The Way of Grace (Miller's Creek Novels) (65 page)

In a moment’s time, the atmosphe
re inside t
he van changed
,
as
though
they were
returning from
a
day
of
shopping. Now
they all talked at once, more like old times, four good
friends sharing their
experience
s
with one another
.
When they pulled up outside
the church
two
hour
s
later, Gracie
almost
wished the drive c
ould last a while longer
, though she had to admit to being a little curious about why they’d stopped at the church
.

Trish was the
first one out
. S
he
stepp
ed to the sliding do
or near where Gracie’s wheelchair was parked and yank
ed
on the door handle, while
Dani
moved into the Fellowship Hall entrance of the church.

Gracie glanced
at Mama Beth. “Something going on that I need to know about?”

She
tilted her head to one side
with a coy smile
. “G
uess you’ll just have to wait and find out.”

Trish
untied
the straps
, humming all the while
.

A wave of
panic
swept over her and sent her
pulse rate into rocket range.
God, please don’t let thi
s be a surprise party. I’m
not ready for everyone to see me like this. I’m not ready for t
he pity and
sympathetic looks and awkward silences when people don’t know what to say.
She chomped down on her lower lip.

Trish patted her arm, an understanding look in her eyes. “
It’s
gonna
be okay, Gracie.
These people love you. Give them a chance.”

Sh
e
push
ed a
rogue
strand of hair
aside
while she pulled at the
floral cotton
skirt she’d worn for the ride home
. Yes, she needed to give them a chance. Needed to forgive and forget. Needed the fresh start this day might provide. But could she do it properly without time to
get herself prepared
?

The
chair lift
vibrated as Trish lowered her
to the sidewalk,
and
the church door
hinged open with a bang.
Matt strode out, breaking into a lope as soon as he saw
her
, a broad grin spread across his face. He bent
down
and embraced her in a bear hug, then looked up at the other two
women
. “I’
ll take it from here
, ladies.”

Relief pour
ed over her
like a refreshing waterfall on a stifling hot day
. How blessed she was that
Matt was able—had strangely always been able—to read her like a book. Without a word between them, he
somehow
knew she was apprehensive
.

When the other two
moved out of earshot range, he gave her a soft kiss and knelt in
front of the wheelchair
to look her in the eye
. “It’s so good to have you home, Gracie Mae.”

“It’s good to be home.”
She glanced toward the church. “
If it weren’t for you, I’m not sure I could do this.”

“So you’re doing okay?”

She inhal
ed
a deep breath, the scent of nearby honeysuckle helping to calm her spirit
. “I’m a little nervous about how
everyone will
treat me. I don’t think I can stand it if they feel sorry for me.”

Kindness seeped from his
sand-colored eyes. “
I’ll do what I can to keep that from happening, okay?”

“Thank you
, Matt. I love you.”

His face took on a soft glow
, a look that revealed how he
still marveled at
their relationship
.
This was a man who would never take it for granted.
“And I love you.” He
kissed the tip of her nose
,
and
then
smiled into her eyes
. “You ready to do this?”

She nodded, Matt’s presence giving her the boost of confidence she
so desperately
needed. “Let’s roll.”

He laughed
at her pun
,
and then
rose to his feet
to
push
her
up the sidewalk and through the doorway.
A
s they entered
t
he room erupted in chee
rs and applause.

O
verwhelming
joy
and grateful humility
flooded
her being
as she scanned the crowd
. There were people everywhere, the f
aces of those she loved
dearest and best, people
who loved her
in return
.

Andy
, his golden curls slicked back, knelt beside her and raised his voice
so she could hear him
over the
crowd noise
. “As soon as you’re ready to come back to work, let me know.
It appears I’m in need of a new partner.
”

Her
eyes popped open wide
. Never in a million years would she have believed he’d give her the job again. “But—”

He raised his eyebrows, his sea-green eyes staring her down. “I won’t take no for an answer.” He
leaned closer
.
“I know
now that
you had my best interest at
heart
when you broke in. I should’
ve believed it then.
And I was also trying
to prote
ct yo
u from Jason.
Matt’s probably
already told you that
Ben Snodgrass and Debra Rowe were undercover agents
.
They
thought it would be for the best
if I kept you away from Jason as much as possible
.”

