“Then all you’ll have to do is sell ... umm ... ten million books and you’ll be a millionaire.”
He laughed. “You know how many books sell ten million copies?”
“No. How many?”
“Not many!”
Grace was happy because she had taken his mind off of his fears. I can’t let him worry about things like this, she thought.
“I know what you’re doing,” he said. “You’re trying to take my mind off my problem. Don’t worry about me. It does me good to be miserable once in a while.”
She grabbed a handful of his hair, jerked his head over, and kissed him firmly on the lips. “You don’t have to worry. I’m a rich heiress, anyway. Remember, I’m a Winslow.”
“We can’t live off your folks!”
“I know it, Francis. I was just teasing. But I can go to work.”
“I know,” he said, deviltry sparkling in his eyes. “We can do an act.”
“An act? What kind of an act?”
“We can do the Ring of Death. We’ll get another cycle, and you and I can go around to carnivals.”
She lunged at him and knocked him backward off the log he was sitting on. He hit the ground with a grunt, and she threw herself onto his chest, pinning him down. “Don’t you even mention that awful thing! The Ring of Death indeed!”
With her weight pressing against him, Francis reached up and put his arms around her. “Let’s just stay out here. I’ve had more fun tonight than I’ve had in the last six months.”
She kissed him soundly and then stood up. “Remember, we have to behave ourselves on this trip. We’re not married yet.”
He got to his feet and dusted himself off. “That’s a tall order, Grace. Maybe we should have gone to a motel and gotten separate rooms.”
“I doubt that would have helped,” Grace said with a laugh. “No, I think we’ll just have to sit up all night and keep the fire going.”
“And what else?” he asked.
“You can tell me about the next book you’re going to write.”
“I’m not even sure what it’ll be yet.”
“Then you can tell me some more about how to be a lady.”
They did sit up that night until the wee hours of the morning. They leaned against the log and held hands, and from time to time he put his arm around her. Grace felt safe and secure, knowing that Francis wanted to keep their relationship honorable before God as much as she did.
Finally Francis said, “I’m getting awfully sleepy. If I’m gonna drive tomorrow, I need some rest. Guess we’d better bed down.”
“All right. Which side of the fire do you want?”
“Either one. I’ll try to wake up once or twice and keep the fire going.”
They each laid a blanket out on either side of the fire, and then she turned to him almost shyly. “Good night, Francis. I love you.”
“Good night, sweetheart. I love you too.” He put his arms around her, and for a moment she was afraid he would not hold up his end of the bargain. She did not want him to change from what he was. He gave her a soft, quick kiss. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said gruffly.
“Good night, Francis.”
****
The sun was high in the sky when Francis pulled the truck up in front of the Winslow home. “Here we are,” he said. “There come your folks. They must have been sitting there waiting for us.”
Grace almost fell out of the truck in her eagerness. Her mother swept her into an embrace and held her tightly, and her dad then took his turn. Phil shook hands with Francis and asked, “Did you have a good trip?”
“Very good.”
“I’ll help you carry the suitcases in.”
Before they got to the door, Paige came out of the house and went straight to Grace. “I’m so glad to see you, Grace.”
Grace hesitated for just a moment, then stepped forward and embraced Paige. Francis felt a glow of satisfaction. Well, she never did that before. I think everything’s going to be all right.
“It’s good to be back, Paige,” Grace said shyly.
“In front of Mom and Dad, I want to tell you how sorry I am that I treated you so abominably,” Paige said.
“If we start apologizing, I’ll have the most to do,” Grace said quickly.
“Let’s start all over again, all right?” Paige said. “Come inside and tell me everything you’ve been doing.”
They went inside, and Cara and Phil were very glad to see that Paige was bending over backward to be pleasant. Cara had talked with her earlier and knew there had been a change of heart in her daughter, and now she whispered to Phil, “It’s going to be all right, dear. They’re going to be good friends.”
They sat down to a quick lunch and had no more gotten started when Brian pulled up with his whole family. Grace immediately went to Brian and smiled at him. “Brian, I was awful the last time I was here, but I promise you I won’t take any of your children’s money from the inheritance.”
Brian flushed and was so startled he could hardly talk. Then he laughed aloud and said, “Well, it’s all in the family. It’s good to see you, Grace. You look wonderful.”
The day went very pleasantly, and late that afternoon Francis managed to find Phil alone in his den. “Come on in, Francis. Have a seat.”
Francis sat down, and his face had a determined expression. “I don’t know if this will come as a huge shock to you or not, Mr. Winslow, but I have to tell you that I’m in love with your daughter and have asked her to marry me.”
Phil got up at once and put his hand out. “No, it doesn’t come as a surprise, but it comes as very good news.” Francis stood up and took Phil’s hand. “It looks like we’re going to lose a daughter almost as soon as we found her, but I can’t think of any other man I’d rather have for a son-in-law.”
Francis shook his head. “It’s kind of tough on me. I finished the novel I was working on, but it hasn’t been accepted yet.”
“It will be, I’m sure.”
“I’m going back to work for the detective agency.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“I don’t mind it. It’s interesting work. I can write at night. Grace and I have talked it over. I don’t want to marry until I’m able to take care of her.”
