BY MIDMORNING MONDAY, Grace, Faith and their mother sat in the chilly examining room in Dr. Collier’s office. Grace had made an early call and, after much wrangling, secured an appointment time. Faith had made arrangements for the children to stay at a friend’s house for a play date. Her mother sat on the examining table covered in white paper, fidgeting with the edges, gently flexing her still-injured ankle. Getting her in the car to visit the office was a study in patience, but between the two of them, Grace and her sister had pushed the issue enough that a mutinous Wanda Sue went along.
“You know I hate doctors,” Mama complained. “They poke and prod and can never figure out what’s wrong with you.” She wrinkled her nose. “Plus, it smells like antiseptic in here.”
Yes. A study in patience.
“When was the last time you had a complete physical?” Grace queried.
Her mother shrugged. “A year or two ago.”
“Try five,” Faith corrected.
Their mother sent her a flinty stare. “How would you know?”
“It was when you had that upper respiratory infection. I know because I drove you to that appointment.”
“Oh, right, now I remember.” She sent a sheepish glance Grace’s way. “I stand corrected. Five years.”
Biting back a retort, which wouldn’t help the situation, Grace said, “This is a good thing. If nothing is wrong, you’ll be happy. If the doctor finds something—” she waved a hand between her and Faith “—we’ll deal with it.”
“Humph.”
“Mama, please keep—”
The door opened and a middle-aged man with soft brown hair and tortoiseshell glasses entered. He walked straight to their mother and shook her hand, impressing Grace immediately. “I’m Dr. Collier, Mrs. Harper. We haven’t met, since I’m new to the practice.” He looked down at the chart. “I understand you’ve had some falls?”
“It’s nothing,” their mother protested.
With a brisk movement, he set the chart aside. “How about you let me be the judge of that?”
Wanda Sue pouted.
As he checked her bruised ankle and then her joints, the doctor asked, “How many times have you fallen?”
Her mother shot Grace a cagy look, then said, “About six times.”
Six? Why hadn’t she told them? Now more than ever, Grace was glad she’d forced the issue to bring her mother here.
“Is this right after you stand up?”
“Sometimes.”
He went on to ask more questions, which Mama answered in what Grace thought was complete honesty. Had she been more shaken by the falls than she let on?
The doctor nodded, made notes, then looked at his patient. “When the nurse’s assistant took your blood pressure this morning, the reading was very low. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the problem. To be sure, I’d like you to have a blood test. This will determine if there are any underlying problems causing the low pressure.”
Wanda Sue’s displeasure radiated across the room. “A blood test?”
“It’ll only take a few moments but the results will give me a better idea of what we’re looking at. You can have the draw done here and, after I review the results, we can get you started on a treatment plan. How does that sound?”
“Horrible. If you take blood out of me, I can’t guarantee I won’t fall flat on your incredibly clean floor.”
The doctor chuckled, then assured her, “You’ll be fine, Mrs. Harper. I’ll have one of my staff take you back to the lab.” He turned to Grace and Faith. “Any other questions?”
“No,” Grace said. “I’m just thankful you could see her.”
The doctor nodded and left, Grace hurried over to help her mother lower herself from the table. “Happy now?”
“Yes,” Grace and Faith responded in chorus, to which Mama rolled her eyes.
A woman dressed in scrubs arrived to take Wanda Sue to the lab. Faith walked out to the main office but before Grace could follow, her mother grabbed her arm with a death grip.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
Grace forced a smile to her lips. This was Mama, a bit pale and unnerved, leaning on Grace as always, but her resentment dried up in the face of this real threat to her mother’s well-being. She understood Mama’s fear. No one liked to be sick, but when the cause was unknown, it led to all sorts of conjecture, right or wrong. And since Mama didn’t take bad news well…this could be tricky. Grace held her mother’s cold fingers in hers and squeezed. “I know, Mama. But once the doctor figures out the problem, you’ll be good as new.”
“You can’t make promises like that.”
