The Stand Page 23

  “I was actually thinking about Lewis.”

  She frowned. “Lewis?”

  “I saw him this morning and he talked to me about your mom.”

  “Why were you talking to him?”

  “I was going to Serendipity. He was outside.”

  “Oh.” She pulled her eyes away to stare at the dirt. “What did he say?”

  “He’s worried about you. Worried that your mom is going to hurt you.”

  “At least she’s trying,” Grace said in her defense. “At least she wants to be a part of my life now.”

  “I think Lewis does, too.”

  Grace pushed herself up from the step. “You don’t know that.” She walked away from him, crossing her arms. A sharp breeze whipped her hair off her face. She turned back and ran into Nathan.

  “He told me.”

  She hadn’t heard him move. She looked up, ready for a reply, but the words wouldn’t come. He reached out, stopped less than an inch from touching her cheek. Grace held her breath and waited.

  Gravel crunched on the road and the moment was over. Elliot and Kara were here. And just behind them was a large delivery truck.

  “The furniture is here,” she whispered.

  Nathan had already stepped back. He lifted his gaze to the sky and the rolling clouds overhead. “Just in time.”

  Chapter 29

  Nathan helped get most of the furniture inside by the time the sky opened up. As the trucks pulled away, rain came down in sheets and the entire entryway shone with water. Maddy walked in from the kitchen with a pile of towels. She dropped them to the floor and bent to start wiping up the water.

  “Maddy.” Grace frowned. “Don’t do that.”

  Riley bent down and snatched the towels from her, passing some to Nathan. “We’ll work on this. Why don’t you figure out what we’re going to do for dinner?”

  “I think I’ll get upstairs and work on those bookshelves,” Grace said.

  “We’ll work on them next week,” Riley protested.

  Maddy nodded. “Take a break. Pizza, remember? I’m starving!”

  Grace turned with a smile. “I just want to get started. You guys figure out dinner and come get me when you’re ready.”

  She didn’t wait for a response before heading upstairs.

  “Those shelves are heavy, Grace,” Riley called after her. He looked down at his shoes and sighed. “I’d better help her.”

  “I will,” Nathan said. When everyone looked in his direction, he shrugged, then let the corner of his mouth tilt in a smile. “I’ll try anyway.”

  “We’ll figure this out quick,” Kara told him with a nod.

  He chuckled as he walked toward the stairs. “You’d better. Maddy needs to eat.”

  “Thank you, Nathan,” Maddy said with a smile. She turned to the rest of the group. “I don’t know about pizza though…oooh, a cheeseburger sounds good.”

  He shook his head in amusement as he went up the rest of the stairs. He heard the slide of something heavy. Grace was yanking on some shelves from inside a long box and he stepped into the room, dodging the plastic wrap she’d peeled off the top.

  She paused. “You figured out dinner already?”

  “They’re working on it. Grace, let me help you with that. Please.”

  He stepped over the box and grabbed the shelves. She relinquished her hold to grab to the next box, breaking that one open as well. “Grace,” he said quietly, kneeling down next to her, “we don’t have to finish this all today.”

  She dropped the edge of the box and sat on the floor, leaning her back against the wall. “I’m really tired of everyone saying that.”

  He sat next to her. “Saying what?”

  “That we’ll take care of things later. I’m running out of time.”

  “I know you feel like that.”

  “Do not tell me we’ll figure it out later.”

  “I wasn’t going to say that, Grace. I promise.”

  He looked over, saw her gaze focus on his face. He told himself to keep his hands to himself, but they didn’t want to cooperate.

  His fingers wove through hers, and she let him.

  “What were you going to say?” Grace asked, voice soft as her eyes flicked to their linked hand.

  “I was going to say I’ll help you figure it out. Right now.”

  She raised a brow.

  “I’m serious.” He smiled. The urgency was getting to him as well. They didn’t have a lot of time. “I’m your friend, Grace. I want to help.”

