The Stand

by Lila Kane

  “We’re going to drop by the video store after work,” Maddy said.

  “How about I get the pizza and I can pick up Grace on the way?”

  “Uh…if you want. Kara said she’d do it and then meet us there.”

  “That way you don’t have to go back over to the guesthouse,” he said casually. He wanted to see Grace. “Wait, is Grace at the guesthouse by herself right now?”

  “Kara told her she was going to come by so we could get the movies. She said she’d just stay behind for a bit and then Kara could come back and get her. I think she wanted some time alone.”

  “After this last week, I’m sure that’s exactly what she wanted.” But he was still worried. “I’ll drop by there, pick her up. She can come with me to get the pizza.”

  “Okay. We’ll meet you at your house later.”

  Nathan returned the phone to its cradle and stood. He didn’t want Grace being alone for very long–at least not without someone nearby. Just in case.

  The drive down the hill took longer than he wanted it to. The sky rolled in dark gray waves and it started to sprinkle. He took the quickest route through the center of town. Despite the dismal sky, the streets looked cheerful. Baskets of flowers decorated houses and storefronts. Families dashed through the rain to get to the diner or one of the shops.

  He saw Kara’s car parked next to Maddy’s at Serendipity. Propped against the car next to it was a man he recognized. Lewis. He slowed as he passed, halfway tempted to pull over. It didn’t sit well with him that Lewis was still hanging around. It had been a few weeks and the man lingered, appearing every so often on street corners. Always watching, as if waiting for Grace.

  Nathan checked his impulse and dropped his foot to the gas once more. He’d tell Grace about Lewis and see what she thought. See how she wanted to deal with it.

  The gravel was wet when he turned onto the road to the youth center, lessening the amount of dust that usually billowed up behind the tires. He passed the first building and drove on to the next. The guesthouse.

  Grace’s car sat out front. Droplets of water pooled on top and slid down the sides. Nathan brought his truck to a stop, flipping off his lights and wipers before shutting down the car. He shoved his keys in his jacket pocket as he jogged to the front door.

  He expected Grace had probably heard his truck pull up unless she wasn’t in one of the front rooms, so he gave the door two quick raps. He didn’t hear anything from within. No footsteps, not a voice. He looked to the window next to the door and saw the blinds were titled just enough he couldn’t see in. No one peeked out.

  Nathan banged on the door this time and shuffled under the overhang as the rain fell harder. The knocks were again met by silence. He tried to quell the tiny flicker of concern. Just because she wasn’t answering the door didn’t mean anything was wrong.

  He tried the handle and found it turned easily in his hand. “Grace?”

  He paused just inside the door. He called her name again. When she didn’t answer, Nathan swept past the kitchen and living room, aiming for the hall. But she wasn’t there.

  She couldn’t have gotten far, not with her ankle like it was.

  Nathan left the house and jogged toward the youth center, trying to shove aside worry once more. Grace shouldn’t have been left alone. What if something had gone wrong?

  He blew out a breath. He was going to find her in the youth center and realize he’d been worried for nothing.

  The rain dropped in pellets now, coating his hair, his jacket. The back door to the youth center remained locked most of the time so he went directly for the front. His sneakers squeaked on the steps. He took them two at a time.

  Nathan dripped water on the floor when he walked in, but he didn’t stop. He didn’t bother calling for Grace either, just swept the living room with his gaze, then went for the kitchen. His footsteps gave him away and he saw her turn abruptly, startled, when he entered. She had a clipboard in hand and her eyes were wide and blue.

  “Nathan.”

  “Grace,” he breathed. Tension gripped his shoulders and he tried to relax them. He hadn’t realized how worried he’d gotten. “Maddy said you were at home.”

  “Close enough. What are you doing here?”

  He looked down, watched the drops of water reach the floor, making a substantial pool. When he raised his eyes again, he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to chide Grace for being here alone or pull her close at the reassurance she was okay.

