Falling Into Grace (14 page)

He walks over to me and places his hands on my waist and turns me around so I’m facing the water. His hands feel good on me. He leans in close to my ear like he is going to tell me a secret.

“You see that blue house over there?” He points with his finger. “That’s my house. That green house is Shane’s, and the yellow one is John’s.” Then he points in the other direction.

“That white one is Grant’s.”

“So your family owns the whole coast?” My voice shows my shock. When I turn around, he places his hands on the railing, trapping me. We are face to face, and only inches separate our bodies. I want to be closer to him.

“My father bought all the land when he built this house. He always wanted family to be close.” His look is sad, and I feel bad for asking him.

“That is a wonderful thing your father did, and it’s even better that all of you stayed.” He smiles at me and licks his bottom lip, leaving it glistening in the sun’s rays.

“Yeah, I guess we are all close, and if anything happens to my mom, we can all be here in minutes.” He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and rubs my cheek with his thumb. A fire explodes inside me. Just his touch, and I want to jump on him right this moment, but I have to walk away. I just stand there in his trance. He leans down and kisses my cheek before he begins to walk away. He stops at the doors and turns around.

“I forgot to tell you it’s game night tonight, and you’re on my team.” He gives me a sexy smile and walks out of sight.

I barely know this man, and I want him to touch me in the worst way. Grant pops into my mind, and I realize his presence does the same thing to me. It was hard to push him away, but I don’t think I could push Aiden away as easily. I smile at the thought and start to relive what happened yesterday next to my car in my mind. I need to stop this.

I head downstairs to distract myself. I smell Addy’s cooking, and it is heavenly. Something Italian maybe? As I walk into the kitchen, she greets me with a smile.

“Hannah, honey, can I get you anything?” She is busy chopping, but she pauses.

“No thank you, Addy. I was wondering if I could help you with anything?”

She just looks at me. I’m not sure if I upset her or overstepped my boundaries. I know this is her kitchen, but I thought I could help her cook to distract myself. She is still staring at me.

“Is it OK?” I wonder what the hell she is thinking, but she starts to laugh.

“Hannah, in thirty-three years, I never had someone walk into this kitchen and offer a hand.” She shakes her head and walks around the island and hugs me.

“I would love to help. Can I be your sous chef?” I look at her and give her my best ‘pretty, pretty please’ look.

“I would like that.” She walks back to her spot at the island.

“So what are we making?” I look over at all the pots on the stove.

“I have a sauce on with pork, sausage, and meatballs. I have the water on for the spaghetti, the bread is in the warmer, and I am just going to make an Alfredo sauce for anyone who doesn’t like the meat sauce.” She is a busy woman.

“Do you cook like this every night?”

“Only when the boys are home. Victoria is rather easy to please.” Addy looks at me and smiles. “How about you make some desserts? What do you like to bake, honey?” She sizes me up.

“I have a few good cookie recipes, or I can make a cake. What does everyone like?”

“Honey, the boys will eat anything. How about some cookies? We can snack on them during game night. Everything you will need is right over there.” She points to a door, and I walk over to it. This has to be the biggest pantry I have ever seen. Every shelf is lined with cans and glass canisters neatly labeled. I start pulling out flour, sugar, and all the odds and ends for chocolate-chip cookies. Maybe I’ll make oatmeal peanut-butter chocolate-chip cookies. They are a hit in my house. I look around and find everything. When I make my way back to the island, Addy has placed bowls and cookie sheets out for me.
I wish I had some music to listen to
, I think as I start to mix everything together, but Addy soon starts chatting away, telling me her history with the Grace family.

“Grant is the oldest,” she begins.

“How old is he?”

“Grant is thirty-three, Aiden is thirty-two, Shane is thirty-one, and John, my sweet baby John, is thirty.” She looks around to see if anyone is near before she continues.

“Mr. Grace died when the boys were three, four, five and six. It took a toll on all of them. He was the center of their world. He was such a great father. He always included the boys in everything he did. Whether it was taking them to work or bringing them sailing, he was always doing something with them.” She lowers her voice again.

“Victoria took it hard and stayed in bed for a few months, so I had to step in and become a stand-in mom. I love those boys like they are my own.” She gets teary eyed and turns her back to me. I hear her sniffle.

