“Focus on the eyes, Steven,” Gracie walked away from them as the other guests started to arrive. “Can we assign partners now?”
“I think we had better.” Jackson was watching as Christian kept trying to break the ice with his cousin. “Maybe you should talk to her before Christian gives up.”
“Actually, I think that Christian likes her enough to manage.” Gracie walked over and asked Christian if she could borrow Annie, and they walked outside. “It will be easier if you just admit that you like the guy.”
“But I don’t.” Annie was frowning as she looked over at Christian, who was talking to Jackson.
“Is that your tale?” Gracie started smiling at her. “At least pretend that you like him, because you've been assigned to dance with him.”
“I’ve what?” Annie turned her attention to her Gracie, “Who did that?”
Gracie shrugged her shoulders as they both looked across the room. “You can dance great if you partnered with Jackson. Show Christian a couple of moves.” Gracie walked away from her and was met by Jackson as Addison walked into the house with Dylan.
Addison walked over to Gracie as she stared at Annie. “So how is that going?”
“At the moment, it isn’t.” Gracie laughed as she saw Dylan walk over to Christian. “You didn’t tell him anything, did you?”
“Who, little ol' me?” Addison was smiling. “Not about them.”
“That is a relief. Annie can be stubborn.” Gracie walked with Addison throughout the room.
“And you would be one to know about being stubborn.” Addison smiled as she looked at the dress. “I like it.”
“You should see Bea.” Gracie turned as she heard Mr. Foster’s voice. “You’re kidding, right?”
Addison turned around, and her eyes got big as saucers. “I'm afraid not. He’s here with his wife.”
Gracie looked over at Sammie, who looked just as puzzled as she did. Sammie walked over to her. “Who is that?”
“That’s my boss, Mr. Foster and his wife. Who sent out the invitations?” Gracie looked at Sammie before she could answer.
“That would be my mother.” Sammie looked at Gracie with an apology in her eyes.
“Gracie, you do look nice.” Mrs. Foster walked over and greeted Gracie as Salem smiled.
“I told you I didn't waste my time flying down here yesterday.” Salem greeted her before looking around the room.
Gracie left them after a few minutes and walked over to her sister. “This is some turn out, Kim. I wonder why my boss is here from New York.”
“I have no idea. I didn't send him an invitation.”
Gracie looked over at Addison, who was looking at her. “Addison.” She mumbled under her breath.
Janet looked around the room and smiled. “I think that it’s time.” She smiled at Chandler, who stood and banged a glass with a spoon to get all of their attention. Gracie looked up at him. “First of all, I wish to tell my daughter and granddaughter Happy Birthday, and then I'm going to call out partners.” He looked at Bea as she walked over to him, and he had her step next to him as he talked. “One more thing, there have been prizes donated which the winning couple will be able to donate to charity. Thank you, Mr. Foster.”
Gracie glanced over to her boss, who smiled at her.
“So instead of this just being a dance like we originally planned; it is now a charity event. I hope we all have fun.” Chandler held out the crook of his arm to Janet after he had assigned partners.
Addison and Dylan walked over to Gracie and Jackson after Chandler finished. “I had no choice. He wanted to know what we were doing today, and then he donated the prizes. Your parents couldn’t refuse such an offer.”
“How big are the prizes?” Jackson asked her as he took Gracie’s hand.
“Let’s just say they're sizable.” Addison turned to look as Christian walked over to Annie. “What do think? Will she get along with him long enough to dance?”
“I would be more worried with him being able to keep up with her. I taught her everything she knows.” Jackson smiled as Annie walked off with Christian.
Jackson handed Gracie half a chocolate bar before the dance. “I remember you used to eat this before we danced.”
She took it. “You do realize that this is the only time I eat this stuff.” She finished the chocolate. “Mr. Carter, are you ready to tango?”
“I am.” Jackson smiled as they walked out to the cement pad before the music started to play. “Let’s win this thing.”
Gracie glanced over to Annie and Christian as they danced. “I think that we have some competition.”
“I never knew he could dance like that.” Jackson was smiling as they danced easily together. “Just wait, Annie can still teach him a couple of things. I'm sure.”
Annie was smiling as they danced. “There is another side to you.”
“Of course, there is.” Christian looked down at her as they matched step to step. “I don’t work all the time.”
“I’m surprised.” Annie looked around as they spoke. “I'm sorry that I snapped at you.”
“And about not answering your phone?” Christian asked.
“Somebody should have left a message. I was interviewing mothers.” Annie explained to him.
“I guess I should apologize. I thought you were just not answering the phone.” Christian looked over at Gracie. “I'm not working today if you are wondering.”
“I think you've already mentioned that, and I'm really glad to hear it since this is her birthday party.” Annie looked up as the music stopped, “Not bad, Detective.”
“Thank you.” Christian was relieved to take a break, “How long until the next song?”
“Now,” Annie smiled as the music started playing again. “You can keep up with us, can’t you?”
“I can try and that's all I can say.” Christian’s feet were already hurting as they started again. He looked over to see Jackson smiling at him.
