Grace Restored

by Toni Shiloh

  Chloe nodded, a solemn look on her face. For a moment, Michelle felt chagrined. She knew Chloe wouldn’t celebrate his fate. The girl was probably saying a prayer for the man right now. Yet, Michelle couldn’t help but feel pride that she ensured he stayed off the roads.

  “So, did you need anything, or did you just want to say hi?” She flashed Chloe a quick smile hoping it would take the sting out of her words. She wasn’t mad, but she knew how judgmental Chloe could be.

  “Actually, I was wondering if you could help me with something.”

  “Sure, what’s up?” Michelle sat her briefcase on the floor and took a seat. Chloe never asked her for a favor.

  “Um, well.” She looked down, fingering the frayed edge of her bohemian styled shirt.

  What is going on? “Chlo, are you okay?”

  Her friend nodded, then met her gaze. “I want to find my father.” The words rushed out of her mouth, and her cheeks turned red.

  Michelle felt her eyebrow rise. “Your father?” Chloe never talked about him.

  “Yeah, I don’t know how hard it will be. I mean, my grandmother never knew who he was, and my mom certainly didn’t say.”

  “Have you ever even met your mom?” Her heart pounded. She wanted to help her friend, but this field of questioning was like dancing around a live land mine. She didn’t want Chloe to get hurt going down this path. Sometimes an absent parent was a blessing in disguise.

  But how can you think that, when you would give anything to have your parents back? She pulled herself out of her musings in time to hear Chloe speak.

  “I met her once. Remember our freshman trip we came back early from?”

  Michelle nodded.

  “She was there when I came home. My grandma was shocked. She tried to shield me, but it was obvious my mom was high. She wanted money.” Chloe’s voice was so small, she sounded like a child.

  The ache in Michelle’s chest intensified. How could she say no? “Of course, I’ll help you Chloe. How about we get together this evening, and I’ll get some information from you.”

  A tremulous smile appeared on Chloe’s face as she wiped away tears.

  “Oh, girl, don’t cry.” She walked around the table and enveloped her in a hug. She hated to see her down. “We’ll find him. Don’t worry.”

  GUY SIGHED AND PUT his head back on the headrest. Five o’clock had taken forever to arrive, and his shift had been prolonged because his deputy arrived fifteen minutes late. Those were the longest fifteen minutes of his life. But now, he was free. Free for another hour and forty-five minutes before he had to get the girls. He had intended to go home and take a nap, but then he wouldn’t be alert enough to drive and pick them up.

  So instead, he headed for the lake. Now that winter was receding, people had begun taking their boats out to enjoy lake life. Although he didn’t own any of the fun lake toys, it didn’t stop him from visiting.

  Guy got out his SUV, locking the doors on instinct. Even though Freedom Lake’s crime was practically nonexistent, living in Virginia had taught him to always lock his doors.

  He sighed deeply, breathing in the spring’s essence. The flowers blooming around the banks reminded him of Charlene. Would he ever stop thinking of her without experiencing the intense ache that stole his breath? Guy rubbed his chest and headed for his favorite bench. If he couldn’t take a nap, he could at least enjoy the view. As he settled onto the wrought iron bench his mind immediately began to relax.

  Boats crossed the river in leisure. A couple of men were fishing. Maybe the girls would like to try their hand at the sport. Maybe they were too young to try and fish. They certainly weren’t quiet enough for it. With their rambunctious laughter, they would surely chase all the fish away. His eyes scanned the area and stopped.

  Someone was jogging around the lake. He couldn’t make out who it was, because the sun’s rays illuminated them as it made its way toward its nightly descent. All he could tell was the person was a woman. There was no way that figure belonged to a man.

  He blinked.

  One moment he’d been thinking of Charlene, the next he was looking at another woman. God forgive me.

  Ugh. He didn’t know what disturbed him more, the plea to God or thinking of another woman. Yet his eyes couldn’t stop watching the figure. She rounded the corner of the jogging trail. Any moment she would pass his bench and the shadows would, oddly enough, reveal her identity. He watched, his heart beat picking up to the rhythm of her footsteps. As she drew closer, he realized she wasn’t running with the ease of a runner, but like the hounds of Hell were following her.

