A Fine Line

by Emma Leigh Reed

  Chapter 35

  Xander and Grace talked for hours, finally deciding they would give up the inheritance, knowing that it would make neither of them happy. With a decision finally made, Xander felt a sense of relief and peace flowed over him. Grace finally was relaxed with him. She oozed relief at having decided to move on with her life, not what her mother wanted for her.

  Xander groaned when his cell phone disturbed his peace. The last thing he wanted to do was interrupt this moment with Grace. He glanced at the caller ID: FATHER.

  “Answer it.” Grace stopped leaning against him and sat up.

  “Hello, Father.” Xander tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

  “Can you and Grace come over? We need to talk.” There was no small talk, but straight to the point. So typically.

  “About what?” Xander glanced at Grace.

  “I heard about Dale being at your place. Please, Sebastian, come over.”

  “Fine. See you in a few.” Xander clicked his phone off and looked at Grace. “We’ve been summoned to the Stevens’ household for a talk.”

  Grace nodded. “You know it doesn’t matter now. We know what we are doing.”

  Xander nodded, but couldn’t ignore the pit in the bottom of stomach telling him something else was going to happen.

  Just as they stepped onto the porch of the Stevens’ homestead, Gerard swung open the door. “In the study, sir.”

  Xander nodded and with his arm around Grace approached the study. The door was half open and Xander paused before pushing it wide.

  “Come in. Good to see you, Grace.” John sat behind his massive desk. He seemed to have aged overnight.

  Grace and Xander sat down in the chairs opposite John, and waited silently. John stood and came to the front of the desk, perching on the edge of it.

  “Want to tell me what happened?” John looked at Xander.

  “Not particularly. Sounds like you already know what happened?” Xander glanced at Grace. “We just want to know what your part of it was.”

  “I wasn’t involved in this. I shut Dale off years ago, though I suspect your Mother still supports him thinking I don’t know.”

  Xander nodded. “Where is she?”

  “I heard you were here, dear.” Elizabeth strode into the office, looking pointed down her nose at Grace. “Oh, and you brought company.”

  “No, I didn’t bring company, Mother. Grace is family.” Xander stood and kissed his mother on the cheek.

  “Well, what brings you by and why are you holed up in this horrid room? John, you should know better than to bring them in here. The living room would have been more appropriate.” Elizabeth gestured towards the door.

  “We’re in this horrid room because I thought it was the one place you wouldn’t dare show your face.”

  Grace’s eyes widened at the malicious in John’s voice. This obviously was not a loving relationship. Xander reached for her hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

  John stood and grabbed Elizabeth by the elbow, leading her around his desk and helping her into his chair. “But since you are here, why don’t you tell us when Dale arrived back in town?”

  “Dale’s in town?” Elizabeth voice rose an octave.

  “Well, we know he called you from jail and you told him he was on his own.” Xander broke in, trying not to smirk at the shock on her face. “Just spill it Mother. We know more than you think we do.”

  “None of this would have happened if she had stayed away from you. Sebastian, you don’t need to hobnob with the commoners.”

  Xander clenched his hands. “Commoners? Like you were Mother before you lied your way into a marriage with someone with money?”

  Elizabeth rose. “You will not speak to your Mother that way, Sebastian.”

  “Sit down, Elizabeth.” John took a step towards her. “I’m done. I’m done with your lies and always throwing money at you to make you happy when you have made my life miserable. It’s over. You will pack your bags tonight. I will make a reservation for you in a hotel for tonight and tomorrow you will find yourself a place far away from here. I will give you a healthy divorce settlement, but it will stipulate that you will not come within thousands of miles of this town, myself, Xander or Grace. If you do, the money will stop and you will be on your own for good. Trust me, Elizabeth, this is nothing more than a pity settlement for you. I have no qualms with sending you away without a dime.”

  Xander watched his mother carefully. The tears pooling in her eyes were as fake as the fingernails she sported. With bravado that Xander had never seen before, John pulled Elizabeth’s chair back. “I would start packing now, if I were you.”

  “You can’t do this. I didn’t do anything.” Elizabeth pleaded with John.

  “Except lie and cheat…be a snob…the list could go on.” John gave her a little nudge. “Go pack.”

  “I will kill Dale. He’s just like his father, useless.” Elizabeth bit her lower lips as soon as the words left her mouth.

  “It’s not a secret, Mother. We all know that Father isn’t Dale’s biological father and that you lied to trick him into marrying you.” Xander stated in a dry voice.

  “I didn’t trick John.”

  “Oh, please.” John’s voice rose with every word. Years of pent up frustration and anger came tumbling out of him. “You were jealous of Abigail from day one. We had had one date when you convinced yourself and your father that I was the one you were going to marry. My father went along with it only because your family came into some money just before the wedding. Had they not, he never would have entertained the idea.”

  Elizabeth took a step back and glanced between Xander and Grace. “It wasn’t like that.”

  “It most certainly was and don’t think for a second you can fool anyone else.” John sank into his chair. “Get out, Elizabeth, now.”

  Xander watched his mother leave the room, shoulders slumped in defeat. “What now?” He turned towards his father.