  “You’re my friend,” she repeated, lips moving in a trace of a smile. “I thought…”

  He watched as she dropped her eyes, tracing her free hand across the floor.

  “Grace.”

  “Hmm?”

  He nudged her leg with his knee. “What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing.”

  He inhaled a long, quiet breath and opted for the riskier comment instead of keeping it safe. “You can tell me the truth. Not what’s in your head, but what’s in your heart.”

  Her eyes flashed up to his. “I don’t have much experience with that.”

  “You can try.”

  Her fingers squeezed on his. She shifted to face him, chin tilting up and eyes sincere. “I’m sorry this is so hard for me.”

  “Don’t apologize.” He rubbed his thumb across her knuckles, leaning down so their faces were only inches apart. “What do you want to do?”

  “I want to figure this out like you said. Right now.”

  “Done.”

  She blinked. “You’ll still help me?”

  “Grace…” Again, he had to hold back words he wanted to say. Remind himself to take it one step at a time. Instead, he brushed her cheek with his thumb, pleased when her eyes drooped. “Yes, of course I’ll help you. Right now, we’ll figure it out.”

  “What about dinner? And everyone else?”

  He gave her a smile and stood, pulling her to her feet. “I’ll take care of it.” Her mouth opened. He tugged her close and brushed his lips on hers, surprising them both. “Be right back.”

  Nathan left the room, breathing easier than he had in over a week. He jogged down the stairs and caught Riley’s eye. Riley raised his brows.

  “Get those shelves put together?”

  “Not exactly.” Nathan put his hands in his pockets. “I told Grace I’d help her. I think she wants to work on figuring out the star.”

  “Well, we can stay here.” Kara nodded. “We could order pizza–”

  “No pizza,” Maddy told her.

  “That’s right. We could order something else. Or one of us could go get something.”

  “I think…we’ll work on it together,” he said. “If that’s all right. Give us some time to focus.”

  “Good idea,” Maddy said.

  Riley didn’t sound as convinced. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I…” Nathan rocked back on his heels and sighed. “I think this might be part of figuring out the star. Us being able to spend time together and discuss it.”

  “I agree. But be careful, okay?”

  Nathan nodded. He had a feeling that more was already going on with the star than they thought. Everything that had been keeping him from Grace. Everything that had been happening with her family. Everything that had been happening with her friends. All to keep her from finding the star. And it was working well so far.

  “I’ll keep in touch,” Nathan told them. “And let you know what goes on.”

  ~ ~ ~

  They drove through the rain to Nathan’s house, where the refrigerator was stocked, and they had more room to unwind.

  They’d figure it out. Grace had to keep reminding herself of that. Nathan would help her, they’d figure it out together, and he’d make it easier for her to get through the rest of this.

  They rushed inside, rain pelting them on the way. Nathan brandished his keys and shoved the door open. Inside, he flicked on overhead lights. Grace shrugged out of her jacket and
he took it for her, dropping it on the banister on the stairs. She watched as he removed his own windbreaker and barely took the time to set it down before turning to her again.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” he said, stepping up to her.

  Water ran down his cheek, and she reached up to wipe it away. “Me too.”

  He turned his face into her palm. “Would you like something warm? Coffee maybe?”

  She blinked, prepared for something else. “Sure.”

  Grace followed him to the kitchen, her sneakers squeaking on the tile. Outside the window lightning flashed, followed up by thunder.

  Nathan stepped past her with a smile. “Quite a storm.”

  He opened the pantry and pulled out coffee beans.

  “What can I do to help?”

  “Have a seat. This will just take a minute. Actually”–he gestured to the opposite counter near the phone–“look in that drawer. There’s a notepad and some pens in there. Why don’t you pull them out and we can use that for our list?”

  Grace took out the paper and two pens. She brought them to the table. “We’re making a list?”

  He pressed the button to grind the beans and gave a nod in the noise. It was done in less than ten seconds. “We’re making a list. If we’re going to figure out everything that needs to be done, all the steps we need to take…this will be a good start.”

