She pouts again and he pulls her chin, which he still has between his fingers, and kisses her softly. “I’m going to miss you, honey.”
“I’m going to miss you, too.” She grips him and pulls him as close to him as she can. He kisses the top of her head and gently pushes her away. “Michelle is going to have a fit if I don’t get down there. I’ll call you when I get to Los Angeles.”
Grace walks him to the front door, her hand resting on his back. “I love you, Ben.”
He turns and shoots her one of his panty dropping smiles. “I love you, too, Grace.” He grabs his suitcase and walks out the door.
Grace closes it behind her with her foot and walks over to the kitchen table. She stares at the donuts while her heart already aches for Ben. “This outta help,” she says, grabbing a chocolate éclair.
Grace grabs onto Ben’s upper arm as he escorts her through the doors of McKay Galleries – Paris. Attendees dressed to the nines fill the space, and Grace wonders if her sleek, black dress is elegant enough for the evening. Being on his arm fills her heart with joy after not seeing him for a few days.
Ben turns to her with a smile on his face. “You look wonderful, darling.”
“I feel underdressed,” Grace says, her eyes scanning all the other women in evening gowns.
“Don’t. You look perfect. I like your hair up and the cushion cuts look wonderful on you.”
Grace’s fingers rush to one of the karats of diamonds hanging from her ear. “I still can’t believe you gave these to me.”
“Nothing but the finest for my lady.”
“You’re lady?” Grace laughs.
Ben stops a server and takes two glasses of champagne from the tray. “You are indeed my lady, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I’m your lady.” Grace smiles. “I’m just not sure I’ve ever been called someone’s lady.”
Ben hands her the glass and she watches the bubbles rise from the bottom of the glass to the top. “Add old in there and we’re going to have a problem.”
Ben chuckles. “That will never happen, even when you are old and gray.”
Grace sips the champagne and her eyes dart around the gallery. She brings her eyes to Ben’s. “It’s really beautiful, Ben.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
“You’ve got a huge turnout too.”
“It didn’t hurt that you invited everyone you know.”
“I’m proud of you. You accomplished so much in a very short time.”
“Not without your help.” Ben slides his hand around Grace’s waist and leads her to a wall with oversized photographs. “Michelle’s work fits the gallery perfectly.”
“I wonder where she is.”
“Late as always. Your sister is going to drive me crazy.”
Grace stares at her own face hanging on the wall, reminding her of the day Michelle took the photograph. Ian was on the couch, pretending to read a magazine, but every time Grace glanced away from the lens, she met Ian’s smoldering gaze. That day they made love as soon as Michelle left. Back then, she never imagined that she would be with another man. She could have never fathomed that her heart would belong to anyone but Ian.
“What’s wrong?” Ben leans down to meet her eyes.
“It’s just weird having everyone stare at me.”
“You should be used to the attention by now.”
Grace shakes her head and stares at the floor, forcing thoughts of Ian out of her mind.
“Hey!” Michelle says, winded, from behind them.
Grace smirks. She’s always here to save the day.
“Sorry I’m late.” Michelle reaches into her dress and tugs at her bra. “Great crowd,” she looks around the room.
“You’d be late for your own funeral.” Ben laughs.
Michelle turns and sticks her tongue out. “I had…umm…shit to do.”
Grace breaks away from Ben, taking a few steps closer to Michelle. She leans in and whispers, “Looks like you had someone to do.”
“You can tell?”
“You have sex hair.”
Michelle pats down her loose curls and shrugs.
“You’re going to fill me later.” Grace smiles.
“A good girl never talks, Grace.”
Ben’s hand on the small of her back sends chills up her spine. “Ladies, they’re serving the hors d’oeuvres. Would you like a bite to eat?”
“I’m famished!” Michelle says, her head spinning around.
“I bet you are,” Grace jokes.
