by Heather Hunt
He took her hand in his.
“First, let’s pray about it. Ask God to give you a sense of peace about everything that has happened tonight.” He edged himself toward the front of the swing, and Grace followed suit. “After that, you’ve got to head back inside and take care of things in there. You’re gonna’ have a ton of things to do. Phone calls. Paperwork.”
“I guess I should start by apologizing to Sally,” Grace hung her head. “I was pretty harsh with her.”
“I’m sure she understood that you were distraught, but apologizing is a good idea anyway.” He gave her a quick hug. “I know what close friends the two of you have become.”
She nodded her head in agreement.
“Jack?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you pray?”
“Sure,” he nodded and took both of her hands in his. They bowed their heads.
“Lord, please help Grace through this trial. And please help the others here at Mansfield Park. There are going to be a lot of people hurting here, and some of them won’t know how to handle things. We thank you for Emma and the wonderful person that she was and for the amazing life that she lived as a servant for your kingdom. We also thank you for her friendship and how she made everyone around her smile. We love you and trust in your will for our lives. Amen.”
“Jack?”
“Yeah, Gracie?”
“Thank you. That was nice.”
“You’re welcome.” He raised her hand to his lips and planted a kiss on her thumb. “Listen. Why don’t you get everything squared away inside, and then you can let me make you a late dinner.”
“Do you actually cook?”
“I actually cook,” he confirmed. “Hey, I don’t have a chef on my staff like some people around here. I have to fend for myself.”
Grace laughed. “I suppose I could chance it. We could always come back here if it’s not edible.”
“You’re gonna’ eat those words.” Jack pulled her forward for a hug. “Now get back in there and show them the Gracie Woodhouse that everyone has come to know and love.”
Grace grinned as she headed back inside. She wondered if Jack realized what he’d said or if it had been just a figure of speech. Love? She was definitely feeling something close to that, but Jack was so out of her league that she couldn’t imagine him ever feeling such an emotion for her. Even so, tonight had shown her that there was always hope.
She couldn’t dwell on it right now, though. Emma’s death was weighing heavily on her heart. Grace sighed. It seemed unfair that a piece of her heart had to break just as another part was opening up.
•∞•∞•
Once all of the necessary calls were made and the residents notified of Emma’s death, Grace was able to leave. She stood on the porch gripping the handrail with white knuckles as she watched the taillights of the hearse pull away from the residence. She heard the creak of a rocker and looked beside her to find Jack and his grandfather sitting on the porch.
“Hard day, wasn’t it?” the older man commented. “I’ll be praying for you, Grace.” The words were practically the first serious ones that had ever crossed the man’s lips.
“Thank you, Mr. Ellis,” she told him, touched at the sentiment. She looked toward Jack.
“Everything taken care of?” he asked.
“I hope,” she answered. “I haven’t had any experience dealing with something like this, so I’m not sure.”
“I’m sure you did fine,” he told her. “Well, let’s get going.”
“Tell your grandmother I’ll see her later tonight,” the old man said, giving Grace a quirky smile as he did so.
Her blush elicited a laugh from the older man as Grace and Jack headed toward the parking area.
“What was that about?” Jack asked.
“Don’t even ask,” she moaned.
“Gramps up to his rascally antics again?”
“You have no idea,” she shook her head and laughed. “I’m just glad you guys finally got those locks on the residents’ doors.”
Jack stopped mid-stride and gaped at Grace.
“You’re kidding.” He covered his eyes. “No, knowing him, I suppose you’re not.”
They shared a laugh and walked toward his truck. He opened the passenger door and Grace climbed into the cab.
“I can’t believe how high this thing is,” she marveled. “How in the world did I ever climb into it at the hospital.”
“You didn’t,” he told her.
“Another instance where you rescued me?” She turned her head his way and grinned. “I suppose I ought to thank you again for risking your back hauling me up into this monstrosity.”
“Don’t mention it. You’re light as a feather.”
“Are you serious?” she giggled. “If you only knew the torture my mother put me through before I moved here. She wanted me to look like her version of the perfect business executive. I’ve never tried so many diets in my life.”
“So that was what the get-up was about.”
“Get-up?”
“Clothes, heels, the other things you were wearing,” he paused. “You know what I’m talking about.”
“Yeah, I guess,” she smiled. “Although I have to say that the shoes are growing on me.”
“So what’s with the Nikes, then?” He lowered his gaze to her shoes.
“The heels just haven’t grown on me that much,” she added with a laugh. “But give me time, Jack Ellis. One day I’m gonna’ knock your socks off with a pair of stilettos that you’ll never forget!”
“Sounds like a promise I just might hold you to, Gracie Woodhouse,” he predicted with a flash of his smile.
The rumble of the engine smoothed out as they exited the parking lot and pulled onto the deserted highway.
“Where are we headed?” she finally asked as they headed out of town.
