“The job isn't stressing me out. It’s my boss.” Gracie looked over at him as she shielded her eyes from the sun. “I get all the flack from New York.”
“Whatever it is, it can wait. End of the business day.” Jackson glanced back over at Bea. “Now strip down to your suit, or I'm going to throw you in the water with your clothes on.” Jackson watched as she took the phone out of her pocket. He took it from her and turned off the power.
“What if my family calls?” Gracie slid her shorts off as Jackson placed the phone down in her bag.
“They can wait, too.” Jackson waited for her to finish. “How about the shirt?”
“I like it.” Gracie laughed as she kept it on. “It’s staying so I don’t burn.”
“That’s what sunscreen is for.” Jackson picked up the bottle she had used on Bea.
“The shirt stays.” Gracie stepped over to the pool and tested the water with her foot.
Jackson walked over and pushed her into the water. “I thought that Steven was the only liar in your family.” He grinned after Gracie stood up in the pool. “As I remember, Kim was always mad because you tanned, and she burnt.”
“Fine, I don’t burn, but the shirt is staying.” Gracie walked over to Bea and splashed her when Jackson started laughing. “What?”
“I'm just wondering when you became so modest.” He walked over close enough to whisper in her ear. “You weren’t modest last night when I took your dress off.”
“Sweet Jesus,” Gracie mumbled under her breath before turning towards Jackson. “What did you just say?”
“I think you heard me.” Jackson swam over to the deep water as he watched Gracie fuming.
She decided that he had been playing her fiddle and started splashing with Bea before he swam back over to them. Gracie just looked at him and shook her head as he splashed her in the face. “Go away, Jackson. Bea and I have this corner of the pool.”
“My pool and it’s getting to be supper time.” Jackson looked over at Bea. “Are you ready to eat?”
“Always,” Bea laughed at the expression on her mother’s face as Jackson whispered in her ear again.
“You so want to ask.” Jackson was laughing before he walked up the steps in the pool.
“Do not and will not.” Gracie shot back at him as she followed him with Bea. “Just drop it, Jackson, I don’t want to know anymore.”
“Not in the least bit curious?” Jackson asked as Gracie turned to him angrily.
“No, not in the least bit,” she tugged her wet shirt off and wrapped a towel around her as Jackson smiled at her. “I have too much on my mind for you to be playing games. Can we change our clothes in your apartment?”
“You can.” Jackson decided to let her think that he was just playing games as he looked down at Bea. “So where are you taking me on our date?”
“Micky Ds of course,” Bea took the outfit that her mother handed her before walking off to the bathroom.
Gracie turned to Jackson after Bea shut the door. “You can stop trying to bait me, Jackson, especially around my daughter. Whatever I did or said is over and done with, I can’t change it or take it back.”
“Anything you say, Cinderella.” Jackson was laughing at her. “Mum is the word, I gotcha.” He watched as Bea came back into the room handing Gracie her wet bathing suit.
~
Gracie looked around the backyard where they were going to have Bea’s party. She was watching with amusement as the puppies chased the streamers that were waving in the wind.
Annie walked out to see if Gracie needed any help, and they were securing the tablecloths to the tables as Beast started to whine. Gracie looked over to where he was and started laughing as the furry brown dog was wrapped in pink streamer. “Those two are going to have to stay in the house until after the party.” Gracie went over to Bea’s puppy and started unwrapping the streamer from him as Annie grabbed the other puppy and took him into the house.
They watched as Bea ran outside after her school friends started arriving for the party. Her family started arriving shortly after that and Gracie couldn’t help but to notice the look that her sister had shot in her direction. She shrugged it off as she continued to watch Bea and her friends.
Jackson walked up to her as she started to place the candles on top of the cake. “You had a pretty good turn out.”
“Bea’s happy with it.” Gracie glanced at him as he fingered up some of the icing. “Bad, bad boy.”
