“Oh, what a relief for someone to understand,” she sighed. “Most don’t.”
“What about Mr. Right? Do you know why he hasn’t come along?”
Grace was thoughtful. She hated this part of the conversation. She was honest with herself, but whenever she talked about it, she felt like someone trying to garner sympathy. “Well, the long and short of things is that I tend to be thought of as ‘one of the guys.’ I’m not exceptionally pretty, kinda overweight—ok, a lot overweight. I don’t have a flashy career or any modern sophistication. I’m just an old-fashioned girl with a heart for hearth and home. Not a lot of men are looking for that.”
“Does that bother you?” Nolan mentally refuted every point. Her beautiful personality and character shone in her eyes and illuminated a very gentle face. Who could notice her weight with a heart as big as hers, and there were already too many sophisticated career women out there in his opinion.
“Not really. The right guy is either out there looking for me, or I am one of the exceptions; and as my dad said the day before he died…” Grace choked up a little as she tried to quote her departed father. “‘If you are one of those exceptions, Grace, that just means that God thinks you are exception-
all
.’”
“Well, you’re already that. I—” Nolan was interrupted by a wail as Amber crashed into the room sobbing.
“Amber! What is wrong?” Grace’s alarm brought a fresh round of wails from the child, but before Amber could answer Chuck came striding into the room.
“What is wrong with her, one minute we’re playing and talking and the next minute she’s crying like a baby.” Chuck’s personality left much to be desired on most occasions, but Nolan was particularly irritated with him at that moment.
Grace motioned for Nolan to take Chuck out of the room and held the weeping child. When the room was empty, and the girl’s sobs quieted, Grace tried again. “Amber, honey, what upset you?”
“I want Mommy!”
Aunt Fran’s voice hollered down the hallway, “Someone shut that child up! We’re trying to sleep.”
Sighing, Grace tried again. “Did you get hurt?”
The child shook her head and sniffled. “I don’t like him. I want Mommy.”
“Did Chuck say something that bothered you?” Grace began to fume.
“He asked when my mommy was going to get married again…”
“Is that all?” Grace knew it wasn’t. It never was with Chuck Majors.
“No, he asked if I was going to be a good girl when Mommy remarries so that the new daddy won’t leave.” Fresh sobs threatened to erupt.
Before Grace could answer, Craig and Melanie came hurrying in. “What’s going on? Have we been asleep long? Amber, honey, why are you crying?”
Amber ran to Melanie and began crying softly again. Grace looked gravely at Melanie and made a face as she pointed out the window where Nolan and Chuck were in deep conversation. Motioning for Craig to follow, she headed out doors.
As they walked slowly down the steps, Grace filled Craig in and said, “Craig, it’s time. He’s gotten away with this kind of thing for too long. Do we need the elders or can you rebuke him first and contact the elders tomorrow if there’s still a problem?”
Craig waived her to the side. “You are here as a witness as to what Amber said,
not
as a confronter. Keep quiet, Grace.”
Grace shut her mouth, with much difficulty, and watched the proceedings. Craig confronted Chuck with his words to Amber. The man’s response was less than encouraging. “Yeah, so what?”
Grinding her teeth in fury, Grace fumed.
Is this guy for real? Does he have no clue that he just hung himself? The
nerve
! At least the noose is good and tight now.
Nolan was surprised to hear the grinding emanating from Grace’s jaw line. His disgust and anger with Chuck evaporated in his concern for her. He realized, with amusement and a trace of amazement, that Grace’s fists were clenching at her side in perfect synchronization with her jaw. Sheer willpower held a chuckle in check as he noticed that her foot had a tendency to inch forward, then back again, as if ready to strike.
Craig’s voice brought him back to the current situation. Slightly embarrassed by how easily distracted he was, Nolan tried to focus on the situation at hand. “Chuck, I don’t think you are hearing what we are saying. I’d like you to listen, and listen carefully…”
Before he could summarize what Chuck needed to hear, a swift movement caught the corner of his eye and Chuck yelped, “She kicked me! What’s up with
that,
Grace?”
Craig shot a look at Grace, but she spoke first. “I didn’t
say
anything!” Craig’s look would have quelled a meeker disposition. Grace, however, was made of sterner mettle. “You said not to speak. You didn’t say I couldn’t kick some sense into him.”