“My place,” he answered. “Although, right now, I’d have to call it my grandparents’ place. I mainly use it for a vacation spot. A getaway. They kind of took it over when they sold their house down on the river, though. I’ve been staying there full-time since I started on the Mansfield Park project. I think my grandmother likes having me around since Gramps moved into Mansfield Park to recover from his surgery.”
“Will they stay on there?” Grace asked. The location seemed a bit remote, especially for an elderly couple.
“No,” he shook his head. “They’ve bought a smaller place in town, something with one level. I’m making sure everything is in order there so that when Gramps is finished with his rehabilitation, they’ll be able to move right in. Grandma Claire already has most of it decorated.”
“And where to you normally hang your hat?” She motioned to an Atlanta Braves’ baseball cap she hadn’t seen before today. “Atlanta?”
“Not quite. I don’t think I could be a city boy for long.” He checked the rearview mirror and switched on his turn signal. “That’s my dad’s territory. Mom loves the city, too.”
“I can understand that,” Grace smiled. “My Mom’s a city girl, too. Except for an occasional ski trip, I don’t think my mother could survive it in the mountains.”
“I’m not sure I could survive without them,” Jack told her as he turned onto a smaller road. “I’ve got another house in Ellijay. That’s where I stay most of the time. It’s a pretty easy drive to downtown Atlanta, and I can zip up here if my grandparents need anything. Plus, I still get to live in the mountains.”
“It’s an amazing place to live,” Grace agreed. “I’m not sure how I’ll ever be able to leave here.”
“You don’t have to, you know,” Jack commented.
“Well...” Grace’s response was cut short as Jack turned onto a deeply rutted gravel driveway.
As he made a sharp switchback and navigated the truck up the steep driveway, Grace leaned her head against the cool window and took in the scenery. After the emotional roller coaster she’d experienced tonight, she didn’t think that she could de
lve into anything more than small talk for the rest of the evening. Furthermore, as far as her feelings for Jack were concerned, some things were better left unsaid. She’d already had enough hurt. She couldn’t take anymore right now.
The driveway was surrounded by all sorts of vegetation. It seemed familiar. Kind of like the path near Mrs. Elderman’s, only bigger in scale. Even through the darkness, she could tell that there was green everywhere. Though many of the trees had lost their leaves, there was still a dense canopy of majestic pines surrounding the driveway. There was also a thick groundcovering of moss and vines which crept along to cover the boulders on the right side of the drive.
Suddenly, the truck lights flashed upon a pair of eyes peeking through the overgrown brush.
“Something’s watching us,” Grace shivered and pointed toward a large brush pile.
Jack slowed down the vehicle and looked toward the direction Grace had indicated.
“It’s a deer,” he told her after a few seconds. “Probably more than one of them.”
He rolled down the window and clapped his hand against the side of the truck. Sure enough, within seconds, Grace saw a couple of white tails bobbing toward the safety of the deep woods.
“I’m not sure that I’ve ever been that close to a deer,” her green eyes sparkled with amazement.
Jack was glad that he had been a part of Grace getting to experience the encounter with the deer. Experiencing nature, getting a firsthand glimpse of God’s wonder, was always a gift.
Jack smiled to himself. Grace didn’t realize it yet, but this mountain was full of wonder. Sights and sounds that were free for anyone with the time or the inclination to notice what God has so miraculously given them. Every day he saw or heard or smelled something that caused him to marvel.
If Jack could have his way, he would keep doing special things for Grace, keep giving her these little glimpses into the world he loved until he wore down every citified defense she could muster. He’d make her love this place so much that she would never leave. Never leave his mountain town. Never leave him.
The thought caught him by surprise. Over the past few weeks, he’d struggled with the realization that he was falling in love with Grace. He glanced across to where she was sitting on the edge of her seat, taking in the scenery like a kid at the zoo. He didn’t have to wonder any longer. It was as clear to him as the look of joy on her face.
Of course he was in love with her. There was really no question about it. As a matter of fact, if he thought about it at all, he’d probably realize that he’d been in love with her from just about the first moment he’d laid eyes on her…and the entire injured, sprawling mess that she’d been.
But Lord, what do I do from here? The question crossed his mind, but as he looked back at Grace, he felt an overwhelming sense of peace.
God was in control, and He would take care of things in His own time. Jack just hoped that he could be patient as he waited on God’s plan to come to fruition.
A couple of minutes later, Jack pulled the truck to a stop and turned on his bright lights.
Grace stared at the sight before her with disbelief.
“This is your house?” she asked, thinking all the while that there was no way an esteemed member of the Jackson Ellis Construction firm would sink to living in conditions such as the ones before her.
“Not what you were expecting?”
“Well,” she hedged.
“This is Gramps’ fishing shack. He lived here for a couple of years while he was doing construction back in the early fifties. Even after he bought up the surrounding land and built a house for Grandma Alice, he kept the place running. Still uses it when he gets the urge to get away from the phones.”
He pointed to his left, and Grace caught sight of the river nestled at the base of the mountain. The view was not clear, but Grace could make out a series of shiny ripples as the moonlight pierced the darkness to cast both shadow and light through the canopy of trees.
