New Beginnings Spring 20 Book Box Set

by Hope Sinclair

  After dinner, everyone went to the living room and spent time together. Charles, Mrs. Stevens, and Grace all played with Bonnie at different points, either alone, in pairs, or all together; and Bonnie entertained them, as a group, with her roleplaying and antics. Charles even got in on the fun. He brought his guitar and played a few childhood rhymes, as well as a cowboy love song.

  Ah, it was a splendid time! And, anyone on the outside who would have gazed in would have thought they were spying on a family. Grace fit in with the Stevenses like she was one of them, and they all treated her as if she was.

  When Bonnie’s bedtime came around, the evening came to a timely end. Charles took his daughter off to bed, and Grace and Mrs. Stevens went off to their rooms. Once she was in her room, Grace got cleaned up and prepared for bed. She kneeled at the side of her bed and thanked her Heavenly Father for all the wonderful blessings He’d given her, and she asked Him to look after her new “friends” in Misty Mountain.

  After reciting a few routine verses, Grace ended her prayer and crawled into bed. She closed her eyes and recalled the many high points of her day. But then, as happy as she felt, she became overwhelmed with guilt and worry.

  I lied to him, Grace thought to herself. I lied to him about my name, who I am, and why I came here. Her heart was pounding in her chest again. Oh, what a tangled web I’ve weaved! It’s too late. I can’t tell him the truth now; I’ve got to go on with this ruse.

  Grace tossed and turned in her bed. The way she felt about Charles, she feared she might have to go on with her ruse forever. She wondered if she could do it, and question what type of relationship could be built on lies.

  Sleep eventually came to her, though it was one riddled by strange dreams and nightmares. When she awoke the next morning, she was happy to be out of dreamland. But she was disappointed when she learned that she’d slept in and missed sharing in on the “family breakfast.” By the time she got to the kitchen, Charles had already left to work outside; Mrs. Stevens had already begun to clean the counters; and Bonnie was already well into a game of make-believe with two yarn-haired ragdolls.

  “What chores would you like me to do today?” Grace asked her elder.

  “I’ve got some laundry that needs hung on the line,” Mrs. Stevens answered. “And the living room, dining room, and hallways need swept… That should be enough to get you started.”

  Of course, Grace had never done these chores before. But, she’d seen them done enough to get the idea. She went outside and carefully hung the laundry on the line, making sure that each garment and linen was firmly affixed. She was so focused on her work, in fact, that she didn’t even notice Charles off in the distance, watching her. He’d been taking care of his crops, but he became mesmerized and unable to move the moment he saw Grace step out and start hanging the laundry.

  After she finished with the laundry, Grace returned to the house and swept the floors. Then, she went on to do a few more small chores, as per Mrs. Stevens’s directions. Before she even realized it, it was lunchtime, and everyone convened for a quick, but delicious, meal, during which Charles and Grace both found themselves absentmindedly staring at each other. Though neither came out and said it, they both missed spending time together.

  And, it wasn’t until that evening that they got to spend any more meaningful time together, when, after dinner, everyone again went to the living room. Again, the adults played with Bonnie, and Bonnie entertained them. And, so too, the adults talked with each other. Charles and Grace discussed their own childhoods and told each other about the games they used to play and ambitions they used to have.

  Mrs. Stevens couldn’t help but notice there was a shared fondness between her guest and her son—and, she couldn’t have been happier about it. In fact, she encouraged it by bowing out of their conversation and occupying Bonnie’s attention.

  But sure enough, when her bedtime came around, Bonnie wanted her daddy to tuck her in, and just like they’d done the night before, the adults went their separate ways. Again, Grace tossed and turned with frustration, nervousness, and worry. But, before going to bed, she made her mind and made an important decision. She would tell Charles the truth… tomorrow.

  NINE

  Tomorrow finally came. But alas, Grace found that telling Charles the truth wasn’t so practical, or simple.