“That’s not what you said Thursday night.” He smiled wickedly when Gracie glared at him.
“Don’t start, Jackson.” She looked around the table for the book of matches she had laid down as she heard the doorbell. “Be a pal and see who’s at the door.”
“Sure thing.” He walked back into the house and walked to the front door. “Addison?”
“Where is she?!” Addison answered him back with a question feeling angry because she had to make a trip to Gracie’s house.
“In the back,” Jackson had noticed the angry short tone she had used. “I think that whatever this is about can wait until after the cake.”
“I’m sorry. I had forgotten all about Bea’s party. I can wait.” Addison apologized as she glanced out to the back.
“You might as well join us.” Jackson walked out to the back as Addison followed him out.
Gracie looked up as Addison walked out with Jackson and frowned at her as she lit the candles almost burning her finger in the process. After they sang Happy Birthday to Bea and the cake was served, Gracie walked into the house with Addison. “Well? I'm assuming that something is up, or you wouldn’t be here.”
“Where is your phone?” Addison questioned Gracie before they sat down at the kitchen table.
“Why?” Gracie asked glancing outside to see how the party was going.
“Because Mr. Foster can’t reach you, so he's bugging the crap out of me.” Addison looked over at her seriously. “He thinks that you're avoiding him.”
“Let him think what he wants, I'm going to have Bea’s party without work interfering.” Gracie walked towards the back and added. “That story is really starting to get on my nerves.” She heard Addison’s phone ringing before she walked out. “If that’s Mr. Foster, you can tell him I'll call him after my daughter’s party.”
Addison answered her phone as she watched Gracie shut the door behind her. She gave the message to Mr. Foster and walked outside to watch Bea open some of her presents when her phone started ringing again.
Gracie looked at her hard as she walked over to take the phone from her friend. “You do realize that this has a power button- don’t you?” She looked down at the name and decided to take care of him right then. Answering Addison’s phone she walked into the house and paced the floor as Mr. Foster talked to her.
Addison had walked into the house after her and stood there watching until Gracie turned to face her.
“Evidently he meant he wanted it last Tuesday, and I'm to be accessible everyday no matter. What is going on?” Gracie sighed as she tried to calm down. “I guess he wants everybody to work just as hard as he does.” She handed Addison’s phone back to her. “He won’t bug you anymore.”
“Actually, Mrs. Foster read the story, and she’s been hounding him about it.” Addison informed her as Gracie winkled her nose. She spotted Gracie’s phone. “Would you like me to check your messages?”
“Go for it. I need to get back outside.” Gracie stepped to the backdoor after she handed Addison a pad and pen. Jackson could feel the difference in her attitude the minute she had walked back outside. Gracie tried to smile, but the attempt failed as she looked at Bea and her friends playing.
She sat down at the table and picked up one of Bea’s Barbie dolls, smoothing the little dress out as their guests started leaving. Janet was watching her with concern as she sat down beside her.
“I need to call a family meeting.” Gracie mumbled not looking up from the doll that she was holding.
; Janet left the table and told the rest of the family what Gracie had just said. They all went inside the house, and Gracie let the dogs out before sitting on the couch. She glanced over to where Addison was still sitting at the table writing down her messages.
“I had no idea about the amount of calls you receive.” Addison was shocked as she looked down at the piece of paper where she had been writing.
Gracie stood and walked over to where Addison was still sitting, glancing at the paper before she moaned. She looked at her family and started talking about what was on her mind; beginning her story at the time when her apartment had been vandalized and explaining everything that happened since then in the order it happened. “So to make a long story short, Amanda McBride will have a book published. It’s already under contract, and my boss is calling because he wants me to finish it a week ago.”
Her family was sitting there smiling after she started to pace the floor. Jackson stood. “Is that why you were celebrating Thursday night?”
“Boss’s orders,” Gracie finally sat down as Addison handed her the paper and her cell phone. “And that is why Addison stormed in here today.”
