Love Inspired May 2021--Box Set 1 of 2, page 22
“You’re not being realistic,” she snapped. “You can hardly expect that I would blankly agree to your scheme. But even if I did, I’d have a lot of questions and need more information and a lot more time to consider things from every viewpoint. And I’d need to pray about it.”
Pray? Not exactly the response he wanted!
“But Lizzie needs your help now,” he insisted.
“I’ll do the best I can for her, Jack.” Her eyes nailed him. “But here’s my bottom line. If how I choose to deal with your request doesn’t work for you, I think you’d better look elsewhere for help because I will not be rushed into marriage.”
Grace rose, slid the strap of her bag over her shoulder and walked to the door. She had her hand on the knob before he realized she actually intended to walk out on him and found his voice.
“I’m sorry, Gracie.” Relieved that she stopped, Jack cleared his throat and tried again. “I’m really sorry. I keep forgetting that even though I’ve been thinking about it for a while, this is all new to you. Please sit down. Ask me anything you like.”
“My name is Grace,” she said sternly. But she did return to her chair.
“Grace,” he repeated obediently, hating that she’d broken the one tenuous connection he’d clung to from their past. “Okay. What do you want to know?”
“Lots of things. But not all at once. We can get to know each other slowly.”
“But I want to get married right away,” he blustered.
“Not going to happen,” she warned in a soft but icy tone. “Deal with it.”
Surprised by her obstinacy, Jack fell silent as he studied her, trying to decipher more about this woman who seemed nothing like the acquiescent girl he remembered.
“What you need to do now is take a step back. Relax, work on feeling better and stop trying to force me into your plans. Because it won’t work.” She shook her head when he tried to speak. “Listen to me, Jack. Lizzie and I will get to know each other better. That should be simple since we’re living together. I promise I’ll figure out ways to help her.”
“But—” He glared at her, stymied and frustrated because he didn’t know how to get through to this woman, couldn’t find the way to motivate her to comply. “That’s not what I planned.”
“I realize that.” Grace studied him intently. “But this is how it’s going to be.”
“Why?” he demanded.
“Because I barely know you after all these years and you certainly don’t know me.” Her eyes met his unflinchingly. “Also, I don’t make major life decisions unless I know it’s God’s will for me. And I don’t know that.” Her gaze narrowed. “Have you prayed about it?”
“I’ve thought it over long and hard,” he answered, dodging her question.
“Not what I mean.” She sighed. “We must first work out if we can be friends. And right now, friendship is my only offer,” she added quickly, before he could interrupt.
Jack might not have seen Gracie Partridge since they were teens, but he recognized the stubborn jut of her jaw. She’d made up her mind and she would follow her course. He could either agree or abandon the whole plan.
Abandonment might be the best course to take right now, but Jack wasn’t going to do it. First and foremost, because he didn’t have anyone else he could count on, and second, because despite their years apart, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Grace was exactly who Lizzie needed. Nobody changed their personality that much. There had to be some of the old Gracie left inside. Proof of that was her insistence on waiting, on praying. Her faith had always been foremost in her life and he kind of liked that.
Third and perhaps most important, Jack hated being alone.
He’d wait because he had no other option. But while he waited, he’d figure out how to get through to her. Somehow. The idea of courting almost made him nauseous. All that kowtowing, again? Sheena had expected expensive gifts she could show off, as if they were some kind of proof that he was worthy of her attention.
Gracie is not Sheena, his brain reminded.
“I do want to be friends again, Gracie—Grace,” he corrected, stifling his impatience. “Just as we used to be.” Even though I can’t love you. “But I don’t want Lizzie to keep suffering while we’re working on getting along. I don’t want to waste time.”
“I do hope getting to know me better won’t be a waste of time,” she shot back, brows arched.
“I didn’t mean...” Shut up, Jack.
“We’ll have as much time as God gives us,” she said briskly. “And that will be enough because He makes all things beautiful in His time.”
