suddenly feeling very shy.

  “Good morning Mitch.”

  “Did you sleep?”

  She nodded unsure what to say or feel.

  “Your father went down to the office already, I asked him to stay but…” he half shrugged.

  “Do you know what he is going to do?” Grace asked, her face expressionless.

  “Stick it out supposedly. He said he was tired of running and with Keats’s threats...”

  Grace found a lump in her throat. “How did he take the news last night? He seemed calm when you both came home…here.”

  “I told him very little, just that Keats was in town and had threatened you. He got pretty angry. I asked him why a man like that would send him a message like that. He told part of the story that you told me. He left out the most damaging information. He said that Keats killed your sister and that he has been trying to hunt him down for all those years.”

  Grace looked at the floor, feeling ashamed for her father. Couldn’t he admit the truth to anyone? “What I don’t understand is why would he choose to stay now, I mean I understand with Keats’s threat, but he’s always run before.”

  “Alone on the trail...what is to prevent Keats from killing all three of you and then going after your brother? That and he can’t find another job. There is a pile of letters in his drawer, I saw them yesterday when he
wasn’t around…no one will hire him. His reputation is too far spread; not even his fake names are holding up. He is cornered, Grace. There is no knowing what he will do.”

  “Mitch, what should I do?”

  Mitch shook his head. “I don’t know, Grace. Cornered people do unlikely things, all of us will be on high alert. Hopefully, we can catch him before he does anything.”

  “And if we can’t?”

  Mitch didn’t answer.

  “How did you find me last night?”

  Mitch looked up at her. “Don’t know. I just knew I had to find you. I had been watching for you since the children let out from school and when I didn’t see you. I knew something was wrong. I just wish I had known sooner. Maybe…” he let his words fade into nothing.

  “You were looking for me?”

  “It was your birthday yesterday.”

  Grace raised her eyebrows. “That was yesterday?”

  “It was.”

  “It seems like it should have been a year ago.”

  “You aren’t eighteen yet.”

  A smiled pulled at Grace’s mouth. “I suppose.”

  “When you are ready, your father wants me to walk you to the school.”

  Grace nodded.

  “He’s not taking any chances if he can help it.”

  “You hungry?”

  “Little.”

  “I am going to make some breakfast and grade some papers.”

  In a little while, Annie came downstairs. “That was the most peaceful night ever. My little sister kicks all night. What are you doing here Mitch?”

  Mitch looked blankly at Grace, and she looked blankly back at him for a moment trying to think. “Father sent him here for something and I invited him to stay for breakfast.” That was so lame.

  “Oh, I see,” said Annie with an arch look.

  Grace turned to the stove, her cheeks and ears burning. In a few minutes, breakfast was ready, and Grace took a tray up to her mother. As breakfast finished, Mrs. Fang showed up at the back door.

  “Why, hello dear, how are you this morning? I thought you would have already left.”

  “I accidentally slept in a little. The girls had a birthday party for me last night.”

  “How nice. Oh, Hello, Annie…Mitch?”