“You’re right, but I know you. You may not think so, but you’re a fighter.”
Her mother’s teary gaze met Grace’s. “How can you say that, after I put so much responsibility on you? I was a mess after your daddy left.”
“But you pulled yourself up.” Grace straightened her shoulders, as much a show of confidence for her mother as for herself. “We Harper women can take our lumps and still come out on top. Don’t you forget it.”
Her mother patted her cheek. “You’re a good daughter, Gracie.”
Swallowing the emotion lodged in her throat, Grace said, “So go have the test and then we’ll deal with whatever the results are. Together.”
The nurse acknowledged Grace and then said, “Are you ready, Mrs. Harper?”
“No, so let’s get this over with.”
Blowing out a sigh of relief that her mother hadn’t insisted they leave, Grace went back to the waiting room. Still jittery about what the test results would reveal, she forced herself to stop pacing and sit. Faith, on the other hand, had grown very silent. Another concern, thought Grace.
“What’s up, Faith?”
Faith straightened her shoulders. “I’m going to move in with Mama.”
Not bothering to hide her surprise, Grace said, “Really?”
Faith clasped her hands together. “Since the day she confirmed another fall, I’ve been worried. I’ll admit, moving back home was not what I’d planned, but then, nothing is going my way lately.” She shook her head, like she was revving up to give herself a pep talk. “Anyway, Mama should have someone there and Donna can’t be there all the time. You’ll be going back to Atlanta soon, so I need to step up.”
“That’s very adult of you.”
Faith seemed offended. “Are you mocking me?”
“No, I’m being honest.” And with one look, the animosity Faith had targeted toward Grace since they were kids returned. So she quickly added, “You’re right. Mama needs all hands on deck and I will be leaving.”
Pushing her tangled hair from her face, Faith said, “I know she’ll love having the kids around. And I can keep an eye on her until the doctor determines what the problem is.”
“It’s a wonderful idea, Faith. The office is running smoothly and once Mama’s back on track, you two can keep the business going. Maybe expand.” She paused. “I know I’ve tried to get Mama to sell, but with you and Nathan engaged, we won’t have to.”
Determination gleamed in her sister’s eyes. “We can do it.”
“I know you can.”
The door opened and another patient was called to an examining room. Grace settled back, feeling optimistic for the first time since she’d been home. Mama would get better, her siblings would pick up the slack and she could go back to what was left of her career. Smiling at the thought of making a comeback, it took Grace a moment to realize Faith had spoken.
“Sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked if you’d help me move our things to Mama’s house today.”
“Sure.” Another thought surfaced. “What will Lyle think about you moving in with Mama? Will he join you?”
Faith averted her gaze, looking at everything in the room except Grace.
“Faith?”
“Things aren’t working out between me and Lyle.” Her voice broke. “I think maybe I should file for divorce.”
As tears began to shimmer in her sister’s eyes, Grace pulled her into an embrace. Just the fact alone that Faith and her kids had moved into the cabin was proof that there had been problems, but to this extent? True, she’d never liked Lyle, but she hated her sister’s heartache more. They hugged for a long moment, then Faith pulled back, swiping her eyes.
“Are you sure?” Grace had to ask. Faith had a way of making decisions, then bailing before carrying through.
Faith raised her shoulders, uncertainty written on her face. “It’s been over for a while, Grace. Lyle’s never wanted to be tied down or accountable, and the more he stays out, the more I pressure him, and the more I pressure him, the more he stays away. I hung in there for the kids, but Lyle… He won’t be happy with the news. I have to do better. For the kids and myself.”
Grace took Faith’s hands in hers. “And you will. I’ll help anyway I can.”
A bitter laugh escaped Faith. “Can you refer me to a good lawyer?”
“The best.” Grace hitched a thumb in her direction. “I’ll handle your case.”
“You’ll be in Atlanta.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t file the paperwork and do what needs to be done.”
“How about you just refer me to someone local.”
