The Way of Grace (Miller's Creek Novels)

by Bryant, Cathy

“Why worried?”

  Andy continued to study the menu, but gave his head a shake. “Not sure I can really say why.”

  Couldn’t or wouldn’t? Matt studied him. He wanted to push for an answer, but one glimpse at the fatigue on Andy’s face kept him from following through. Maybe after lunch.

  Though the delicious steak dinner didn’t completely erase the unease Matt felt, it did help somewhat. By the end of lunch, Andy looked better, too.

  His brother tossed the linen napkin to the table in the now-bustling restaurant. “It’s amazing what a little food therapy can do for my disposition, though I must admit I feel like a glutton for putting away that huge steak so quickly.”

  “Same here.”

  An apology flickered on Andy’s face. “Sorry to get so bent outta shape earlier, bro. I just hate to lose her.”

  A wad of emotion lodged in his throat at his brother’s choice of words. Had they lost her? A sigh burst out.

  “You too?” Andy’s expression held understanding.

  “Yeah, I just don’t know how I’ll have time to spend with her now that she’s working in Morganville.”

  “Guess you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way and call to ask her out.”

  “Yeah.” That, and find a way to do most of his business in Morganville. A mental image of himself doing paperwork at a café close to the courthouse popped to the front of his mind. Definitely something to consider.

  He did a quick check of his brother’s mood, before launching into the question he’d been holding in. “You mentioned something earlier about warning Gracie. Mind me asking what that was about?”

  For a few seconds Andy said nothing. Instead his jaw worked like he couldn’t quite decide what to say and what not to say. “Please don’t repeat this to anyone, especially not to Gracie.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I have suspicions about the woman she’ll be working with.”

  Matt’s heart pounded faster. “What do you mean? Is she in danger?”

  “I don’t think so.” Andy must have seen the concern on his face. “It’s okay, Matt. Gracie’s a big girl and can take care of herself.”

  “If she’s in danger, I wanna know. And she deserves to know.”

  Andy clamped his lips in a taut line. “I can’t say more than I’ve already said. Probably shouldn’t have said anything at all, so please, stay out of it.”

  Matt glared at him incredulously. Stay out of it? How could his brother knowingly put her in danger?

  “Oh, man!” Andy jerked his head downward to check his watch. “I just remembered an appointment I have here in town. I hate to drag you along.”

  Over Andy’s left shoulder, Gracie and an attractive woman he’d never seen before entered and were seated on the opposite side of the restaurant. “No prob. I’ll just hang here until you get through.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. It’ll give me a chance to clear my head.” Matt sipped his iced tea nonchalantly, eyes on Gracie, who had now headed toward the restrooms. It was best if Andy had no clue what he was up to.

  “Okay. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

  “Take your time. I’ll be fine.”

  Andy strode from the table and out the door, totally oblivious to the plan formulating in Matt’s head.

  Grace stared at her pale reflection in the bathroom mirror at Montana’s Steakhouse later that day and crunched down on an antacid tablet. Though the chalky peppermint flavor cooled her tongue, it did nothing to counteract the slow burn in her stomach, which had started the moment she’d shared the news of her imminent departure with Andy.

  At first, she’d rejoiced to see Matt there, overjoyed that she’d have someone to cheer her on, but once she started speaking, his smiling eyes had turned battery-acid brown.

  Her chest heavy, she brought a hand up to ease the hurt. The disappointment displayed on their faces had been almost unbearable, and she’d finished her carefully rehearsed speech with her gaze to the floor. It had been a difficult decision, but also an easy one. How could she not make an attempt to bring about justice in a situation where foul play was likely?

  A headache built behind her eyes. Apparently Matt had been right about her ‘disease to please,’ as he’d called it. Right now it wreaked havoc in her stomach—partly because of the new job—but mostly because she’d let her friends down.

  It’s for a good cause, Grace. A sigh slipped between her lips. Her pep talk fell flat, and did nothing to improve her outlook. What if her plan backfired in some way? Who would she have to corroborate her side of the story? She closed her eyes. All this worry would get her nowhere. She’d just have to trust God to help her.

