“Because of Grace.” Hattie’s matter of fact answer took him back.
“Grace?”
Hattie nodded. “You had a crush on her, wanted to date her. Your daddy found out and sent you away.”
“I remember him telling me I would never be with Grace. Why though?”
“I’m not privy to the why’s of your family, child.”
Xander chuckled. “You know more than you are privy to; you and I both know that.”
“Shush, child.” Hattie smiled. “I don’t know the full story. I do know there was talk about your momma getting pregnant with Dale before her and your daddy was married.”
“Why would that cause a feud?”
“It wasn’t the reason for the feud. It just was a continuation of fight that had been going on for years.” Hattie rocked and Xander sat quietly waiting. “I’m not sure what generation started it, but I know it has gone on and on for years.”
“Why make a big deal of me wanting to date Grace though? I was a teenager. Not a relationship that probably would have gone the distance.” The words sounded empty even to Xander. He wanted nothing more than for it to go the distance now. He wasn’t sure where those thoughts came from, but without a doubt he was starting to fall in love with her.
“Child, you know the best one to ask is your daddy.”
Xander shook his head. “That’s not going to happen. He was upset that I went to Abigail’s funeral.”
“So what else is changing?”
Xander fidgeted, keeping his eyes downcast. “Abigail named me as co-heir in her will. Grace doesn’t know it yet and I’ll get the details this week at the lawyers, but…she’s going to hate me.”
Hattie sat forward in her rocking chair. “She doesn’t know it’s you?”
“No.”
“Why haven’t you told her?”
Xander stood and paced the floor. “She’s already upset that there is a co-heir and the stipulations that Abigail put on it. Hattie, it’s going to be a mess and I just, I just want Grace to be open to getting to know me.”
“Ahh, that says it all right there. Boy, you’re ready to settle down finally.” It wasn’t a question. Hattie could always see right through Xander and she had listened to him talk before he was sent away. The memories came flooding back and suddenly Xander remembered how badly he had wanted to date Grace back then. She had been oblivious to him, so it seemed. Even now, Grace had stated she didn’t remember the Stevens boys. Of course, Dale had been sent off years before Xander had.
“Wait. If I was sent away because of Grace, then why was Dale sent away?”
“He was a reminder to your daddy of why he married your momma. He did the right thing, and what your grandfather told him to do. I think you need to talk to Grace before you learn more of this feud. I think it would do you both good to hear it together.” Hattie nodded, convincing herself.
Xander sighed. “Thanks, Hattie.” He bent over and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be in touch.”
Xander took the back road to get to town and the hotel. His mind churned with different scenarios of how Grace was going to handle the news.
Chapter 12
Xander sat at Daisy’s Bakery, his coffee cooling in front of him as he stared out the window. He had no idea what to expect at the lawyer’s this morning, but one thing was for sure, he knew he’d be expected to move back to this small town. The thought of it choked him, his body screaming at him to run and get away before this meeting.
Expectations. Damn, that word again. Abigail had gone and put expectations on both Grace and him. Expectations that no doubt they would both fail to meet. He shook his head to clear the thoughts. He sipped his coffee and grimaced. Nothing worse than a cold brew. The inevitable loomed before him and he stood. Squaring his shoulders, he walked down the block to the lawyers. Might as well get this over with.
Xander paused just inside the door of the lawyer’s office. The secretary talked quietly on the phone, motioning for him to sit down. Xander sank into a chair and tapped his fingers on his thigh. Agitation welled up in him.
“Mr. Stevens, come on in.”
Xander rose and passed by the lawyer into the office. He glanced around, taking in the pictures of the man’s family. How happy and close they seemed felt like a sucker punch to the gut.
“Have a seat.” Bob gestured to the chair. “I’m sure you have lots of questions and Abigail warned me you would not be an easy one to get in here. Thank you for coming.”
Xander sat and nodded, then waited for the lawyer to continue. Bob shuffled the papers in a folder in front of him, his hand coming to rest on an envelope. Bob slid it across the desk towards Xander.
“What’s that?” Xander made no effort to pick it up.
“It’s an explanation, written by Abigail, that she wished you read before we proceeded any further. She knew that you wouldn’t come on the first meeting with Grace, although I’d hoped she would have been wrong on that.”
Xander stared at the envelope. “Why don’t you just tell me what’s in it?”
Bob shook his head. “Abigail insisted you read it before we proceed. I will leave you to go through it.” Before Xander could answer, Bob exited the office, shutting the door quietly behind him.
The ticking of the small clock on the corner of the desk taunted Xander as he sat still. He didn’t want to read it, but his curiosity won. He picked up the envelope and unsealed it. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He unfolded the letter and sat back.
Dearest Xander,
I know you are probably a bit unhappy with me at the moment, wondering why I would name you in the will. And I would imagine your free spirit is feeling a bit stifled, but please try to understand my reasoning.
I first of all owe you an apology. I knew your father sent you away because of Grace. Deep down, I was angry at John for this and I suppose I started helping you out as part of a dig to him. It certainly didn’t continue in that vein as I got to know you. I am in total disagreement with your father’s thoughts on you and Grace. I feel you two are made for each other and hence, this is part of the reason for my ultimate plot to bring you two back together.
