“Grace should be here shortly.” Xander nodded and sipped his coffee. “I know you are worried about all of this, but I think it will be fine.”
Xander’s mind wandered as Bob rattled on, spouting reassurances that were as empty as Abigail’s house at the moment. He sighed. A house he would soon be moving into. He grimaced with the thought of moving into the home with Grace if she absolutely hated him. He prayed for a slight crack in the anger that may come, where an opportunity for healing and a chance for their love to foster might present itself Their love? Xander heard the secretary and knew instantly Grace had arrived.
He moved to the back corner of the room, leaning against the wall, causally sipping his coffee and giving the appearance of not having a care in the world. Instead, his insides twisted painfully with the thought of facing Grace.
Grace swept into the office. “Bob, so sorry I’m a few minutes late.”
Bob chuckled. “As usual Grace, you are right on time.”
Xander took in the jeans and silk top Grace wore. She had her hair pulled back into a ponytail that made her look years younger. He took a tentative step forward. “Grace.”
Xander felt like he had just been sucker punched as Grace turned to look at him. “Xander?” Her voice questioned the sight of him, yet her eyes clouded over. “I don’t understand. Why are you...?” Grace shifted her eyes between Bob and Xander.
Bob glanced up and smiled. “Grace, you know Sebastian?”
“Sebastian? No, Xander.”
Xander glanced down at his now cold coffee. “Sebastian Alexander Stevens. I started going by Xander in college.”
“Stevens?” The shrill reached Grace’s ears and she cringed. She was not the type to give into hysterics, but no, this just couldn’t be. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want this reaction. I didn’t know what Abigail had done.”
Grace stood and walked behind her chair. She gripped the back of the seat and leaned forward. “I point blank asked you your last name, you refused to tell me. You lied to me.”
“I didn’t lie. I didn’t want this reaction and honestly I didn’t think I would be sitting here with you right now in this situation.” Xander stood. “Please, Grace, sit back down.”
“No. There is some mistake.” She turned her eyes to Bob. “Tell me this is a mistake. You know the history.”
Bob shook his head slowly. “Your mom knew exactly what she was doing, Grace. I’m sorry.”
Grace shook her head and closed her eyes. In a matter of seconds, her mother had ripped the rug right out from under her and she had no idea what to do. She needed air. She had to leave. “I need to…I can’t do this.” Grace turned towards the door.
Xander beat her to it. He placed his hand under her elbow. “Grace, what do you need?” His voice was low. She felt lightheaded and felt like she would collapse at any minute.
“I need you to leave.” She hissed at him, but she didn’t pull away.
“Bob, give us just a couple of minutes, please.” Xander glanced over his shoulder. Xander pulled Grace to the side as Bob left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
“No, Xander…Sebastian, whatever your name is. You lied. I can’t do this.”
“I didn’t really lie. I do go by Xander. The only ones that call me Sebastian are my parents. I know this was the last thing you were expecting, but I didn’t know about this. I have been just as floored as you to find out about this.”
“You knew the other night, didn’t you? When I was telling you about my meeting here Monday.” The accusation hit him hard and he nodded his head.
“I just found out the night before. I couldn’t come Monday. I didn’t know what to say to you…I still don’t. All I know is I want you in my life, Grace. I want to continue to get to know you.”
Grace gave a bitter laugh. “Well, looks like we’re stuck with each other for the next couple of years, whether we want to be or not.” She walked to the door and flung it open. “Bob, let’s get this over with.”
* * *
She never glanced at Xander the rest of the meeting as they sat and listened to the terms of the will. Xander never took his eyes off her, and she never took her eyes off the lawyer.
“What happens if I refuse to follow these terms?” Xander finally spoke.
“Abigail was very clear. If one of you refuses, the house will be auctioned off and all proceeds will go to charity.”
Grace gasped. A tear ran down her cheek. She turned towards Xander. “Well, here’s your chance. Your family will be relieved that the McAllisters are no longer their neighbors.”
Xander shook his head. “I’m not doing that. Grace, it was a question to see what the results were. I would never have you lose your home.”
“It’s not my home…well, I guess it is, but it’s not what I wanted.” She turned towards the lawyer. “What happens at the end of two years, and are there any other stipulations we need to know?”
Oh, Abigail, you did not think this through. I hope this doesn’t backfire and you end driving these two apart. “You need to live in the house for two years, together, and start the business of your choice involving the horses that Abigail had already purchased. If either of you don’t make it the two years, the consequence I mentioned before goes into effect. There is only one other way to get out of it, but I’m prohibited to tell you that yet.”
“Why?” The single word was out of both Grace and Xander’s mouths in unison.
“You will need to meet with me every six months, and only then can I give you that information if I see what I need to in order to give you the clause.”
“Is there anything else?” Tiredness laced Grace’s voice.
“No, that’s it. You should move in as soon as possible, but you have until September first. However, the sooner you move in, the sooner the two year time frame starts.” Bob stood and shook both of their hands. “Grace, I know this is a shock. Know that your mom loved you very much and she truly thought she was doing what was best.”