  He sat forward, his elbows resting on his kneecaps. What was bothering her?

  She looked up right before she passed by and shock replaced her furrowed look.

  Michelle. What were the odds he’d see her while sitting on his favorite bench? What used to be their favorite bench.

  She whipped her head forward, but it was too late. His presence had thrown her stride off and she went tumbling down. Guy leaped from the bench, hoping to catch her before she fell and did bodily harm. His arm hooked around her waist, pulling her to him.

  Her body collapsed against his when her momentum stopped. She jerked herself from his arms. He looked down at his hands. They were tingling and he wasn’t sure he wanted to explore the reasons why. Guy swallowed against the lump in his throat and shoved his hands in his pockets. “You okay?”

  He wanted to wince at the sound of his voice. Hopefully the huskiness wasn’t due to her nearness, but because of the lump in his throat which refused to dislodge. It was like trying to eat a grasshopper without removing its legs. He was going to choke any moment.

  “I’m fine,” she snapped. She stared at him then looked away. “Thanks for catching me,” she added grudgingly.

  He dipped his head. “Just your friendly sheriff looking out for Freedom Lake citizens.”

  She snorted.

  He thought he heard her whisper ‘not likely,’ but he couldn’t be sure. “Since when do you run?” Wow. Those were some powerful daggers she threw his way.

  “What do you care?”

  “Just making conversation, Michelle. You sure you didn’t knock your head? You’re awfully prickly.”

  She arched an eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest. Man, she was beautiful when she was mad. Not to mention, she was the only person he knew who could look down at a man taller than her like he was one of her subjects.

  “I’m not prickly. Maybe I just don’t like my run disturbed by voyeurs.” She spat the last word out.

  Guy held back a shiver at her words. Once upon a time, when it came to Michelle, he could have been classified as a voyeur. He couldn’t help but look at her whenever she was near. She was simply beautiful.

  He pulled himself from his thoughts. “I didn’t realize it was a crime to sit on a bench and relax. That law must have been passed before I became sheriff.” He shifted his stance, feeling his body tense.

  Usually they sparred with no ill intent. But for some reason, tonight was different. He knew he was tired, and it was obvious something was bothering her.

  “Look, whatever. Go back to your ‘relaxing’ and I’ll find somewhere else to run.”

  She started to walk away, but he grabbed her arm before she could get away. He hadn’t meant to touch her. He certainly didn’t want to ignite her bad mood, but she was off. Something had her mad. He couldn’t in good conscience let her go without trying to help.

  “Let go of me.” Her voice was deadly quiet.

  “What’s wrong?” He stared into her hazel eyes.

  Time stilled as she gazed back at him. She glanced away then back at him, tugging at her arm. Guy let go.

  “Chloe asked me to help her find her dad.”

  Whoa.

  He hadn’t expected that. Everyone knew Chloe had been raised by her grandmother. Despite that, not having a mother and father never seemed to bother her. She was the calmest and most collected woman he had ever
met. The complete opposite of Michelle.

  “Does she have any clue who he could be?”

  “No,” she folded her arms across her chest. He pulled his eyes right back to hers, but that was no better.

  He swallowed. Charlene was the love of your life.

  But there was someone else before her.

  He grimaced. The need to redirect his thoughts pressed upon him. “So how are you going to find him?”

  “I have no clue. But I have to help her. You should have seen how she looked when she asked me.”

  He ran a hand over his face. “I’ll help.”

  “What?”

  No kidding. What was he thinking? “I have access to databases you may not. If you give me an idea where to search, I’ll look and pass the information along.”

  She stepped back. “Why would you want to help me?”

  “I’m helping Chloe.”

  “Oh, I see how it is.”

  He winced as her voice frosted over. The Ice Queen was back. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Whatever.” She waved a hand, not even bothering to look at him. “I’ll tell Chloe you want to help.”

