“But she won’t. She's still upset about how Bea was treated.” Jackson looked back over at Christian. “So are you done with your part now?”
“Yes, but I think that I'm going to stick around.” He was watching Janet, Paige, and Kim talking to Gracie as Steven made his way over to them.
“What’s going on?” Jackson asked Steven as he finally sat down on one of the benches scattered throughout the hall.
“The pep talk, I usually try to avoid them.” Steven looked down at Jackson. “Gracie was ready to fight this morning, wasn’t she?”
Jackson didn't answer that question but instead asked Steven a question in return. “Why are they giving her a pep talk?”
“She’s taking the stand next.” He glanced at Jackson. “You didn’t know?”
“The trial is moving pretty quick.” Christian admitted as he finally tasted his coffee. He wrinkled his nose, “Almost as good as the precincts. Go over to her, Jackson.”
“I'm not sure that's a good idea.” Jackson noticed that Steven was glaring at him.
“You really need to stop thinking that you know what Gracie wants or needs.” Steven studied his family and gave Jackson a push after he stood up. He saw Christian smiling. “What is so funny, Christian?”
“I was just remembering the line of names that Annie called him the other day.” He walked over to the water fountain and dumped out his coffee.
Gracie was watching as Jackson made his way to them. “Are you ready?” He asked as he stood next to her.
“For it to be over,” Gracie was staring at the courtroom doors, and he could feel her growing tense. “This is like waiting for my turn at one of those piano recitals.”
“I'm sure that this is worse.” Jackson and Gracie had walked away from the others. “Would it better for you if I wasn't in the court room when you testify?”
“You already know everything.” Gracie was shocked that he would even ask. “I need you to be in there.” She wasn't smiling as she looked up at him.
“I will be there, then.” Jackson hugged her tightly as the doors finally opened, and the bailiff stepped out. “I guess it's time. What are you doing?” He felt Gracie backing up and looked at her worriedly as he noticed that panic in her eyes. “You can do this.”
“No, I can't.” Gracie’s legs had become heavy, and she was finding it hard to move.
“You told me. Didn’t you?” Jackson asked her. “Bea and Susan testified; it's your turn now.”
She felt her heart beating faster and faster. “I can’t. . .” Her breathing became very irregular, and Janet ran over to her daughter as she had been watching.
Janet sat Gracie down and threw the snacks out of the paper bag that she had brought for Chandler. Holding the bag up to her daughter’s mouth, she looked up at Jackson. “Don’t you recognize the symptoms of hyperventilating?”
“I never knew that she was prone to it.” Jackson had backed up to give them some space.
“It has been a while.” Janet turned her attention back to Gracie and talked to her soothingly.
Gracie pushed the bag away from her and looked at Janet. “I’m fine now.” She looked at everybody watching her and stood. She saw the Camerons and her father. She saw Paige and Kim standing with Steven and Christian. She turned to Jackson. “I have to do this. I'm ready to see my rainbow.”
Janet smiled as she heard Gracie say that, “That’s my girl.” She studied Jackson. “Dry up the tears, boy. Gracie is more than alright.”
Janet hugged both of them and walked over to her family and friends as Jackson walked with Gracie. “Are you really alright?”
“What do you think, Doctor Carter?” Gracie tried to smile. “I'm sorry that I scared you.”
“And I’m sorry that I panicked.” Jackson squeezed her hand before she walked up to her attorney’s table. He listened and watched during Gracie’s testimony only half noticing that a storm was happening outside the courthouse. He watched as the prosecutor provided the physical evidence that he had obtained from Christian’s investigation. He was proud of Gracie as she didn't allow the defense attorney the pleasure of twisting her testimony around to work for Mark.
He turned as he heard Kim give a shocked moan as Gracie told about how Mark had used Sammie to force her into marrying him. “I never knew.” She whispered as Janet took her hand. “Should I tell Sammie?”
“Absolutely not,” Janet whispered to her as Gracie had looked in her sister’s direction.
Gracie was finally dismissed from the stand. She could never remember feeling that tired mentally. She glanced at Kim before she sat down. The prosecution rested, and the defense attorney didn't have any witnesses to call on behalf of Mark.
The judge called for the prosecutor's closing statement which was short and to the point. The evidence spoke for itself. They all looked over to the defense attorney, who shrugged his shoulders as he stood and gave a half-hearted speech. It was three o' clock in the afternoon when the jury was shown to their room to render their verdict.
Gracie’s attorney looked at her and smiled. “Don’t go anywhere; this shouldn't take long at all.”
Gracie stood and walked to her family as Kim signaled her out. “Why did you never tell me about Sammie?”
“I thought you would be better off if you didn't know.” Gracie glanced over at her mother and back at her. “We're even.”
“How do you figure that?” Kim was studying her.
“You never told me that the reason Mom was so strict with me was because you were expecting Sammie before you got married.” Gracie smiled at her as the attorney waved them back to their seats. “That was quick.”
The jury walked back in and took their seats as Gracie sat down beside her attorney. They all stood when the Judge walked in, and Gracie noticed that the jury was smiling as the judge asked them if they had reached their verdicts.
“We have your honor.” The jury announced that they had found Mark Cameron guilty on all charges.
Gracie smiled as the judge adjourned the court, and the bailiffs led Mark out of the courtroom still in handcuffs. “It’s over.” Gracie whispered to herself before she walked over to her family.
The storm had abated as they all walked out of the courtroom, and Janet hugged Gracie tightly as she saw the brightest rainbow ever. “It is all yours, Gracie.”
Gracie studied the rainbow and then turned around to look at all the people that had been there to support her. “That is pretty, Mom. However, I think that my rainbow is standing in front of me.” She watched as Jackson walked over to her. “Family and friends are the pot of gold waiting for you at the end.”
Jackson smiled as he heard her while he looked up at the rainbow. “Kim says that the rainbow is a gift from God.” He kissed her before they were joined by the rest of her family.
“I believe it.” She smiled when she saw her father. “Hey, Pop, fairy tales do exist.”
Books by Deborah Price
Life’s Gift
Lost and Found
Rainbow of Roses
The Key to her Heart
Deception
The Game
Cloaked Ice, Hidden Riches
Charmed Liaison
Finding Annie’s Dream
Finding Sammie’s Fantasy
Finding Bea’s Hope
Kismet
Karma
Harbour
Charisma
Kindle
Sagacity
Finding Gracie's Rainbow Page 34