Faith’s request made sense. Grace would be busy once she got back to the firm, but she couldn’t ignore the little jab of hurt. It shouldn’t bother her, but it did.
The door opened again and their mother limped across the threshold, muttering as she rolled her sleeve down.
“All finished?” Grace asked as she rose.
“For now. The doctor popped his head into the lab and said he hoped this would answer his questions so I didn’t need any more tests.” She hooked her purse over her good arm and pointed to Grace. “This better do it.”
Grace held up her hands. “Hey, I have no control.”
“Since when?” Faith teased.
“Well, with this.”
Faith wrapped her arm around her mother. “Remember this day. It’s the first time Gracie admitted she can’t handle everything.”
“Hey, no ganging up on me,” Grace said, following her family out of the office into the bright summer day. Hope brimmed inside her, for the future of the business and that at least they were getting to the bottom of what ailed her mother.
On the ride through town, Grace noticed Faith hadn’t told their mother she was moving back home, but figured her sister was going to discuss it later. Mama dominated the conversation, talking about the Summer Gold Celebration, the historical tour she missed leading and how happy she was that all her children were working together.
Grace dropped Faith off at the Put Your Feet Up office and then dropped her mother off at her house, promising she’d be back later to check in. Driving back downtown, Grace parked behind the office and hurried to the back door. When she went to yank it open, it didn’t budge, forcing her momentum forward, and she slammed against the glass.
“What on earth?” she muttered, digging in her purse for her keys. She opened the door and stepped inside. “Faith, you forgot to unlock the back door.”
Her heels echoed as she walked up the hallway, stopping short. The office was empty.
After dropping her purse on the desk, Grace quickly checked the restroom and storage closet. No Faith. Puzzled, she took her phone from her purse and dialed Faith’s number. A muffled ringtone came from the other side of the room. Grace rounded the desk and opened the top drawer. Inside, her name, visible in bold letters, flashed on her sister’s phone screen.
Hanging up, she removed Faith’s phone and set it on the desk. She tried not to panic as her mind flashed from one scenario to another. What had happened to her sister? She’d left her only twenty minutes ago, but other than the phone, there was no trace that Faith had even been here.
With shaking fingers, she dialed Nathan, hoping to catch him before his next tour.
“It’s Nathan. Leave me a message.”
“You have got to be kidding me.” She left a quick message for him to call her.
Grabbing her purse, she locked up the office and headed to the cabin. Since Grace had driven everyone to the doctor’s office, she didn’t know how Faith would have gotten out here unless she called a friend, but she didn’t know where else to look. Sure enough, Faith’s dusty van was still parked in the same spot. She ran inside, calling her sister’s name. Silence greeted her.
Panic rising, she called her mother. Moderating her voice, she asked, “Is Faith with you?”
“No, she and Lyle just dropped the kids off. Faith said she’d be back later.”
Faith had taken off with Lyle?
“Did she seem okay?”
“Why wouldn’t she?” Her mother moved the phone from her mouth as she told John not to tease his sister. “She said she’d be back in a few days.” Grace heard the pleasure in her mother’s voice. “Gives me some time to spoil my grandbabies.”
A few days? But Faith was scheduled to work. What happened to being responsible? Stunned, Grace lowered herself to the couch as her legs gave out. “Thanks, Mama.”
She sat there staring into space for what seemed like forever. What about the divorce? Had Faith taken her husband back? Was she still moving in with Mama? Her phone rang in the middle of her attempt to figure out what had happened.
“Deke,” she said after reading the caller ID.
“Hey, where is everyone? There are clients waiting at the door.”
Not good. “I’ll be right there,” she said, slowly rising. She didn’t know what was up with her sister, but it couldn’t be good. And there was no way Grace could help her, since she’d fled to parts unknown with Lyle, just like she had years ago. Was this history repeating itself?
She made it back to the office in record time. Deke had the clients in the office, chatting them up before heading to the lake. He sent her a questioning glance, but she shook her head. Maybe later they’d have this discussion, but not in front of tourists. As he herded them out to the parking lot, she snatched his arm to stop him. Worked hard to keep her voice calm. “Have you talked to Nathan?”
