The Way of Grace (Miller's Creek Novels)

by Bryant, Cathy

  “There’s the rub. She’s good at what she does.” Peg leaned closer, her smoker’s breath almost unbearable, and lowered her voice. “Of course there’s also hearsay that she has friends in high places.”

  Finally she was getting somewhere!

  With a startling bang, the door swung open and Elena entered, a tight smile at play on her lips. “There you are, Grace.” She cast a ferocious glance at Peg then faced Grace. “You look like you’re hiding something.”

  Grace forced a laugh, feigning a bravado she didn’t feel. “You probably just saw me grimace at this coffee. Whoever made it likes it dark and thick.” She moved to the sink to pour the delicious drink down the drain.

  Elena cleared her throat, her voice dangerously quiet. “As soon as you’re finished, I need to see you.”

  “Okay. Be right there.” She didn’t turn as she rinsed the cup. Elena’s heels performed a staccato march across the tiled floors. Then the door slammed. Grace placed the cup in the dishwasher, and then faced the door for a long minute, gathering her courage. As she passed the table, Peg reached out and grabbed her forearm. She looked down into the woman’s rheumy eyes.

  “Don’t let her scare you. Stand your ground.”

  “I’ll try.” Grace resumed her walk to the door.

  Behind her Peg’s voice called out once more. “Oh, and one more thing.”

  Grace turned. “What’s that?”

  Peg lit up another cigarette and puffed a cloud of smoke. “You might wanna put on fire-retardant clothing before this meeting.” She laughed her way into another round of emphysemic coughs.

  Peg’s words turned out to be prophetic. As soon as Grace entered the office, Elena, who stood with several other attorneys around the conference table, called out to her. “Over here, Grace.”

  She moved to where they were stationed, doing her best to keep her shoulders back and her head held high in spite of the fear searing through her veins.

  Elena held up a hand to silence the man she was speaking with and focused her attention on Grace. “Would you mind explaining why you were in the break room less than two hours after lunch?” All other conversation ceased as many pairs of eyes turned her way.

  “I—I didn’t sleep well last night, so I went after a cup of coffee.” She withered even further beneath Elena’s haughty stare.

  “Let me make myself perfectly clear. I stuck my neck out for you to get you this job. I won’t have you tarnishing my reputation by gossiping with the girls in the break room.”

  “But I—”

  “No excuses. You don’t get paid to drink coffee. Do I make myself clear?”

  Grace made the mistake of peering around at the others nearby. The men all stood with their heads lowered and their hands in their suit pockets. The women cast furtive glances at each other, glances that seemed to say, “Here we go again.” Grace had the distinct impression she’d be water cooler fodder after this. Were they already placing wagers on how long she’d last, or was that strictly a game the mailroom workers played?

  A flush of heat crawled up her face, and tears stung her eyes. She blinked hard to hold them at bay. “Yes.”

  Elena extended a stack of papers toward her. “I need you to file this brief and be back here no later than four o’clock.”

  Grace took the papers and stepped toward her desk to gather her purse.

  “And Grace.”

  She stopped in her tracks and faced Elena again.

  Her face held cold contempt. “You might want to avoid the break room. It makes you smell like a pool hall, and you look like you’ve gained a few pounds.”

  Snickers sounded from a group of guys standing nearby.

  Grace exerted considerable effort to keep her jaw clamped shut. She managed to exit the room as gracefully as possible in spite of the storm brewing inside. All the way to the courthouse she replayed Elena’s hateful words. They slashed through her over and over again, leaving her more wounded with each pass.

  How dare the woman publicly embarrass her in front of her new colleagues! Who did she think she was? Angry tears hovered just below the surface, but Grace refused them an exit, stuffing them deeper and deeper.

  Once at the courthouse, she sat in Papa’s pickup for a few minutes trying to gain control of her emotions. The last thing she needed or wanted was the drama of yet another emotional scene. She had to make sure she was completely ready to face whatever and whoever came next.