  “I don’t know.” John shook his head. “Grace, what can I do to make this right?”

  Grace smiled. “Mr. Stevens, you didn’t do anything to cause this. It’s not your responsibility to make it right.”

  “You’re very gracious, just like Abby.” John nodded. “But I still feel I should be doing something.”

  Xander spoke up before Grace could answer. “We decided to walk away from the inheritance. Grace and I just want to live our own lives, not what Abigail thought she could manipulate for us.”

  John shook his head. “Don’t give up on it. Abby wanted you to have that. I don’t know why she did what she did for the stipulation, but please, let me help you get it back up and running.”

  “Insurance will pay for it and they will go after Dale to be reimbursed.” Grace spoke. “It doesn’t matter about Mom’s reasons. Xander and I feel we would be better off following our own path.”

  “Together I hope.” John watched Grace. “You are good for my son, Grace.”

  Grace’s face flushed. “Yes, together. He’s good for me.” She glanced at Xander, and he felt his grin spread across his entire face.

  Chapter 36

  Grace collapsed, exhausted. It had been a long day and the crux of it was the eye-opening division in Xander’s family. John had shown a whole new side than Grace had him pegged for. Elizabeth, well she was the bitch that Grace had always known her as, however Xander seemed to be more relaxed around his father and that was a huge breakthrough in Xander’s life of childhood hurt and insecurities.

  Today had been a day of healing in so many ways. Grace had finally made a decision with Xander to move forward without working for the inheritance. It gave her a freedom from her own childhood insecurities and yet she didn’t feel her mom would be disappointed at all. When they finally arrived back home, Grace had begged exhaustion and headed to bed. Although disappointment shined in Xander’s eyes, he understood.

  Grace lay in bed now with her mind whirling. As had become her habit, she pulled o
ut the poem Xander had written. She had memorized it by now, but she carefully read the words again. There was nothing that could convince her anymore that Xander didn’t truly love her. Every time she read the words, she had chills up her spine and tears in her eyes. She closed her eyes and savored the warmth that spread through her with the realization that she was loved.

  She fell asleep with the poem pressed between her hand and her chest. Her dreams were filled with Elizabeth chasing after her, berating the fact that she was a commoner and not good enough for her son. Behind Elizabeth ran Dale, chasing his mother, begging for her forgiveness and for her love. Grace woke with a start, heart racing.

  She reminded herself that it was just a dream and Elizabeth would be gone from their lives now that her and John were divorcing. She read the poem again, looking for relief of the anxiety that filled her. She wanted peace from the past and all that it held over her. Her own mother still reached from the grave, trying to control her life.

  Grace pushed the covers back and glanced at the clock. Four a.m. She sighed. The night was over for her. She paced the floor and fought to control the anxiety that had plagued her for years whenever she thought she was letting her mom down. She shook her head to clear her mind. She knew deep down her anxiety was only in her mind, as her mom had never berated her when Grace did her own thing.

  Resigned that sleep would elude her, she pulled a sweatshirt over her t-shirt and shorts. Coffee would wake her up and let her get back to the present. Her bare feet padded silently on the stairs, yet she had barely gotten to the bottom when she heard him.

  “Can’t sleep?” Xander’s figure sat up front on the couch.

  “Did you sleep down here?” Grace paused at the living room door.

  “Not sure I’d call it sleep, but yes, I rested down here.” Xander swung his feet to the floor and reached for the small lamp next on the end table. The dim light gave enough glow for Grace to see the lack of sleep evidenced in his face.

  “I was going to make coffee.” Grace pointed to the kitchen over her shoulder. “Want some?”

  “Uh huh.” Xander nodded.

  Grace put on the coffee. While she waited for the brew, she opened a package of cinnamon rolls to pop in the oven to cook. Just as she finished prepping them, the coffee maker beeped, signaling as being done. She poured two mugs. Double checking that the timer was set on the oven, she grabbed the mugs and went to Xander.

  She paused briefly as she studied him sitting on the couch, head tilted back with his eyes closed. His breathing indicated he was sleeping once again. She placed the mug on the coffee table and sat next to him. Sipping her own coffee, she watched him.

  “Where’s mine?” Xander smiled with his eyes closed. “I’m not that dead to the world that I can’t feel you next to me.”

  Grace chuckled. “Right in front of you.”

  Silence filled the living room as Grace and Xander enjoyed their coffee, holding hands. Grace couldn’t remember a time she felt so content in her life.

  “You sure about the decision we made yesterday?” Xander’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  “Absolutely.”

  “We’ll have to call Bob then and let him know. Is your apartment still available?”

  Grace sighed. “I sublet it. So, no it’s not.”

  Xander squeezed her hand. “We’ll figure it out.”

  The timer on the oven rang and they spent the next couple of hours eating and drinking coffee while they shared their desires for their lives with each other.

  The phone’s ring startled them from their conversation. Grace glanced at the clock—just before eight. Who would be calling at this hour?

  Xander reached for the phone. “Hello?”

  “Xander. It’s Bob. I have some interesting news for you regarding Abigail’s will. Can I stop by?”