  After one more check in the mirror, she pivoted on one heel of the stilettos Elena had given her last Friday and moved through the door to join her mentor.

  The woman flashed a bright smile as Grace approached the booth. “There you are. I was beginning to think you weren’t coming back.”

  Grace forced a laugh. “Just dealing with an upset tummy.”

  Elena glanced over the top her menu. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, I think the antacid is finally working.” Big lie. Normally, the aroma of grilled beef would have her salivating, but today it only worsened the churning in her stomach.

  They studied their menus in silence, Grace struggling with how to bring up questions in a way that sounded natural and didn’t arouse Elena’s suspicions.

  A familiar voice intruded into her thoughts. “Well, well, if it isn’t Gracie Mae.”

  Her gaze flew to Matt’s face. What was he doing here? “Hi.” Her tone held an intentional chill. She continued to peruse her menu, willing him to take the hint.

  Elena’s feline eyes zoned in on him. She scooted in and patted the seat beside her. “Why don’t you join us? Any friend of Grace is a friend of mine.”

  Matt was all smiles. “Thanks. Think I will.” He plopped down in the seat across and extended a hand to Elena. “Nice to meet you.”

  Grace came to her senses. “Forgive my lack of manners. Matt, this is Elena, and this,” she gestured toward him, his sloppy attire registering in her brain, “this is Matt.”

  Elena smiled and returned to reading her menu.

  Grace did the same, but in her peripheral vision she noticed Matt lean to one side to eye her new shoes with a frown. She shot him a glare, resisting the urge to grind the point of her shoe into his shin. “Elena, I’m having trouble deciding what to order. Any recommendations?”

  “You can’t go wrong with the filet mignon.”

  Grace scoured the menu. She could indeed go wrong at that price.

  “Don’t worry, Gracie Mae. Lunch is on me.” His eyes half-lidded, Matt spoke the words matter-of-factly, like it was a daily ritual for him to spend lavish amounts of money on a meal. And since when did he have enough money to spend thirty dollars on a steak?

  “That’s very generous of you.” Elena smiled her gratitude.

  “No problem.” He returned her boss’ smile, and then faced Grace, the set of his jaw issuing a subtle challenge.

  Fine. She’d enjoy every juicy, tender bite of that thirty-dollar steak, thank you very much.

  A few minutes later, the waitress arrived with a basket of fresh bread, ready to take their order. Surprisingly, Matt ordered nothing but a glass of tea.

  A frown wriggled onto her forehead. Was he going hungry in order to pay for their food? She toyed with the idea of ordering something less expensive, but the insolent glint in his eye urged her forward. “I’ll have the filet mignon, cooked medium, with a salad and baked potato.” She held up one finger like she’d had an epiphany. “Oh, and I’ll probably want dessert.”

  A bemused smile curved the corners of his lips, and his tongue moved inside his left cheek.

  “Okay.” The waitress scribbled on her pad. “And to drink?”

  “Coke, please.”

  His eyes grew small beneath his furrowed brows. “You don’t drink sodas.
”

  “I do today. Why aren’t you eating?”

  He shrugged. “Not hungry.”

  Elena also ordered the filet mignon, and then turned her attention to Matt as the waitress hurried to the kitchen. “So how do you two know each other?”

  Matt faced Grace, his eyes doing a slow, but methodical study of her face, his answer thankfully vague. “My brother lives in Miller’s Creek, and he introduced us. We’ve known each other a few years now.” He snagged a piece of bread from the basket and took a bite, intentionally chomping with his mouth wide open, his gaze never leaving her face. Matt swallowed and addressed Elena. “And what do you do for a living?”

  Grace licked her lips and pretended to focus on drinking her soda. Surely Matt already knew who she was, since he’d been privy to her conversation with Andy earlier that day. What was he up to?

  “I work for the Miller County DA’s office.”

  Matt maintained his poker face. “I see. Lived in the area long?”