“He certainly did with you.” Jack gazed at her unabashedly, realizing in that moment that it wasn’t just that Grace was a beautiful woman. It was something inside, something special that shone through and gave her that radiant glow that women around the world spent millions trying to achieve.
“Let’s agree on the basics,” she said, a slight flush coloring her cheeks as she dipped her head and dug in her bag for a tiny notebook and pen while she avoided meeting his gaze. “Lizzie and I are staying at Hanging Hearts Ranch for the next while.”
She seemed slightly flustered, which Jack found reassuring. Maybe she wasn’t quite as “in charge” as she seemed.
“What about school?” she asked.
“What school?” He blinked, mystified.
“Your granddaughter’s. The school year has almost two months left. Where is Lizzie in her studies?” Grace asked.
“Before we left Boston, her teacher said missing the rest of the year was fine because she’s way ahead so...” He shrugged.
“That’s good, but I think it would be a good idea for Lizzie to attend class for the rest of the school year anyway. It will help her make friends and feel more comfortable when her year begins again in September. Agreed?”
When he nodded, Grace continued with her questions, writing his answers in the same tiny script that he recalled from high school. A nurse came in to check on him. Sometime after that, in the midst of Gracie’s verbal notations about where he could stay when he was released, Jack began to nod off.
“You’re tired. We’ll continue some other time.” Grace tucked away her notes and rose. “I’ll be back with Lizzie later.” She walked to the door.
“Gracie—Grace?” Jack waited until she was looking at him. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’ve never been a mother or grandmother and I’m not at all sure I’ll be very good at it,” she informed him in a crisp tone.
“I am. I’m absolutely positive you’ll be perfect.” He smiled at her uplifted brow. “Can you leave your cell phone number so I can call you if anything changes?”
“Yes, of course.” She wrote it on a piece of paper and tucked it under his water glass.
“I think we’re going to be good friends, Gra—ce,” he assured her, correcting himself midsentence. “We were once,” he reminded her.
“Yes, we were,” she agreed very quietly, her forehead pleated in a sober expression. “But that was a long time ago and a lot has changed. Rest now, Jack.”
The warmth of her presence left with her.
Now alone, Jack squinted out the window, his brain replaying what Grace had said. All things considered, it wasn’t a bad start. She hadn’t said she’d never marry him. He was good at talking people around to his side. Once he felt a little less like a punching bag, he’d coax Gracie to adopt his plan.
He leaned back and closed his eyes. But he couldn’t rest. Not yet. It felt like he should do something.
Then it hit him. Maybe he couldn’t persuade Gracie to marry him right away. But he could still make sure all his bases were covered. He grabbed his phone and hit Speed Dial.
“You know that report I ordered?” he said.
“Yeah. You said you didn’t need to see it.”
“Changed my mind. Send it now, will you? Thanks.” Jack hung up and accessed his email, reading and rereading the investigator’s report on Miss Grace Partridge, the one he’d commissioned when he’d first considered asking her to help Lizzie.
After scanning the document twice, he found no surprises. Gracie would be the perfect partner to help with Lizzie. Satisfied that he was in control of as much as he could be for now, Jack was finally able to relax.
Gracie was all about praying for direction, which he truly admired.
But after all, God helped those who helped themselves.
Chapter Three
“Is Pops gonna be in the hospital forever?” Lizzie’s nonstop questions had been amusing at first, but Grace would welcome a break.
“They will probably release him today. If so, you and I will pick him up after school.” She turned into the parking lot and pulled into a vacant spot. “Let’s go meet your teacher and the other students now.”
“What if I don’t like it?” the little girl demanded with a glower.
“You will, dear. Just wait.” Grace drew her alongside as they walked, chatting merrily about the school to forestall more questions about Jack, for which she had no answers.