  “Sure. Grace and I wanted to speak to you about that anyway.” Xander mouthed “Bob” to Grace and she nodded.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to do this as soon as possible. Mind if I stop by this morning, in just a little bit?” Bob requested.

  “Of course. We’re up so anytime is fine.” Xander hung up the phone and looked at Grace. “Strange. Apparently interesting news regarding your mom’s will.”

  “Hmmm. It doesn’t really matter since we have decided to opt out of the inheritance.” Grace got up and placed her mug and plate in the sink. “I’m going to shower before he gets here.”

  “We might as well hear him out. Who knows, maybe it will change your mind on opting out.”

  Grace shrugged. “I doubt it, but we’ll see.

  Chapter 37

  Grace showered in record time, especially in light of the fact that she had gotten little sleep last night. Normally after a night with no sleep, she would linger in the shower, just letting the hot water run over her, taking her time waking up. After throwing on jeans and a T-shirt, Grace combed through her hair.

  She stared at her reflection in the mirror. A wide eyed young woman stared back at her. Grace studied herself. She didn’t look any different for being in love. Was something supposed to change with her? Love had always confused her. Was it because she had never truly experienced it before? She had never felt like she did when she was around Xander. She found herself missing him when he was gone and longing to see him again. She smiled. If this was love, she could live with it.

  She skipped down the stairs to find Xander in the living room with Bob, having just arrived.

  “Good morning, Bob.” Grace slipped into the easy chair and folded her legs up under her.

  “Good morning, Grace. Thank you both for seeing me on such short notice.” Bob pulled out a folder from his briefcase. He glanced between Xander, sitting on the couch, and Grace in the chair. “I heard about the arrest of Dale for breaking and entering, and the arson. This is good news for the rebuilding of the barn.”

  Xander nodded. They both sat silently waiting for Bob to continue. Bob took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “In light of new information, there has been a change in the will.”

  “What kind of change?” Grace sat forward.

  “Grace, I need you to understand what I’m going to say is what I have observed and from you and I talking a bit the other day. I know you didn’t want me to say anything, but my hands are bound by the will and my responsibilities to Abigail.”

  Grace shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

  Bob handed each of them an envelope. “I was instructed to give these to you once it was obvious to me that you two were in love with each other.”

  Grace and Xander each took the envelopes. Meeting Xander’s eyes, Grace managed a small smile. What did Mom do now?

  “Go ahead and read them and then we can discuss the situation further.” Bob sat back on the couch, waiting for Grace and Xander to open their letters.

  Grace opened hers first. She closed her eyes as she pulled out the sheet of paper and unfolded it.

  * * *

  My dearest Grace,

  You are my greatest treasure. I have seen you grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent woman. I’m sorry for what I can only imagine I have put you and Xander through. It was not my intent to cause you any heartache and if that has been the case, I am truly sorry. However, if you are reading this letter, you have found yourself in love with him. It is my wish that you find true happiness and I have always known in my heart that Xander would be perfect for you. My wish for you, Grace, is to open your heart and allow love to be received from him fully. Don’t be afraid of this, as it is the greatest gift in life you can received.

  All my love,

  Mom

  * * *

  Grace looked up at Xander, tears spilling down her cheeks. After collecting her emotions and reining in the tears, she read the letter out loud to Bob and Xander.

  Xander nodded as she came to the end of the letter. He opened his letter and pulled out the paper. He cleared his throat and began reading it aloud so Grace and Bob could hear
.

  * * *

  Xander,

  I will begin by apologizing for the need to clip your wings for the moment. I knew when you originally found out about my insisting you stay for two years, you would have been furious. You are a free spirit, but I truly believe that has only been true because you never had a reason to stay put. My dear, if you are reading this letter, you have found your reason to never fly again, at least not solo. Be gentle with Grace. She fears change and that is partly my fault for never pushing her to fly away and do as she wanted. I trust you will give her the love she deserves and allow yourself to receive her love just as fully.

  All my love,

  Abigail

  * * *

  Xander stood, walking over to Grace to kneel in front of her. “You okay?”

  Grace nodded. “She gave a gift even after her death that I never could have imagined…You.”

  “I love you, Gracie.” Xander gave her a gentle kiss.

  “And I love you.” Grace laid her palm against Xander’s cheek, running her thumb gently across his stubble.

  Xander stood and turned to Bob. “So what does this mean for the inheritance?”

  Bob smiled. “Well, Abigail was convinced that you two were going to fall in love. The stipulations on the inheritance are now lifted. She had an amendment put in that if at any time you fell in love, with each other of course, and it was obvious to others, the estate is yours free and clear. No need to run the therapeutic riding business.”

  Grace glanced between Xander and Bob. “Are you kidding me? She put us through all this just to see if we would fall in love?”

  Bob nodded. “I knew you might be upset, Grace, but your mom’s heart was in the right place, even if she didn’t go about it the right way.”

  “Unbelievable.”

  “Grace. Does it matter? In the whole scheme of things, it is done. We were going to give up all this anyway and now it’s yours.”