  One of the questions she wanted answered. Grace straightened. Who needed to pry with Matt here? This potential disaster had turned into a potential plus. All she needed to do was close her mouth and open her ears.

  “My mother and daughter and I moved here last year.”

  “Daughter? Does she goes to school in Morganville?” Matt leaned back while the waitress slid plates with delicious-looking food and equally enticing smells in front of both women.

  “No, she’s a special needs child. A specialist comes each day to help with her physical and educational needs.” A pained expression crossed Elena’s face as she moved a napkin to her lap.

  Matt’s eyes and voice now held genuine concern. “I’m sure that must be difficult for you.”

  “At times.” She carved off a piece of steak.

  Grace followed suit, the tender steak practically melting in her mouth.

  “I don’t mean to pry,” offered Matt, “but is your daughter’s father still in the picture?”

  Elena coughed uncomfortably. “No. He took off for greener pastures once he realized her condition.” Her tone oozed bitterness and resentment.

  Grace’s heart rose to her throat, making it difficult to swallow. How difficult it must be to struggle with a child’s physical ailment, bearing the weight alone, as well as dealing with her husband’s abandonment. A newfound appreciation for Elena built inside her. In spite of it all, she had persevered and overcome, now providing the nicest possible life for her child.

  Across from her, Matt moved his head up and down. “In my line of work, it’s common to find one parent shouldering the responsibility for a handicapped child.”

  Elena took a sip of water then returned the glass to the circular coaster. “And where do you work, Matt?”

  “A place that provides equine therapy.”

  Grace closed her eyes. Please don’t let him say anything about Andy.

  A small frown landed between Elena’s perfectly manicured eyebrows. “The one at the Miller family ranch?”

  “Yeah. I’m helping my brother and his wife with the ministry—at least for a while.” He glanced at Grace, his expression sullen and dark.

  Elena’s eyes narrowed perceptively. “Your brother?”

  “You probably know him since you’re an attorney. Does the name Andy Tyler ring a bell?”

  Grace’s breath froze momentarily, but quickly thawed as she watched Elena’s response with interest. The woman’s face visibly hardened, and she stabbed at her meat with a ferocious fierceness.

  Matt, on the other hand, maintained his normal unassuming expression, though he studied Elena, analyzing her every move and expression. Did he suspect something, too?

  For the remainder of the meal, Elena didn’t direct another word to Matt, and Grace could tell that the intentional snub wasn’t lost on him.

  By the time the waitress arrived with the check, the tension in the air was more in need of a knife than the steak, and Grace couldn’t wait to escape to the fresh air.

  Elena beat Matt to the check, but refused to even look at him as she snagged it, her lips taut.

  As they stood to leave, Andy walked up, his attention focused on his brother. “There you are. I was looking for you on the other side of the restaurant.” He turned his attention to Grace and Elena. “Good afternoon, ladies.”

  “Sorry for stealing your protégé.” Elena’s tone held none of the apology she verbalized. Instead a catty smirk curled her upper lip.

  “Just be sure to treat her right.” Andy spoke the words sincerely and glanced at Grace, a wish and warning in one brief statement. He faced his brother. “Ready?”

  Matt sent Grace one last searching look, then nodded. “Sure.”

  Elena eyed the two as they left. “Matt doesn’t seem your type. I’d steer clear of him if I were you.” She flipped open a wallet full of money, pulled out a hundred dollar bill, and tossed it to the table as she scooted from the booth.

  Grace fell into step behind her. The woman’s last words sounded more like a threat than a warning. Elena obviously disliked the Tyler’s for some reason. Enough to change her from a tragic single mom to a caustic caldron of criticism in a few minutes’ time. Was it simply a rivalry? Her thoughts turned to Elena’s family. It just wouldn’t do to get too emotionally invested in this situation. Best to simply figure out what Elena was up to, notify the authorities, and then step aside.

  The petite prosecutor glanced back at her. “Matt Tyler strikes me as the kind of guy who would sponge off anyone who gave him the time of day.” She shoved open the door.