She had deliberately handled Lizzie’s registration while the child was in her room, hoping to spare the girl worry. After speaking with Anita McAllister, Grace was certain that years as Sunshine’s kindergarten teacher had rendered the woman an expert at allaying childish apprehensions. That teacher hurried toward them now, her smile bright and welcoming.
“Hello, Grace. Come on in, Lizzie,” Anita encouraged. “There are some children who would like to get to know you.”
“Why?” Lizzie’s topaz eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Because you’re new and you’ve been to places that they’ve never seen,” the teacher answered calmly. “It’s always nice to meet new people, don’t you think?”
“I guess.” Lizzie hugged her backpack and shrugged her disinterest.
For Grace, the shrug was reminiscent of Jack and that annoyed her. Why did the man keep invading her mind?
Grace waited to leave until they were in the classroom and Lizzie was surrounded by a group of girls, all asking questions.
“I’ll pick you up after school, dear,” she whispered.
“And then we’ll go see Pops?” Lizzie waited for her nod before heaving a resigned sigh. Her smile reappeared when someone admired her T-shirt and within seconds she was engaged with her classmates.
Grace smiled at Anita and slipped away. As she entered her car, her sigh was much deeper than Lizzie’s had been. The decision to stay here was the right one, but it hadn’t resulted in any clarity from God about her future. She still felt like a cork floating on an ocean of uncertainty. What did He want her to do now? Or was she to be put out to pasture, no longer of any use to her Lord?
She drove to the local coffee shop, ordered her favorite cinnamon latte, and found a seat outside, in the warm sunshine, as she waited for the call Jess’s early morning text had promised.
“How are you, dear?” Grace asked after answering the phone.
“Shocked, amazed, thrilled.” Her friend laughed gaily. “I’m sitting by the pool with my coffee, a lovely fruity drink, and waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, waiting to depart San Diego Harbor. Oh, Grace, this ship is just as wonderful as we thought it would be and you packed all the right things for this trip. But I’m so sad you’re not here with me.”
“Don’t be.” Grace quelled a frisson of envy. “I think I’m where God wants me, for now, though I miss your perspective.”
“Well, I’m here now so ask away.” Jess listened attentively as Grace laid out all that had happened since her departure. “Jack asked you to marry him again? That’s so romantic,” she breathed when Grace had finished.
“It’s not romantic at all!” Grace cut across Jess’s comment scornfully. “It’s exasperating to have someone you knew from way back when show up on your doorstep and demand you to fall in with their plans immediately, completely disregarding the fact that in the thirty-odd years they’ve been gone you’ve made a life for yourself! It’s just that I’m uncertain where to go from here.”
“But he was your true love!”
“Jack Prinz was a teenage crush,” Grace corrected. “I am not a teenager anymore.”
“Well, you’re not dead yet either.” When Grace only huffed her annoyance, Jess sighed. “I knew I shouldn’t have left. I should be there for you.”
“Of course you should have left.” Don’t ruin her trip! Grace quickly regrouped. “What could you do about Jack if you were here? He’s just the same as he was then, bullishly determined to have his own way.” She caught herself, sipped her latte and changed tactics. “I want you to enjoy yourself on this trip, Jess. I have no business dumping all over you and spoiling things.”
“You haven’t spoiled anything. You’re my best friend. I want you to share whatever’s happening in your world.” That bracing tone helped soothe Grace’s frustration. “So Jack’s in the hospital and the child is in school. What do you want to happen next? You could move into my place if that would help,” she offered.
“That’s kind of you, dear, but I think I prefer the ranch right now.” Grace explained her choice. “There’s lots of help if I need it because the Calhouns and their families are all nearby. I’m also hoping their children will draw out Lizzie.” She paused, then admitted, “Once school is over, I’m fairly certain I will need those kids to keep her busy. Lizzie’s a lovely child, but she asks so many questions.”
“And Jack?” Jess sounded tentative, as if she was afraid to hear the answer.
“Well, he’s not happy that I nixed the whole marriage thing.”