“I can understand that. Well, sit down and tell me about the book. I don’t know anything about the publishing business.”
As Francis told about the characters in his book, Phil Winslow reflected on the day he had first met the younger man. He had liked Francis from the start, for he saw in him a depth and a steadiness that he admired, and now he was pleased to have him as a son-in-law. As the conversation turned to wedding plans, he said, “Why don’t you stay here instead of finding a place of your own?”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that!”
“Of course you could. This is a big house. It’d be good to have you.”
“That’s very kind of you, sir.”
“Why don’t you just call me Phil? I’d feel more comfortable. Come on up to the studio. I want to show you some new things I’m working on.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
A New Grace
“I’m going to throw a party.”
Cara looked up, shock in her eyes. “You? A party? You hate parties.”
Phil was in bed watching Cara brush her hair. She turned to stare at him, and he laughed at her expression. “You must think I’m an awful person,” he said. “I don’t see why you’re so surprised. I’m very good at parties.”
Cara sniffed. “You’re terrible at parties! I’m always afraid to drag you to them. I know you’re going to look bored.”
“I won’t look bored at this one.” Phil turned onto his side and propped his head up on his elbow. “You know, you’re just as beautiful now as you were on our wedding night.”
Cara, after all her years with Phil, could still blush. She dropped her eyes for a moment, then laughed. “I was the world’s greenest bride. I’d been cooped up in a sick room
for years.”
“You were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”
“I didn’t know the first thing about ... about being with a man.”
“But you had a good teacher,” he said impishly.
“Oh, you, I’ll throw this hairbrush at you! What kind of a party?”
“An engagement party for Kevin and Lucy.”
“Oh, darling, that’s a wonderful idea!” Cara put the brush down, then came over to the bed and turned out the light. She got in bed beside him. “How long have you been thinking about this?”
“Ever since they decided to get married.”
Cara put her arms around him and kissed him. “You are getting to be a sly thing. But it’s a great idea. Say, why don’t we have a party for both of the couples?”
“No, I think we need to wait and have another party for Francis and Grace later. Francis doesn’t want to announce their engagement publicly until he feels that he can support Grace financially.”
“Oh, of course you’re right. When do you want to have this party for Kevin?” she asked.
“How about tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow night! Why, that’s impossible! You can’t—” She laughed and poked him in the chest. “You’re teasing me. When will it really be?”
“I’ll let you decide when it should be, but I want it to be fancy. Invite all the big shots we know. I’m so proud of Kevin I could simply bust. He’s going to do great things, Cara. You wait and see.”
“Yes, he is, and Lucy’s so sweet. They’re going to make a perfect couple.”
“Another thing,” he said, stroking her back, “it’ll be a good time to introduce our new daughter.”
“Do you think that’s wise?”
“Yes, I do. Have you noticed the change in her? She’s like a new person.”
“Of course I have. I spend more time with her than you do. I think you ought to pay Francis a bonus. He’s really done wonders for her speech, and she’s even showing good taste in clothes.”
He continued to stroke her back and then pulled her close. “I like being married,” he said. “I hope Kevin and Grace like it as well.”
“You’re crushing me!” she protested.
“It’s the caveman in me. I have to keep you under submission. You’re an unruly wife.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he closed it with a kiss and then laughed softly. “There, now be still or I’ll drag out my club.”
They lay there for a while discussing details about the party. She reached up and held her hand against his cheek. “I love you, Phil,” she said quietly.
“And I love you too, sweetheart. I hope our kids are as happy as we are when they’ve been married a hundred years.”
****
Phil Winslow rarely threw himself into social life, but he had determined that the party to introduce his new daughter and daughter-in-law-to-be to New York society would be absolutely top drawer. His family was amazed at how he put himself into it. He hired a top caterer and a special decorator. He insisted on picking out the musicians and even conferred with them about the music that would be played. The house was turned upside down for a few days. But when the night of the party came, Brian stood looking at the house with admiration. “Dad, I didn’t think you had it in you. You’re getting to be as bad as old man Asquith.”
“That’s right,” Phil said with a grin, looking very distinguished in his white tie and tails. “Just an old social climber, that’s me. No riffraff around here.”
“The way Kev’s come out of himself is a miracle. Are you really going to buy him an airplane, Dad?”
“Yes, I certainly will. He’ll make us proud of him, Brian.”
“Well, I’m proud of you,” he said. He smiled at his father and hit him lightly on the shoulder. “You’ve done a great job on this party. It must have cost a fortune.”
“I wanted a celebration Lucy and Kevin would never forget.”
“I don’t think they’ll forget this. Who all is coming?”
“All the big shots that bore me to death.”
“Oh, come on, Dad, they’re not that bad.”
“No, we’re having all of our friends in and all of yours too. Do you think this monkey suit looks all right?”
“You look great, Dad.” An impish light danced in Brian’s eyes. “If you drop dead, we won’t have to do a thing to you.”
“Why, you young whippersnapper! I ought to pop a knot in you!”
“You look great, Dad, and Mom’s dress is beautiful.”