  First of all, as soon as she started her morning, she found out she’d have different “chores” that day. Mrs. Stevens needed to go to town for an appointment with her doctor and run a few other errands; and she’d decided it’d be easier to go on her own and leave Bonnie home… with Grace. So, given her charge, Grace didn’t have the opportunity to tell Charles. It wasn’t the type of discussion one should have in front of children.

  When Mrs. Stevens returned home, it was about an hour or so before dinner. The work day was just about done, and, sure enough, Grace could have told Charles as soon as he came back. But, the timing just didn’t feel “right” at this time either. What she had to say was a lot to throw at a man the moment he walked in through the door. Plus, she didn’t want the feelings of happiness she felt after spending most of the day playing with Bonnie to go away just yet.

  Grace figured she’d tell Charles after dinner. But then the usual merriness started, and she didn’t want to disrupt it. There was no way she could pull Charles aside for a “private” discussion without raising suspicion and ruining everyone’s good time.

  So, Grace decided that she’d tell Charles the next day. But, when the next day came, sadly, telling him hadn’t become any easier. When she awoke, Grace had intended on asking Charles if she could work outside with him for the day, and she’d intended on telling him the truth about her lies at that time. But, before she could ask him, Bonnie asked her if she’d play with her and take care of her again, like she’d done yesterday—and, when Bonnie asked her this, there was no way she could refuse.

  Once again, Grace did not have the opportunity to tell Charles what she had to tell him. But, she vowed to herself—and to her Heavenly Father—that, when the next chance to tell him came along, she’d take it, no matter what.

  When Bonnie laid down for an unplanned nap late in the morning, Grace took a deep breath, swallowed her pride, and started toward the door, to go outside and confront Charles. But, before she could make it across the room, Mrs. Stevens stopped her.

  “I need your help, dear,” the older woman said. “The living and dining rooms sorely need to be dusted. But, I sneeze horribly when I do it. So, I was wondering—”

  “Of course,” Grace answered before Mrs. Stevens could finish her sentence. She reached out and took the dust cloth from her host’s hand and went over to the mantle. It wasn’t that she was avoiding talking to Charles; she just wanted to oblige the woman who’d been so hospitable and kind to her.

  After Grace dusted the mantle, she moved on to the shelves beside it—and, it was then that she saw something that caught her attention. In the few days she’d been in the house, she never noticed it before, but there was a framed photograph on one of the shelves. It was a photograph of couple standing close to each other. They looked very happy.

  Grace found herself staring at the photograph. It was a little faded and fuzzy; and she couldn’t tell for sure, but the man in the photograph looked a lot like Charles. Only, the man in the photograph was wearing a uniform. She reached out to pick up the photograph and further inspect it. But as she pulled it from its place, she was a bit careless. She knocked over something—a vase or decorative bowl, perhaps—and it crashed to the floor, shattering into a dozen pieces.

  “Is everything alright in here?” Mrs. Stevens said, running into the room. “I heard something break while I was in the kitchen.”

  Grace turned around and looked at Mrs. Stevens. “I’m sorry,” she said, gesturing her head toward the mess at her feet.

  Mrs. Stevens saw the broken vase. But, she also saw that photograph Grace was holding—and, she decided to focus her attentions on that.
/>
  “Lovely photograph, isn’t it?” Mrs. Stevens said, walking over to Grace.

  “Yes. Yes, it is,” Grace replied. “But, the man in it. Is that—”

  “Yes, dear. That’s Charles,” Mrs. Stevens smiled. She took the photograph from Grace’s hand and stared down at it lovingly. “He and Claire took this photograph a few days after they found out that she was pregnant. Claire wanted a photograph of them taken before motherhood changed her body.”

  “So that’s why they look so happy,” Grace smiled. “They’d just found out they were going to become parents.”

  “Yes,” Mrs. Stevens replied, handing the photograph back to Grace. “That, and Charles had recently received a promotion. He’d been named sheriff of Misty Mountain.”

  “What?” Grace asked, astonished.