  She smiled when he said ‘we’ and seated herself at the table, grateful to be off her feet. And over at the counter, putting a filter into the coffee pot, was the man who loved her. Despite all that had happened, despite her uncertainties, she couldn’t deny how she felt about him either. Right or wrong, good or bad, she’d fallen in love with Nathan.

  Grace straightened in her chair. She tried out the word again. Love. It fit. It felt right.

  “Grace?” She lifted her gaze, surprised to find Nathan had ventured a few steps closer. “Everything okay?”

  “I think…I just figured something out.”

  He didn’t answer so she stood and walked to him.

  “What’s that?” he asked finally.

  How did you tell someone you loved them when you’d never done it before? Those weren’t words she used with anyone else besides family.

  She pressed her lips together and moved a few steps closer. Her heart raced before she even made it to him. She sighed in relief when his arms came around her. He always knew what to do. She slipped her hands around his back and leaned her head against his chest.

  “Is this part of what you figured out?” he asked, voice rumbling against her ear.

  “It is.” She nodded. Her heart beat faster. “Nathan…”

  “It’s okay,” he said, making her smile at the familiar words. “Let me just hold you for a minute.”

  She closed her eyes, shivering when his fingers ran up her spine. She lifted her chin. His mouth was already there, ready to meet hers. He swiveled her gently so her back touched the counter.

  “God, I’ve missed you,” he murmured, mouth tracing her cheek and then running to her jaw.

  She tilted her head back in response. “Me too.”

  His hands slid under her shirt, making her knees weak. In response, Nathan grabbed her waist, hauling her on top of the counter so he could reach her mouth better.

  Her laugh caught in her throat when his hands found her breasts through the fabric of her bra. A low moan slid from her throat. She scooted forward on the counter, wrapping her legs around him to get as close as possible.

  Lost in the comforting sound of rain and the low grumble of thunder, the feel of Nathan’s hands on her body, Grace heard the doorbell ring.

  She broke free of his kiss with a sharp breath. “Who’s that?”

  “I don’t know.” He didn’t release her, instead ran his fingers down her ribs. “I think I’ll ignore it.”

  “Nathan,” she chided. “What if it’s important?”

  “They’ll come back.”

  She smiled, tugging her shirt back into place. “Go get it. Just in case.”

  He dropped his chin to his chest, breath short. “Can’t you just stay here and wait for me? Right here. And don’t move.”

  She laughed. “Go get the door.”

  He released her, fixing his own shirt. “I’ll be right back.”

  She listened to his quick footsteps, listened to the door open before she eased herself off the counter and smoothed a hand over her damp hair. Her heart raced in anticipation. She’d do it when he came back. Tell him how much he meant to her. Tell him she loved him.

  She heard slow conversation from the other room but couldn’t make out what was being said. She recognized Nathan’s voice but not the other. It sounded…like a woman.

  Curiosity jabbed at her. She ventured slowly out of the kitchen where she saw a woman standing just inside the doorway, dressed in a sophisticated pair of jeans and a dark blazer. She had an umbrella dangling at her side. She gave a small smile with peach colored lips when she saw Grace.

  “Hi.”

  Nathan turned sharply and saw her.

  “Hi,” Grace said, stopping by the stairs.

  “Grace.” Nathan sighed. “This is Amanda.”

  “His ex-wife,” Amanda told her with a smile. She extended a hand and Grace stepped forward to take it numbly. “And you are?”

  Words jumbled in her mouth. Was Amanda real? Or was this just another trick? Something to set them back with finding the star?

  When Amanda continued to wait for her response, she cleared her throat. “A friend,” Grace said quietly. “Grace.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Amanda turned abruptly to Nathan. “I’m sorry to interrupt but this is important. Can I come in?”

  Nathan started to answer but Grace nodded, relieved somewhere in the back of her mind that she’d driven herself. “I can leave.”