“It should be. It cost enough, but she’s worth it.” The doorbell rang, and they heard the help greeting their first guests at the door. “I guess I’d better go welcome them,” Phil said.
“Have you seen Grace yet?”
“No, I haven’t. She had some kind of a disagreement with Francis about her dress, I understand.”
“Really?” Brian looked interested. “What was the fight about?”
“Francis thought he ought to help her pick it out. You know he’s given her a crash course in how to dress and things like that. She politely told him to paddle his own canoe.” Phil laughed, his teeth white against his tanned skin. “I think he’d gotten used to the idea of making all of Grace’s decisions for her.”
“He’s done a good job of it. You know, I’ve spent some time with Grace. Everything about her is better. Especially her attitude. She’s got a gentleness about her now that was lacking before.”
“I think giving her heart to the Lord has done some of that.”
“You’re right, Dad. Have you seen the dress?”
“No, it’s a big secret. Look, the Asquiths are coming in.”
“I’m surprised you invited them. And John too? After the way they treated Grace, I’m surprised they’d have the nerve.”
“Your mother put some pressure on them. Come along. Let’s go greet them.”
Phil shook hands with Mr. Asquith and John and said, “I’m so pleased you could come tonight.”
“I’m glad to be here, sir,” John said. “Where’s the prospective bridegroom and his bride?”
“They’re right over there, John. I’ll introduce you momentarily.”
The Asquiths looked ill at ease, especially Roger. He could not help remembering the last time he had been at a party with this man’s daughter and what a disaster it had been. “I congratulate you,” he said. “I understand your son is going into flying as a profession.”
“He’s been learning since the spring. I have it on the best authority that he’s a great pilot.”
Mrs. Asquith was looking around nervously. She was obviously looking for Grace, and Phil smiled inwardly. “Mrs. Asquith, I know you’re a busy woman. It was so nice of you to come to Kevin’s engagement party.”
“I’m anxious to meet the young woman.”
“You’ll like her, I’m sure.”
Phil Winslow had an impish streak in him that surfaced from time to time. He knew that the Asquiths had come partly out of curiosity to meet Kevin’s fiancée, but he knew they had also heard that Grace had come back. “Come along,” Phil said. “I’ll introduce you to Lucy.” They had started across the room when a movement on the stairway caught Phil’s eye. He looked up and smiled. “Just a minute. Here comes someone you’ll want to greet.”
The trio followed Phil’s gaze and watched as Grace came down the stairs. Phil had never been so proud as he was as he watched his daughter descend the stairway gracefully, her head up, a smile on her face. And the dress! It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. The deep blue sequined evening dress by Chanel had a rather low neckline in front and a plunging V down to her waist in the back. It was sleeveless, and the fluid lines of the dress ran smoothly along the curves of her body. The back of the skirt had a series of pleats that started at the waist, gathered together by a small sequined bow, and a short train trailed behind her as she walked.
Grace greeted the Asquiths with a calm graciousness that delighted Phil. She smiled a
nd said, “How are you, John. I’m glad to see you again.”
John stepped forward and took her hand. “You’re looking beautiful, Grace.”
“Why, thank you, John.” She greeted his parents. “Mr. Asquith. Mrs. Asquith. It’s so good to see you.”
The Asquiths, Phil saw, were absolutely astonished. This was a woman they had never seen before! There was a quiet dignity about her, and her voice was low-pitched instead of shrill. There was no gum chewing, and as she welcomed them to the party, they stared at her as if she were a strange specimen.
Francis had drawn near off to one side and witnessed Grace’s entrance. He came forward to stand by her side and greeted the Asquiths pleasantly. Everyone in the room had turned to watch the group. Most of the guests knew of the difficulties the Asquiths had experienced with Grace and were curious about the ongoing drama.
The most interested person there was Paige Winslow. She had been standing beside Kevin and Lucy, and when Grace had started down the stairs, she had nudged Lucy. “Look, there comes my sister.”
Kevin had whistled low at the sight. “Wow, is she ever something!”
“She’s so beautiful and regal—she looks like a princess!” Lucy whispered.
Paige waited until Grace had spoken with the Asquiths; then she joined the group, touching John’s arm as she did.
His eyes opened wide when he found her standing next to him.
She smiled at him. “How are you, John?”
“F-fine,” he stammered. “You’re looking beautiful tonight, Paige.”
“Thank you, John. Good to see you here, Mr. Asquith, Mrs. Asquith. I’m so pleased you could come.”
Once again the couple was taken aback. They had been the instrument of separating their son from this young woman, and now she was acting so graciously. And they were very aware that their son couldn’t take his eyes off her. When the others moved on to greet other guests, Roger said, “Now, John, don’t go getting any ideas.”
John stiffened. “Ideas?” he said, his face sober. “What do you mean?”
“I mean about that woman. Remember that you’re already engaged.”
“Father, you and Mother are responsible for separating me from the finest girl in New York. I plan to break off my engagement to Margaret. She was your choice for me, and I have no feelings for her whatsoever! I’m going to talk to Paige and beg her pardon for being such a milksop. And furthermore, I’m not taking any more of your suggestions about whom I shall marry.” He walked quickly away, leaving his parents gasping like two fish.
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