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Earlier that evening when he had walked into the dining room and looked into her big brown eyes, he had to catch his breath as a tidal wave of emotions overtook him. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and wipe the frightened look on her face away. Then he wanted to kiss her and explore her lush pink lips. When she spoke in that soft, whispery voice he had been so turned on and he opened his mouth but nothing came out. All he could hear was his heart thundering in his chest and he couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him. As he watched her over dinner talking to his aunt he got angry with himself. Hadn’t the debacle with Kelly taught him anything? This time it wouldn’t be him who was the fool. He no longer trusted women, even fresh-faced, attractive ones. As soon as he looked into her big brown eyes earlier he had wanted her. But he was wiser now and he would no longer be fooled into believing all the lies women were good at giving out. He drove over to Randy’s Bar to drown his sorrows. This was becoming a bad habit but he didn’t care enough to stop.
Chapter 3
Grace put on her apron and yawned, grabbing a cup of coffee to stay awake. She had had another sleepless night after Jackson had dropped her off and forced that awful kiss on her. It had rained and she fell asleep listening to the raindrops tapping against the bedroom window, hoping for a dreamless night. She had woken up at four in the morning sweating, crying, and trying to catch her breath after more nightmares. But this time she dreamt of Hannah’s brother and his mocking smile. Would the bad dreams ever end? She had gotten out of bed and stared out the window but no
t really seeing anything except past memories until it was daylight.
“I talked to Doctor Wilson and explained things to him. I’m sure he will give you something to help you sleep,” Flo told her compassionately as she looked at Grace.
Grace had dark circles under her eyes and her skin was pale. Flo knew Grace’s parents were deeply concerned over their only child, but they all knew Grace had to want to move on. Although Grace had gained some weight while here she had not been sleeping well and it showed.
Grace whispered, “I know, Flo, and I can’t thank you and Bill enough for taking me in like this. I know it’s going to take time but I’ll be okay. I have to believe that.”
Flo hugged her tightly. “You are like family, Gracie girl, no matter how many miles apart we are. Bill Jr. wishes he was here and not stationed on the other side of the world. He was so upset in not being there for you.”
Billy, as Grace called Flo and Bill’s son, was a year older than her but they had always been close as children, calling each other cousins. He had been in the army for years and was often stationed around the globe.
Grace smiled and nodded. “I talked to him on the phone a few days ago. He says he might be able to come home soon. I’d love to see him again. I told him I understood he was busy doing all his secret spy stuff for the army.”
Grace got to work and kept busy the rest of the day with her customers. After Jane came in she went upstairs to shower and change clothes and walked to her doctor appointment. She enjoyed getting out and walking through the town. Although Bear Creek wasn’t very big, it had an old-world charm that you didn’t see in a big city and she loved exploring the main street. The town was also filled with hiking trails and a campground with a lake. It was nice and sunny as she passed several little stores, stopping to browse at the window of a women’s boutique. She waved to a few people she recognized and took her time getting to the doctor’s office. She entered the small brick building and felt the cool air hit her immediately.
Grace walked up to the front desk to sign in and smiled at the receptionist, a friendly brunette. “Hi, I am Grace Henderson.”
Linda introduced herself to Grace and showed her to a small exam room where she took her blood pressure and asked a few questions about her medical history. Dr. Wilson, a kind man in his fifties, looked at her file and frowned deeply, shaking his head at what he read. “Flo filled me in on why you are not sleeping. I am sorry for what you went through, young lady. Have you thought of counseling? That might help you, too. It’s better to let it all out instead of holding all those feelings inside.”
Grace nodded as she sat on the doctor bed. Her parents had wanted her to see a counselor back home but everything had been too fresh, too painful. “I will keep it mind, Doc, I promise. I wasn’t ready to deal with all of the memories at first.”
He recommended a counselor in Austin, which was only fifteen miles away, and she promised to think about it. He gave her a prescription for sleeping pills and told her to call him if they didn’t help.
Grace decided to spend the rest of the day helping Hannah at the animal shelter. One of her favorite dogs, Buddy, was going to be adopted by a family. Grace bathed him and brushed his soft brown fur, making sure he looked extra special today.
“I’m going to miss you, Buddy, but I am glad you’ll have a family now.” She hugged the dog then looked at Hannah sadly. “How do you not get attached and cry when they leave?”
“I used to in the beginning,” Hannah explained giving Grace a sympathetic look. She gave Buddy a treat. “But then I thought of how happy they will be being played with and loved by a family and not stuck here all the time. My goal is to find a home for each animal and a family for them to love.”
Grace sighed sadly. “Yeah, you’re right. I wish I could adopt a dog but my life is too unsettled right now.”
Grace hugged Buddy one last time. After the excited family left with Buddy, Grace felt a little better. They had a small boy who couldn’t wait to play outside with his new friend.
Hannah and Grace sat down at the little table in the break room while Amy watched the front desk. Hannah opened the small refrigerator and offered Grace a bottle of water. “I am so glad you came by, Grace. Remember that benefit dinner I told you about to raise money for the shelter?”
Grace smiled at Hannah’s enthusiasm. Hannah loved running the shelter and really believed in taking care of the animals and making sure they were going to good homes. She organized the benefit along with her two co-workers, Richard and Amy. “Of course, I bought tickets with Bill and Flo. It’s this Saturday, right?
Hannah smiled and nodded. “I finally got the courage to ask Todd Dawson to go with me. He is so hot! He works over at Mill’s Lumber. He said yes, but his cousin is down from Dallas that weekend and needs a date, so I thought of you. Nathan comes down here often and is a nice guy,” Hannah explained.
“Me? Oh, Hannah, I don’t date,” Grace said, standing up. Maybe she should confide in Hannah what had happened to her. But she didn’t know how to tell her without giving away all the details. She was enjoying having a friend that treated her normally. Back at home most of her friends had walked on eggshells, afraid to say anything that would upset her or depress her further.
“Why not? You are single and beautiful. You are single, right?” Hannah asked, frowning.
Grace smiled and nodded. “No husband or boyfriend, but I had a bad experience recently with an ex-boyfriend and now I don’t like to date. I’m not ready for that.”
“I’m not asking you to start a serious relationship, just one simple date to a dance with me and Todd as chaperones,” Hannah pleaded. “Please, Grace. I’ll stick by you all night if you want, but Nathan is really nice. He has been visiting Todd since we were kids so I know him. He is harmless. If you don’t go, then neither will Todd and I really like him.”
“Well that doesn’t sound so bad, but I don’t own any dresses and I really can’t afford to buy one,” Grace said, reluctantly giving in. She had planned on going anyway to support Hannah and the shelter. It sounded like a harmless date.
“No problem. I’ve got plenty of dresses. I will lend you one. As a matter of fact, let’s go to my house right now and pick one up. It’s almost closing time and Richard and Amy will be here to close up.” Hannah smiled excitedly.
Hannah and Grace rode out to the ranch. “Don’t worry about running into Jackson. He’s at a cattleman’s meeting in Austin all day and won’t be back until late tonight.”