  “No, Grace–”

  Amanda caught his arm. “Nathan…” Her eyes strayed to Grace and then back again. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. We should really talk. Ever since you called–”

  “This is going to have to wait. Grace–”

  “I’m sorry,” she murmured, watching the way Amanda’s hand lingered on Nathan’s arm. Recognizing the look in her eye. “I’ll go. My purse…”

  She reached for her purse and fumbled inside blindly for her keys. Questioning the woman before her, questioning what she’d said about needing to talk, about the phone call. Her stomach twisted. And she’d almost given her heart to Nathan.

  “Please don’t leave,” Nathan said.

  She turned her eyes away from him. Away from Amanda, still holding his arm. Trying to get him to let her go.

  “I’ll talk to you later,” she mumbled, brushing past Amanda to get out the door.

  She heard Nathan behind her but didn’t turn. She ignored the jolt in her ankle when she slid on mud and realized she’d forgotten her jacket. The next time she slipped, she wasn’t as fortunate and went down on the edge of a flagstone step. Rain pelted her from above.

  “Grace!”

  Nathan kneeled at her side immediately, reaching for her. Grace caught sight of Amanda watching from the doorway, and her cheeks flushed warm with embarrassment. She scrambled to her feet, felt Nathan’s hands at her waist. Then on her arms, trying to get her to stop.

  She jerked at the door to her car, the handle slipping in her grip. Nathan caught her arm fully this time, then reached for the other one. “Grace, stop. Please. I don’t want you to leave.”

  Water spilled across her face. She shook her head, trying to back up. Refusing to meet his eyes. “You should talk to her Nathan. She obviously has something important to say to you.”

  “I don’t want you to drive in this weather. The rain is worse. Wait, please. We’ll talk.”

  “I’ll be fine.” She pulled her arms away and hopped in. She would be fine. She always had been. Her hands still shook when she shoved the keys in the ignition and started the car. Nathan remained outside, watching her through
the rain and the lightning.

  Her stomach twisted. She’d almost told him she loved him. Almost made one of the biggest choices of her life. But…what if he wanted to get back together with Amanda? She didn’t think this was another trick of the star. That woman in there was flesh and blood. And clearly trying to get her husband back.

  Grace couldn’t stand in the way, she couldn’t…

  With a quiet sob, Grace turned the car around and drove toward the hill. The tires slid on the pavement, which looked more like a waterslide now than a road. The windshield fogged up on the edges as she fiddled with the defrost button. Another sharp twist of the wheel and she was halfway down the hill.

  She reached out for her purse, searching along the inside to find her cell phone. She needed Maddy or Kara. Someone to calm her down and tell her it was all going to be okay. The last sharp curve brought her to the bottom of the hill.

  Grace shoved her hand further into her purse, and it finally closed around her phone. She looked up just in time to see headlights from another vehicle.

  Her hand jerked on the wheel, spinning the car to the right, trying to avoid a collision. She caught herself in a whirling spin that completely turned the car around and whisked it to the edge of the road.

  She dropped the cell phone, gripped the wheel and slammed her foot on the brake. The car skidded over a deep patch of water and slid to the side, finally coming to an abrupt halt at the foot of a tree.

  Chapter 30

  Nathan rushed back into the house, brushing past Amanda.

  “Nathan?”

  “I can’t talk to you now, Amanda.”

  She stepped in his path, blocking him from the kitchen. “Who is she?”

  “Grace?”

  “She’s more than a friend, isn’t she?”

  “Yes.”

  Amanda licked her lips, a crease forming on her forehead. “Do you love her?”

  He watched water drip from his clothes and pool on the floor. “Yes. I love her.”

  She crossed her arms. When he lifted his eyes, he saw a vulnerability in her he’d never seen. “I came back because I thought maybe we could talk about how things went. It was…rough on both of us. But…” She offered a tentative smile. “I was thinking maybe we could try again.”