“Finish the story, and he'll leave both of us alone.” Addison looked up as Jackson peered over Gracie’s shoulders to take a look at the paper.
“What does the M mean?” He asked as he glanced at Addison.
“That means that Gracie is going to be very busy on Monday.” She looked down at Gracie before she grabbed her purse. “I’m sorry; I didn't intend to ruin Bea’s birthday party.”
“It wasn’t ruined. My day, maybe, but not hers.” Gracie walked her out to the door and told her not to worry about it.
“So about Mark and Susan?” Steven looked at his sister after she started to walk back towards them.
“It seems that they had gotten away with a slap on the wrist for my apartment. Mark is on probation, and she’s free or was anyway.” Gracie folded up the paper with the messages and laid it under her phone. “Carolyn is supposed to call and let us know when the court day is because we were witnesses.”
“Is that why you drank?” Kim asked when Steven looked over at them puzzled.
“I don’t know why I drank.” Gracie wanted to change the subject as Jackson and Annie started laughing. “Stop it, Jackson. I’m serious.” Gracie stopped as he was about to say something. “How did you know I was drunk?”
“Sammie told me.” Kim shook her head as Gracie finally sat back down.
“Nobody can keep a secret in this family.” Gracie looked over at Paige, who had been quiet during the meeting. “My secret is out now, so it’s your turn.”
“What?” Paige looked over at her puzzled.
“Steven said you two had some news, so share it.” Gracie watched them both seriously. “This is a family meeting.”
Steven smiled as Paige looked at him. “We have been approved to adopt a child.”
“It’s about time.” Gracie stood and walked over to Paige.
“Did you just change the subject?” Paige asked as Gracie hugged her.
“It’s not about me.” Gracie glanced at her parents who were smiling as they talked to Steven. “I'm so sick of it being about me. I think I'm ready for a vacation.”
“For a minute there I thought I was listening to someone else talking.” Steven had walked over to them. “Did you actually say the word ‘vacation’?”
“I did.” Gracie walked away from them and sat down at the kitchen table. She looked up when Kim sat down beside her.
“All I’m going to say is it’s about time.” Kim watched as the frustration crept into Gracie’s eyes. “What’s the matter?”
“I just feel like I was coerced into the story. One thing leads to another and somehow, somewhere it’s going to affect someone else’s life.” She flipped her phone open and shut as she talked. “Maybe I’m just burnt out, and I’ve never realized it before now.”
“I never thought I would hear you say those words.” Kim stated as she watched Jackson start to walk towards them.
“Maybe it’s time to take a trip. I’ve always wanted to go to Disney World.” Gracie softly answered her. “I guess I should take care of this first.” She unfolded the paper as she continued to play with the phone. “I could be a couple of hours. Could you keep an eye on Bea for me?”
“No problem,” Kim stood and walked out to the backyard to pick up all the plates and cups from the party. She was joined by the rest of the family when Gracie started to return phone calls. “I would have thought that having a book published would be a cause to be happy. She doesn’t look overly thrilled about it.”
“I don’t think she is.” Annie stated while she held the trash bag open for her. “Maybe that’s why she allowed them to keep buying her drinks.”
“How bad was she?” Kim and Paige looked over at her as Jackson started laughing without saying a word. “Was she mean, funny, or sloppy when she came home?”
“Affectionate, she paid Jackson a few compliments.” Annie informed them leaving out the part where Gracie had told Jackson that she loved him. “And that was all there was to it.” She added when she saw Kim’s expression.
“To the best of your knowledge,” Paige said as Kim had already told her that Jackson had spent the night.
“Jackson walked her to her bedroom, tucked her in, and he slept on the couch.” Annie tied the garbage bag up. “I woke up a couple of times and checked on her, so I'm one hundred percent sure that was all there was to it.” She looked over at Kim. “Feel better now?”
