The Complete HEA Series
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Finding Gracie’s Rainbow
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Finding Annie’s Dream
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Finding Sammie’s Fantasy
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Finding Bea’s Hope
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Smashwords Edition
Deborah A. Price
Copyright © 2012 Deborah A Price
All rights reserved.
ISBN:
ISBN-13:
DEDICATION
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. . .
It is about learning how to dance in the rain.
I would like to dedicate this book in memory of my mother, Betty Jean Shinault Cobb, who encouraged us never to give up when we have a dream.
In appreciation of my husband and children who have had to put up with late suppers and dirty apparel. Special thanks to Dana Reece, who swore to nag me whenever I threw my hands in the air and Teresa Cobb, who had to have her ‘Gracie Fix’.
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Characters and occurrences are completely fictional.
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Chapter 1
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The calculator was busy spitting out numbers in red ink as the bills were being added together. Gracie just stared at the numbers trying to figure out which bill wouldn't get paid that week. She laid her head down on the table trying not to feel the anger and frustration she had felt ever since she had taken that phone call from her ex-husband. As he had for the past year, he wasn't going to be able to pay his child support. It was getting to be a regular phone call, and she was beginning to hate the sound of the phone ringing.
She lifted her head up and tried to smile as her daughter danced into the room.
“Do you believe in romance, Mom?” The little girl asked as Gracie wanted to laugh at the word. The question was asked by a tiny eight-year-old girl with huge brown eyes and strawberry blonde hair that was put up in pigtails.
“Why?” Gracie hugged her as Bea danced the rest of the way to where she was sitting. “Have you been watching Cinderella again?”
Bea nodded her head as she glanced up at her mother’s swollen eyes.
“It’s alright, Bea.” Gracie stood as she grabbed the stack of bills and stashed them into a drawer before she started to fix supper. “How was your visit to Granny’s?”
“It was alright.” Bea was watching her mother as she talked. “Aunt Kim was there with Sammie.”
“And just how is my sister?” Gracie looked into the pantry and pulled out the last box of macaroni and cheese.
“She and Granny talked in the kitchen while Sammie watched Cinderella with me.” Bea took the two plates her mother handed her as she talked. “Aunt Kim was upset about something.”
Gracie laughed. “Aunt Kim is always upset about something.” She saw the look that Bea gave her, “What Bea?”
“Your name was mentioned.” Bea sat down and stared at the macaroni and cheese in front of her.
“Don’t worry about it, Princess.” Gracie held her hand as they said grace. They both just pushed the food around of their plates. They were both sick of eating macaroni. “How was Sammie?”
“She says she's dating Prince Charming.” Bea rolled her eyes toward the ceiling as she excused herself from the table. “It’s just a fairy tale. There isn't a such thing as ‘Prince Charming’.”
Gracie stared at her daughter and frowned. “Bea. . .you're a little young to believe that.”
“Then where is my father?” Bea had tears falling down her face. “Aunt Kim says. . .”
“Aunt Kim talks too much.” Gracie stood and looked down at Bea.
“Is it my fault?” She looked back up at her mother with the question burning in her eyes.
“No, and don’t ever think that it is.” Gracie hugged her tightly to her wiping the tears with the cloth she held in her hands. She glanced at the clock. “Time for bed, young lady, you have school tomorrow.”
Bea looked at her sadly before she walked to her bedroom. The little girl couldn't remember her father, and Gracie never mentioned him. Gracie would always look sad and then angry whenever Bea asked questions about him.
Gracie walked into the bedroom with a half-hearted smile on her face to tuck her daughter into the bed and listen as she said her prayers. “Good night, Bea. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Momma.” Bea cuddled with the little teddy bear she had ever since she was an infant and pretended to fall asleep as her mother turned off the light and shut her door.
Gracie walked back to the drawer where she had stashed all the bills. She put them on the table and stared at them. She had no more corners to cut. Everything had to be paid, and Bea had to have food. She felt the anger start to sting her eyes as she remembered the conversation with Bea’s father earlier.
“Mark, it's been over a year since you have paid any amount of child support, and I really need that money.” She had listened as he had come up with every excuse he could. “Whatever, Mark, but Bea has got to eat, and I've cut everything I could. She is your daughter, too.” She had hung the phone up and started looking at the classified ads in the paper. There was no choice; there was going to have to be a second job.
Gracie stood and walked to the bathroom where she took a good hard look at herself. “Well, Gracie, this is a fine example you're setting for your daughter.” The blue eyes just looked back at her, not showing any emotion as she talked out loud to herself. Bea had looked so serious when she had asked her about romance and told her that there was no ‘Prince Charming’. Gracie brushed the strawberry-blond hair that looked like her daughter’s, except it was curly, as she thought. She had started dating Mark in her freshman year of high school. Back then she had believed in fairy tales and in Prince Charming. They had married a week after she had graduated and found out that she was pregnant six months after that. They had moved in with his parents in Pennsylvania, and he had never let her do anything but write to her parents. Mark’s parents had helped her get home, and he'd managed to find her forcing her to move back in with him. The night that Bea was born, he had come home drunk and beaten Gracie until she couldn't stand up. He had apologized on their way to the hospital where he just dropped her off and left her. He had called her mother and left; never returning.
Gracie was still remembering as she walked to her bedroom. Her mother had seen the bruises on her daughter the minute she had walked into the hospital room. Gracie had just cried as her mother had held her tight. That was the last time she had even thought about fairy tales. She laid down on the bed and sobbed, crying herself to sleep.
Bea heard her and walked into her mother’s room, sliding underneath the covers to lie down beside her.
~
Gracie dropped Bea off at school and headed to work. Work would always take her mind off the bills that were piling up at her apartment. It would keep her busy enough not to think of anything. She was the office manager at Salem Publishing Plus, and there were always problems. Usually, one thing after another. She laughed as she sat down behind her desk. Why was she able to solve everybody else’s problems but her own?