“These onions are making me all teary eyed.” She gives me a half smile.

“They are lucky to have you. Please, tell me more about them.”

She walks over to the stove and starts cooking.

“Well, let’s see, Shane is married and having a baby. John and Grant are dating and most likely getting married, even though Victoria hates Grant’s girlfriend. I think everyone hates her, but he has been
with her for two years, and Aiden is single.” She looks over at me and raises an eyebrow.

“He was in a serious relationship for a while, but then she up and left him one day, and that was that. He hasn’t been interested in dating since.” My head is spinning. That fucking asshole. I can’t believe he made moves on me when he has a girlfriend. What the hell was he thinking? What that hell was I thinking? I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. I am so happy I slapped him across the face. I wish I had hit him harder. I can’t believe this. I told him about Chase, and he didn’t tell me about her. I realize Addy is still looking at me.

“So tell me about you, Hannah. I see you are married. What does your husband do?” Her question is innocent. I am wearing my wedding band, so why wouldn’t she ask?

“Chase was into building; he was successful with it.” I pause and figure,
why not
. “He passed away last year.” She walks over to me and hugs me.

“I am so sorry, baby. I had no idea. Do you have any children?” She pulls away and walks back over to her spot at the island.

“Yes, twins. Hunter and Ella, they’re five.” I start to scoop the first batch of cookies onto a cookie sheet.

We spend the next hour talking about my family and hers and the Graces. She has so many funny stories about the ‘boys’ as she calls them. Soon after, Victoria comes out of her wing of the house and sits at the island and watches us.

“Hannah, I just spoke with the nurse, and she is available to work overnight. I figured it would be best for you.” Mrs. Grace still looks tired.

“If that’s what you would like. Why don’t you sit in the recliner that was delivered? It will be more comfortable for you.” I help her get settled in the chair and hand her the TV remote.

“You stay here,” I tell her, and she gives me a shy smile. The timer goes off as I head back into the kitchen, so I take out the last batch of cookies. I am placing them on the cooling rack when John walks into
the kitchen. He kisses Addy on the cheek, then smiles when he sees the cookies.

“Can I try one?” He looks at me for permission. I smile and nod. He takes the cookie and gives me a thumbs-up as he walks out of the kitchen over to his mother. Addy starts to take out serving platters and preparing the finishing touches on dinner. I fill up a large platter with cookies. Addy takes them and gives me a wink.

“We have to hide these if we want any for later.” She opens a bottom cabinet and places them in. “Go. I have this all taken care of. Go check on Victoria.”

“It has been a pleasure cooking with you,” I say, before I head into the large, spacious living room on a mission to check on Mrs. Grace. When I take out my equipment, she rolls her eyes at me.

“This is why I’m here,” I tell her cheerfully.

“If you must.” She puts her arm out, and I take her blood pressure and check her pulse. She is doing well. She pulls the zipper down on her jumpsuit so I can see her incision. It looks much better than this morning.

“See, it didn’t hurt,” I tease her. I look up and I see Aiden, Shane, and Annie are back. Annie is looking at us with interest. She sits on the large couch to the right of Mrs. Grace.

“Mrs. Grace, how are you feeling?” Annie looks uncomfortable having to ask this question. Does Mrs. Grace make her feel this awkward?

“I’m fine, Annie.” She makes quick eye contact with Annie and makes a dismissive hand motion. I just sit and observe the family dynamic. Shane sits next to Annie and gives her cheek a quick kiss. I think it’s an apology kiss for the way his mother is acting. She places her hand on his leg, while giving him a loving glance, letting him know she appreciates his support. I feel the couch cushion I’m on sink in as Aiden sits next to me placing his arm over the back of the couch.

“Hey,” he says. At the same time, John wanders out of the kitchen.

“You guys have to try Hannah’s cookies. Addy hid them, but I know her hiding spot. It hasn’t changed in the last twenty years.” He
smiles proudly as he places the last bite of the cookie in his mouth. I laugh, shaking my head at him.

“So we are just waiting on Grant and Carla?” Mrs. Grace looks at Shane for a response.

“They aren’t going to be making it to dinner, Mom, but Grant said they would be coming for game night,” Shane replies. He then leans into Annie’s neck and playfully kisses her.