  Grace finally slowed her breathing, knowing she’d have to deal with the baggage she’d stuffed away at a later time. She rummaged in the glove box and found an old napkin. With that and the rearview mirror, she set to work to remove all traces of her reaction to Elena’s verbal barrage. Then she trotted from the parking lot and up the courthouse steps, a sudden realization dawning on her. In spite of three years of very expensive law school she had no idea how to file a brief.

  The heavy door squeaked as she entered the building and peered around. Was there a sign somewhere that said “File Briefs Here?”

  “May I help you?” A lady behind the desk peered up at her.

  Grace smiled sheepishly and approached. “I don’t know quite how to say this, but I’m a new attorney and I—”

  “Let me guess, first time to file a brief?” She broke into a smile.

  “That obvious?”

  A kind smile lit the woman’s face, and immediately set Grace at ease. The lady patted her hand. “Don’t worry, hon, I’ve been here almost thirty-seven years and I’ve seen it time and time again. You’d think they’d teach this in law school, but for some reason they don’t. Come with me.”

  Though the woman was sweet and helpful, she was also incredibly slow and thorough, going through every step of the process in great detail, and more than once, in an effort to help Grace the next time around.

  Almost an hour later, Grace expressed her gratitude to the lady once more and hurried down the street to the pickup. She eyed her watch as she inserted the key and buckled her seatbelt. There should be just enough time to get back before the imposed deadline. Surely Elena would be pleased she’d managed the task in the allotted time. She turned the ignition. The old pickup made its familiar grinding noise, but then began to slow.

  Lord, please not now.

  She pumped the gas pedal and tried again. All she heard was a bit of the same noise and then nothing but a click. Grace let her head fall forward onto the steering wheel, longing to release a scream of frustration. What was she supposed to do now? Calling Elena was out of the question. Papa would be gearing up for the dinner crowd at the restaurant. Normally, she’d call Andy, but somehow that didn’t seem right under the circumstances.

  Matt’s face flashed in her mind. She climbed from the truck, jogged to a nearby business in her stiletto heels, and asked to borrow their phone. She punched Matt’s number, praying she remembered it correctly. Her heart fluttered when he answered. “Thank goodness.”

  “Gracie? You all right?”

  “Not really. I can’t get the pickup started and I need to be back at work as soon as possible before . . . ” She stopped herself in the nick of time, reminded of Elena’s warning. No, it wouldn’t do for her to bad mouth her boss. Not if she wanted to complete her mission and keep her job.

  “Before what?”

  “Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Let’s just say I need to be there five minutes ago. Can you come rescue me?”

  Matt chuckled. “You can’t have it both ways, Gracie Mae. I can’t be the scum of the earth one minute and your knight in shining armor the next.”

  “I don’t have time for this.” Panic escalated her words to a near scream.

  “Okay, okay. Sorry. Where are you?”

  “In a parking lot down the street from the courthouse. Where are you?” She pelted out the words like they were bullets and he was the target.

  “You’re in luck, fair damsel. I’m headed into Morganville to run a few errands for Trish. I’ll swing by there and help you out firs
t.”

  True to his word, Matt arrived a few minutes later, quickly diagnosed the dead battery, and produced a set of jumper cables. In no time, the pickup cranked right up.

  Grace engulfed him in a quick hug. “You’ve saved my life.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t exactly go that far.” Matt removed the cables and folded them.

  “I would. Sorry I can’t stay, but I’ve gotta run.” Already fifteen minutes late, but hopefully Elena would understand. She wiggled her fingers at him and sped out of the parking lot.

  She rounded the corner of Fourth Street, the DA’s office within sight. A siren sounded behind her. Grace glanced in the rearview mirror at the red and blue flashing lights.

  Her heart fell to the ground. Was this really happening?

  Grace pulled over, her heartbeat hammering a hole in her head. The officer took an eternity in coming to the window. She watched him from the side view mirror as he slowly sauntered up like he had hours to squander.