There was a knock on her door, and Gracie looked up to see her sister. “Kim?”
“In person,” her sister shut the office doors and studied her, shaking her head as she spoke. “You look like crap.”
Gracie raised her eyes. “Thanks. Did you come here to give me grief?”
“No, I came to have lunch with you.” Kim looked at her then. “I went down to the cafeteria, but Addison said that you haven’t been down there since Christmas.” To her eyes, Gracie had gotten smaller and the blue eyes looked too big for her face. “You aren't eating.”
Gracie stood and walked to the windows that faced the pond at the back of the building. “I haven’t got the time to eat.” Gracie caught herself starting to lie. “Let me rephrase that. I haven’t got the money to eat.”
“Honesty. I like that.” Kim watched her. “Why don't you have the money to eat?”
“I guess you want me to be honest, Rev.?” Gracie turned towards her. “Fine. I'm broke.”
“That’s not a reason to avoid me. You used to tell me everything, but in the last several months, I've barely seen you.” Kim stood and watched as Gracie started to turn towards the desk.
“All the money that I have is going to groceries, so I can make sure that Bea eats. My rent is late, and now they're threatening to cut off my electricity.” Gracie stared at the wall hard trying to force back the tears that she felt stinging her eyes.
“Oh, my God.” Kim was shocked as she watched Gracie sit down. “What happened?” She started to pull her mousy brown hair into a ponytail.
“Mark hasn't paid any child support for over a year.” She put her face in her hands. “I thought I could handle it.”
Kim walked around to where Gracie was sitting. “I don’t know whether I should sympathize with you or be angry that you didn’t think enough of me to talk about your problems.”
Gracie looked up and narrowed her eyes. “I should be angry with you.”
“Why is that?” Her sister glanced down at her.
“Bea was listening when you were talking to Mom yesterday.” Grace saw the color drain out of her sister’s face. “I didn't have enough on my plate without Bea asking me if it was her fault that Mark left me.” Gracie stood up. “My lunch hour is over.” She hugged Kim before she opened the door. “I can figure this out for myself so there’s no need for you to talk about it to Mom.”
~
Kim stared at her brother after she talked to him about Gracie. “She told me not to go to Mom; she didn’t say anything about coming to you.”
Steven walked towards her as he picked up a picture and then placed it back down. “That’s Gracie, always trying to solve things on her own.” He finished walking to her. “Do you still have that extra key to her apartment?”
“I haven’t thought about that but, yes. I do.” Kim watched as her sister-in-law walked into the room from the kitchen. “I don’t guess Gracie has talked to you either.” Stephen had married Gracie’s best friend.
“About what?” Paige had been fixing supper as Kim had talked to Steven.
Steven sat down on the couch counting money as Kim watched him. “Gracie is in trouble.” Steven handed Kim the money. “Go shopping tomorrow and fill up her pantry and fridge.” He stood and pulled his keys out of his pocket. “I'm going to find Mark.”
Paige looked over at Kim. “Why is he going to look for Mark and what kind of trouble is Gracie in?” She listened as Kim told her everything that she had told Steven.
“It sounds like she closed herself off from everybody.” Paige looked at the door. “I have called her a couple of times, but she was always too busy to talk.”
“She hasn’t been eating either,” That bothered Kim more than anything else. “She has given everything that she has to Bea. I don’t know how much more she can give.”
“Where is Bea?” Paige asked as she looked at the same picture that Steven had picked up before. It was one with Gracie holding Bea right after they had come home from the hospital.
“She's at Mom’s house.” Kim answered as Paige picked up the phone. "I promised her that I wouldn’t talk to Mom about this.”
“You’re not.” Paige invited her mother-in-law over and asked that she bring Bea with her. She called and left a message with Gracie’s secretary. “I always fix too much food for just Steven and me.” She smiled at Kim.
Kim hugged her before she left, “Good luck.” She frowned as she walked out to her car as she wondered how Gracie had withdrawn from them without any of them noticing.
~
Paige opened the door after she heard the knock and stared at Gracie with concern.
“That good, Paige?” Gracie tried to smile at the look that was on her friends face.
“I’m sorry. You just look different.” Paige hugged her.
“There’s been a lot of stress at work.” Gracie wasn’t aware that Kim had talked to them before she caught the look that Paige had shot at her when she spoke. “Kim’s been over here, hasn’t she?”
“Yes, but I invited you over for supper. Your parents are here, too.” Paige watched as Bea went running over to I.
“How’s my Princess?” Gracie knelt down and hugged her.
Bea looked into her mother’s eyes before answering. “I’m fine, Momma.”
“That’s great,” Gracie stood as she felt her own parents studying her. “Where’s Steven?”
“He’s on his way.” Paige went into the kitchen to set the table.
“You’re nothing but skin and bones, Gracie.” Her mother said as she looked I over. “What?”
“Not now, Mom,” Gracie watched as Bea stared at her. “How was school, Bea?”
“It was great.” Bea sat down on the floor and took some papers out of her back pack as I sat down next to her.
Gracie’s parents looked at each other before glancing towards the door as Steven walked in. Steven glanced at I solemnly as he walked over and hugged his mother. “How are you, Mom? I didn’t realize that we were having company.”
“I think that Paige called us at the last minute.” Janet answered noticing that he hadn’t taken his eyes off of I.
“That’s right,” Paige was smiling as she came back into the room. “And it’s ready. Bea would you like to help me set the table?”
“Sure, Aunt Paige.”
Steven watched as his niece left before he focused on Gracie. “I assume that you know that Kim came to see me.”
“I figured that much out.” Gracie looked up at him. “I told her not to tell. . .”
“Mom.” Steven finished for her as he grabbed her up by the hand; making Gracie stand up so he could look at her. “You told her that you could figure it out all by yourself. Gracie, you’re not healthy enough to look after yourself. How do you expect to take care of Bea or anything else, for that matter?”
“Steven!” Gracie saw Bea standing at the door of the kitchen. “Will everybody just leave me alone?!”