After the hors d’oeuvres, Grace keeps her eye on Ben as he mingles with the attendees. Pride for both her boyfriend and her sister overtakes her heart as she watches them both work the crowd from the sidelines. She takes in the enormity of the gallery, with its high ceilings and typical McKay Gallery sophistication. She spots a crowd standing in front of the wall that displays her work and her stomach somersaults. She watches as Ben makes his way to them, exuding charm. She kinks her head to the side trying to make out the words they speak by the shapes of their lips. Moments later, Ben signals for his assistant to join them, signifying that he has sold one of her pieces. She smiles and bites down on the drink stirrer. Ben shakes hands with one of the men, sealing the deal, then turns and walks toward Grace.
“They want to buy two of your paintings.”
“Did they want to buy them before or after you walked over there?”
“Grace, your work sells itself. All I did was confirm the price.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m just doing my job. Are you about ready to go home?”
“Don’t you have to stay till the party is over?”
“We’ve made our appearance, there’s no need to stay all night.” He moves in closer and slips his hand behind her neck, drawing her into a kiss. When he breaks away, he stares into her eyes for a long moment before he speaks. “Especially when I have a beautiful woman like you to go home with.”
Chapter 23
“Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’ve only known you for just over eight months,” Ben says, his body swaying with the motion of the horse.
“I know. I feel like we’ve known each other our entire lives,” Grace gushes, her body swaying as well.
They ride leisurely through the vineyards on the McKay property, the sun sinking behind the rolling hills, birds singing all around them.
“Here,” Ben says, as he pulls on the reins and brings his horse to a stop.
Grace pulls on the reins to stop her horse at his words. He swings his legs over and jumps from the horse, a poof of dust flows up from the ground around his shoes. He ties his horse to a wooden post wrapped with grape vines, then walks over and grabs Grace, lifting her off her horse and into his arms.
Ben ties Grace’s horse to another wooden post and then gives both horses water. Reaching into the sack that hangs from his horse, he pulls out a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. She feels her cheeks warm as he turns to her, the glasses in one hand, the bottle in the other, a wide smile spreading across his face.
They walk to the top of the hill and take a seat on a bench that sits on an overlook. The valley below stretches endlessly out into the distant horizon. A gentle breeze blows through Grace’s hair. She takes a deep breath and smiles. She is completely content.
“What are you smiling about?” he asks, pouring them each a glass of wine.
“I love it here. I’m just so damn happy,” she says, then giggles.
“I love you here,” he says handing her the glass.
She sips her wine and returns her gaze to the beautiful valley of vineyards below.
“It’s such a beautiful day,” Ben says.
“It’s perfect,” Grace says, her eyes not straying from the scenery.
“You know what would make it even more perfect?”
“What?” she says, then sighs.
“If you said yes.”
Grace turns to look at him. The small, black, ring box he holds blows her away. Grace’
s mouth falls open and she almost drops the wine glass. With his other hand, Ben steadies her glass. He rises from the bench, and then lowers himself onto one of his knees. He opens the small black ring box to reveal a not so small diamond, princess cut ring. The sunset gleams in the enormous gem, beaming prisms of color.
“Ms. Hathaway, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Grace sets her wine glass down on the bench with trembling hands and covers her heart. It pounds underneath her shaking hands. Tears stream from her eyes. She tries to speak, she tries to give him her answer, but words escape her.
He looks at her, his eyes conveying that he is anticipating her answer. “Be my wife.”
“Yes!” she cries out, her loud word echoing throughout the valley below them.
Ben takes the ring from the box, takes her hand into his, and slides the huge diamond ring on her finger. Tears leak from her eyes, her other hand still resting on her heart. He rises to his feet and reaches his hand out to her, his palm clammy from nerves. Grace takes it, still sobbing, and he pulls her lightly off the bench.
Ben wraps his arms around Grace’s waist and pulls her tightly against his body. “I love you. I want to be your husband. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“I love you so much,” she says, as she throws her arms around his neck.