Jackson guided Gracie over towards them as they danced. “Don’t worry, Christian. The last dance is the Macarena, and the guys usually don’t dance one.”
“And just how many dances are there between this one and the Macarena?” He watched as Annie and Gracie started to laugh, “That many, huh?”
“Should have put on your dancing shoes, Detective.” Gracie was laughing as they danced away from them.
“Just so you know, Jackson taught me how to dance after she got married.” Annie smiled as Christian stared at her.
“So Jackson didn’t quit after Gracie went to Pennsylvania?” Christian looked puzzled.
“It didn’t last that long.” Annie answered him honestly. “It was no fun for him after Gracie left.”
Christian raised his eyes as they continued to dance.
“You promised not to work.” Annie informed him as she watched him start to think.
“I did, didn’t I?” He looked away from Jackson and back at Annie. “You're a lot better than I am.”
“Like I said. . .”
“I know. Jackson taught you.” Christian started to laugh. “This is fun.”
“And for a good cause. I heard it was for battered women and children.” Annie listened for the ending of the music.
“That is a very cause.” Christian agreed with her as his feet were allowed another break. “Is it going to be like this for a long time?”
“Just about thirty more minutes. Can you hang in there?” Annie took a bottle of water and handed him one.
“I doubt it, but I can make the effort.” Christian downed the water before Annie even had her lid off.
Jackson and Gracie walked over and watched them. “He is so going to regret that.” Gracie whispered as Jackson handed her a bottle.
Jackson just shook his head as Annie had watched him down the bottle. She looked over at Gracie. “Is it too late to switch partners?”
“Yes,” she was laughing. “I hope he can hold his water.”
“You know you
have to stay on the dance floor while we do the Macarena, don’t you?”
“No potty breaks?” Christian looked over at Jackson, who was shaking his head.
The music started playing again, and Annie looked over at him. “Just two more dances.”
“So that would be one and then the Macarena?”
“No.” Annie was watching as Christian was already looking miserable, “Poor thing.”
Christian looked over at Jackson as they all watched the ladies doing the Macarena. “I really can't watch anymore.”
“I think that you handle a couple more minutes.” Jackson was watching Gracie and Bea. “Don't let my cousin down.”
“This has nothing to do with me?” Christian looked as miserable as he felt.
“Not at the moment,” Jackson was laughing at his old friend as Dylan walked up to them.
“So is that the woman who gets on your nerves because she's always late?” Dylan was watching him.
“Yeah, so?” Christian looked at him and Jackson as they both laughed. Steven walked over to them before grabbing a bottle of water.
“I hear that there’s a bathroom right in the house.” Steven winked at Jackson. “We all know who won anyway.”
“We do?” Jackson looked over at Steven.
“You still don’t get it, do you, Jackson?” Steven opened his water in front of Christian. “I'm sorry, did you want this?”
“Steven- right?” Christian shot him an angry look. “Don’t you think I'm in bad enough shape?”
He put the bottle down on the table as Jackson grinned. “Let me put this down.” He left the lid off and watched as the water dripped off the table. He sat down after he picked up the empty bottle. “I think I like this guy, Jackson.”
Jackson couldn't hold in the laughter anymore. “You don’t have to stay out here during the entire dance.” He listened as the last frames of music played. “Oh, I believe the song is over.”
Christian ran to the house as the guys all laughed out loud, and the girls looked over their way as they watched Christian running.
“What did you guys do?” Gracie looked at Jackson, who was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.
“I swear it wasn’t me.” Jackson watched as Dylan high-fived Steven. They watched as Christian walked back out of the house.
“Thanks, guys.” Christian half grinned at them. “That was so funny I forgot to laugh.”
Chandler and Janet both looked over at the table after hearing all the laughter and Chandler clanked his glass again. “At the request of my granddaughter, there is one more dance.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Christian moaned as he had just taken his shoes off to rub his feet.
Gracie looked over at Sammie, who was grinning after she said something to Kim. “What is she up to?”
“Gentlemen, this is a slow dance, and I expect to see a few couples on the pad.” Chandler looked over at his family and watched as Gracie walked away from Jackson.
Jackson was puzzled and walked over to her. “What is it now?”
“I don’t slow dance.” Gracie looked at him when he frowned.
“And why is that? There is no more contact in a slow dance than in any of the other ones that we did.”
“Jackson, I really don't see a need to put myself to sleep.” Gracie picked up a bottle of water.
Jackson took the bottle from her. “You're going to slow dance for your niece. I thought you liked making people happy.”
“I do.” Gracie glanced over at Sammie and then back at Jackson. “Fine. But don’t get too close.”
“What do you consider too close?” Jackson smiled as he led out to where the others were already assembled.
“I'll let you know.” She informed him as they started dancing. Gracie looked up at him after the dance and smiled. “I guess that wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
“I guess not.” Jackson’s voice was husky as he answered. He gave a thumb up to Sammie, who smiled before she walked off the dance floor with her own boyfriend. “So who is the new guy?”
“I have no idea. What is wrong with your voice?” Gracie asked as they walked back over to the table and sat down.