Already you are feeling uncomfortable about this, and I can only hope it is because you feel Grace will be angry with you and I hope you and her have already connected in some way. I am sure, knowing you, however, that you have not been totally honest with my Gracie about who you are. And my dear, you are a Stevens, but that lineage and their mistakes in life doesn’t need to define who it is that you’ve become. We have talked about this numerous times over the years. You can rise above the snobbery of your family and bring a new legacy with your name. Overcome the feud of years ago. There is so much you and Grace don’t know. All I ask is that you go into this with an open mind and an open heart for Gracie.
Xander, I have always been very proud of your accomplishments. Stand tall in all that you do and all that you love. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.
My love as always,
Abigail
Xander folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope. He blinked the wetness from his lashes. Abigail had always been his cheerleader, no matter what he wanted to do. She had encouraged him—not only to try new things, but to stand up for himself and what he believed, to not follow the crowd. He sighed as he thought about how he had let her down by just staying away from his family as the easiest way to deal with them instead of standing up for himself to his father.
Xander squared his shoulders as the lawyer entered the room again and quietly closed the door behind him. “I trust you had time to read through the letter?”
Xander nodded. “What am I supposed to do with this information?”
Bob’s sympathy rolled over Xander. “It wasn’t meant to give you all the information you needed for this endeavor, just an explanation of Abigail’s thought process.”
Xander shook his head. “Doesn’t really do that.”
Bob sat back
in his chair. “What questions do you have for me? Keep in mind, we should be doing this with Grace here, but I understand the oddity of Abigail’s request.”
“I’m not sure I understand what it is that Abigail even wants from us. The letter was more of an apology than an explanation.”
Bob nodded. “I had no idea what it was she wrote. I encouraged her to give both you and Grace a full explanation; apparently she did not. And the letter she left for Grace, there is strict instructions that Grace can’t have it until the two years is up.”
“Two years?”
“Mr. Stevens, I can’t go over the details today with you. I really need to have you and Grace together to get everything out in the open. We need to do this Friday.”
Xander stood. “I have a job I need to return to.”
Bob nodded. “Yes, a job that you freelance and really can do from anywhere, isn’t that correct?”
With a sigh, Xander nodded. “I’ll be here Friday.” The tension in Xander’s shoulders didn’t lessen as he strode down the sidewalk with long strides. He was on edge and just wanting a fight. He decided to go home and see what his father thought of this new development. That should be just the fight he needed to blow off some steam.
Xander headed straight to the hotel to get his motorcycle. Revving the engine, he took off towards the Stevens Estate. He relaxed as the motorcycle soothed his tense muscles and his mind cleared as he became one with the bike. Like always, being on the motorcycle calmed him like nothing else could. He drove by his parents’ driveway, heading towards the McAllister place. He stopped on the side of the road and took in the view of the house and surrounding grounds. Could he picture himself living here? Yeah, with Grace…if she could ever get over his lying to her. Was omitting the truth the same as lying?
With a sigh, he turned his bike towards the cold home of his family and knew it was time to let his parents know what was going on. Part of him hoped for a fight about it. He wanted to get to the bottom of what the big secret was between these two families, yet part of him didn’t really care anymore, not since he got to know Grace. He just wanted to move past the feud and hopefully they could get past this manipulation that Abigail pulled, but he was doubtful that things would ever be the same between Grace and him again.
Chapter 13
Xander stormed into his parents’ home. Not waiting for Gerald to let him in, he stopped just inside the foyer. As he glanced around at the grandiose surroundings, bitter bile made its way to his throat. This was a joke—a façade that he had tried to escape, but now it was time to call it for what it was.
“FATHER, MOTHER.” Xander’s voice echoed through the vast area. He paced in front of the door, waiting for some sort of response. The longer he waited, the more anger coursed through him.
“What is it, Sebastian? Why are you shouting?” John came down the hall from his study. The look of pure embarrassment that his son would even have the audacity to raise his voice in the house just added fuel to Xander’s rage.
“We need to talk, NOW.” Xander gestured towards the sitting room. This room was rarely used, as they didn’t entertain company.
“Why not come down to my study?” John started to turn.
“No. We’re not going to your study. We’re going to sit in the formal room over here just to give good form to the epitome of lies that we hide behind.” Xander strode into the sitting room, leaving no room for argument. He stood at the fireplace, staring into the firebox, listening to his father instructing Gerald to go get his mother.
“What’s this about?” John’s voice broke through Xander’s thoughts. Xander took a deep breath and turned just as his mother strode into the room.
“Sebastian, what is the meaning of this?”
Xander shook his head. “Oh, please. What is the meaning of this façade of a family we have here?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I came back to town for one reason only—for Abigail McAllister’s funeral.”
“You mentioned that and we agreed it wasn’t to be mentioned again.”