Chuck seemed stunned. Nolan jumped at the chance to make his point. “Chuck, you essentially told a seven-year-old girl that it’s her fault that her irresponsible father abandoned her. Tell me how this is acceptable behavior for a Christian.”
Chuck, in his usual self-centered style, had ignored what was actually being said and responded only to what he
thought
they either were, or should be, saying. Nolan’s words seemed to sink in, but a voice behind him managed to make a deeper impression. “Chuck, what have you said now?”
Nathan stood behind his brother with arms folded and steel in his eyes. Craig began pacing, ranting about Amber being hurt and humiliated. Everyone jumped back in surprise as Nathan stepped around Chuck and slugged his brother across the jaw. Everyone that is, except for Chuck. He almost seemed to expect it and stood ready to accept the blow.
Chuck picked himself up from the ground where he’d stumbled, muttered thanks for the dinner and drove away. Craig and Nolan stood by with shock, confusion, and a trace of envy running through their minds. Curiosity finally drove them to blurt out in unison, “What just happened here?”
“If there is one thing that I’ve learned about Chuck over the years, it’s that he values brawn over brains. As you can imagine, it made for an interesting childhood.”
The men groaned and chuckled while Grace and Paige looked at each other and shrugged. Remembering Amber and her distress, Grace went back indoors. The emotional drain was beginning to take its toll. As she seated herself, Melanie mouthed something to her, but Grace’s lip reading skills left much to be desired.
“Amber, honey, can you get Grace something to drink?” Melanie went to the door and motioned for Nolan to join them. When Craig and the others followed, Mel waived them back.
Amber brought a glass of water and set it on the table before Grace. She gave an embarrassed glance at Nolan and hurried outside with the others. Melanie’s face showed confusion. “Nolan, Amber is dealing with a lot of guilt right now. She saw Nathan punch his brother, and she blames it on her ‘gossiping’ about him.”
An awkward silence fell over the room. Nolan looked at Grace, who looked at Melanie. Mel looked at Nolan as if waiting for an explanation. “Nolan, she thinks that it is gossip to tell us that a man said unkind things to her.”
He waited for Melanie to continue. He was positively clueless as to what Mel was getting at. “Am I supposed to do something about this? You appear to be waiting for something from me.”
“She said that you taught her that anytime you say anything about someone who isn’t there to hear exactly what you said, that it is gossip and wrong.”
Without a word, Nolan stood and went outside to talk with Amber. Grace and Melanie watched as he took her hand and led her down the street, talking earnestly as they went. Amber’s uncertain face was evident from their vantage point. Craig, Nathan and Paige came indoors clamoring for an explanation.
After hearing the story, Craig sighed. “I’m glad to have him here. It’s like having a close brother.”
“Two days ago you were ready to murder him, and now you’re glad he’s here. I don’t understand you, Craig Buscher.”
“Well, I have to admit, I was a little unreasonable, but you just don’t mess with my women.”
Nolan and Amber returned a short while later to find everyone pouring over the Black Friday sales planned for the following day. “Come on, guys; help us figure out where to go first.”
Friendly arguments followed. With everyone having different store priorities, they finally split up into three groups. Craig eyed his sister and his new friend warily. Were they all playing with fire to throw the two together this often?
“Ok, so, with this plan we can all meet at Grimsby’s for lunch. My treat.” Nolan grinned excitedly. He hadn’t been a part of a Christmas tradition in several years. Christmas was such a special part of his childhood memories, and he was excited to join in the festivities again.
Grace squealed in delight. “I haven’t been to Grimsby’s in ages! Ok, gimme your lists. Melanie first.”
The final plans were made over a pick-up dinner. Nolan looked at his watch before suggesting an end to the evening. “Ok, guys, what do you say? Shall we make it an early night? We have to be up at o’ dark thirty.”
Nolan’s suggestion was readily accepted, and everyone quickly gathered their dishes and piled into their cars. Grace hugged Amber and reassured her that everything was ok. “Your mom will be here in a few minutes, so you can pick up your stuff at my house tomorrow, or I’ll bring it Sunday.”