  Nathan shrugged out of his jacket and dropped it on the counter. He ran one hand down the side of his face, clearing away most of the wetness, and stepped directly in front of her. “Maddy said you were at the guesthouse. I couldn’t find you.” She opened her mouth to protest but he shook his head. Her jewel blue eyes widened slightly. “I don’t like you being alone, especially here–”

  “Nathan.”

  “And where are your crutches?”

  Grace backed up a step, propped her left foot gently on the cabinet behind her. She nestled the clipboard in the crook of her arm. Her lips pursed for a long moment before her eyes narrowed. Calmly, she said, “I don’t need my crutches anymore.”

  “Grace–”

  “And I can come to the youth center any time I want.”

  “Grace–”

  “And,” she continued, voice firm, “you’re dripping water all over the floor.”

  “I’ll clean it up.”

  She gave a final nod. “Good.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Grace dropped the clipboard on the counter and tried to keep her head held high as she hobbled out of the kitchen. She saw Nathan reach for a towel to wipe the floor before she left and felt thankful that he hadn’t come after her.

  Part of her almost wanted to respond to the worry she’d seen in his eyes but another part, the larger part, shook with anger.

  What was he thinking busting in on her and telling her what to do? Or rather telling her what he didn’t like her doing. She had every right to come to the youth center. And if she needed some time alone, she didn’t need Nathan barging in and making a big deal out of it.

  She made her way to the card table to collect her notebook and purse. Her eyes strayed to the window and she saw heavy drops coming down past the porch. Grace frowned at her foot. She’d walked over in loose, open sandals because her foot still wouldn’t fit into anything else. She prepared herself for a slow, wet trek back to the guesthouse.

  Grace snatched up her jacket when she heard Nathan’s footsteps. She shoved papers together and tried not to pay attention when he approached the table. He smelled like rain, and the outdoors. When he didn’t say anything, she finally looked up.

  “What?”

  He’d slung his coat over his arm and he fiddled with the zipper, eyes serious. “I didn’t mean to sound bossy or overstep any boundaries.” She crossed her arms as he continued. “Look at this from my point of view, please. Remember how you felt after Kara fell in the lake.”

  Grace pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to see this from his side, especially because she remembered exactly how she’d felt when Kara had fallen in the lake. She hadn’t wanted Kara to be alone, hadn’t wanted her friend to have to face anything like that again.

  “Then you understand?” he said.

  Grace turned to pick up the notebook. “I understand.”

  When he reached out to grab her arm, her gaze traveled quickly from his hand to his face. “Then let’s make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Stay close to someone, even if you need some time alone. And you shouldn’t be walking around so much.”

  “I know exactly how much I should be walking around, thank you–”

  “Grace. You’re still limping. You look tired. What if something had happened? Would you even be able to get to someone?”

  She sighed, pulling her arm away. She couldn’t argue that, so she just started toward the front door.

  “Where are yo
u going?”

  “Back home.”

  Nathan reached the door before her. “I’ll get the truck.”

  “I can walk.”

  “It’s raining.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “Grace, what’s wrong?”

  She rubbed a hand across her face. She was irritated, that’s what was wrong. She couldn’t get anywhere, everyone insisted they knew what was best for her, and she’d made little progress with the star. She was being smothered.

  “I’ll get the truck,” Nathan said in a softer tone.

  Grace sighed in response and let him walk out the door. Through the rain, she heard Nathan’s truck rumble to life. She leaned her head against the doorframe, weary.

  He pulled the truck as close to the bottom step as possible. Nathan got out and Grace rolled her eyes, shuffling down the steps. “Just get in,” she muttered. “You’re getting wet.”

  She thought she heard a chuckle. He still waited and closed her door after her.

  Nathan hopped in next to her, water splashing across the seat, and looked in her direction. “Do you still need to go back to the guesthouse?”

  “Kara said she or Maddy would come to get me later.” She crossed her arms. “Like I can’t drive. But I still need to get changed anyway.”