He lifts her up off the ground and spins her around, her feet flying through the air. They both laugh and kiss one another. Ben sets her down, but she still feels like she is floating in the air. She whips her arm out in front of her and with wide eyes, stares at the giant rock sitting on her finger. Her heart races and her soul warms.
“Do you like the ring?” he asks, seeming unsure.
“Yes, Ben, oh my gosh, yes,” she gasps. “It’s so beautiful.”
He looks down at her hand, takes it into his, and then places his lips on the ring, part of the soft skin of his lips touching the skin on her finger.
“Thank you,” she cries out, more tears forcing their way out of her eyes.
“Thank you, Grace. Thank you for making me the happiest man on this earth.”
Grace stands silent. Staring at the ring, then at Ben, then back at the ring. She looks out over the hills as the sun melts behind them. “I can’t believe you asked me to marry you.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I…I…I…just didn’t expect—”
“Well, it was meant to be a surprise. I did not want you to suspect anything.”
“I didn’t,” she turns, and looks into his compassionate, brown eyes. “Not at all. I…you’re…you are always so romantic. This is…this was perfect.”
“Grace, come here.” Ben takes her into his arms and hugs her. “Are you okay, darling?”
“I’m just shocked. I’m so happy. I never thought…”
“You never thought what?”
“That I could find love again. That I could feel this strongly for another person again. That I could love you so much.”
“That’s just because you hadn’t met me before.”
“Stupid.” She laughs before she lays her head on his chest. His heart thuds so hard that she can hear every beat. “Were you scared?”
“I do not think I have ever been so nervous in my entire life. I’m not easily rattled, as you are well aware, but my palms were sweating profusely the entire ride up here.” Grace shivers. “Are you cold?”
“Freezing, but, don’t move, Ben. Just stay here for a moment longer.”
“It’s getting dark. We’ll need the light to see our way back.”
“I don’t care. Just hold me. Please, one more minute.”
He pulls her tight and she squeezes him as hard as she can. “I love you, Mr. McKay.”
“I love you, too, soon to be Mrs. Benjamin McKay.”
Chapter 24
The past month has been a stressful, anxious whirlwind for Grace. In a few short days, she will marry the man she loves. Contrary to what Grace believed could happen, Lydia was able to plan an extravagant wedding in just a few weeks.
Grace paces back and forth across Lydia’s bedroom floor, Michelle following her with her eyes and head as if she is watching a tennis match.
“Would you cut that crap out already?” Michelle demands. “I’ve never seen you like this. I can only imagine what you are going to be like on the day of your wedding.”
Grace stops walking and faces Michelle. “It just has to be perfect. It has to be.”
Michelle is lying on her stomach on Charlie and Lydia’s bed, her head resting in her hands, rolling her eyes at Grace. “The stylist is bringing a whole van full of dresses, you’ll find one. If you don’t then we’ll go to San Francisco. Just relax.”
As Michelle finishes her sentence, Lydia enters the room, looking elegant as ever. “Girls, Ms. Camille is here.” Lydia ushers a petite, older woman into her room.
Grace glides over to her with her hand extended to the woman. “Hello, Ms. Camille. Thank you for coming. I’m Grace.”
In a thick German accent, Camille says, “Oh dear, no need to thank me you are my client. My beautiful bride-to-be.”
Grace releases a deep breath as her nerves dissipate.
“I’ll go help them bring up the dresses,” Michelle says, rolling onto her side and then getting off the bed.
Lydia walks over to Grace and runs her hand softly over Grace’s face. “Don’t worry, dear. You will find a dress.”
“But the wedding is only five days away.”
“I know, but don’t you worry your pretty lil’ head about that now. We’ll do whatever we need to do to get the perfect dress for you.” Lydia smiles and rubs one of her hands in a circular motion over Grace’s shoulder, her words calming Grace.