  Grace stepped from the restaurant into the cool fall air. How many times had she thought the same thing? Andy paid for Matt’s education and now had given him a place to live rent-free while he figured out what he wanted to do with his life. She crawled into Elena’s tiny sports car and pulled the door to.

  Next to her, Elena adjusted the mirror and turned the key, the engine humming as they backed out of the parking space. “Lesson number one for my new protégé. Don’t hang out with defense attorneys or their family members.”

  Her first day on the job, and Elena was already dictating the terms of her friendships?

  The woman must have read the expression on her face. “It just doesn’t look good. Trust me, it’s for your own protection. This way no one can accuse you of leaking information to the other side.”

  With the last remark swishing through the air like a double-edged saber, Elena gunned the car and shot out into traffic.

  9

  Grace poured another cup of coffee Thursday afternoon and doctored it with plenty of sugar and cream. She raised her gaze to the clock on the break room wall and stifled a yawn. Not even three o’clock in the afternoon and she already longed for the comfort of her bed.

  The spoon clinked against the thick mug as she stirred the caramel-colored liquid. She raised the cup to her lips and drank deeply. How was it that she made it through her undergrad work and law school without giving into the lure of caffeine, but after three days on the job, now downed massive quantities in the form of coffee, tea, cokes, and even an occasional energy drink?

  She closed her eyes and sipped the fragrant creamy liquid, her shoulder muscles unknotting. Her mind, immediately more functional with the caffeine, moved to the issue at hand—how to uncover whatever it was that Elena was involved in.

  So far, the woman had effectively buried her with research, none of which moved her any closer to her goal—to get in, uncover, and get out—all as quickly as possible.

  A stockily built woman with gray curly hair entered the room and plopped into a seat near where Grace stood. “Hey, there. Haven’t seen you before. You new?”

  Grace moved closer to shake her hand. “I’m Grace Soldano.”

  A knowing look swept across the older woman’s face. “Oh, yeah, I heard about you. You’re the fresh meat.”

  “Pardon me?”

  “The fresh meat for our resident tiger lady.”

  Ti
ger lady? Was that Elena’s reputation around the office? Based on her experience over the past three days it wasn’t all that unbelievable.

  The woman guffawed. “You already recognize it as the gospel truth, don’t you?” She laughed again, a wheeze that sounded like she was about to dissolve in a coughing fit. The lady lit a cigarette, and a puff of smoke shadowed her face before she exhaled and sent the spiraling vapor hurdling toward Grace. “Yeah, you got the look all right. How long you been here? One week or two?”

  “Four days.”

  The woman dissolved into a fit of raspy laughter that ended in a harsh cough. When she finally brought the barks under control, she took another puff. “Mercy, child. If you already look this bad, you probably won’t even come close to the record.”

  “Record?”

  “The last one. Stayed four weeks.”

  An uncomfortable tightness landed in Grace’s chest. All she’d ever heard about Elena before taking this job was that she was one of the finest prosecuting attorneys in the county. And now she had to find out the truth? Grace glanced toward the door. What would Elena do if she found her in the break room chatting with someone who could potentially provide help with the questions she so desperately needed answered?

  Grace took a seat. “Is she really that bad?”

  “Guess that depends on your perspective. And your definition of bad.” The woman tapped her cigarette against the side of the ashtray. “I’m Peg. Work in the mailroom. I’ve seen it over and over. You all come in here looking the same, stars and dollar signs in your eyes, your chest held high, certain that after a while under the tiger lady’s tutelage you’ll be the next great attorney. But after a few weeks, you can’t take the punishment anymore and decide the price is too high. I’ve seen more than one leave with their tails tucked between their legs.”

  “What kind of punishment?”

  Peg’s chuckled. “You’ve obviously not been on the receiving end of her sharp tongue.”

  Grace shook her head.

  “Interesting. You might have found favor with her.”

  “If she’s as bad as you say, why don’t they get rid of her?”