Divine Grace (24 page)

“Yes, I told Jack I would. I’ll go home with all of you. If that’s what you want.”

“Gracie, you know it is. You don’t ever have to doubt that’s what we want. We may never let you leave.”

“Jack said the same thing.”

They got the house mopped dry, and Adam and Ethan screwed the sheets of plywood over the broken windows. Several sections of the roof were missing shingles, so they spread the blue tarp over the worst areas and secured it in place. The power eventually came back on, so Jack set the ceiling fans on high and left the AC on. Drying out the interior and keeping it cool were her highest priorities. She could not afford to give mold a chance to start growing.

Grace packed her clothing and other items she would need during her stay at the ranch, and put things in as much order as she could. She packed the gold jewelry set and other valuable pieces from her jewelry box into a small compartment in her suitcase. Ethan and the others came and stood in the hallway outside her bedroom door. “We’re ready to stop for now, Grace.

It’s late, and you must be exhausted. Do you have everything you need?”

She walked to the door and handed him the garment bag.

“Yeah,” she said, looking at each of them tenderly, “I really
do
have everything I need.”

This house was where she kept her stuff, slept, and where she got her mail. Real independence was making up her own mind about how she lived her life. It was clear to her now that she was making a liberated choice, and

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that was so much more valuable than living on her own in an illusion of independence.

Adam and Jack lifted the other pieces of luggage and carried them into the living room as she said, “I may have over packed, but that way I have what I need until we can sort things out here.”

Jack nodded and opened the door. “One of us will come back in the morning to see if the house is drying out all right. You feel okay to drive?”

She grabbed her purse and pulled out her keys. “Sure, I can drive. That way you won’t have to chauffeur me. But I am beat. Let’s go.” She turned off the lamp in the living room.

“Darlin’, you sound happy to be come home with us, almost eager.

What changed?” Jack asked as his hand smoothed over her shoulder.

“I wanted to be independent. Be in my own place for once. More and more I feel my place really is with the three of you, regardless of the circumstances that put me there. I love you, and I want to be with you. Now my actions line up with my words.”

“No more doubts?”

“No, not doubts. I didn’t doubt you. My only worry is Patricia making life difficult for y’all.”

“Ethan and Ben had a talk with her Monday night,” Jack explained.

“She knows she is on thin ice. If there is trouble, she’s already been warned.

Angel knows about it as well. Come on home with us. It’ll all work out.”

Ethan had her car backed out of the garage with the AC already on when she stepped out of the front door. Would they grow bored with looking after her like this? She hoped not. It wasn’t the things they did that made her happy so much as it was the fact they put thought into what would please her. She knew what Rose Marie Warner would say. “Seize the day, baby!”

Yes, ma’am.

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She parked next to Ethan’s truck and Jack’s big, black SUV. Adam pulled in beside her and walked Grace up the front steps to the wraparound porch. He stopped her when she would have walked in and picked her up, gently, into his big muscular arms and carried her over the threshold. Still holding her, he kissed her.

“Welcome home, Grace.”

Being cradled like that sent a delighted thrill through her. He made her feel like she was as light as a feather.

He put her down carefully and took her hand. “Let me show you which room is yours.”

“Y’all already have a room picked out for me?”

“We were optimistic, baby, that’s all.” He led her back to what must be the master suite. Jack and Ethan were already there, their faces boyish and hopeful.

“Do you like it?” Ethan asked.

She looked around the room, surprised. She could smell lemon furniture polish and knew they had cleaned and vacuumed it recently. The room was simply furnished with a king-size bed against the wall opposite the doorway.

There was a wide dresser topped with a mirror, a chest of drawers, and lamps on small tables on either side of the bed.

“It’s wonderful.” Grace looked at the three of them smiling at her. “But who gave up their bedroom so I could have the master suite?” Some planning had gone into this move.

“Jack did,” Ethan replied. “He wanted you to have a walk-in closet and the master bath. We want you to be comfortable and happy here. We gave you the best room because we hope you’ll stay forever.”

Grace turned and looked up at them. “Jack? Adam? Is that what you want, too?”

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“More than anything,” Jack replied.

“With all my heart,” Adam said, kissing the hand he still held.

Ethan added, “We didn’t expect you to make a decision tonight, especially not under these circumstances. We want you to rest and feel at home with us. Your closet is here through this door, and your bathroom has a separate shower and tub.”