Paige walked over to Bea and took her back into the kitchen so Steven could finish talking to her mother.
“I found Mark.” Steven took out a wad of cash from his pocket. “He promises to do better.” He handed the cash to his sister as Janet walked back from the kitchen. “Now about your eating habits. . .”
“I’m eating just fine.” Gracie counted the money. “This is every bit that he owed me.”
“Don’t change the subject, Gracie.” Steven went into the kitchen as he felt his anger start to escalate. Paige saw the look on his face and frowned as she pointed to Bea. “Hey, Princess,” he smiled as he finally noticed her. He grabbed her; swinging her up into the air as she giggled at him.
“Hey, Uncle Steven,” Bea kissed him on the cheek.
“You’re all grown up.” Steven placed her down on the floor. “Spitting image of your mother when she was your age, all except for those eyes.”
“Really?” Bea placed the last fork down and grew serious as she glanced at him. “Did she believe in ‘Prince Charming’ at my age?”
“Boy did she ever.” Steven smiled at her as I walked into the kitchen with their parents. “My friends used to tease her, but Kim was always there to make them stop.”
Gracie smiled as she sat down tiredly at the table. “Your friends were mean. Sit down and say the blessing, Bea.”
Steven watched as Gracie served Bea and then herself. Frowning he stood up and put more food on Gracie’s plate as she protested. “For Pete’s sake, Steve, I’m not a child.” She looked up at him angrily as Janet frowned.
“Why didn’t you ask for help?” Her mother looked at her squarely, feeling guilty that she hadn’t seen what was happening before her eyes. “And why is it that I never noticed what was going on?”
“This is my problem, and I didn’t want you to notice.” Gracie looked at all of them before she tried to stand up as Steven pushed her back down into the chair. Tears were starting to come down her face as Bea just stared. “Eat your supper, Bea.”
“Only if you eat.” Bea looked almost grown up as she talked back to I.
Gracie picked up her fork and took up some potatoes while she looked back at Bea. Steven sat down next to Paige and grinned. Gracie managed to eat a little before she started feeling sick. She pushed away from the table and ran to the bathroom as Paige watched her.
“Maybe we should take her to the hospital.” Paige put down her utensils and went to check up on her friend as Steven watched.
“Eat, Princess.” Steven watched as Bea was studying the bathroom door.
“Momma’s really not healthy. I heard you tell her that.” Bea started to tear up. “She cries all the time too.”
Janet looked over at her husband who hadn’t said a word as he stood up. Steven watched the anger cloud his father’s face.
“Pop?” Steven stood up and went to stand next to him.
“If I’d known this was going to happen, I would’ve never allowed. . .” Chandler McBride stood tall as he looked at Janet. “I never liked him.”
“Hush, Chandler.” Janet moved her eyes to Bea.
Gracie walked out of the bathroom with Paige beside her as she noticed her father. “Oh, God,” she looked over at Bea, who was openly crying. “I really can’t take anymore tonight.” She grabbed Bea’s backpack. “Come on, Princess, we have school tomorrow.”
Chandler snatched the backpack from her. “You are going to take some more tonight. Bea can watch some cartoons while we talk.” Chandler took his daughter’s hands.
Gracie sat down as she watched Bea walk towards the back of the house to the spare bedroom. She rested her head in her hands as Janet sat down beside her, hugging her tightly.
“From the beginning,” Janet said as they all sat there looking at her very concerned. “When did you start having problems?”
“On and off for the past five years but he always came through at the last minute.” She looked up, and her look scared everybody as she just stared at nothing. “Before Christmas he started calling and telling me that he couldn’t make the payments, and I was alright until tax time and the car insurance came due. Everything just started snow balling from there.” She paused for air. “Then Bea got pneumonia and there were doctor bills along with the hospital bills.”
“Gracie.” Janet felt sadness in her heart as she listened to what her daughter was saying. “When did you stop eating?”
“I didn’t stop completely. I just downsized my portions, so I could make sure that Bea got enough to eat.”
Steven looked at her as he shook his head. “Kim said you weren’t eating lunch.”
“No lunch money, I gave that to Bea.” Gracie swiped at her eyes as she looked at Steven. “It’s not her fault that Mark is what he is. She never even got to meet him.” Gracie stood up. “This is my fault for believing in fairy tales.”
Steven stood up angrily and grabbed her arms. “Just so you know, it’s not your fault either. Mark was always a jerk, but I thought you were happy with him.” He watched as his sister looked down at the floor. “’Prince Charming’ is out there somewhere. I think that it is high time you started looking for him, Cinderella.”
“Cinderella?” Gracie smiled at him. “When do I have time for that nonsense?” She wiggled out of his grip. “You think you know everything, don’t you, Steven?”
“I know you need help, and since I am much older than you, I’m going to advise that you take what we offer.” Steven walked over to Paige. “And we’re going to start with your eating habits. Are you aware that you’re anorexic?”
“No, I’m not anorexic.” Gracie looked at Paige, who was nodding her head. “Fine, I’ll work on that. What other brotherly help are you going to dish out?”
Steven just smiled at her. “One thing at a time with your health being the first priority, you need some meat on those bones.”
“Fine, can I go home now?” Gracie took Bea’s backpack from her father.
“One more thing,” Chandler looked down at his daughter from where he stood. “Fairy tales do exist.”
“Right, pop,” Gracie hugged him. “I’ll let you know when I start believing in that again.”
“Always believe, Gracie.” Janet hugged her tightly before Gracie left with Bea.
~
Kim went to the grocery store right after she dropped Sammie off at the high school and bought foods that she knew Gracie loved. Maybe that would help her sister start to eat like she should. Kim also picked up a couple of treats for Bea before heading out to Gracie’s apartment. Steven had called her last night after Gracie had left and mentioned that he had gotten up with Mark obtaining the money that he owed in child support. Kim knew better than to ask her brother how he managed that; feeling that she was better off not knowing.