  “Sorry, officer. I work for the DA’s office and needed to run an errand for my boss and I’m running behind and—”

  “Driver’s license, insurance, and registration, please.” He drawled out the words, his jaws at work on a wad of spearmint gum.

  Grace retrieved the requested documentation, then watched in agony as the patrolman sauntered slowly back to his car. Five minutes ticked by on the dashboard clock before he made his way back to her.

  “Ma’am, I clocked you going fifteen miles over the speed limit. In addition, I’m ticketing you for not having your seatbelt buckled.”

  She fumbled for the seatbelt in dismay. How could she be so stupid? Grace took the ticket and tried to listen to his instructions, but with the roaring in her ears, his words melded into a mound of indecipherable gibberish.

  When he finally finished his spiel and pulled around her, her tears unleashed in force. They backed up in her throat, and she sobbed all the way to the office.

  Thankfully the building was empty as she made her way up the stairs to Elena’s office. At least she didn’t have to deal with stares or questions. Hands shaking, and feeling like a worn-out dishrag, she turned the knob of the office door, prepared to offer her resignation if necessary.

  Elena, every hair perfectly in place, sat behind her desk writing on a legal pad, a pleasant expression on her face—as though she hadn’t a care in the world. She didn’t look up as Grace entered, but continued to write as she spoke. “It’s certainly about time. In fact, it’s past time. Did I not give you explicit instructions on when to be back?”

  “Yes.” Grace’s voice quavered. She chomped down hard on her lower lip to distract her from yet more threatening tears. “My pickup wouldn’t start, and then I got a ticket trying to make it back on time.”

  Elena laid down her pen, almost too calmly, and finally looked up, searching Grace’s tear-stained face. Her upper lip curled in contempt. “Tears? Really? I credited you with so much more spine than this.” She rose to her feet and moved from behind her desk. “I gave you those clothes to give you a hand up, but you’re obviously not interested in looking your best. Your hair and make-up look like a schoolgirl playing dress-up.”

  A scene from junior high bubbled to the surface of her memory. Several girls from her class, standing around her in the gym, listing her faults—one’s she’d have to overcome before they’d consider being her friend. She struggled to keep the hurtful memory locked out, but she couldn’t help but notice the similarities. The only difference was she and Elena were grown women. She inhaled the biggest breath she could gather in her lungs and sent up a cry to her Maker. Lord, help me pull it together.

  Immediate peace cascaded over her, soothing her battered spirit. She swiped at tears with her fingertips. “I’ll do better. I apologize for being so emotional. I’m just tired.”

  “More excuses?” Elena clicked her tongue. “Go wash your face and come back.”

  Grace didn’t hesitate. Even a restroom was a welcome escape. As she wet a paper towel and pressed it to her face, she prayed once more. Lord, thank You for Your peace and for answered prayer. Help me understand why Elena is like this. Show me how to help her and to figure out what she’s up to. But most importantly, help me respond to her in a way that’s pleasing to You.

  A minute later she traipsed back to Elena’s office, not feeling especially better, but more prepared to handle whatever Elena unleashed.

  But she wasn’t prepared for the immediate difference she saw in the other woman. Instead of the dragon lady, she was met with a very contrite Elena. “I’m so sorry, Grace. Please forgive me. I really shouldn’t have come unglued on you like that.”

  Forgive her.

  God had forgiven her so much, how could she not do the same? From somewhere deep inside her, Grace found a strength she didn’t even know she possessed. “It’s okay, Elena. I need to do a better job than I did today, and I promise I’ll do better in the future.”

  Elena pulled her toward the stylish sofa near the window. “I want you to understand how I sometimes can be when I’m under a lot of pressure. Please don’t take it personally. This will sound like an excuse, but I’m really worried about Jessie. She hasn’t been responding well to a new medication she’s on, and since I have to be at work here, Mama is under considerable strain. To make it worse, the Simmons case is eating up my time and energy.”

  Another prayer answered. She’d prayed for understanding, and He’d given it. “What can I do?”