  “That’s right,” Mrs. Stevens answered, smiling proudly. “Our Charles was once sheriff… But, then, the unthinkable happened. Six months after giving birth to Bonnie, Claire became gravely ill and died. Charles was devastated. As was I, of course. Claire was such a wonderful young woman.

  “But, as devastated as my son was, he was also determined to raise Bonnie as best he could, and he changed his entire life to do so. He had me come here to live with him, and he retired from his job as sheriff and started running this farm as a business. The life of a lawman was no longer for him. He couldn’t work such a dangerous job now that his daughter was down to just one parent. Instead, he decided to work the land just outside of her window.”

  “I… I didn’t know,” Grace said, trying to digest all that Mrs. Stevens had just told her.

  “Of course, you didn’t, dear,” Mrs. Stevens replied. “Charles doesn’t much talk about his past, as far as his career is concerned. The way he talks about it, starting this farm was the best decision he ever made. Sure, he doesn’t make as much money anymore, or have as much power. But, he makes enough to get by and is close to what matters. He couldn’t ask for more… except for one thing.”

  Grace’s face flushed red, and she smiled without even realizing it.

  “But, enough chitchat,” Mrs. Stevens went on, getting back on track. “Put that photograph back on the shelf and help me get this glass cleaned up. Broken glass is no way to greet guests.”

  “Guests?” Grace asked curiously.

  “Oh dear,” Mrs. Stevens gasped. “I’ve let the cat out of the bag.”

  “We’re getting guests?” Grace pushed on. “Who’s coming?’

  “Well, it was supposed to be a surprise,” Mrs. Stevens answered. “But, at this point, I might as well tell you… Your friends—Rose and Henry Porter—are coming home today. Their train arrived this morning, and Charles went off to retrieve them. He’s going to bring them back here to see you, for a happy reunion—and, the way I figure it, they should be back here pretty soon… So, please, dear, help me with this glass.”

  Mrs. Stevens took the dust rag from Grace and bent over. But, Grace remained still. Like the vase, her heart had been shattered into a dozen pieces, and she was afraid she’d collapse if she tried to move.

  “Is everything okay, Grace?” Mrs. Stevens asked, standing tall again. She’d picked up all the glass, and was now more concerned with Grace’s helpless, scared-white expression.

  “I… I…” Grace stuttered. She didn’t know what to say, or where to begin.

  Just then, there was a noise from outside, and both women turned to appraise it. Through the window, it was clear that Charles’s wagon was approaching, and it was approaching quickly.

  “I… I… I wasn’t completely honest with Charles,” Grace said. Her head was spinning. “I didn’t. I didn’t tell him…” Grace’s words trailed off as the Charles stopped his wagon at the post. She watched as he, Rose, and Henry jumped off of it and ran to the house.

  “Grace!” rose exclaimed. She was the first one to enter. She ran over and embraced her friend. “We’ve got to get you out of here… now.”

  Grace’s head was still spinning. “What?” she asked. She was about to follow up with another question, but, then, Charles walked in through the door, and she was rendered speechless. He has a disappointed, crestfallen look on his face, and Grace knew that she was the one responsible for it.

  “I can explain everything,” Grace said, stepping away from her friend towards Charles. “I’m sorry I lied to you about my name and told you—”

  “There’s no time for any of that now,” Rose interrupted. “Like I said, we’ve got to get you out of here… now.”

  “I don’t understand,” Grace said, turning to Rose again. “What are you talking about?”

  Rose sighed loudly. “Henry and I didn’t come back to Misty Mountain alone,” she answered. “We ran into Henry’s brother, Jacob, in California. He’d gambled all his money away and was trying to get in on the Gold Rush. We felt sorry for him, and brought him home to stay with us for a while.

  “But, now he’s gone and betrayed us… When we were traveling on the train, we saw a photograph of you posted in the car. Apparently, your father sent a message around the country announcing that you’d run away and offering a hefty reward for your return. Of course, at the time, we didn’t know where you’d run off to—and, you can imagine our surprise when Charles told us we’d had a visitor named Grace.

