Sophia drew in a long breath. “He was a real womanizer. Thank goodness I saw it from the start, or I might have…” She cut herself off as she met Grace’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Grace nodded, hurt by the confirmation of what she’d suspected after Sam had told her about Colleen. Devon had no real regard for women.
“Not only that,” Sophia’s tone consoled. “He’s married.”
Grace’s head snapped up, the word piercing like a spear. “M…married?”
Sophia gave a slow nod.
Disgust rolled through Grace’s belly. Thank goodness she hadn’t gotten any more involved than she had. “His poor wife.”
“Fttt…” Sophia scoffed.
Grace jarred at the reappearance of the old Sophia, in her apparent lack of sympathy for a woman scorned.
Sophia regarded Grace, seeming to read her thought. “She’s well rid of him.” She arched a narrow diva-like brow. “Don’t you think?”
The women shared a smile before Grace startled to attention, glancing at her watch. “Oh, I’d better go check on my ‘talent’.”
“Careful.” Sophia’s tone was wry. “I hear ‘talent’ can be pretty temperamental.”
With a parting grin, Grace rose and worked her way to the corner landing, giving the door to the former concession stand a light tap.
When she pulled it open, Sam was leaning back in a chair with his feet on the make-up counter, casually strumming his guitar. The brown dog, who lounged on the floor next to his chair, lifted his head lazily to look at Grace before going back to sleep.
Grace folded her arms and leaned on the doorjamb. “Well, aren’t you just a bundle of nerves.”
He stilled his hands, lowered his feet and stood. “Trust me, Gracie. I’m a wreck on the inside.”
Smiling at his pet name that combined her two identities, she stepped in and shut the door. “Yeah, right. I think I’m more nervous than you are, Mr. Competition Finalist.”
He set his guitar on the counter and took her hands. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.” He nodded toward the door. “It’s just friends out there. They want us to succeed.”
“Good, then they should buy lots of sandwiches.”
“If the food’s as good as it smells, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” He flashed her a dimpled grin.
She forced a businesslike focus. “Okay, I’m going to get back out there. Are you all ready?”
“Anything you say, Boss.”
“I love it when you call me that.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. As they drew closer, they were abruptly muscled apart by a force separating them at knee level.
“Angel!” Grace looked down at the no-longer-stray dog, who smiled up from between them, his lovingly-groomed tail wagging. “How do you like that? He’s my guardian angel and my chaperone.”
Sam let out a laugh. “And a public speaker. I didn’t tell you he’s got a gig.”
“What?”
“Mrs. Finch stopped by the hardware store the other day and asked me to speak to her sixth grade class. They’re doing a unit on heroes.”
“Wow. That’s quite an honor.”
“Sure, but I told her Angel here is the real hero. If he hadn’t darted in front of my truck the way he did, and forced me to run it into Bob’s tree, I never would have known you needed help.”
“Bruce Willis would have known.” She quirked an eyebrow.
“I guess Mrs. Finch doesn’t have his number.” His mocha eyes were rich with humor. “So anyway, can I borrow Angel a week from Tuesday?”
“Take him to the park afterwards and he’s all yours.”
“Deal.”
She pulled herself away. “Enough stalling. It’s showtime.” She turned, beckoning Angel to follow. Sam grabbed her wrist, pulling her back into an unhurried kiss.
Angel barked a protest, and Sam looked down in defense. “Give me a break. It’s for providence.”
A few minutes later, she watched Sam onstage, his cappuccino-smooth voice lulling her. She had to admit she’d fallen in love more than once in the last few months—with Sam of course, but also with Madison Falls and the people there. They in turn had accepted her for who she really was.
She’d always thought of her ability to plan as her saving grace, but it wasn’t until she stopped planning that her life finally made sense. She could do an opera or two a year for God’s glory, not her own, and have a real life to come back to. She smiled. It was a real plan—God’s plan.
Relaxing at last, her heart filled with joy. It felt good to be home.
The End
Coming Summer 2014…
Jill Came Tumbling After
Book 2
The Madison Falls Series
Saving Grace (Madison Falls) Page 29