“I’ll go put something together for supper,” Adam said. “None of us ever ate anything tonight. Baby, get settled, take a shower if you want, and we’ll get supper on the table for you. Want me to bring you something in here?”

“No, I’ll come in the kitchen. I won’t be but a few minutes. Right now a shower trumps food, but not by much.”

They left her alone. She unpacked her luggage, found the bag with her toiletries in the bathroom, and started the shower. She had a feeling that if she got in the tub right now, she’d fall asleep and drown. She was that tired.

It had been a long and over-stimulating day.

She wondered how Harper’s and Stigall’s had fared in the storm. She’d know how Martha and Rose were tomorrow, and she would call Ms. Meyer from work and see how things were at the store. It was too late to call anyone tonight, and she was just too tired.

She bathed in the shower, which was big enough for the four of them, then walked into the bedroom and retrieved her night clothes and put them and her robe on. She toweled her hair and brushed it out, then went straight to the kitchen.

Her men were gathered around the table. She joined them and accepted the plate Adam had prepared for her. Leftover spaghetti, green salad, and freshly made garlic toast. It was simple quick fare that hit the spot. The hour was late, so she only ate a little of everything but savored it nonetheless.

They looked at her questioningly.

“Grace, is that all you’re going to eat?” Adam asked.

She hoped he wasn’t offended. “I have to be careful about eating this late because it gives me indigestion if I overdo it. Plus, eating this late will pack the pounds right on my hips. I don’t want that.”

“We’ll have to remember not to make such a heavy meal at night again,” Ethan said. “We didn’t know you get indigestion.”

“That’s all right. I ate what I needed, and y’all can enjoy the rest.”

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“As for your hips,” Jack said playfully, “we love your hips, don’t we, guys?”

“They’re like works of art,” Ethan said, grinning at the others. Adam just smacked his lips, making Grace’s cheeks tingle with heat.

“Are you happy with your room, Grace?” Ethan asked.

“I love it. I’ll get spoiled with such a big bathroom. That tub has my name written all over it. And whoever bought new linens,” she looked directly at Ethan and paused for effect, “did a great job. I love blue and white. Very soothing.”

“I’ll bet she loves that mattress,” Jack said. “Like sleeping on air.”

“Did you give up your mattress for me? What if you’re uncomfortable?”

she asked, appalled that she’d kicked him out of his comfy bed.

“I had one delivered for the bedroom upstairs when I moved out of the master suite. Believe me, darlin’, it’s money well spent to sleep that good.”

“Well, y’all, as much as I’m enjoying the conversation, I really need to lie down before I fall down. See you in the morning?” She rose from her chair.

They all came around to hug and kiss her goodnight. She stumbled back to her room. She vaguely noticed for the first time that the room was a little warm. She would check the thermostat in the morning.

She was too tired for any siren songs tonight. She slipped off her robe and night clothes then turned off the lamps.

* * * *

Adam cleaned up the kitchen, watching as first Jack and then Ethan went quietly down the hall to her bedroom to check on her. They each returned to the kitchen with satisfied smiles on their faces. Adam dried his hands on a towel and said goodnight as they went to their bedrooms. He hung the towel and turned off the lights then stepped silently down the hall to look in on her.

He leaned against her bedroom door and drank in the sight before him.

The room must have been too warm because she’d gone to bed naked and left her night clothes and robe draped over the foot of the bed. She’d pushed the covers back in her sleep, so the sweet curve of her nude back and hip

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were clearly visible, and the blanket just barely covered her delectable ass.

She was finally under their roof. He hoped she never left.

* * * *

Grace gasped, and her eyes flew open at the sensation of a warm mouth and the light flick of a tongue on her shoulder. Ethan? She stretched and yawned as she turned onto her back. She gazed up blissfully into his sparkling blue eyes and watched as they roamed over her naked form. She must have thrown the covers off during the night because she was completely exposed from the hips up. She smiled at him, feeling that familiar ache begin in the pit of her belly. She stretched again.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, packing an awful lot into those three simple words with his eyes and the sweet smile on his lips.

“Were you comfortable last night?” He was dressed in faded blue jeans, work boots, and one of his work shirts, dark green twill with The Dancing Pony logo above the pocket.