“Oh Shane, enough of that. Let’s eat.” Mrs. Grace seems annoyed. I’m not sure if it’s over Shane’s playfulness with Annie or because Grant won’t be here for dinner. I get up and offer my hands to Mrs. Grace then I ease her out of her chair and walk her over to the large dining-room table. I didn’t notice the table before, but it is made from long, old beams. The imperfections in the wood make it more beautiful.

I help Mrs. Grace into her chair, and she motions for me to sit next to her. Aiden is next to me and pulls my chair out. He is attentive and has great manners. All the Grace men have great manners; their mother has done a wonderful job raising them. I hope Hunter turns out this well. Addy and John start bringing all the serving platters and bowls out, and dinner is served. Everyone starts filling their plates, but Mrs. Grace just looks at the food.

“Do you want me to make you a plate?” I ask,

“I’ll have Addy do it, dear, please go ahead and eat.” With that Addy walks in with Mrs. Grace’s plate already made. She made her something different. It looks like salmon and a small side salad. Shane clears his voice.

“I would like to say a blessing tonight.” He takes Annie’s hand and his mother’s. Mrs. Grace takes mine, and Aiden takes my other hand. John is holding Aiden’s other hand. I bow my head like everyone else, as Shane begins.

“Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for this wonderful feast you have set before us. I would like to thank you for my wonderful family and for keeping my mother in good health. She had us worried, but by your saving grace you guided and protected her. For that we thank you,
in God’s name, amen.” We all repeat, “Amen.” Aiden gives my hand a squeeze before he lets go.

I discreetly let my eyes wander around the table, watching the family’s dynamic. Annie isn’t much of an eater. When I was pregnant, I ate everything that wasn’t nailed down. This seems to be annoying Shane.

“Annie, you have to eat more. Stop worrying about gaining weight. You’re pregnant, it’s natural you should be gaining weight.” She just looks down.

“Addy, I would prefer a salad, please,” Annie says. Addy goes right to the refrigerator to pull out the ingredients and starts to make her a salad.

“Hannah, could you please tell her she should eat more.” I didn’t want to be caught staring, so I had looked down, focusing on my food. I look up in shock. I don’t want to get involved in a fight between them.

“Annie, I wouldn’t worry about gaining weight. Think of it as a free pass to eat whatever you want.” With that said I dunk my bread into the sauce that’s on my plate and eat it. Maybe with my mouth being full, they will stop asking me questions.

“That’s easy for you to say. You’ve never been pregnant,” Annie snaps, while looking at me with some attitude.

“I have five-year-old twins. I know what it’s like to be pregnant. You think you’re gaining weight? I was a blimp when I had the twins.” I smile at her, trying to get her off the defense.

“Oh. I didn’t know that.” I just smile at her and watch her lean over and grab a piece of bread and butter it. Shane looks over at me and smiles. John breaks the ice, and the boys start to talk about the hotel in Rome. I let out a small sigh of relief.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

D
inner goes by fast. Everyone heads back into the living room. I clear my plate and offer to help Addy, but she pushes me into the living room with everyone else. Annie is setting up for game night on the big coffee table. We have Taboo, Apples to Apples, and Pictionary. My attention is caught when I hear a voice coming from the front door, and John jumps up. I see a petite woman with long, jet-black hair walk in. She looks very exotic.

“Hey, babe,” John says as he wraps his giant arms around her. He has more than a foot on her. She stands on her toes, and they kiss.

“Autumn, come and meet Hannah.” I stand and shake her hand.

“Nice to meet you, Hannah.”

“Nice to meet you too, Autumn.” She turns around and starts to say hello to everyone. Mrs. Grace stiffens up.

“Hello, Mrs. Grace.” She walks over to her and they do a double-cheek air-kiss.

“So where are Grant and Carla? I thought they would beat me here.” With that said we hear talking coming from the front door. I hear Carla’s high heels click on the floor before I see her. Grant is walking in front of her, then she appears. She is beautiful. I hate her immediately. She is tall and all legs. Her hair is blonde and cut in a short bob. She is tan, with a perfectly small waist. I catch Grant’s eyes and send him daggers. He is such an asshole for making moves on me.
Not even six hours ago, he was on top of me, kissing me while Carla was God knows where. I should have hit him again.