She unlocked the door and picked up the bags she had just sat down and headed into the apartment straight to the kitchen. Placing the bags down, she opened the cabinet doors. There wasn’t one box or can of food in sight. Gracie’s situation had been worse than any of them had thought. She put the groceries away and went to get another load. Smiling after she stocked the pantry and refrigerator, Kim drove down to the office building where Gracie worked. She knocked on the door before she entered.
Gracie smiled at her as she looked up from the papers lying on the desk. “Well, if it isn’t the world’s sneakiest sister.”
“I always find the loop hole.” Kim sat down in front of her desk. “Your cupboards were bare.”
“I’m aware of that. I’m going shopping after work.” Gracie stared at her. “You said ‘were’.”
“They’re full again.” Kim looked at the clock. “And now I’m going to have lunch with you.”
“That’s fine and thank you.” Gracie glanced at the papers in front of her. “I guess I should’ve said something sooner.”
“Do ya think, Gracie?” Kim asked sarcastically before adding. “Next time I won’t be so nice.”
“Consider me warned.” Gracie stood up as Kim got the full impact of what Gracie had put her body through.
“Amanda Grace!” Kim used her full name which was a sure sign that she was upset. “Okay, I’m going to calm down.”
Gracie could see her sister counting in her mind. “My baby had to eat, Kim.” That was all she said as Kim followed her out of the office down to the cafeteria.
“Gracie. . .” Kim wanted to say something but backed off while they were in line so nobody else could hear. After they sat down, she looked over at I. “Baby girl, if you ever pull this stunt again I’m going to come down on you with the Wrath of God on my side.”
“Baby girl?” Gracie picked up a saltine. “You haven’t called me that since Sammie was born.”
“Uum. Sammie is actually bigger than you are now.” Kim glanced at what was on Gracie’s tray. “And you would know this if you ever showed up when I invited you over.”
“No more lectures, please.” Gracie smiled at her. “This feels good. I’m actually not stressing over my bills.”
“So does this mean, next time you’ll talk to somebody?”
Gracie thought as she looked at her sister. “I pray, Reverend Kim, that there is no next time to talk about.” She put down her utensils. “I hate to eat and run, but lunch is over. I’ll see you at Church tonight.”
“I hope so. The congregation misses you.” Kim smiled as her sister left.
~
Bea ran over to her mother almost as soon as she walked into the door. Gracie smiled down as she hugged her. “Princess Bea, how are you doing?”
“I love to see you smile.” Bea hugged her back.
“I’ve missed smiling. Where is Granny?” Gracie looked over Bea’s homework as she asked.
“She's in the kitchen.” Bea started to twirl around as she talked. “Uncle Steven and Uncle Jackson are here.”
“Uncle Jackson?” Gracie tried to remember when Steven’s friend had earned that title. “Why do you call him ‘uncle’ again?”
Bea laughed at her. “He asked me to.”
Gracie walked into the kitchen to let Janet know she was there. Steven and Jackson looked up as Gracie hugged her mother.
“Sit down, Gracie. I was about to feed Bea.” Janet pointed to the table.
“And there is that tone we all know and love. Better do what she says.” Steven was laughing at his sister as she glared him.
“Steven. ‘Uncle’ Jackson.” Gracie greeted them as she sat down.
“You're not allowed to call me ‘Uncle’.” Jackson smiled at her sweetly as the blue eyes speckled with green flakes laughed at her. “Only Bea can do that.” He felt his heart give a jolt as he saw how little Gracie was and looked at Steven with a question on his lips.
Steven just shook his head as he stood. “I have to go before Paige sends out a search party. Jackson, I’ll get up with you later.”
“Wait a minute, Steven.” Gracie stood and saw the look that her mother shot at her. “I’ll be back.”
She walked with her brother out of the front door. “I need to thank you for what you did last night and today.”
“What did I do today?” Steven asked as he hugged her.
“I know Kim doesn't have a lot of money to spare, and my pantry is full.” Gracie saw the look on her brother’s face as she stood up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
“If you really want to thank me, get your health back. That's all I am asking.” Steven waved as he got into his car.
Gracie grabbed one of Bea’s hands, and they walked into the kitchen sitting down at the table. Jackson smiled at Bea as she sat down beside him while Gracie watched.
Jackson caught her staring, “Cinderella?”
“Uum.” Gracie picked up her spoon as Bea looked at her. “Jackson nicknamed me when I was about your age. It was a long time ago, and my favorite movie was Cinderella.”
“Start off slow, Gracie.” Jackson was watching her eat. He was a pediatrician and had seen a lot of teenagers go through what she was going through now. Steven had consulted with him about Gracie’s situation.
“Excuse me?” Gracie put the spoon down. “Bea, are you finished?”
“Yes, Momma.” Bea took her bowl and spoon to the sink before walking with Janet into the living room.
Gracie turned her attention towards Jackson. “I have only to assume that Steven told you he thinks I'm anorexic.”
“That assumption would be correct, Gracie.” He studied the blue eyes that were starting to shoot daggers and stood up smiling. "Eat slow and not too much. Doctor's orders.”
“You aren't my doctor, my brother, or Bea’s uncle!” Gracie stood and grabbed her bowl of soup that she had managed to eat half of. “You have no right to tell me what to do.” She turned to him and smiled as they stood face to face. She grabbed his face and kissed him not expecting him to kiss her back. She was surprised when he started kissing her slowly drawing her more deeply into it.
“Point well proven,” Jackson smiled as she backed away from him.
“You weren’t supposed to enjoy that, and you certainly weren't supposed to kiss me back.” Gracie was thrown off balance as she saw the smugness on his face.
“Well, Cinderella, you forgot to explain the rules, and who said I enjoyed it?” He asked as he watched her walk out of the room.
“Bea!” Gracie was calling for her daughter. “I told Kim we would go to service tonight, so let’s go.” She put her fingers to her lips as she remembered that kiss. ‘Okay, what you were thinking and why did you kiss him?’ She asked herself as she pulled away from her parents’ house.
