At Ms. Patti’s nod, she felt her world shift on its axis, like her whole world was topsy-turvy and up was down and down was up. “It’s a long story. As close as I am to Nick, I only know pieces. The things he’s willing to tell me.”
Gracie pried her hands off the glass and reached for Ms. Patti’s. The woman was hurting, though she did her best to hide it. Nick was one of hers, a son of her heart, and he’d been injured in a bombing—a bombing—and yet she was stoically trying to hold herself together for those around her.
“I’m sorry. You’ve been through so much recently, and I want to help. What can I do?”
“You’re here. That’s a big start.” Ms. Patti searched her face. “Why are you here? I didn’t think you even knew Nick.”
Gracie felt heat sweep across her cheeks. “I don’t know him well. We’ve talked a couple times. He…he caught somebody skulking around my apartment. He’s been keeping an eye on me—for Rafe I’m sure. With all the stuff with Jeremy, I guess they think I need protection.”
“I’m not surprised. All my boys seem to have gotten their protective streak from Douglas. I’m glad Nick’s watching out for you.”
Gracie looked down at their clasped hands. “I asked him out. Nick. For dinner. I’m going to cook him dinner. Tonight, well, obviously not tonight, not anymore. And I’m officially babbling. I’ll shut up now.”
The little laugh lines beside Ms. Patti’s eyes crinkled, her blue eyes sparkling. “Let me see if I understand. You asked Nick to dinner. You made a date with Nick.”
Gracie nodded, knowing her face had to be bright red. “Yeah. I don’t know what came over me. The words came out of my mouth before I knew it. Call it temporary insanity.”
“I call it the smartest thing you’ve ever done, sweetie. You’ve barely socialized since you got here. Big groups are fine, but you tend to keep to yourself when it’s one-on-one, especially around men. Even my boys, bless their hearts. Jeremy Brewster didn’t just break your heart, he broke you. I think you’re finally putting the pieces back together.”
“I hadn’t thought about it that way, but you’re right. I’ve felt broken for so long, it’s hard to realize that maybe I can be whole again. Nick is the first man I’ve felt anything for in a long time. Talking to him has helped. Because I didn’t have to hide who I am. He doesn’t know everything, but he knows about Jeremy. Knows I’m not squeaky clean, but he didn’t seem to care. It was like he’s the first man who looked at me and saw the real me. Maybe I’m projecting, wanting him to see the me I want to be without the past coloring my every move.”
“I’ve told you, you can’t let a mistake you made as a child, because that’s what you were, ruin your whole life. You atoned for your actions, took responsibility. You’ve paid a high price, changing your name and moving away from your family and everything you knew and loved, because of one man’s actions. His crimes. His choices. You did what you could to get justice for the victims. You’re a human being, Gracie, and human beings make mistakes. But we also have this wonderful gift called forgiveness.”
Gracie smiled. “I’ll try.”
“Good.” Ms. Patti stood and headed for the refrigerator and pulled out a big casserole dish. “I’m going to start lunch. Want to help?”
“I’d love to.”
Nick groaned ashe swung his legs over the side of the bed. The doctor had been right. Once he stopped moving and stayed still for a while, all the aches and pains settled in. His head felt like it was clamped in a vice, the boom, boom, boom inside his skull seemed to beat in time with his pulse. Even his eyeballs felt like they were vibrating. His body felt like he’d been hit by a Mack truck that backed up and rolled over him again to make sure it had done the job right. Every single part of his body ached. But he wasn’t about to stay in bed. He had things to do. Like figuring out who he’d agitated enough to want him eliminated permanently. Too bad for them because Nick had no intention of kicking up daisies any time soon.
Heading to the kitchen, he heard voices. As he drew closer, he recognized Ms. Patti’s right away, then froze at the sound of Gracie’s.
She was here.
Ms. Patti was the first to notice him frozen in the opening, and she tutted before rushing to his side and led him to a chair. “You shouldn’t be out of bed, you should be resting.”
“I’m fine. Dr. Stevens didn’t say anything about being stuck in bed all day. Just to take things easy.”
“Nick.” Gracie’s voice was almost a whisper and if he hadn’t been staring at her, he might not have heard it. She gnawed at her bottom lip with her teeth, a nervous gesture he’d noted she did, and he wanted to reach out and pull it free. Brush his thumb against the tenderness of her mouth. Feel the softness of her lips.
“Gracie heard about the explosion, and came to see how you’re doing.” Ms. Patti stepped past Gracie, and put some kind of dish into the oven, wiping her hands on the towel draped over the oven door’s handle. “If you’re feeling up to it, why don’t you both go out onto the back patio and visit. It’s a beautiful day outside.”
“Good idea.” Nick stood and took Gracie’s hand, leading her to the back door. Glancing back, he saw the tender smile on Ms. Patti’s face. Apparently, she approved of him seeing Gracie. Good thing, because he had the feeling he’d be seeing a lot of her. The woman was a born matchmaker, wanting to see all her baby chicks settled and happy.
Easing his hand against the small of her back, he guided Gracie toward the arrangement of comfy-looking furniture situated at the edge of the patio. Choosing the love seat, he slowly lowered himself down beside her, sliding his hand along the back of the cushion, so he could angle to face her.
“Are you alright? I heard what happened, or at least what little Nica could tell me. Something about a car bomb?”
“Appears so. I was lucky. Used the remote starter as I was coming out of the Creekside B&B. I was still several feet away when it went off.”
She hadn’t met his eyes yet, continuing to stare at her hands, and it was driving him crazy. He needed to see her face. Reaching forward ever so slowly, he placed a fingertip beneath her chin and lifted it, felt her breath catch. There were unshed tears in her eyes, and he felt a gentle squeeze in the depths of his chest. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and he never wanted to see tears on her face. If there was anybody who deserved to be happy, it was Gracie.
“Nick, tell me the truth.”
“Always,” he whispered.
“First it was a bullet that hit Antonio and now this. Is someone really trying to kill you?”