“If you say so. At this moment, you couldn’t convince me of that.” Grace turned and left the room, feeling the stares of Xander and the lawyer following after her.
“Thank you, sir.” Xander shook Bob’s hand again and followed Grace.
By the time he exited the office, Grace was half way down the block. He broke into a jog to catch up. “Grace.”
She slowed, but didn’t turn towards him. He fell into step beside her. He longed to reach for her hand, lace his fingers through hers and tell her it was going to be okay.
“You’re a coward.”
“Excuse me?”
“You could have told me; instead, you avoided me the past couple of days.”
“I know.” Xander grabbed her hand and stopped, giving her no choice but to stop also. “Grace, we need to talk about this.”
She pulled her hand free. “No, we don’t. You’ve got your keys to the house. Pick a room on the west side of the house, I’ll be on the east side. We will have nothing to do with each other over the next couple of years except for any conversation that Mom has dictated by her agreements. Understood?”
Xander searched her eyes and the flames burning there cautioned him against saying anything. He simply nodded and watched her walk away. It was going to be a long two years if they weren’t talking.
Chapter 15
Grace taped up the last box she had filled. Her apartment was empty except for the boxes she had to take to the car. She was moving back home. She didn’t know when Xander would be arriving to the house, but she didn’t care at this point. She just wanted to get these crappy next two years over with. She glanced around her apartment. Celia, one of her good friends, had agreed to sublet the apartment from her so she wouldn’t have to give it up.
She lugged the rest of the boxes to the car. She leaned against the car and just looked at the apartment. She had loved this place; her mom knew that. She was so angry she couldn’t even shed a tear at th
e way her life had been manipulated. She felt the bitterness creep into her and that angered her, too. Bitter was the last thing she wanted to be feeling. Just a week ago, she was letting go of her inhibitions, getting a tattoo with Xander…
Xander, the man she felt most alive around and now the man she absolutely detested so much she couldn’t see straight.
Sebastian. She remembered him from grade school. He had been a year ahead of her and she had thought he was so good looking. Well, he hadn’t lost his looks. She sighed. She had wanted him to ask her out so badly and her mom had talked with her about him at length. She had said he wasn’t for her, that she needed to set her eyes on someone better suited for her. Grace had been heartbroken when Sebastian went away. She never heard another word about him. It was like he had dropped off the face of the earth.
Time to start over one more time, on someone else’s terms. She hoped Xander felt as out of control as she did. She couldn’t handle if he took this all in stride. She needed him off kilter as much as she was so at least they would be on even ground.
By the time Grace turned into the driveway of the house, her nerves were frazzled. She didn’t want to run into Xander. Yet all she could think about was falling into his arms and letting him hold her, telling her it would be okay. She turned off the car and just sat there, staring.
She had so many memories here. Most good ones. She loved growing up here, but had always longed to be out on her own. Well, she certainly was on her own now, just not the way she envisioned it. She sighed as the front door opened and Xander stepped out. He had beat her here.
She watched him descend the steps slowly before she opened the door as he reached her car. “Need some help?”
Grace nodded and popped the trunk open. “Did you get settled in okay?”
“Yup. Took the room farthest away from where you will be.” He grabbed a stack of boxes and headed inside.
She had been wretched to him and here he was thinking of her comfort and not trying to invade her space too much. Grace sighed as she watched Xander go into the house, arms full of boxes. She regretted what she had said to him, but there was no doubt about it, this was a difficult situation at best. She had come to the conclusion last night as she tossed and turned in her bed that it would be best to stop anything between them now.
They spent the rest of the morning in silence, lugging in Grace’s stuff. Xander quietly disappeared while Grace started to unpack. She surveyed the room. Nothing had changed since she moved out five years ago. Her old accomplishments, trophies, and certificates filled the bookcases and hung on the wall. The room was a room of a teenager and Grace hated it.
She wandered down the hall to what had been her mom’s room. There had been many nights Grace had slept in here beside her mother, caring for her. The room had been cleaned thoroughly after her death. She sat in the reading chair beside the bed and closed her eyes. Memories of her mom and dad, laughing and dancing with her, filled her mind. How she wanted to be mad at her mother for doing this to her, yet love overcame the resentment that Grace tried so hard to hold onto the past few days.
* * *
Xander wandered around the kitchen familiarizing himself. The refrigerator sat empty. He started a list of what they would need for basics. He took the stairs two at a time looking for Grace. Her room was empty. He moseyed down the hall and peeked in another room. She sat in a chair, eyes closed, a small smile on her face.
Xander leaned against the doorframe and just wanted her. Although her hair was pulled back once again, she looked so peaceful and beautiful. Grace had no idea how beautiful she was, inside and out. She was someone in this short time that Xander had found himself looking up to. She wanted more in life, but saw the good in everyone. He could only hope she would see the good in him over the next couple of years.
He cleared his throat softly. “Grace?”
Her eyes opened slowly. “I can’t do it. I can’t move into my old room.”
Xander approached her and kneeled before her. “Then don’t. Take a different room. Sleep in here.”
Grace shook her head. “No. This was Mom’s room.”
“I get that, but she’s gone, Grace. This is your house now. Make it yours.”