  “I’m so deeply sorry. I didn’t mean to blow whatever cover you created. But, I assumed you’d been forthright with Charles, and I spoke of your name and identity, only to learn that you’d given him fake ones… But, in any event, that’s not what’s most pressing. The story gets worse.

  “As we were traveling through town, Jacob asked us to stop, so that he could answer nature’s call, so to speak. But, he wound up being gone for longer than necessary—and, it wasn’t until Henry spied him through the sheriff’s window that we realized Jacob had had ulterior motives.”

  “Jacob reported your whereabouts to claim the reward,” Henry added woefully, stepping forward. “So, we’ve got to get you out of here… now, before the sheriff gets here to collect you.”

  “Too late for that,” another voice added. Grace looked past Henry and Charles to see a stranger standing in the doorway. But, given that’s stranger outfit, she knew he was the sheriff.

  “Who’d have imagined it,” the sheriff said, stepping into the Stevens home. “My predecessor was harboring a runaway!” He nodded at Charles, though he did so somewhat disrespectfully.

  “Alright, Miss Morrison,” the sheriff said, walking over to Grace. “Please come with me. I’ll take you back to the station, where we’ll away instructions from your father as per your return. I’ve had one of my deputies go off to send him a wire.”

  “Just let me stay here for a few more minutes. Let me talk to my friends, and explain—” Grace started.

  “Sorry sweetheart,” the sheriff retorted. “You’ve already caused enough problems.”

  “Please,” Grace said, turning her attention to Charles. “Please tell him to let me have just a few minutes. I need to talk to you. I need to tell you—”

  “Take her away,” Charles interrupted. He nodded his head at the sheriff and walked deeper into the house, away from the action.

  Grace bowed her head in defeat and stopped struggling. The sheriff led her out of the house—and, three days later, without further sight or sound of Rose, Henry, Charles, Bonnie, or Mrs. Stevens, Grace was sent back to New York on the train, with a police escort.

  TEN

  4 Months Later

  “Let me help you with that,” Grace said, kneeling down beside the small child who was fiddling with his shoestrings in front of her.

  “You cross this side over,” she explained. “Then, you tuck it under, pull it throw, and make a bow.”

  The boy watched carefully as Grace tied one of his shoes, then he successfully tied the other. “Thanks, Miss Grace,” he smiled before running off to join his friends.

  “Miss Grace” was what the children at the local schoolhouse started calling Grace aft
er she began volunteering there as a teacher’s aide shortly after her return to New York. One of the many things that her time in Montana had showed her was that she got along well with children, and she decided to pursue those interests once she was “home.”

  And, sure enough, Grace had ample time to pursue those interests. When she got back to New York, once Jim Jasper learned about what she’d done, he backed out of the marriage. He didn’t want to marry someone so spur-of-the-moment and whimsical.

  Naturally, Grace was relieved that Jim backed out of the engagement, and it didn’t “hurt” her in any way. But, what did hurt her, what still pained her, was the way things had ended with Charles back in Montana. She never got to confess to him as she’d intended, and she had been branded a liar and not given the chance to explain herself. She was hurt because she’d hurt someone for whom she’d developed strong feelings—and she was hurt because those strong feelings remained unresolved.

  In the four months since Grace was taken away from Misty Mountain, she’d thought about Charles—and Bonnie—daily. She frequently thought about writing to Charles to explain herself. But, she always concluded that it wasn’t a good idea. She was sure he didn’t want anything to do with her, and she didn’t want to put him, and his family through more than she already had.

  But, even though Grace never wrote to Charles, she had written to Rose, to apologize for what happened thank her, and drop hints that she was curious about how Charles was handling things. In her letter, she also told Rose about her “break up” with Jim and her work with the school children.

  She’d sent that letter nearly two months ago. And, since sending it, every day, when she got home from the schoolhouse or other errands, she’d check the post box on her porch for a reply from Rose. But, day after day, she was only disappointed… until today, when she found more than a letter waiting for her on her porch.

  As Grace walked towards her house, she had to blink a few times and nearly pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. There, on her porch, stood a man—and, he looked familiar.