“Yes,” Kim smiled as she watched Sammie teasing the younger children. They had the backyard cleaned and walked into the house watching as Gracie paced the floor with the phone still to her ear.
“You’re not done yet?” Jackson asked as he stepped over to her holding the cake utensils in his hand to wash.
“I thought I was.” Gracie was frowning as she looked over at Annie after ending her call. “Can you take Bea to church for me tomorrow?”
“Sure, why?” Annie asked as she watched Jackson staring at her.
“I need to pull an all-nighter.” Gracie put her phone down after turning it to vibrate as she talked. “The quicker I write the ending, the quicker my life will return to normal.”
“Would you like some help?” Jackson propped against the wall as he grinned at her.
She had walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a Pepsi. “Help doing what?”
“Pulling an all-nighter,” Jackson winked at Annie as Gracie turned around and scowled at him.
“I'm pretty sure I can handle it all by myself.” Gracie had caught the underlining meaning he had thrown in.
“I am serious.” Jackson stopped teasing her. “I could keep you in caffeine and whatever else you need so you can get the job done.”
She sat down at the table and glanced at all of her family before turning back to Jackson. “You do realize that your sleep will be messed up for a while if you help me.”
“Very aware,” Jackson watched as Gracie started to think about his offer. “I used to pull that stunt when I studied for exams in college.”
“Let me think about it.” Gracie stood and walked outside for some fresh air, smiling as she watched Sammie pushing Bea and Garrison on the swings. She let her mind wander as she remembered starting the book when Bea was born. She had wanted to pass down the fairy tales that she had believed in her own youth to that little bundle she had held so lovingly in her arms nine years ago to the day. Gracie glanced over towards the swing and smiled. The years had flown by as mother and daughter had both matured, and Gracie had stopped writing when she received her promotion at Salem Publishing Plus. She contemplated in her mind to see if there was another reason as to why she wouldn’t have completed it. Had she giving up on fairy tales herself or was her life that much busier? She sat down at one of the tables and picked up the same Barbie that she held as Bea’s party had come to a close. Gracie looked up as her own mother had come out a
nd sat down beside her.
“I can see the gears turning in your head, baby girl.” Janet spoke out of concern when she studied her daughter’s eyes. “I remember when you started that story.”
“Did I give you a reason as to why I wanted to write it?” Gracie asked her as she was still thinking.
“Yes, you did.” Janet smiled as she fondly remembered the conversation she had held with the youngest of her children. “You wanted to keep it alive for her.” She paused. “You didn’t want your misadventure with marriage to affect her.” Janet put a hand on Gracie’s shoulder causing her to look back up at her. “Think about how many adult women could use a little of your fantasy to take them away into another world even if it’s just for a little time. If you want the rainbow. . .”
“You have to put up with the rain.” Gracie finished for her mother as she looked puzzled. “I'm not sure what that has to do with this.”
“Hope, Gracie. It’s all about hope.” Janet stood up from the table. “Everybody needs at least a strand of hope.” She watched as Gracie focused her attention on Bea again. “Including you. Try to remember the way that you used to believe and pass it along to all women, including yourself.”
Gracie looked towards her mother and scrutinized her a minute before speaking what was on her mind. “Life happens, Mom, and fantasies disappear. Poof, right before your eyes. Can one really get that back?”
“Yes, baby, they can.” Janet turned to walk back into the house. “Even you, you just have to open your eyes and your heart.” She turned to face Gracie before opening the door. “Bring that fantasy back.”
Gracie stood after Janet had disappeared behind the door. “But where do I find it?” She thought that she had been thinking silently to herself and was taken aback when Jackson answered her with another question.
“What are you looking for?” He asked noticing that Gracie looked like a deer that was caught in a set of headlights from a car before marching into the house herself. He followed her as he asked the question again. “Find what, Gracie?”
“I was thinking to myself.” Gracie frowned as she looked over at him. “I wasn’t asking you a question.”
Finding Gracie's Rainbow Page 17