Grace smiled. She squeezed Xander’s hand. “Our house now, apparently.” It was a simple statement, no anger, no bitterness, just fact.
“I’m headed to the store to get some provisions. Do you want anything special?” Xander stood.
“Do you want some company?” Grace looked up at him. He was all muscle and she remembered the feel of those arms wrapped around her, his lips touching hers. She ran her tongue over her lip.
“Sure, but we can only get limited things with the bike.”
“We’ll take the car and stock up.” Grace stood as Xander took a step back. “Give me two seconds.”
Xander waited downstairs in the living room. He took in the pictures on the mantel and the braided rug on the floor. So outdated. The pictures weren’t bad, but they were all of Grace as a child. He somehow had to get Grace to accept the fact that she needed to make changes around here to make this place hers. Granted, she had only been here a matter of hours so far, but for the next two years, Xander didn’t wanted to be looking at Grace’s childhood. He wanted her future.
“Ready?” Grace spoke behind him.
“Yup.” He gestured for her to go before him as they headed out the door.
The car ride was silent. Xander pondered how to bring up the fact that they needed to make the house their own. He didn’t want to step on Grace’s toes, but he had seen the effect of her mother’s room on her. She needed to not be in her childhood bedroom and take ownership of the house.
“Penny for your thoughts?” The silent was broken with the quietness of Grace’s question.
“You sure you can afford that?” Xander smiled.
“Are they worth it?” Grace bantered.
“Not really.” Xander shrugged. “I just wondered how you were going to make this house yours?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re not a child back at home. This is your house. Don’t stay in your childhood room, but change the décor, do something to make it yours.”
Had he offended her? The silence was deafening.
“Well…it’s not really my home, is it?”
“Of course it is.” Xander stared at her.
“Not technically. It’s ours, on condition. So I guess if you want to change the décor, you can.”
Xander kept silent as Grace parked the car. As soon as they entered the store, Grace immediately bristled. “Look, why don’t you get what you want and I will get what I want and then we’ll be able to keep everything separate.”
Xander grabbed her hand and kept her next to him. “We’re not doing this separately, Gracie. We are in this together, for better or for worse.”
“It’s not a marriage, for God’s sake. It’s a manipulation that Mom pulled and we have no choice.”
Xander pulled her outside. “Come on. Let’s walk.”
Grace hesitated for a second before falling into step with Xander, her hand still linked with his. They turned away from downtown and headed out a side street. Xander warmed at the feel of Grace’s hand in his, feeling positive that she hadn’t pulled away from him.
“I’m sorry. It’s not you.” Grace whispered.
“I know. We were both blindsided with this. I should have told you who I was, but I enjoyed just being with you too much to ruin that. I never could have imagined that Abigail would have done this to us.”
“I am still ticked at you about not telling me who you really are, don’t think I’m not, but…I understand it too.” Grace squeezed his hand. “I just don’t know how things are supposed to be now.”
Xander nodded. “How do you want things to be, Gracie?”
“I don’t know.” Grace stopped. “We really should go get the groceries. There is still so much to do at the house.”
�
��Okay. But this conversation isn’t over. Think about what you want.”
They shopped in comfortable silence, learning each other’s preferences in foods. Grace discovered Xander loved to cook and she deemed him the new chef of the house. By the time they arrived back home and food had been taken care of, they were back to a level of comfortableness between them with easy bantering back and forth.
Chapter 16
The next few weeks flew by as Grace and Xander settled into their new home. There was an easy camaraderie between them. Grace came to enjoy having Xander around the house, but continued to keep her guard up.
Awaking early to find coffee already ready, Grace made her way to the kitchen. “Hey.”
“Good morning. Coffee?”
“Absolutely.” Grace slid onto a bar stool, smiling as Xander slid a full cup in front of her.
“What’s on the agenda today?” Xander leaned against the sink, sipping his coffee.
“We need to find out about this business aspect we have to put into play.” Grace played with her mug. “I’m just not sure how we’re supposed to go about this.”
“Well, Bob said that Abigail had things in the work. Guess the best place to start is with him.”
Grace shook her head. “I suppose. I’m so tired of Mom still playing games with my life…well, your life too.”
“Let it go. It’s two years of our lives and then you can move on and do what you want.” Xander rinsed his empty cup and strode from the kitchen. He wanted more than anything to hear Grace decide that she wanted him as part of her life, but he wasn’t sure it would happen that way. Two years was a long time for things to change…or not change.
He started outside for the stables. The barn was a new structure on the premises and he wanted to see exactly what Abigail may have been planning. There had to be some sort of clue in the barn. He stopped short a few feet from the building. It was obviously new, probably within the last year or two. He would have to remember to ask Grace exactly when it had been built. There was a place for a sign to hang above the door and the emptiness of it stood out. Sliding open the door, the empty stalls were clean and the whole barn was spotless. Never been used. Xander inhaled the smell of freshly sawn lumber. He closed his eyes and let the scents flow over him. The scent of oil on the hinges added to the newness of the lumber. To the left of the door was a tack room with hooks already installed for bridles and saddles for at least four horses.
A Fine Line Page 8