“Damn, these are heavy!” Michelle says, as she walks into the bedroom, two wedding dresses hidden in garment bags, slung over her shoulders.
Camille’s assistant follows Michelle with four dresses hanging over her arms. They continue to bring dress after dress into the room and lay them on Lydia’s bed.
“Let’s get started,” Camille says, reaching for one of the dresses on the top of the pile on the bed.
Grace unties her robe and lays it on a chair, then walks near Camille and watches as she pulls a gown from the garment bag. Grace is amazed that the gown even fit in the bag when it poofs out like a spring.
After over an hour of trying on dresses, Grace stands in front of a mirror with tears rolling down her cheeks. Grace cries in unison with Lydia and Michelle.
“It is absolutely perfect,” Lydia says, as she eyes Grace’s reflection in the mirror, tears dripping from her eyes.
“My gosh,” is all that Michelle can keep repeating through her tears.
Grace stands silent gazing at herself in the mirror, butterflies racing through her stomach.
“I think I have the perfect veil for that dress,” Camille says, as she reaches into a box that sits next to the bed.
Lydia lets out a gasp and bursts out in more tears as Camille gently affixes the veil to Grace’s head.
Grace turns to her and pulls her into a hug. “What’s wrong?”
“I just never thought my boy would get married. I always dreamed he would meet a wonderful, sweet, beautiful woman like you. I’m so happy.”
Michelle sits quietly in a chair by a window looking out at the vast vineyard, tears rolling down her rosy cheeks, her eyes a vibrant aqua. Grace walks over to her, looking elegant and the picture of a perfect, beautiful bride to be. Michelle turns to face her with tear-filled, swollen eyes.
“Now, what’s wrong with you?” Grace asks, with a sweet smile.
“I wish Mom was here.”
With Michelle’s words ringing in her ears, Grace breaks down crying. Michelle leaps from her chair and rushes to hug her. They hold each other while deep, painful sobs escape them. Lydia ushers Camille and her assistant out of the room as the sounds of Grace and Michelle’s sobs fill the air.
“I wish she
were, too,” Grace finally says, after a long bout of crying. “But I’m so glad you’re here, Missy. The first time,” Grace says, recalling the time she spent with Becca looking for a wedding dress, when she was supposed to marry Ian. “The first time you weren’t and it wasn’t this special.”
Michelle will not release her hold on Grace as the tears keep coming.
Grace grabs Michelle’s chin and pulls her faceup to look at her, then places a soft kiss on her forehead. “I don’t know what I would do without you,” Grace says, smiling down.
“Me, either.”
They hug each other tighter until Michelle breaks away. “I’m going to ruin your perfect wedding dress by getting my damn tears all over it,” Michelle says, as she rapidly runs her arm over her eyes wiping away her tears.
“I’ve never seen you so emotional, Missy.”
“I’ve never seen you freak out like this. I told you that you’d find a damn dress. Look at it. It’s like it was made just for you.”
Grace walks over to the full-length mirror and twists a little to get a better view of herself. “It really is. I think Ben will really like it.”
“He’s gonna want to have sex as soon as you walk down the aisle.”
Grace laughs, tears still lingering on her cheek. “Thank you for flying out here early.”
“I wouldn’t have missed all of this for the world.”
“Help me get out of this thing before I rip it or something.”
Michelle helps Grace take the dress off, and then calls the other women back into the room. Lydia pays Camille, even though Grace insisted and Camille promises to have the dress altered in three days.
Exhausted from the stress of finding a wedding dress, Grace relaxes, nestled into the crook of Ben’s arm, as they watch a fire burning.
“How did it go today?” Ben asks, in a hushed voice.
“It went well. I finally found a dress,” Grace says, with a huge smile crossing her face.
Ben pulls her tighter to his body. “Good. I know you were worried. I bet my mother is pleased.”
“She cried. I felt so bad for making her cry.”
The Falling of Grace (The Falling Series Book 2) Page 25