He put the truck in gear again, and they drove past the ‘shack’ and headed farther up the mountain. The night had become cool, so Grace did not open her window. She could imagine the sound of the river below, though. It was a peaceful thought. What else would it be in the most beautiful place she’d ever seen!
The truck finally came to a stop. Grace opened her eyes and was transfixed by the sight. Jack’s home was exactly what you would expect an architect or a builder to live in. It was beautiful, a study of wood and rock and glass hanging on the side of the mountain as if by a will of its own.
She hopped down from the truck before Jack had a chance to help her and looked behind her. Although it was dark, she could tell that they were indeed perched at the top of mountain.
“It’s almost like the clearing near Mrs. Elderman’s,” she commented. “It’s so dark that I can barely see, but I can tell that the world is lying still, right down there below us. It is, isn’t it?”
She turned toward him.
“Actually,” Jack decided to finally let her in on his secret. “This house is right above where we were standing that day.”
“What?” Grace looked a little confused.
“Remember?” he reminded her. “I told you that there was a house above the clearing?”
“I do,” she nodded, “But the road to this place is nowhere near Mrs. Elderman’s.”
“We had to put my driveway on the other side of the mountain,” he told her. “To the east, once you get past the B&B, it’s almost impossible to navigate. The easiest route for a driveway was on the other side.”
“Wow!” Grace said. “It must have been almost impossible to put your driveway in.”
“Not the easiest thing I’ve ever coordinated,” he agreed, “But the road crews around here are used to the conditions. It’s almost become second nature for them.”
“I suppose that all of us learn to adapt, especially when there is such a reward to be gained from our efforts.” She leaned back against the tailgate of the truck.
“I think that you’re exactly right.” He grabbed her hand. “I also think that I’m going to starve if we don’t get inside for dinner.”
Hand in hand, they walked toward the steps. When they arrived at the foot of the stairway, Grace eyed the steep expanse with trepidation.
“Need a piggy-back ride?” Jack offered as his laughing blue gaze settled on Grace’s ankle.
“I think I can manage,” Grace headed up the steps with ease. “I’ve been fine for weeks now, Jack.”
“But it’s so fun to take care of you,” he joked as he jogged up the steps behind her. “You’re such a perfect damsel in distress.”
“Is that what I am to you?” She stopped and turned toward him with her hands on her hips. “A damsel in distress?”
“Only when I’m lucky,” he grinned. Then, without allowing her to argue, he took her hand and tugged her toward the terrace.
Grace tried to take in the exterior of the house. There was so much rock and cedar and she didn’t know where to begin. The terrace was a work of art in itself with its huge rock columns and the smooth expanse of flagstone covering the space.
“I’d wager that this is probably one of the most perfect spots on earth,” she said more to herself than Jack.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“I was just thinking that it must be wonderful to sit out here and look over the mountains. With the right weather, it would be just about perfect.” She walked toward the edge of the terrace and rested her hands on the iron railing.
“Only if you had the perfect person with you,” Jack told her. He walked up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. “You would have to have the right person to make it a truly perfect day.”
Grace turned around and lifted her gaze to his.
“And who─ “
“Well, there you are,” a female voice interrupted whatever Grace had intended to ask. “I was wondering when the two of you were going to get here.”
&n
bsp; Jack let out a breath and turned around.
“Grandma Alice.” Jack took Grace’s hand and together, they walked toward the open door. “Sorry to have kept you waiting. There was a situation at Mansfield Park.”
“You’re grandfather called me,” she told him. “Come here and give me a hug.”
Jack moved to do her bidding, but she moved past him and took Grace in her arms.
“Poor child,” she whispered. “I’m Alice Ellis, by the way. You can call me Grandma Alice.” She gave Grace’s cheek a pat. “I saw you a great deal with your grandparents when you were a young child, but I haven’t had a chance to see you since Jackson moved into Mansfield Park.”
“Yes, ma’am, I know.” Grace smiled. “I think Sally handled Mr. Ellis’ admission. I’ve only seen you from a distance.”
“Well, you children come on in.” She waved them into the house. “I’ve got fried chicken and biscuits warming in the oven.”
Grace glanced over to Jack, and he gave her a guilty grin.
“I thought you were going to cook.” She raised her brows. “And I’m almost certain I remember you saying something about ‘fending for yourself.’”
“About that,” he began.
“Don’t get me started, Jack Ellis.” She raised her hand with a grin, effectively cutting off any excuse he might make. “I’m sure that I would much rather eat your grandmother’s dinner instead of your cooking anyway.”
“I’m wounded, Grace.” Jack put his hand over his heart. “I can’t believe...”
“Stop your gabbing, Jack, and bring that girl to the table.”
Reproached by not only one, but both of the women in the room, Jack moved to do his grandmother’s bidding. He led Grace toward an immaculately set table located in a nook to the side of the kitchen. There was a huge bay window there that Grace was sure would offer a beautiful view during the daytime.