“Oh, no.” Jess sounded disappointed. “Why did you do that, Grace?”
The question seemed ridiculous.
“Jess! A few Christmas-card scribbles are not a precursor to marriage. I barely know Jack now. I need time to consider all the ramifications of taking such a huge step without love. Just marrying him because he wants it doesn’t feel right. And I don’t have the inner assurance from God that I need before embarking on such a major change.” She exhaled heavily. “I have a ton of reasons why such a thing wouldn’t work.”
“I’m hearing that,” Jess murmured, sounding amused.
“I don’t see the need to marry so hastily.”
“It is your decision, but Lizzie is blessed to have you. So is Jack.” The way Jess’s voice trailed away meant she wasn’t saying something.
“And?” Grace prodded.
“Well, I’m suddenly wondering if such a marriage would be enough for you.” Jess paused. “I mean, from what you’ve told me, Jack hasn’t said anything about caring for you, wishing you could have been together way back when?”
“No. He hasn’t said that.” Grace glanced at the happy couple sitting at a table across the way and wished she could recapture the carefree joy in life that these two exhibited. Jack’s arrival had made her confusing world even more complicated.
“But you want him to, right?” Jess hinted.
“I think the best I can do is try to help Lizzie and trust that if it’s God’s plan for me to marry Jack, He’ll work it all out. Don’t you think?” she asked wistfully, unable to recall the last time she’d felt so uncertain about her future.
“Absolutely. The only certainty in this situation is your trust in God. Cling to that, Grace. Oh, just a minute.” Jess said something to someone, then came back on the line. “I have to hang up now, dear. They’re going to have another mandatory fire drill in ten minutes. I must finish my breakfast and then find my spot. But I will call you tomorrow.”
“No, don’t do that,” Grace refused. “You’ll be at sea, on your way to the Panama Canal. Find a deck chair and bask in the sun. Read a book. Enjoy! I’ll be just fine,” she added, hoping she was speaking truth.
“You are fine, girlfriend. Never doubt God is watching out for you. I will be praying for all three of you. Bye now,” Jess said.
Grace hung up but didn’t move for several moments. Would she be fine?
Trusting God with everything in her world had started when she was a young girl. It had never been difficult—well, except for the heartache she’d had to overcome while learning to relinquish her dream of love, marriage and children. But that had been an ongoing process that had happened over a period of time. And it was over now.
This was different.
Jack’s odd proposal felt as if he’d peeked into her very soul, found the tiny flicker of longing for a family she’d never had and fanned it back to life. But she wanted it doused! She didn’t want to go through that whole process of grieving and letting go of that dream again.
Still, if Grace had learned one thing in all these years, it was that the only way to happiness was by standing firm on her trust in her Heavenly Father. God had known all about Jack and Lizzie. He’d known she would cancel her trip in order to help with Jack’s bereaved granddaughter. If He had a special purpose for her in this situation, He’d give her the strength to do it.
Jack would just have to be patient while she figured things out.
* * *
Jack had never learned patience. And he didn’t intend to start now.
That was another of his ongoing issues with God. Why give folks brains and the means to do things if you didn’t expect them to go ahead and use them? Like now, for instance. He didn’t need to wait for God to reveal the next step to him. He already knew he was being discharged and if he knew where he’d be going, he’d call a cab and get out of this hospital!
Problem was, in her phone call this morning, Gracie hadn’t told him much about the new digs she said she was arranging. Now he was stuck waiting for her. Maybe he needed to pray about that. As if. Too many years had passed since he and God had conversed.
Where was the woman? Jack had been waiting all afternoon for her to appear. Restless and in ill humor, he did another tour of the hallway, just to prove to anyone who wanted to question him that his head injury and his ability with crutches would cause no further problems. He kept his expression blank. He sure wasn’t going to tell the nosy nurses how much pain he was in. They might suggest more tests. His irritability rose.