~
Chapter 2
~
Gracie was expecting Kim this time as she showed up at her office door. She had the secretary get them something from the cafeteria, so they could eat in her office. Gracie motioned her sister in.
“Expecting me this time- were you?” Kim laughed as she saw two plates at the table where she usually held her office meetings.
“Yes, m’am.” Gracie wanted to talk with her sister in private. “I messed up.”
“And do I need to know this as a sister or as a reverend?” Kim looked at her curiously.
“A sister please.” She played with the food on her plate as she thought about what she wanted to say. “I might’ve, well I sort of. Oh dang, I kissed Jackson last night before we went to church.”
“You kissed Jackson?” Kim smiled at her. “And you feel guilty why?”
“He is Steven’s friend, and I was mad because he was telling me what to do. Plus, he has Bea calling him Uncle.” Gracie laughed at herself. “I kissed him because I was mad.”
Kim was laughing at her then. “What better reason.”
“Is it?” Gracie looked serious. “Mark never touched me, unless I made him mad.”
Kim stopped laughing. “Did I just hear you right?”
“I'm afraid so.” Gracie stood. “Maybe I just needed to say that out loud, but I still can't understand it. However, while I'm at it, I want to make a full confession to my sister; not my reverend.”
“I'm listening.” Gracie had Kim’s full attention as her sister focused on her.
“Mark was dating others while I dated him, was engaged to him, and after, I'm going to assume, when we were married.” She sat back down and picked at her sandwich. “I only found this out after I found out about Bea. However, there is more, and I don’t know how much Mom told you, so I'm going to tell you everything.” Gracie paused as her secretary came up to the door. “Yes, Addison.”
“There is a Jackson Carter here to see you, Gracie.” Addison waited for her to respond.
“I can see him in ten minutes, Addison.” Gracie glanced over at Kim. “What have I done?”
“We can figure that out later. Tell me the rest of the story first.” Kim had finished eating and was looking straight at her sister.
“Mark beat me.” Gracie took a swallow of her water. “The night Bea was born, he beat me so bad I couldn’t stand by myself. He called Mom and told her I was at the hospital. That was the last time I saw him until the divorce.”
“Gracie. . .” Kim was hugging her as they both stood up. “Baby, you don’t need to keep stuff bottled up like that. Does Steven know?”
“Is Mark still alive?” Gracie watched as Addison had Jackson sit down in the reception area before looking nervously at Kim as she walked over to her desk.
“You have a point. I guess you don’t want him to know.” She watched as Gracie shook her head. “I'm glad that you have finally talked about this anyway. I'll tell Jackson he can come in now.”
“You could tell him to go jump in a lake.” Gracie tried to put on her office demeanor. “What have I done?”
“You kissed him because you were mad.” Kim laughed at her as she walked out. “You dealt it, Baby Girl. Later.”
Addison walked Jackson in and grabbed the plates that were sitting on the table before she left. She was about to shut the door before Gracie asked her not to.
“Jackson, I'm not really sure what this about, and I'm awfully busy.” Gracie pointed to the seat in front of her.
“I was just in the area and wanted to check up on you.” Jackson studied her eyes. “You have a little color back anyway.”
“Your office is across town. How is that ‘just in the area’?” Gracie was writing something on a piece of paper before she looked back up at him.
“Fine. Steven asked me to check up on you. I'm betting he didn’t know that Kim was going to be here.” Jackson found himself looking at her mouth, and she laughed as she caught him.
“I kissed you because I was mad, Jackson.” Gracie informed him. “It won’t happen again.”
“That’s too bad, Cinderella,” Jackson stood and walked to the door. “I won’t admit that I liked it then.”
Gracie watched as he walked to the exit, narrowing her eyes. "Neither will I.” She mumbled as she took the phone call.
She left work for a parent- teachers’ conference at Bea’s school and pulled up into the parking lot five minutes early. Walking into the school, she ran into Mark. She was more shocked than surprised as she looked at him angrily. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to check up on Bea.” He looked her over. “Are you on drugs, Gracie? Is that why you needed that money so bad?”
“No, I'm not on drugs, and how dare you accuse me of that!” Gracie glared at him hard. “Please, tell me. What is the real reason you're doing here? You absolutely have had nothing to do with us since the day she was born.” Gracie walked towards the school office. “Why do you want to see her now?”
“I don’t.” Mark pulled her arms hard. “I want you to tell your brother not to come near me again.”
“And if I don’t?” Bea asked as she was about to open the door.
“Then I'll take my daughter away from you on the pretense that you're on drugs. You sure do look like it.” Mark pulled on her arms harder and raised his hand as the office door opened. “You don’t want that, do you?”
Gracie had shrunk back as she saw his hands. The principal had opened the door and saw the hand rose to slap her. “Ms. Cameron, please go into the office.” He escorted Mark off the campus. “Next time you come here, you'll be escorted off by a police officer.”
Mark glared at him before he got into his car and drove off, squealing his wheels.
The principal walked back into the office and saw the tears streaming down on Gracie's face. “Dry off your face before your conference. I'm going to call Steven, so he can make sure you get somewhere safe.”
“Thank you, Principal Rogers.” Gracie was scared, and he could tell it as he walked back to his office to call Steven.
She walked to her daughter’s classroom to meet with Bea’s teacher. The principal had also called her on the school phone to let her know what had just happened. After the conference, Mrs. Dalton walked both Gracie and Bea to the office where Steven was talking to Bea’s principal.
Gracie took one look at him, and she could feel the anger in his body language. “I’m sorry, Steven.”
“Again it isn't your fault.” Steven picked Bea up and took Gracie's hand. “Thanks, Terry, for giving me the heads up.”
“Terry?” Gracie had never thought about his name.
“Yes, another friend of mine that was mean to you when you played like you was Cinderella.” Steven glanced at her. “I am grateful that he remembered you.”