  “Great. Do you need my number?”

  “No, I know where to find you, Sheriff.” She stalked off.

  Chapter Three

  Michelle placed her running shoes back into the shoe box. She hated running but when she had a lot on her mind, it was the only thing that righted her world. Too bad you ran into Guy.

  “Ugh.”

  Freedom Lake wasn’t Mayberry. You’d think it was big enough to avoid people you had no desire to see. Unfortunately, God seemed to have missed that memo. Since Guy’s return, she’d run into him in the least likely places. First, he’d pulled her over in his department-issue Sheriff cruiser. Then she’d bumped into him at the grocery store.

  And now the lake.

  She hated that he had offered to help Chloe. Sure, he had resources she didn’t, but Michelle had no desire to talk to him in order to use them. However, knowing Chloe, the girl would welcome the extra help.

  Michelle laid her forehead against the closet door. Why, oh why, did she have to see him again? And why is he still so fine? Chills rushed up her arms as she remembered his jet-black eyes. It was like his gaze saw straight into her soul.

  Frown lines wrinkled her brow. His whipcord-lean frame had become thin. Too thin, it practically bordered on gaunt. Was he eating? She immediately shook off the thought. Why did she care if Guy Pierre was eating enough?

  He didn’t give two thoughts about you after that summer.

  Stop thinking about him!

  She nodded in agreement. Guy was not her problem. Besides, he had two girls and she did not do kids. They were messy and took up all your time. She had never wished for a sibling growing up and despite being in her thirties, baby fever remained absent.

  Of course, Michelle really wasn’t equipped to raise kids anyway. She had no experience whatsoever. And no relative to give her pointers if she ever changed her mind. Living the single life and enjoying the freedom it brought remained her agenda.

  But do you want to be by yourself forever?

  “No, but he has kids. I mean...I don’t want a man with kids.”

  “Who are you talking to?”

  Michelle whirled around with a screech.

  Jo stood in her doorway, wearing her customary overalls and a perplexed look.

  “You scared the daylights out of me.”

  “Probably because you were too busy talking to yourself.” Jo looked her up and down. “Did you go running?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you have something to do? Why aren’t you with Evan?”

  Jo’s grin stretched across her face at the mention of her boyfriend’s name. Michelle had to resist the urge to gag. People in love were sap happy.

  “He’s in the city trying to get a new prosthetic.”

  Evan had been in the hospital for a week last winter because of an allergy to his prosthetic. After pinpointing an allergy to the material, they had made a new one. Unfortunately, that one gave him the same reaction. She had thought the doctors had encouraged him to use crutches only. Michelle hoped for his sake one could be found that he didn’t have a reaction to. But she knew Jo didn’t care. Her friend would have him anyway she could get him.

  “Good for him.”

  “I hope this one works.” Jo let out a small sigh.

  “Me too. I’ll say a prayer for him.”

  “Really?” Jo’s voice went all soft as she looked at Michelle.

  “Just because I’m praying doesn’t mean I’ve made peace with God.” She shrugged. “But I have to admit the Bible studies have helped some.”

  Jo came over and bumped her hip against her own. “Admit you love God and let it be a done deal, Michelle. No sense dragging it out so you can weigh all the pros and cons. Take that step of faith.”

  “Whatever. You don’t know me.” She smiled, knowing it wasn’t true at all.

  Jo was probably the only one who really did know her. Since they moved in together last fall, their friendship had grown closer and their bond had grown stronger than ever. Jo was still a little closed mouthed, but being with Evan had helped her in the trust-other-humans department. Of course, her turning to God made the biggest difference. Who knew when Evan moved back to Freedom Lake, Jo would go through such a transformation.

  What about you?

  “Not because of him!” she muttered underneath her breath, but her face was hot with irritation. Guy Pierre wasn’t going to be the cause of any transformation within her.

  “Chelle, will you stop talking to yourself. What’s going on with you?”