Gracie took note of the honesty in his eyes. His explanation
made sense
, and even
if
it hadn’t, she owed this man much more than she’d ever be able to repay
.
She hugged his neck.
“Thanks,
Andy.
I’ll do what I can to be there on Monday.”

“No need to rush, but we want you when you’re ready.”

The applause and cheering
died down, so Andy stood and faced the crowd. “I can tell y’all are ready to see our guest of honor, but why don’t we let her get some lunch first?
A
s soon as
we’ve all eaten and
Gra
cie’
s ready
,
we’ll
make a line so you can all come by and say your piece
.”

Heads bobbed in agreement, and a
voice bellowed from the back
corner
. “Just make sure she leaves some
food
for the rest of us.”

A grin burst onto Grace’s face as the crowd erupted
in
laughter.
Leave it to Coot to make
that sort
of comment. As Matt wheeled her through the line,
peace blanketed her soul
. Miller’s Creek was where she belonged, not just for now, but for always. These people and this place were in her blood, and nothing could
ever
change that.

A half hour later sh
e leaned back in her wheelchair and glanc
ed
across the table
at Papa. How happy he looked, with Maria sitting next to him and seeing to his every need.

“The food was delicious, Papa. I’ve missed your cooking.”

“You only say that because you’ve been eating hospital food.” His high-pitched giggle sounded across the
room,
and
others sitting nearby
laughed along with him
.

Steve Miller,
who sat down the table from Gracie,
his cowboy hat
at rest on the table near his plate
, stood and gave a shrill whistle to get everyone’s attention
. “Y’all know this is a special day for Miller’s Creek as we welcome back a hometown hero.” He took the plaque
Dani
handed him. “We
have this little memento to give Gracie from the whole town. It says: ‘In honor of Grac
i
e
Soldano
, one of Miller’s Creek
’
s finest.’” He looked her way
, his grin as wide as Texas
. “Miss Gracie, as mayor of Miller’s Creek,
it’s my honor and privilege
to announce that from now on April 18
th
is
Grace
Soldano
Day in Miller’s Creek. We love and appreciate
you, and we’re glad you’re
back
home.”

People rose to their feet, the applause thunderous.

Tears
sprang to
her eyes
once more
.

Matt rubbed her back with his palm, and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “You’re doing great. Hang in there.”

“Would you help me stand?”

He frowned.
“You sure?”

Sh
e
gave an emphatic nod and used her fingertips to swipe away tears
. “I need to do this for them.”

Matt leaned over and
whispered
something to Andy, who moved to her other side. Together they helped Grace to her feet. The applause grew even louder,
and then died down. T
he sound of
metal
chairs
scraping the floor
echoed across the room as people
took their
seat
s
.

She moistened her lips and
gazed around the fellowship hall at the people who meant so much to her. Today said much more abo
ut them than it did about her.
“I’m so very grateful for this wonderful reception. While I don
’t deserve it in the least, I
appreciate it more than I can express.” Her voice wavered and she paused to harness her emotions.
“Thank you for so many things—f
or
praying for me while I was in the hospital, for
loving me even when I mess up, and f
or your gracious friendship
. I can’t think of any place on earth I’d rather be than at home in Miller’s Creek.”

The people applauded once more.
Andy and Matt helped
Gracie sit
before they wheel
ed her
near the door at her request
. Matt stayed close by her side
the entire time
, giving her
much-
needed
assurance through
wink
s,
smile
s
,
and
a
n occasional
shoulder squeeze.

As Grac
i
e expressed her thanks
individually
,
she couldn’t help but remember ba
ck to the previous Thanksgiving
when she could find nothing to be grateful for.
In complete contrast,
her heart
now
sent up a prayer of thanksgiving to the One who made all things possible
, including her abili
ty to
give thanks
.

28

T
hrough the rearview mirror
from her position in the backseat,
G
r
acie
took in the firm set to Matt’s jaw and
the anger flashing in his eyes
. Okay, this wasn’t quite the response she’d hoped for.
Only a week had passed since her arrival back in Miller’s Creek, but
this was something she had to do
—even
if
he didn’t understand
or agree
.