“He’s with a group at Deep North Adventures.”
“You’re sure?”
“Pretty sure.” He frowned. “What’s up?”
“Probably nothing.”
Lines of concern formed between his brows. “Are you okay?”
“I’m not sure. Nathan’s not answering his phone.”
“Maybe he’s busy.”
She let out a shaky breath. “Let me know if he contacts you.”
His eyes went tight at the corners. “Count on it.”
Once Deke left, she was about to call her brother again when the office phone rang. “Put Your Feet Up.”
“Grace. It’s Colin. We have a problem.”
Her stomach sank. “What kind of problem?”
“Your brother got a phone call, then got in the van and took off.”
She ran a trembling hand over her brow. “How long ago?”
“About an hour. The zip-line tour is almost over.”
“Any way I can borrow your van to get the clients back here to their cars?”
“Sure.” He paused. “Everything okay?”
She would be so glad when there was no need for anyone to ask her that question. With a firm tone, she said, “I’ll be right over.”
But as soon as she hung up, she swallowed a hysterical sob. Where were her siblings? How had things gone from good to bad in a matter of an hour? She left the office, afraid that her life was coming unraveled.
* * *
DEKE KEPT AN eye out, waiting for Grace to come home. She’d been rattled when he returned from the lake, asking again if he knew where Nathan was. Beside herself, she’d paced the office, wondering out loud what had made her brother leave clients behind at Deep North Adventures. Fifteen minutes later, Nathan strolled in through the back door, humming under his breath, like he hadn’t a care in the world. After demanding an explanation, Nathan told her he’d gotten an important call he couldn’t ignore. Said he left a message with Colin asking him to return the clients to their cars.
Grace confirmed his story with Colin, who explained that his employee at the front desk hadn’t given him the message until much later. But instead of looking relieved, Grace had let out a harsh breath and disappeared into the restroom. Deke hung around, his concern for her growing. A frazzled look he didn’t recognize, along with her shoulders slumped in what could only be defeat, told him she wasn’t holding up well. When she finally emerged, her eyes were red, her mascara streaked. She grabbed her purse, told Nathan to lock up and stomped off.
Nathan looked at him and shrugged. “Chicks.”
“Don’t disrespect your sister.”
Nathan’s eyes had gone wide at his clipped tone. Deke knew something weighed heavily on Grace and he wanted to discover what it was. He was prepared for her rebuff, but he’d acquired just the thing he hoped would loosen her tongue.
Now, the sun had nearly dipped into the horizon when he heard the crush of gravel under tires. Peering out his window, he saw Grace’s car. He swallowed his relief. His heart became a little lighter. She was home.
Grace emerged from the car, but abruptly stopped on the path and turned toward the firepit. Good, just what he’d had in mind.
He grabbed his bag of supplies and strode outside. The temperature had dropped, perfect for a pleasant evening. Insects buzzed around him as he crunched over the dirt path to the firepit. The shadows were long and filmy. A soft breeze darted through the pines as he drew close to find Grace seated in an Adirondack chair, head back, eyes closed, feet bare and resting on the edge of the brick wall of the firepit, shoes tossed haphazardly nearby.
“Tough day?” he asked, sinking into the chair beside her.
“Tough is a piece of cake compared to everything going on.” She expelled a long sigh, but her eyes remained closed.
“Did you eat dinner?”
She nodded. “At Mama’s.”
The sudden whir of an engine, probably a boat on the lake, cut through the night. He could just make out the water through the trees as the sun set faster now.
“How about I make a fire?”
She moved her feet. “Have at it.”
He rose to grab a few pieces of cut wood from the stack and in minutes had a small flame started. Bits of ash floated upward as the wood caught fire. Time to bring out the big guns.
“Since you already had dinner, how about we share dessert?”
One eye slit open. “What did you have in mind?”