“So am I.” Gracie looked around outside and glanced at her car. “Great, just great! When did he have time to do that?”
“What?” Steven asked before he looked at the car noticing that all four of the tires were slashed. “What exactly did he want?”
“I'll have to tell you later.” Gracie smiled at Bea. “The teacher really bragged about you, Princess. You're a hard worker.”
Bea smiled at her sadly. She was old enough to know that something bad had just happened to her mother, and she closed her eyes as Steven carried her to his car.
“We'll have a tow truck come and pick up your car.” Steven drove them to his apartment. “Tell me what you need from your place. The best thing you can do will be to spend a couple of days with us.”
“I’ll make you a list, or I could come with you and pack the bag myself.” Gracie said as she walked beside Bea into the apartment. “And on the way there, I can tell you what happened.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let me tell Paige and I'll be right back.” Steven called for Paige and followed her voice into the bedroom. He came back out with Paige, who just stared at Gracie as she hugged Bea.
“Hello, Princess, would you like to help me cook?” She called out to Bea after studying Grace for a couple of minutes.
“Sure!” Bea ran into the kitchen while Paige hugged Gracie.
Gracie looked at her brother after they were on their way to their apartment. “He threatened to take Bea away from me because he thinks I used that money to buy drugs. That's his story if I don't tell you to stay away from him. Accused me of having the habit.” She told him the rest as an afterthought because that was the one thing that stuck in her mind. She watched as her brother grew angry.
“He was never a ‘Prince Charming'. That's for sure.” Steven looked around the complex before he allowed Gracie out of the car. They walked into the apartment, and Gracie just stared at her belongings in shock as Steven grabbed the phone to call the police. “Don’t touch anything.”
Gracie looked around her apartment in horror before she glanced back at her brother. Steven watched her as he was talking on the phone.
“I have to ask, Steven.” Gracie said after he hung up while massaging her temples. She could feel a headache starting to form. “How exactly did you get the money from Mark?”
“I threatened him with the law. I can promise that I didn't lay one hand on him.” Steven hugged her after he walked to where she was standing. “Not to say that I didn't want to” He looked at his sister’s belongings scattered around the rooms. “You don’t deserve this.”
“Bea’s school, my car, and my apartment. Where is he going next? My office?” Gracie watched as police officers started to comb through her apartment. “Please tell me he doesn’t know where I work.”
“I wish I could.” Steven shook his head. “I wonder what he was looking for.”
“His money,” Gracie stared at him agitated. “The money is in my office with a bank deposit slip.” She sat down on the floor as she watched the police come out of her bedroom.
“It's all clear, Mr. McBride, and we have some nice prints to run.” The police officer shook Steven’s hand before looking down at Gracie.
Gracie looked up at him. “Can you do a run by on Salem Publishing Plus? He might try to go there next."
“Who?” The officer looked at her as he asked.
“My ex-husband, Mark Cameron,” Gracie took the hand her brother offered her and stood up. She walked into Bea’s room and picked up the worn teddy bear her daughter slept with. She sat down on the bed as she felt tears starting to sting her eyes. “I can do this.” Gracie stood back up and started grabbing clothes for her daughter before heading to her own bedroom. Steven was standing in the door frame watching her as she picked out a couple of outfits.
“Gracie?” Steven took the bag from her.
“I'm fine, Steven, this is just a shock.” Gracie gave him a half smile as she stepped around the empty drawers lying on the floor. “This is going to take a month to clean up.”
“We’ll do it together.” Stevie squeezed her hand as she stood next to him. “Let’s go.”
“I don’t want to tell Bea about this.” Gracie still held the teddy bear in one hand.
“That might not be a good idea. She needs to be on the lookout.” Steven was still holding her hand as they walked out to his car.
Gracie sighed in her frustration. "Is it okay if I get mad?”
“I would love it if you got mad.” Steven laughed at her. “Would you like me to call Jackson?”
“For what?” Gracie asked as she glanced over at her brother.
“I don’t know. Maybe you want to kiss him.” Steven held the door open for her as he talked. “Men talk, Cinderella.”
“You've got to be kidding me.” Gracie studied the teddy bear as she thought of her behavior from the night before. "You're not mad about that are you?”
“Should I be?” Steven asked as they pulled into his driveway. “And Jackson isn't mad either.” He grabbed Gracie's bag, and they walked into the house. Bea was asleep curled up on the couch next to Paige.
“That’s good because it was like kissing you.” Gracie whispered as she looked at Bea. She had convinced herself that it was brotherly so it wouldn't be a problem later.
“That’s not what Jackson said. He enjoyed it.” Steven smiled as he saw the anger build in Gracie' eyes. He handed her the bag as he picked up Bea to carry her to bed. “Good night, Gracie
“Night, Steven, and thanks again.” Gracie tucked the covers around Bea and handed her the teddy bear before putting on her pajamas.
She tossed and turned as she thought about Mark showing up at the school. She finally gave up and left the bed. She walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of water as she watched Paige traipse into the room.
“Are you having trouble sleeping?” Paige asked her as she saw the stress in her friend’s eyes.
“You could say that.” Gracie sat at the table. “I keep thinking about what Mark said at the school.”
“I haven’t heard any of that.” Page went over to the cabinet and pulled out some snack cakes. “Would you fill me in?” She handed one to Gracie
Gracie told her everything as she nibbled on the cake. “He threatened to take Bea from me. I wonder if there's something mentally wrong with him.”
“You know, if I told Steven everything you swore me to secrecy; Steven would've beaten him to death already.”
“Then we should be grateful that he doesn’t know.” I looked at her very appreciative to have a friend like Paige. “What Steven doesn’t know. . .”
“Will hurt him.” Steven finished for her as he walked into the kitchen looking angrily at Paige and Gracie. He saw the look Gracie had shot him and gave it right back to her. “I think it's time to spill it.”
“No, Steven,” Gracie was irritated as she stood. “It's the past and it’s over.”