He held two cups of coffee in his hands. He held one out to her. She sat up and took it from him. It was made just the way she liked it. Creamy and sweet. Perfect.

“I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. It was a little warm in here last night, though.”

“Ah, that would explain why you’re naked, wouldn’t it?” he said playfully. He walked over to the thermostat on the wall by the armoire. “I can fix that. It’s set on seventy-nine. No wonder you were warm. How low do you want it?”

“Set it on seventy-three, and we’ll see how I do tonight. I forgot to put out my phone last night. Am I running late?”

“No, it’s early. Not quite seven o’clock. You don’t have to hurry. Adam and Jack are cooking you breakfast.” He sat beside her, sipping his coffee.

“I made your coffee. Is it the way you like it?”

“Yes. You’re good that way, Ethan. You know that? You notice all the little things about me, like the way I take my coffee. Thank you for bringing it to me.”

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“I couldn’t resist. You left your door open last night, and we noticed you were naked when we came to check on you. I went to bed thinking of waking you with a kiss.” He reached out a hand to caress her cheek.

“You did? You say the sweetest things, Ethan. Y’all checked on me last night? I must have been slept really hard. I never heard you.”

“We didn’t want to wake you. We noticed you left your door open and, to be quite honest, couldn’t resist peeking in on you. You were sleepin’

purty, but we left the door open for you in case you were too warm.”

“Sleepin’ purty, huh?” she whispered, her heart doing a little flippity-flop.

“Mmm-hmm,” he murmured softly, leaning in to give her a chaste kiss before getting up.

“I’ll leave you to get dressed. Breakfast should be done soon.” He grinned at her as she reached for her robe, before walking from the room.

She got up from the luxurious bed and walked into the closet. She felt sexy and daring this morning, so she put on her favorite cleavage-baring bra, the black lace cheeky shorts, blue jeans, boots, and her favorite body-hugging knit top. She brushed out her hair and left it down around her shoulders in soft waves and applied just a little makeup and lipstick. After making the bed, she found them in the kitchen. Adam scrubbed a pan in the sink, and Jack was wiping down the stove and counter. They’d waited for her to join them before they sat down to eat.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Adam said when he looked up and saw her. She knew they were neat and tidy but marveled as she watched.

Men who cleaned up after themselves. How lucky was she?

“Good morning,” she said as she refilled her coffee cup.

“Did you sleep well, darlin’?” Jack gave her an admiring once over, his eyes lingered admiringly on her top. “You look beautiful this morning.”

“Thank you.” She blushed, warming under his prolonged gaze. “I slept like a baby last night.”

He came up behind her to give her a kiss on her cheek and to nuzzle her neck. She turned to him, irresistible in his denim shirt and jeans. He smelled wonderful, like spicy soap. She wrapped her arms around him and breathed him in.

“Did y’all sleep well last night?” she asked as Jack released her to finish stirring the sugar in her coffee.

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“I’ve had better.” There was a rather melodramatic tone to Jack’s reply.

“Me, too.” She had to stifle an indelicate snort at Adam’s whiny reply.

Ethan yawned as he joined them in the kitchen. “Me, three.” She detected a definite pout.

“Well, what happened, boys? Bad dreams?” she noted they all looked very pathetic suddenly. Adam was dressed in a bright red twill work shirt similar to Ethan’s. He looked really sharp in his freshly pressed clothing.

“It was really hard to fall asleep with the knowledge there was a beautiful, nekkid nymph sleeping in our home just a few feet away.”

“Oh!” She giggled, delighted at the way their faces lit up at her laughter.

Adam gave her a big bear hug and motioned her to the table, bringing her cup of coffee to her as she sat. “Thank you! If my being here is going to keep you from getting your proper rest, I should go. I don’t want to torture you.” She snickered.

“If that’s torture, baby, chain me to a wall,” Adam said.

“When are your test results coming in?” She grinned at them over her cup of coffee and winked at Ethan.

“Not frickin’ soon enough,” Adam muttered, and the others laughed, too.

They ate breakfast quickly. Grace was ravenous after foregoing most of the meal last night.

“I called the glass company,” Jack said as he rose from the table.

“They’ll come either tomorrow or early Friday to replace your glass.”

“Thank you for taking care of that, Jack. I wondered who I should call about the glass.”

“It’s handled. I know a guy,” he said. “I’m just glad he could fit us in.