“No, Mother. You said it wasn’t to be mentioned again. I am here for a while because I have some legal business with Grace and the McAllister Estate. I want to know about the feud that went on.”
“That is ancient history and something that just isn’t discussed.” Elizabeth glanced at John and shook her head.
“Sebastian, you need to let this go.”
“No. I have been put into something that is going to change my life and I have a right to know about it.” Xander clenched his hands by his side and struggled to rein in the anger he just wanted to spew all over his parents. Parents, who should have been a safety net for him, but instead were nothing but an infernal pain in his side for all his life and he was damn if it was going to effect his relationship with Grace.
“Is this about that girl? I thought we got through to you years ago that she isn’t for you.” Elizabeth stood. “Sebastian, this discussion is over.” She turned and left the room as Xander stared after her.
“Walk away like you always do.” Bitterness laced Xander’s voice as he called to his retreating mother.
“I don’t want it brought up again.” John’s voice was stern, yet Xander sensed he wanted to say more.
“Why can’t you just say what it is?” Xander pleaded with his father. For once, he just wanted to be able to talk with the man instead of feeling constantly inadequate around him.
John shook his head. “I can’t, son. Please, let it go for your sake, and your mother’s.”
Xander groaned in frustration. He turned and strode from the house, still no closer to the truth than he had been when he left the lawyer’s office. Frustration sliced threw him and he wanted nothing more than to call Grace and hear her soft voice.
Xander was exhausted. The few hours he had been at his parents’ house had mentally wiped him out. He knew he needed to see Grace, but it was going to have to wait until tomorrow. He couldn’t take anymore. He collapsed on the bed. Abigail certainly had turned everyone’s lives upside down.
He dreaded the conversation he would be having tomorrow with Grace. His gut told him this could be the end. He was a Stevens and she was a McAllister, never a good combination and never in history had they ever been together. Xander stared at the ceiling, drifting off to sleep with thoughts of Grace and what could be if they had a future together.
* * *
Grace sat out on her balcony. She watched the stars and mentally found the different constellations that she could remember, the little dipper, the big dipper, Orion’s belt. She sighed, having hoped Xander would’ve been by today. He said he had business to tend to; maybe it had taken all day. Uneasiness sat in her stomach like a lead ball.
Ever since Xander had wandered into Grace’s life, she had been off balance. Her whole life as she had known it was suddenly tipped over and she craved more. More from Xander, more from herself. Never in her life had she felt so alive as she did when Xander was with her. Oh, Mom, I wish you were here to talk to. You’d like Xander. Grace closed her eyes and let a peace wash over her as she allowed memories of heart to heart talks she had had with her mom over the years. She allowed the past words of wisdom to wash over her. Her mom had always told her to follow her heart, but not to allow her heart to be walked on. Grace never fully understood the sentiment until she had had a bad relationship. She realized she had allowed her heart to be a doormat to just keep the peace. She had finally broken it off and her mom had applauded her even through Grace’s tears.
Grace had never shed tears for a loss of love, but for the loss of a love she thought she would never find. A hope had come into town when Xander showed up. Grace felt sure the future could be bright as long as Xander was in her life. She allowed herself to drift off to what-if land, one in which a future would be possible with Xander. She mentally kicked herself for not following through on that conversation with Mrs. Smythe as to who Xander really was, but she had convinced herself that it didn’t matter. But how lon
g could it go on like that, or would it eventually become an obsession with her?
Grace wished she had the courage to contact him herself.
Chapter 14
Xander woke feeling like a freight train had hit him. His eyes were heavy and he lay in bed wishing he could just die…anything but have this meeting this morning with Grace and the lawyer. He willed his mind to shut down and not overthink everything that could happen at this meeting. Grace was going to be livid when she found out he was a Stevens.
He never went by Xander until he had gotten to college. Grace would’ve remembered him as Sebastian if she even remembered him at all. He swung his feet over the side of the bed and rubbed his eyes. Coffee. He needed coffee to get through this meeting.
Showering quickly, Xander put aside his thoughts and focused on the fresh-brewed morning glory he was about to experience at Daisy’s. He was thinking like a child, but he couldn’t dwell on the meeting. Abigail sure threw him under the bus and uprooted his life. He wanted to be angry, yet he couldn’t help but worry more about Grace in all this. She was going to be blindsided and he was a coward for not talking to her the past couple of days.
Xander wandered down the street to the coffee shop. He would be arriving early at the lawyer’s, but he just wanted it over with. And in his mind he believed that arriving before Grace would give him the upper hand. What did he need the upper hand for? No idea, but it sounded good.
He grabbed his coffee and started down the street for the lawyer’s office. He kept an eye out for Grace, hoping she wasn’t one of these that were perpetually early to everything. As he slipped inside, he took the cover off his travel cup and inhaled the rich aroma. The scent immediately cleared his mind and his shoulders relaxed. The tension lessened and he inhaled deeply again.
“Mr. Stevens, welcome. Thank you for coming in.” Bob extended his hand.
Xander covered his coffee and gripped the lawyer’s hand. Bob gestured him to enter the office.
A Fine Line Page 7