  He put the truck into gear and turned toward the guesthouse. “I told Maddy I’d pick you up.”

  Grace clenched her teeth. Of course. That explained why he was here. Why he’d shown up out of nowhere. The car slowed to a stop at the guesthouse. Nathan hopped out before she had a chance to protest and opened her door. Her foot splashed into a puddle of water and Grace grumbled again about her sandals.

  She glanced over, saw Nathan watching her, and glared. “It’s not funny.”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  Grace shoved open the door and dropped her notebook on the table, spraying stray drops of water on the shiny surface. A breeze blew through the window, ruffling the light curtains, and she turned to shut it.

  “I told Maddy we’d stop and get pizza.”

  “We’re still doing the movie thing?”

  “At my house, yeah.”

  Grace turned, nudged the nearest chair with her hip and glared at that, too. What was going on? Why did the fact that he was so calm frustrate her even more?

  “Since you’re already irritated,” Nathan said mildly, crossing his arms, “I guess there’s something I should tell you. So you don’t think I was holding out on you.”

  “Nathan.” But her pulse sped up. What else could he say to her that he hadn’t already? How many other ways was he going soften her heart by simply being Nathan?

  He shook his head, apology in his hazel eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Grace ventured a step closer and mirrored his pose. She drew wet sleeves across each other, crossing her arms and cocking her hip. “What do you need to tell me?”

  “I saw Lewis again. Over by Serendipity.”

  She blinked, tilted her head. Waited for what felt like an eternity while the words settled in. “Lewis?”

  Nathan nodded. “Actually, I’ve seen him a few times. I think he might be waiting around to talk to you.”

  No, that couldn’t be. He hadn’t been around when she’d been a kid, why did he care now? Maybe he just moved back to the area. Maybe he was looking for a job. There could be a dozen reasons he was still around.

  “What are you thinking, Grace?”

  When she hesitated, he reached out.

  “Nothing. I don’t know.” She backed away. “I’m just…going to change.”

  He didn’t respond, and she turned, escaping to her bedroom. Turning away from the concern and compassion in his eyes. Not wanting to depend on anyone. If Lewis was still here to talk to her, then she’d get to the bottom of it.

  Chapter 15

  Maddy slid the register shut. Two customers sat in the café. One lady enjoying a cup Chai tea and a new bestseller, and a man who’d ordered nothing and appeared to be waiting for someone.

  She tapped her fingers on the counter and checked her watch. Paris would be here in a few minutes and Riley right behind her. Elliot entered books into the computer, and Kara had perched herself atop that counter, making herself useful by handing over the books from a stack to her right.

  The world outside blurred into flat shades of gray as the rain continued. It hadn’t stopped since she’d talked with Nathan on the phone. She was ready to get out of here.

  The man at the table finally stood and took a few slow steps toward the counter.

  “Can I help you?” Maddy asked, sending him a friendly smile.

  He scratched his head absentmindedly and moved forward another few steps until he towered over her. “Do you know Grace?”

  Maddy froze at the question. “Excuse me?”

  “I saw you together at her store. I really need to talk to her.”

  Maddy looked to the bookstore, willing Elliot or Kara to turn their attention this way. To see that something wasn’t right.

  “I don’t think I can help you,” she murmured, shaking her head.

  “I know you know her. I just need to tell her something.”

  “I really don’t think I can help you.”

  The man leaned forward, gripping her arm before she could back up. “What about Riley, then? Can you tell me where he is?”

  Maddy twisted her arm in his grasp. “Let go. I can’t help you.”

  “Please–”

  “Excuse me.” Elliot’s sharp voice broke into the conversation. He walked in from the bookstore, calculation in his eyes. “What’s the problem?”

  The instant the man saw Elliot, he released Maddy’s arm. She edged away.

  The man’s voice turned gruff. “Never mind,” he said and spun abruptly, brushing past Elliot.