“Is that really the game you want to play?” Steven glared at her. “Don’t you think. . .?”
“What I think is that there are some things big brothers don’t need to know.” She started walking back to the spare bedroom as Steven walked in front of her. “We weren’t even in the same state when all this was going on anyway.”
“When was it going on?” Steven looked at Paige then. “You can either tell me or Paige can tell me, but one way or the other, I'm going to know what was going on.” He took up the phone and dialed a number walking into the other room, so they couldn't hear him talk.
“Great- Did he just call Mom?” Gracie sat back down at the table as she looked over at Paige in disbelief.
Steven walked back into the room as he looked down at his sister. “Have you made a decision?”
“Fine, Steven.” Gracie looked at him angrily as Paige frowned at her husband. “You win. I'll give you all the details.”
Steven listened to her as she talked growing angrier as he heard all the details. “Mom didn’t even say anything.”
“What were you doing a week after Bea was born?” Gracie asked him, hardening herself as she talked so that tears didn't sting her eyes. “I believe that you and Paige were getting married. That is why nobody told you about what was going on.”
Gracie was still angry as she saw Steven get up to answer the door. Expecting her parents, she was taken aback as Jackson walked into the house. “Cute, Steven, I'm going to bed.”
Paige stood and grinned at Steven after she saw Jackson. “Finish your cake, Gracie.”
Jackson glanced at her before turning his attention to Steven. “What is going on, and where is this emergency, Steven?” He looked at his friend who was glaring at his sister.
“Steven wants to kiss you.” Gracie threw the cake into the trash can as she looked at her brother angrily. “Good night.”
“I thought we were keeping our affair secret, Steven.” Jackson looked at him after watching Gracie throw the cake away. He heard her laugh as she walked down to the spare bedroom.
“Ha, ha.” Steven looked at his friend. “I was looking after your interests.” He sat back down at the table. “I found out that she thought kissing you was like kissing me.” He grinned at the look Jackson gave him. “FYI.”
“Really?” Jackson walked down the hall and stopped Gracie before she opened her bedroom door. “How are you feeling, Gracie
She looked up and tried to focus as the hallway was dark. “Are you asking as a doctor? Because if you are you can wait. . .”
Jackson reached for her hand. “I kiss like your brother. Is that really what you think? Because if you are, then I'm thinking I want a second opinion.”
“Not from me,” Gracie wiggled away from him. “So go home or find out from one of your one-nighters.”
She opened the door and shut it softly behind her so as not wake up Bea.
Jackson smiled at the door before he turned around to walk back to the kitchen. “My interests?”
Paige looked at the both of them as she spoke. “I have a feeling that I'm missing something here.”
“She kissed me the other night.” Jackson smirked as he took the cake that Paige offered him. “So Steven here calls me in the middle of the night because of some emergency, and now I'm eating a Hoho snack cake with you guys at one o'clock in the morning."
“I thought we were getting her healthy before we started setting her up on dates.” Paige looked over at Stephen.
“Blind dates?” Jackson asked as he finished the snack cake. “I'm going to love to see this.” He stood up. “I'm going home now, and next time, Steven, make sure there is an emergency before you call me.” He slapped Steven on the back.
“Maybe that was a bad idea,” Steven looked at the clock. “I guess we had better get some sleep. This has been quit a day.”
“She kissed Jackson?” Paige asked him as they walked to the bedroom. “The only guy she ever dated was Mark. How old is Bea?”
“Eight.” Steven answered her as he thought about what she had just said. “I think it's high time for her to get back into the social circle.”
“I’ll start making a list tomorrow of available men.” Paige smiled as she slipped into their bed. “What about Jackson?”
“Not with my sister!” Steven looked at her hard. “I know his reputation. He loves the one-night stands."
“Then I don't understand why you just called him over.” Paige sat up in the bed and looked over at Steve. “Care to explain?”
“For fun, I guess.” Steven kissed her good night and turned the light off.
“That isn't funny, Steven McBride.” Paige turned over on her side. “That's not something you do to your best friend or your sister.”
“I won’t do it again.” Steven answered as he stifled a yawn. “Get some sleep.”
~
Gracie was holding the Friday morning staff meeting when Jackson called the office. It went to voice mail before Addison could grab it, and they all heard what Jackson said before Gracie could mute the speaker.
Addison was smiling as Gracie glared at the phone. “So are you going to give him a second opinion?”
“Staff meeting, Addison,” Gracie frowned as she pointed towards the table. “And I don’t believe in giving second opinions.”
“Too bad, he's cute.” Addison walked back to the table while Gracie stared at her.
“Go for it.” Gracie said as they sat down beside each other. “He’s available. Too bad you are married. Now let’s get back to business.”
Addison stayed in Gracie’s office after the meeting and looked at her boss. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“What’s on your mind?” Gracie sat down behind her desk.
“When is the last time you've taken a vacation or had any kind of fun?” Addison looked worriedly at her as she asked. “And when is the last time you actually went on a date?”
“Never, I can’t remember, and before I was married.” Gracie answered all of her questions at once. “Where are you going with this?”
“Nowhere, I guess. The doctor looks like he would be fun.” Addison saw the amusement in Gracie’s eyes.
“Addison, the doctor is a friend of my brothers, as you have well known." Gracie pushed a paper towards her. “Now it really is time to get some work done.
Addison stood up after she picked up the document that Gracie had pushed to her. “He wanted a second opinion on a kiss. That sounds like it would be fun to me.”
“Well, when he calls back you can offer your services to him.” Gracie was laughing at her as she pointed to the door. “And I would love to hear what Dylan says about his wife kissing another man.”
“Touché.” Addison walked out of the door with a smile on her face. She made a u-turn as she saw who had walked in. “Dr. Carter just walked in so I will offer him my services.”
“Do that. And, Addison, I'm not available to see him today.” Gracie looked down at her desk as she spoke.
“Really? I know for a fact that you have no appointments until after lunch.” Addison saw the serious look that Gracie shot her. “Fine. I'll send him on his way.”