“I will tell you about it later.” Jackson was smiling as Sammie walked over to them.
“That was beautiful,” Sammie sat down next to Gracie. “Happy Birthday.”
“Thanks, Sammie. Are you going to introduce us to your boyfriend?” Gracie was looking curiously at him.
“This is Ed Maddox.” She watched as Gracie turned to her sharply.
“Ed? Are you any relation to Carl?” Gracie asked as Christian studied him.
“He’s my father.” Ed answered before Gracie stood and walked into the house as Sammie watched her.
“Snap.” Jackson stood and walked in after Gracie. “He might not be as bad as his father.”
“I know that.” Gracie said angrily through clenched teeth. “That doesn't mean that I have to be happy that she's hanging around with him.”
“You aren't her mother.” Jackson reminded her as he sat on one of the stools at the bar.
“You know what, Jackson? I’m more than a little aware of that.” She walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a soda. “If you don’t mind I need a little me time.”
“Fine, I’ll give you all the time you need.” Jackson stormed out of the house as Gracie watched him. “Don't forget that this is your party.”
Gracie glared at him before she ran up the steps to her old bedroom and sat down in the window seat looking over all the people that were in her parent’s back yard.
Jackson looked at Sammie as he walked back out of the house. “Your aunt should come with an instruction manual.”
Sammie smiled, nodding, as she looked up at towards the second story and saw Gracie sitting there. “You would get bored if you figured her out, Jackson.” She looked over at Ed and walked into the house up towards the bedroom.
“You know I've always thought of you more of a sister than an aunt.” Sammie informed her as she sat down on the bed and looked at her. “Your opinion means a lot to me.”
“I'm sorry, Sammie. My temper seems to be on a short leash lately.” Gracie didn't look over at her niece. “The smallest thing seems to set me off.”
“So is it his name or the name of his father?” Sammie asked as she wasn't aware of all the facts that were surrounding Gracie.
“His father.” Gracie finally turned towards her. “When you get older. . .”
Sammie started laughing. “I turned seventeen yesterday. I think that I can handle anything that you tell me.” Sammie stood. “As for Ed’s father, Ed hasn't seen him since before he could walk, and his mother reminds me a lot of Paige.”
Gracie glanced in her direction and then at the closet door. “I'll be down in a minute, and I'll apologize. Just don’t let him go anywhere.” A box with her name on it caught her attention.
“What about Jackson?” Sammie asked as she started for the door.
Gracie didn't say a word about Jackson as she opened the closet all the way. She took out the box as she noticed that Sammie was still standing there.
“Jackson?” Sammie asked with her arms folded in front of her.
“He's a grown man, and at this point I really don’t care what he does.” Gracie said as she opened the box and looked into it. She took out a folded piece of paper and noticed that rest was the manuscript that she was going to look for later. She never noticed when Sammie actually left as she started to read the first page. Gracie absently unfolded the piece of paper that she was still holding and looked down at it. It was the letter that she had written her mother ten years ago.
She looked at her own handwriting strangely before folding it up and carried it with her as she headed down the stairs. She walked out the back door and walked directly to Christian; handing him the letter before walking off.
He watched her strangely before looking over at Annie. “I'm not going to work today.”
>
Annie had seen the glazed over look on Gracie’s face. “Sorry, Detective, it seems like we're both going to work today.” Annie followed Gracie after she motioned to Kim. “I don’t know what just happened, but I have a feeling that your sister just snapped.”
“Oh, God, please not today.” Kim saw Paige and waved her to come with them.
Gracie looked at all three of them as they sat down at her table. She had already apologized to Ed and was watching them with amusement as they watched her. “I don't even want to know what this is about.”
“Annie said you snapped.” Kim was studying her sister.
“Maybe that would be a good thing, but no, I haven't snapped. . . yet.” Gracie glanced over at Jackson.
Annie noticed that she was frowning. “What happened with Jackson?”
“I guess he didn't like the fact that I wanted to be alone.” Gracie caught herself smiling as Bea walked over to them.
“I have a feeling that it’s more than that.” Kim said as she watched Bea hugging her mother. “But this isn’t the time or place to get into that.”
“I’ve gotten pretty good at upsetting him.” Gracie stood. “Really good at upsetting a lot of people.”
Paige stood and hugged Gracie as Kim was watching Sammie and Ed.
“It is so hard to believe that she is a young lady.” Kim said as she brought her attention back to Gracie. “We were both married not much older than she is now.”
“Well. . .” Gracie had been about to tell her that she was never officially married but changed her mind as she watched Christian. Puzzled, she looked over at Annie. “I never intended for him to work.” Christian was talking on the phone as they all turned around to watch him. “I think we need to liven this party back up.”
Paige took the hint and walked over to Chandler with another music CD as Jackson turned to Steven and Dylan, who were looking just as confused as him.
“What kind of dancing is this?” Steven asked as Dylan and Jackson walked with him.
“Club dancing, the kind Addie and I are used to.” Dylan was laughing when he saw Addison waiting for him. “Somebody mind grabbing Christian?”
Finding Gracie's Rainbow Page 30