  Kara’s curious eyes followed the man. Elliot glanced back at Maddy but moved to the door.

  “What happened?” Kara asked.

  Maddy met her out amongst the tables, shaking her head. “I don’t know. He was asking about Grace.”

  Kara lifted Maddy’s arm, taking a moment to examine the skin.

  “It’s fine, Kara.”

  The door chimed at the front of the store and Maddy caught sight of Riley. Rain dripped from his hair and jacket. He gave her a smile, then followed it with a frown as Elliot began relaying what had happened to him in a low tone.

  Riley strode into the café, reaching out to cup her elbow. “What happened?”

  “Nothing, really. This guy came in–he didn’t order anything–and sat for a while.”

  “He was here for a while.” Kara nodded, putting one hand on her hip. “Almost like he was waiting for something.”

  Elliot joined them again. “You okay?”

  “Fine.”

  “Did he hurt you?” Riley asked, eyes darkening.

  “No. No, he didn’t hurt me.”

  Kara pointed. “He just grabbed her arm–”

  “Kara.”

  Elliot reached down to take Kara’s hand and, it seemed, to calm the situation. “What did he say, Maddy?”

  “He asked if I knew Grace.” She looked to Riley, saw confusion cloud his features. Worry crease his brow. “I told him I didn’t think I could help him but he was persistent. Then he asked about you.”

  “Do you know who he was?” Kara asked.

  “No, he wasn’t familiar. But he said he saw me with Grace.”

  “He didn’t look familiar to me either,” Kara said, biting her lip. “I wonder who he is.”

  “He seemed so…desperate.” Maddy’s gaze traveled out to the sidewalk, where the rain had slowed to a drizzle, but she didn’t see the tall, sandy-haired man among them. “I don’t think he was trying to hurt anyone.”

  “Then the asshole shouldn’t have grabbed you,” Kara told her.

  Maddy lifted her eyes to Riley’s, saw him nod in agreement. A muscle twitched in his jaw and she could see him wor
king it through in his mind.

  “If you see him again,” Riley said, rubbing his thumb across her arm, “tell me. Tell Elliot if you’re here.”

  Elliot looked to Kara. “That goes for you, too. And be careful. Just in case.”

  “What about Grace?”

  “We need to talk to her. Make sure she knows what’s going on.”

  “And see if she knows anything more about this man,” Maddy said. “In case he has anything to do with the star.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The smell of pizza followed them into the house, making the cool air feel warmer. Nathan deposited the boxes on the counter in the kitchen and Grace trailed behind, quiet as she’d been the entire ride there.

  He returned his jacket to the closet off the entryway and offered to take Grace’s sweater, but she only pulled it tighter around her and shook her head. By the time he’d drawn out plates for dinner, she’d dropped herself into a chair at the table and propped her chin in her hands.

  “Grace,” he said, moving to stand next to her. He touched her shoulder, brushing his thumb against the thick sweater. “You can talk to me if you need to.”

  She looked up at him, blue eyes wide and conflicted. “What am I supposed to do?” she whispered.

  He crouched next to her. When she turned in her chair, he pulled her against him, running a hand down her smooth, damp hair. “Let me help.”

  She opened her mouth, started to answer, when they heard a knock at the door.

  He clenched his teeth. “Dammit. Hold on, okay?” he said, standing. “Just–hold on. I’ll be right back.”

  Bad timing. It was so rare that Grace opened up to him, to anyone, he felt like he was missing an opportunity. He walked quickly to the door and opened it to reveal the rest of his friends holding umbrellas and huddling close in the drizzle.

  “Is Grace here?” Riley asked once he stepped inside.

  Nathan jerked his chin over his shoulder. “She’s in the kitchen.”

  Riley’s nod was brief, and he disappeared in that direction, leaving Nathan with little option but to wait until they were finished. Grace had been about to confide in him, he could tell. He wanted that trust from her. He wanted a chance to prove that he wasn’t going to walk away.