  Elena’s eyes softened. “I knew you’d be willing to help.”

  “Anyway I can.”

  “Thanks, Grace. I appreciate it more than you know.” Elena moved to her desk, suddenly chipper, like nothing had happened. “If you could, I’d like you to call the people on this list.” She snatched a piece of paper from her desk and brought it over. “These are some high school classmates of David Simmons. Maybe they can give some insight into his character.”

  Grace nodded and accepted the paper. More homework. Quiet resolve stiffened her spine. Difficult? Yes. But also her best opportunity to uncover any wrongdoing on Elena’s part.

  The petite attorney smiled in such a kind way, it made Grace question if Elena’s earlier outburst had been nothing but a huge misunderstanding. “You go on home. Oh, and leave that ticket with me. I’ll see what I can do about it to make up for my blunder today.”

  Blunder? Is that what she called it? “You don’t have to—”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  Dismissed again.

  Before she left the building, Grace stopped by the restroom once more to wash her face, then glanced over her shoulder to make sure Elena was nowhere around before she descended to the mail room in the basement.

  The typical musty smell of the basement greeted her. An elderly man locked the mailroom as she arrived. A disgruntled expression descended on his face, and he cleared his throat loudly. “Just closing up shop. Need something?”

  “Um, no, but I’m looking for Peg. Is she still here by any chance?” If nothing else, maybe she could meet the woman for coffee to glean more information about Elena.

  “Sorry, you’re a little late.”

  Grace smiled and nodded her thanks. “That’s okay, I’ll catch her tomorrow.”

  He shook his head. “No, I don’t think you understand.”

  “Understand what?”

  “Peg was fired earlier today. She won’t be coming back.”

  Grace exited the building in a daze and made her way to the pickup. The street lamps buzzed awake. Why had Peg been fired? Did Elena have anything to do with it?

  She thought through the bizarre incidents of the afternoon, especially the dramatic change in Elena’s behavior and the way in which the woman ordered her life and then dismissed her when she was through, much like someone wadding up a candy wrapper to throw in the garbage.

  Grace crawled into the relative comfort and security of the truck and turned the key. The pickup responded with a churning noise, but no motor
sounds. Not again. She leaned back in the seat, trying to decide what to do.

  A shadowy figure moved in front of the pickup and stopped, staring right at her. Matt! She rolled down the window as he neared.

  A comforting smile crossed his face. “You got away so fast earlier today that I didn’t get a chance to tell you that you probably need a new battery. So I waited for you to get off work. I thought you might just need more rescuing.”

  His words choked her up, and she had to wait a moment before she could speak. “Boy, is that the understatement of the year.”

  His smile disappeared, replaced by concern. He reached a hand inside the window and turned her chin to face him. “You’ve been crying.”

  “A little, but I’m better now.”

  “Wanna talk about it?”

  “No, it’s over, and I’m gonna be okay.”

  “You know when people unload on you it says a lot more about them than it does about you, so find a way not to take it personally.” He pressed his lips together momentarily. “Your new boss brought this on?”

  Grace contemplated telling him everything—the odd mood swing, the way the woman had of ordering her around—but thought better of it. For better or worse, the woman was her boss, and for the sake of her career, and her mission, she needed to remember her place. She faced him and shook her head. “It’s just been a rough day. The Singles’ Class Thursday night Bible study is tonight. Wanna come?”

  He looked hesitant at first, but then nodded. “Sure, but only if I can treat you to a cup of hot chocolate afterwards.” The plea in his sandy brown eyes made it impossible to refuse.

  “Sounds like a plan, but we’ll have to cut it short. I have some work to do.” She held up the sheet of paper Elena had given her.

  His smile returned. “First let’s get this old truck running again, so we can get you home safely.

  10

  The Singles Bible study group finished with prayer and headed from the church sanctuary to a nearby home for fellowship. Matt moved closer to Gracie, who strolled in silence beside him. The weather was a good parallel to the storm raging inside him, and from the looks of it, inside her as well.