They are going to be busy this week. There are lots of windows blown out and trees down all over town.”

“I feel very lucky it wasn’t worse. Did Ethan show you the brick?”

Grace asked as she rinsed her plate and put it in the dishwasher.

“Yes, he did.” Jack shuddered. “Good thing y’all were in that old cast-iron tub and not one of the newer fiberglass models. You would have been seriously injured if you had.”

She reached out a hand to him as he stepped around the marble counter top, gathering his phone and planner.

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“Do y’all have time to talk for a minute? It won’t take long.” She smiled at her men. They looked hopeful but uncertain. A little worried. She hoped they would understand where she was coming from with these next words.

She was done settling for half measures and good enough. She wanted her dream, and she was going to ask for it. That didn’t mean she wasn’t a little freaked out about taking the bull by the horns. The breath shuddered in her throat, and she had to stop and take a few quick breaths. Her heart started pounding.

“Gracie, honey, breathe,” Ethan said, looking worried. He got up from the table, came to her, and put his arms around her. “Whatever it is, you can say it. We love you, and we can work out whatever it is.”

She felt sheltered in his arms, reassured. She took slow, calming breaths. A little voice said “Seize the day, baby!” That made her smile.

Yes, ma’am.

“I am so in love with the three of you,” she began, holding on to the arm Ethan had wrapped around her from behind. “I never would have believed I could feel so loved, so cherished. It overwhelms me to think of it sometimes. I’m going to tell you what I need, if you want me to stay. I don’t expect things to be perfect or to work out overnight, but my heart tells me to trust you. Some of this is not easy for me to ask for.

“I just came out of a miserable live-in relationship. I’m not sure what type of arrangement you had in mind, but I’m not looking for another live-in situation. You don’t strike me as the kind of men that would expect that from me, but it’s important that I tell you that I need a long-term commitment in order to move forward.”

They seemed relieved and quietly listened to her, allowing her to get it all out.

“Additionally, I find Patricia’s presence here very uncomfortable.

Because Angel is your friend, this places you in a difficult position. I don’t expect you to kick her out onto the street. But as long as she lives on your ranch, I won’t be able to let my guard down. I’m not going to seek her out looking for trouble. Just don’t expect me to make nice with her.”

So far, so good. No unhappy faces and she’d pretty much said what she needed to say. Almost.

“I want to become partner to Martha Harper at the shop. I’d appreciate your support and guidance because you have so much experience. I just

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want you to know how I feel. I love you, and I want to stay, if you still want me.”

Ethan squeezed her gently, resting his forehead against her head, and spoke softly in her ear, “
If
we still want you? Gracie, we’ll take you any way we can get you. We’d do just about anything to keep you. We’ll drop-kick Patricia over the fence today. We’ll invest in Harper’s, too, if it’s what you want. You can work, or you can stay home.” They had all gathered around her, hugged her. Adam lifted her off the ground and kissed her soundly, then handed her over to Jack.

This was what she needed. A sign that things would work out. They knew what she needed and accepted what she said. She didn’t have to have all the answers today. She just needed to know they could move forward from there. She’d seized the day, and it had seized her right back.

Jack turned her to him and said, “We have something special planned for you, but you’re going to need to be a little patient with us. Can you do that, darlin’?”

“Of course. I just needed you to know how I feel.” She laughed and cried a little at seeing how pleased they were. “I need to get to work, although how I’ll be able to concentrate is beyond me.”

“We’ll bring you lunch. Would that be okay?” Jack asked.

“All of you?”

“Yep,” Adam replied.

“I’ll walk you out to your car. Do you have everything?” Ethan asked.

She picked up her purse and keys. He walked her out, and Adam and Jack, like exuberant school boys, followed them out to kiss her good-bye.

Adam lifted her off her feet again and swung her around. They all laughed when she squealed as her feet went flying. “I love you all so much. See you at noon.”

As if on cue, they heard a car pull up the long driveway that led past the house to the barn and other outbuildings. They all turned to look in time to see Patricia, just coming home. She did not look happy to see them or to be seen, as she drove past without stopping, and continued on to Angel’s home.

Suddenly serious, Jack said, “Some changes are comin’ around here.”

Adam grunted affirmatively. Ethan was silent, only holding out his hand to her. She refused to allow Patricia’s arrival to mar her morning. She smiled and reached out to him.

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