“What about Ms. Fran?”
“Craig will take her home in a little while.”
“She was nicer today. She played tic-tack-toe with me.” Amber’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “I think she likes Mr. Burke.”
“Well, he’s a likeable kind of guy. I have to go now. Thanks for staying with me. I had fun!” Grace waved at Amber and Melanie as she drove away with Nolan
Nolan sounded sad as he drove toward their respective homes. Grace picked up on it and asked, “What’s wrong? You seem a bit down.”
“I just miss days like today. I am feeling very discontent. I want what Craig and Melanie have. I want a wife, a home that is my own, and a baby to snuggle with. I want a Christmas tree and stockings on the fireplace. And, I want someone to want it with me.” He looked at his companion cautiously. “Pathetic?”
“I think after our conversation earlier today, you know that I don’t think it’s pathetic at all. At least I have Craig, Melanie, and the baby.”
“Grace, would you like to go get a cup of coffee or something? Someone should be open, don’t you think? I’m not ready for this day to end.”
Grace nodded. “Where could we go? Who is open today?”
“I’d offer to make you some at my house, but Mr. Verily would have Craig on the phone before we got the door shut!”
Laughing with Nolan at the thought of her brother on the receiving end of a call from her back-up protector, Grace wondered where Nolan was taking her. “You know what, Nolan…”
Nolan finished the thought. “This isn’t a good idea.”
He passed a tearoom parking lot and continued home. Grace sighed. “I’ve always wanted to see that place. The whole idea is fascinating. A boarding house with the gatekeeper’s house as a tearoom. I’d love to own it.” Grace giggled. “Hey, I’d settle for
seeing
it someday, and Mrs. Stafford goes to our church!”
Chapter Sixteen
“Wait!”
Nolan slammed his foot onto the brake instinctively. “
What
? Are you ok?” He was prepared for another child to fly through the air, or at the least, a cat pinned under his tire. What he wasn’t prepared for was her sheepish look.
“I forgot the lists. It’s too early for me to think. I was in bed before ten, and I feel like I didn’t get
any
sleep.”
Sighing, Nolan reached for her keys and got out of the vehicle. “I’ll get them. Where are they?”
He stumbled through her house looking for the kitchen light switch. As he flipped the light on, he saw a scurrying that unsettled him. What would Grace do if she knew that there was another critter in her house? There were definitely disadvantages to living so close to the nearby fields. He’d killed a few of the varmints in his house the previous week, and he wondered what they were doing bothering them in winter. Hibernation for mice should have been a requirement in Nolan’s opinion.
After another quick glance toward the pantry, and with memories of a wild woman tearing apart her kitchen, he strode back out to the car. He had no idea how to tell Grace that she had unwanted visitors. Again. If he said anything now she wouldn’t leave. With a slight twinge of guilt, he hurried into his vehicle and drove to the first store.
~*~*~*~
“Look! Isn’t it sweet? Graceanna would be so adorable in this!” One look at the price tag and Grace hung the little jumpsuit back on the rack. “I’ll have to make her one.”
Nolan was having the time of his life. Grace thoroughly enjoyed herself, and watching the process was one of the most delightful things he’d ever experienced. “You can make something that little?”
“Oh, this age is the best. You can make beautiful outfits with very little fabric. Very inexpensive.”
A deep rumbling from Nolan’s belly signaled the time to call Craig and Nathan about meeting for lunch. Everyone converged around a table at Grimsby’s a short while later. As they discussed the best entrées, they compared notes on their respective shopping trips. Most of the items on the wish lists had been found, purchased, and were ready for the big wrapping party later.
As they strolled outside after the meal, Nolan handed Grace his keys. “Why don’t you go ahead and start the car, I need to ask Craig something.”
Grace took the keys and joined the other women and Nathan on the way to their respective vehicles. Before she was out of earshot, Nolan told Craig about the mouse. “What should we do? You know she’ll flip if she sees another mouse in there. The last one was almost too much for me.”
He heard the familiar ‘beep, beep’ of his automatic car locking and alarm system, followed by the starting of his vehicle’s engine. Before he knew what was happening, Grace tore out of the parking lot and sped toward home. “Craig! She’ll kill herself driving like that.”