“Baby,” I whispered.
From how she spoke about her sister, Grace really looked up to her. What a tragic loss. No wonder she was so upset at the mention of her sister at the gallery. With “friends” like those, who needed enemies?
I wondered how Julia passed away, but I wouldn’t push Grace for specifics. Not when she was finally sharing. Was this her secret? If so, what did it have to do with her or her reputation? I was curious why she felt guilty or responsible for her death. If Grace blamed herself, did that mean she did something to Julia accidentally?
This new information just led to more questions. Questions that could wait. As soon as we approached the next exit, I pulled over to the nearest parking spot and dragged her over to cradle her in my lap.
Grace sobbed and sobbed. “I can’t. I can’t tell—” she choked out, her body heaving against my own.
I stroked her hair. “Shh, baby, it’s going to be okay. I’m here. I’m here.” I repeated it over and over. One could only hope she believed it. I tightened my grasp around her, praying I wasn’t hurting her. I didn’t want to move. There was no way I could leave Grace. Not like this. Not after she’d been so vulnerable.
After what felt like hours, I untangled myself from Grace, still clutching her hand tightly. I pressed Jena’s name on the car phone as I searched in the glove compartment for tissues.
Thankfully, I stayed prepared for Noelle. I pulled out a Kleenex and handed it to Grace.
“Hey, Caleb,” Jena spoke in a hushed tone.
“Hey, how’s my girl?” I asked, not taking my eyes off Grace.
“She passed out on the couch after a killer game of Monopoly. You didn’t tell me she cheats!” Jena laughed, and I couldn’t help but smile thinking of my daughter. “How was the gallery?”
“That she does. Not so great, actually. I mean, the show was great, but … Listen, I hate to do this, but do you think you can keep Noelle for the night, and I’ll pick her up early tomorrow?” I asked, giving Grace a small smile.
She started shaking her head in protest. I mouthednoin response.
“Um, sure,” Jena answered, sounding confused. She knew I never did this. Jena also knew I wouldn’t ask unless it was important. “Everything okay?”
“It will be. I just need tonight.”
“No worries. We’ll see you tomorrow. Night.”
As soon as Jena hung up, Grace started shaking her head again. “Caleb, I can’t ask you to do this. Noelle comes first. I get that. It’s the way it should be.”
That right there made me love her even more. It proved how perfect she was for me.
“Grace, while any other day I would agree with you, tonight you need me more. And quite frankly, I want to be with you. I love?—”
Her eyes widened at the wordlove.
Before I could get the words out, her lips crashed onto my own, effectively shutting me up.
Message received. Too soon to sayI love you.
Even if she didn’t want to hear the words, at least she knew where my head was at.
I prayed that in her own time, she’d get there too.
CHAPTER 26
Caleb
Bar was busierthan ever and thankfully Nicky was back from his sabbatical. I was eager to get back home. To Noelle. To Grace.
Grace initiated wanting to bond with Noelle more. She suggested picking her up from school on the days where she wasn’t helping me at the bar.
When I pulled into the driveway, the house was different. It was calmer, and something just felt right. Making my way up the porch, I smiled when I heard voices and giggling. I dropped my keys in the bowl by the door and kicked off my boots, the floor creaking beneath my feet.
As I walked into the kitchen, I stopped in my tracks. Grace was sitting at the counter, a towel wrapped around her like a robe. Her fingers were busy painting Noelle’s nails and Noelle was sitting beside her, her tiny hands held up in front of her with an exaggerated, serious expression.