He dug into the bag to produce a box of graham crackers, chocolate and a bag of marshmallows. “S’mores.”
She flung her arm toward him, fingers wiggling. “Skip the crackers and fluff. Hand over the chocolate and no one gets hurt.”
He chuckled. “Now I know it was a bad day.”
When he handed her the bar, she sat up, unwrapped the treat and took a dainty bite. She closed her eyes and chewed. They sat in silence as she devoured the chocolate. Judging by the heavenly look on her face, she savored every second.
“This almost makes up for a truly horrible day,” she said as she licked the smeared remainders from her fingers.
“Care to share?”
“I knew when you offered chocolate it came with a price.”
He frowned. “I only meant to make you happy. Take away some of the stress dogging you.”
She gave him a thumbs-up. “So far so good.”
“Your day?” he reminded her.
Tucking her feet under her, she rested an elbow on the wide arm of the chair and dropped her chin in her palm. “Took Mama to the doctor, Faith ran off and, as you know, Nathan left clients stranded at the zip line.” She shrugged. “All in a day’s work.”
“Faith did what?”
“Took off and left her kids at Mama’s.”
He glanced over his shoulder at the dark cabin. “Explains why it’s so quiet at your place.”
“One minute Faith announces she thinks she should file for divorce, the next she takes off with the husband she says she isn’t happy with.”
Deke didn’t even know how to reply to that piece of news. “And your mother?”
“The doctor took blood for tests. Hopefully we’ll find out something soon.” She stared at the fire. As the dusk settled around them, Grace’s face became pensive. “And I’m pretty sure I’ll be moving back to my mother’s house.”
This statement surprised Deke the most. “What? Why?”
“Faith offered before she took off. Until we get answers from the doctor, Mama shouldn’t be alone.”
“Who is with her now?”
“Nathan and her friend Donna, who’s been helping her out with the grandkids Faith dropped off before hightailing it. And get this, after hearing Mama had been to the doctor, Lissy Ann and her committee stopped by with dinner.” She finally looked in his direction. “Uncle Nathan offered to play with the kids. I guess it’s his way of saying sorry.”
“His hanging around doesn’t seem to make up for what he did today.”
She scowled. “What is wrong with my family?”
“I’d say normal operating procedure, but I have to admit, they do manage to surprise.”
Tilting her head up, she stared into the night. In a quiet voice she said, “I’m never going back to Atlanta and my career, am I?”
The way things were going, it didn’t look like that would happen anytime soon, but he said, “You can’t give up hope.”
She turned toward him. “Hope? Really? I thought for one glorious moment that my family was finally under control, only to have them revert to form.” She ran her palms over her eyes. “I either need to give up my career at the law firm to run the family business, or talk my mother into selling. After today, I don’t know if I can trust Faith and Nathan to keep the business above water.”
Deke leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, fingers spread out toward the flames. “Maybe you should walk away.”
Her eyes went wide. “Are you crazy? Who will take care of them all?”
“I don’t get it, Grace. You say you want your own life but you aren’t willing to leave your family to do so. If you want your career so badly, go for it.”
“Really? This coming from the guy who walked away from his own career? Are you going back or will you continue to hide from your emotions?”
He blinked as the breeze blew smoke toward his face. Good question. So far everything he’d done—accepting his role to research a lead about his mother’s boyfriend, which he was doing a supremely bad job of; taking on work that was more settling to his mind and soul and less about his cover; and falling for a woman who was more determined to take care of the world than live her own life—was all a big excuse not to face the truth. He’d messed up. A friend died. He’d live with the guilt, but hoped he was finally honest enough to admit he couldn’t carry the burden alone. He wanted to share life’s ups and downs. With a partner. Grace.
“I’m sorry, Deke.”
“No, you’re right. I’m in no place to judge. But I also know something’s got to give.”
“I know you think I’m wrong by not letting my siblings stand on their own feet. Reap the consequences of their actions, good or bad.”