Addison knocked on the door after Jackson left and walked into the office shooting daggers at her boss.
Gracie looked up at her. “Didn’t he want that second opinion?”
“Yes, I'm sure he does, but not from me.” Addison threw some papers on Gracie’s desk as she spoke. “He wanted to drop these off.” She watched as Gracie’s expression went from amused to uptight. “And these,” Addison put a bottle of vitamins next to them.
“And why did he want to drop these off?” Gracie picked up the papers and tossed them into the trash can beside her desk.
“Anorexic?” Addison studied her boss. “I thought we were friends, Gracie.”
“Friends don’t whine when they have a little trouble.” Gracie stared out the windows of her office. “Shit!” She grabbed the money and bank deposit out of a drawer and handed them to Addison. “Okay, friends do whine. Take this to the bank. Hide it in your skirt and then take it to the bank.”
“What?” Addison watched as Gracie turned white as a ghost.
“Mark is here and there's fixing to be trouble.” Gracie was visibly shaking as she talked. “I have to get rid of him.”
“What does he want?”
“The money I just handed you. It’s Bea’s money.” Gracie looked at her with panic in her eyes. “He hasn’t seen you yet so walk out the other door. Quickly!”
“When I get back, we’ll talk.” Addison walked out the back door and out to the parking lot where she saw Jackson talking on the phone. She walked over to him and told him that Gracie had an unexpected opening, and that he should really go back to the office before she jumped into her own car and took off.
Jackson was talking to Steven on the phone as he had taken notice of the panic that was on Gracie’s secretary’s face. “Steven, something doesn’t feel right here. I’ll call you back.” He walked into the office as he saw Gracie being lifted up by the throat, “Oh, man.” Steven was still on the phone as Jackson had forgotten to hang up. Jackson looked at one of the employees and had her call 911 as he tried to open Gracie’s office doors. “This is so going to hurt in the morning.” He mumbled as he walked back to Addison’s desk and took a running start to the doors; throwing his cell phone down before he crashed into the glass.
He grabbed Mark as Gracie was fighting to breathe. Gracie slumped down on the floor as she watched. She felt like she was watching a movie while Jackson was fighting with Mark. The police officers came into the office to take over. She watched as Steven walked into her office and sat down next to her as Jackson gave his statement to the police. She watched him bleed and closed her eyes.
Addison walked back into the office and took in the whole scene as she fought to maintain her composure. Jackson pointed her out to a police officer as paramedics looked over his cuts.
“Are you Addison?” The officer asked as he walked up to her.
“Yes, sir,” Addison put the deposit slip down on her desk.
“I need to ask you some questions.” He noticed that she was looking for her boss. “She'll be alright. They just left with her to go to the hospital.”
“Hospital?” Addison told them everything she knew as saw Kim walk into the office looking around until she spotted Steven and Jackson.
Steven looked at his sister as he walked out of Gracie’s office followed by Jackson. Kim looked over the cuts that covered Jackson and then down at the broken glass. “Gracie?”
“She’s at the hospital. I called Mom, and they're on their way there as we speak.” Steven looked at Kim as he answered her. “Gracie is pretty bad off. I need to call Terry and tell him that Paige is going to pick up Bea.”
“Can you have Paige pick up Sammie, too?” Kim started to walk out the door. “Which hospital?”
“The MK,” Jackson answered wincing as he pulled his shirt off some of the cuts.
~
Gracie woke up and looked around the hospital room, listening to the hums and beeps before she saw her mother. She watched as her mother cried while her father stood by her. Gracie tried to talk, but all that came out was a moan.
Janet looked at her. “Oh, baby girl,” she whispered as she sat down in the chair next to the bed and took the hand that didn't have an IV. “Don’t try to talk, it will hurt you.” She couldn't help but to look at the hand prints that were on Gracie’s throat.
Gracie whispered. “Bea?”
“Paige has Bea with her.” Janet answered as she watched Chandler leave the room.
He walked to the waiting area where Kim and Steven were waiting for news. “She's awake now.” He saw the relief spread over their faces. “The first thing she did was ask about Bea.”
“Bea is her life, Pop.” Kim spoke as she stood.
“And I'm grateful for that.” Chandler looked over at Steven. “Where is Jackson?”
“He went home.” Steven followed Chandler and Kim down the hall. “I forgot to thank him.”
“We all did.” Chandler walked into Gracie’s hospital room.
Kim stared at her sister as she saw the swollen eyes and the bruises on her arms and throat. “Oh, my,” she started crying as Chandler hugged her.
“Pull it together, Rev.” Chandler whispered to her as Gracie watched.
Gracie looked over at Steve. “Thank Jackson for me.” She whispered as he walked towards her.
“You can thank him.” Steve kissed her on the cheek.
Gracie shook her head as she put a hand on her throat. She closed her eyes before Steven could say anything else.
Steven looked at Kim and his parents before walking out of the room. He told them that he was going home before the door shut.
~
Chapter 3
~
Paige heard Steven as he walked into the apartment and looked up at him wanting to ask about Gracie.
There were tears in his eyes as he watched Bea sleeping on the couch. He looked at Paige as he spoke silently. “I’ll put her in the bed, and then I’ll talk to you.”
Steven told Paige everything that Jackson had told him. “And now I can’t find Jackson anywhere.”
“He’s here.” Paige stood. “He's been waiting for you in the kitchen for about an hour.”
Steven stood up and looked in shock as Bea stared at him with tears in her eyes, “Princess?”
“I want to see Momma.” Bea looked at him with those big brown eyes as Steven picked her up. She started screaming for Gracie as Steven started to panic.
Jackson walked out from the kitchen as he watched Steven trying to calm the little girl before taking her away from his friend. He walked with her, talking soothingly as Steven watched him. “I’m a pediatrician; I have to be good at calming children down.” Bea laid her head on Jackson’s shoulder after she had stopped crying.