  Michelle flopped onto the floor. She hadn’t taken a shower yet and refused to sit on her clean bed. She watched as Jo lowered herself to the floor. “Chloe asked me to find her father.” Not that it was her only focus, just the one she would bother to talk about.

  “What?” Jo looked at her incredulously. “Since when does she care?”

  “I know, that’s what I thought, but you should have seen her, Jo. She was broken up.” She took a deep breath, remembering the tears in Chloe’s eyes. “Did you know she’s seen her mother before?”

  “Yeah, when we came back from our freshman trip.”

  “You knew?” She frowned. How come no one shared anything with her?

  Maybe because you don’t share with them. Michelle’s face contorted. It was the truth. The weight of her secret grew with Guy’s return. And I still can’t bring myself to reveal it.

  “Chloe called me later that day.” Jo stated. “She was pretty upset that her grandmother had known all along where her mother was. And pretty upset to find out her mother was using.”

  “Is that why her mother didn’t want to raise her?”

  Jo looked down at her hands.

  What wasn’t she saying? “Jo?” she asked cautiously. Suddenly, her stomach clenched with dread. Somehow, she knew whatever Jo had to say wasn’t going to be good. “Jo Ellen.” She laid a hand on Jo’s shoulder.

  “Chloe’s mother was going to sell her for money. That’s the only reason she didn’t have an abortion.”

  “Oh, no,” she closed her eyes. She had seen some horrible things as a lawyer, but it never failed to break her heart. How could people be so heinous? And why do You let them?

  But Michelle had begun to realize it wasn’t a matter of God allowing evil. “I hate free will.”

  Jo sighed. “People won’t always make the right choices, but God can turn them to good.”

  “How? We’ve had this discussion numerous times. I still don’t get it.”

  “Think, Chelle. Chloe’s mom didn’t have an abortion because she wanted money. So, point one for God, Chloe was born.”

  She couldn’t argue with that.

  “Point two for God. Chloe’s grandmother saved her from a life we couldn’t even imagine. If she hadn’t become Chloe’s legal guardian, then she could have ended up o
n the streets or worse.”

  Michelle ran a hand through her hair. Jo was right, but that didn’t make her like it. There were too many issues in the world today. How could God be good?

  “I know what you’re thinking. And I’m not going to even answer you, but I’ll leave you with these words. Think about the worst thing you’ve ever done.” Jo paused and met her gaze.

  Michelle tried to stare back unfeeling, but tears clouded her vision. She knew what she’d done. And she knew no amount of forgiveness would cover it. Heck, her own bravado merely kept it beneath the surface.

  “I see you’ve thought of something,” her friend said softly. “That thing. Whatever it is. God sent His Son as payment. Your debt to society. Your debt to evil. It’s over. You’re forgiven. Because you’re loved by Him.”

  The tears spilled over. She couldn’t hold them back any longer. Jo couldn’t realize the impact of her words, but their truth seeped into the wounds of her sin. Truth she wanted to believe and hold on to. Could God really have enough grace to cover her sins?

  “PAPA, BEKAH’S SICK.”

  Guy tried to open his eyelids but they were so heavy. He pried them open, trying to ignore the grit that seemed to rub his eyes raw. Hadn’t he only been asleep for a few minutes?

  He grabbed his cell to check the time. 3:00 am. Would he ever get a good night’s sleep? He looked back at Rachel. “How are you feeling, Peanut?”

  “Okay, but Bekah’s sick. Come on.” She pulled at his arm.

  “Okay, okay, I’m up.”

  He slid his feet into his slippers and followed Rachel down the hall. Yesterday, he had been all too grateful that both girls weren’t sick, now he wondered if it wasn’t better to have it done and over with.

  Rachel led him into the girls’ bathroom. The smell of vomit greeted him, curling his nose. Poor Rebekah sat on the floor in a soiled nightgown. The gown had been yellow once. He wasn’t too sure what color it was supposed to be now. Puce?

  A glance at the rest of the bathroom told him most of her projectile had missed the toilet. Guess, I’ll be cleaning the bathroom again.