“Not like I’m any less wrong about trying to find out about my mother’s boyfriend behind her back.” He took the stick by his feet and poked at the smoldering logs to get the flame burning brighter. “I suppose loving our families isn’t a bad excuse for our behavior.”
When she held out her hand again, he reached into the bag and handed her another bar of chocolate. They sat in silence, listening to the fire crackle. Another white plume wafted his way, cloaking him in smoke.
Grace groaned. “Tomorrow morning, I’m going to be sorry for eating that second bar.”
“I’d say you earned it.”
Tossing the wrapper into the fire, she angled her body toward him. “So what now? What do we do?”
“One step in front of the other has worked well for me so far.”
She shook her head. “I’m too impatient.”
“You can’t make things change just by sheer force of will, Grace.”
“Okay, then I should set down ground rules. If they aren’t followed, there are consequences.”
“Which means you have to stand by those decisions. Can you honestly do that?”
Her face turned glum. “Probably not.”
He held out his hand. She glanced at it, then up at him.
“Let’s make a pact.”
“Will it include chanting vows and a blood sacrifice?”
He gaped at her.
She shrugged. “Sorry. My mood is dark.”
“You think?”
With the barest hint of a grin, she laid her hand in his. He savored the soft touch, the connection to the woman who had grown important to him over a short period of time. “I’ll admit I can’t do this alone, if you agree, as well.”
She pressed her lips together.
“Asking for help doesn’t make us weak, Grace. In fact, it takes much more courage. It’s easy to be an island, much harder to open our hearts and admit we can’t control everything, no matter how much we convince ourselves otherwise. We aren’t in this life alone.”
He lifted her hand to his lips to place a kiss. In the firelight she appeared so vulnerable, so sad and unsure of herself. If he hadn’t thought he was in love with her before, he knew for certain now.
“I don’t know if I can,” she whispered.
“Maybe it’s because you don’t want to.”
“Just like you can’t let go of the guilt over your friend’s death?”
The tension in his chest tightened. He wanted to let go. He did. Found himself failing every time he tried.
Grace stared at him a long moment. Her voice cracked when she asked, “Do you want to?”
He ran his palm across his chest.
“You loved her.” A statement, not a question.
“I thought so. Years ago.” He reached across the space between them to place his knuckle under her chin and turn her head his way. “Everything changed when I met you.”
Their gazes caught and held. He wasn’t sure she believed him, but before he had a chance to assure her that the feelings he’d once had for Britt were eclipsed by what he felt for her, she unfolded her legs and stood. “I need to get home.”
“Grace, I wasn’t finished.”
She held up a hand. “I don’t want to know the rest.” She gathered her shoes and purse. He reached out to stop her, surprised by the anguish in her eyes. “Grace, what is it?”
“I can’t compete with a ghost, Deke.”
“Ghost? No, Grace, you’ve got it all wrong.”
“Really? Because sometimes you get a look in your eyes, like you miss her.”
“I do. She was my friend and I’ll always grieve the way she died. But you? I can’t imagine not talking to you every day, watching that look of happiness when you sip your first soda of the morning. The way your hair shines in the sun or how you get a determined look in your eyes when you singlehandedly take care of a problem. You dressed up like a pioneer to keep your mother’s vision for the historical tour alive, for Pete’s sake. I want us to share everything life has to offer, Grace. More than I’ve wanted anything in my life.”
“My life is messy and uncertain right now. I want there to be an us… I do, but until I figure out how to balance every aspect of my life, I don’t think I can do this.”
She tugged her arm free, slipped on her shoes and hurried across the drive to her cabin. A fierce longing welled up in Deke. He’d been trying to help. Make her see she didn’t have to carry her burden alone. How on earth had his gesture turned so spectacularly wrong? In trying to make her see she didn’t have to take care of everyone alone, he’d managed to raise the hurdles of a relationship between them even higher.
He watched the last glowing embers of the fire fade and burn out, wondering if Grace would ever realize no one had complete control of their lives, no matter how much they willed it to be true.