Davis pulled up in front of Grayce’s house. Several cars were parked in the driveway. All the lights in the house were on. Davis saw James’ red Beamer and a green Ferrari which looked quite a bit like his aunt’s. It couldn’t be his aunt’s car. Aunt Aideen wouldn’t have known about Grayce’s ordeal, and she didn’t know where Grayce lived.
Grayce was tucked under his arm, sleeping soundly. He drove with one hand steadying Grayce so she wouldn’t be disturbed. Mitzi was fast asleep in the back seat.
The questioning by Agent Andersen had been grueling for both of them. Grayce had to recount repeatedly all the details while he had to listen to the grisly nightmare. A nightmare that he was unable to prevent or stop. It made a man humble and raging at the same time.
He didn’t want to wake Grayce. He was selfish. He didn’t want to share her with her friends and family. He wanted her all to himself, to hold, and wipe away every one of her tears.
He kissed Grayce on the soft, tender spot in front of her ear and whispered. “We’re home, sleepy head.”
Grayce murmured something under her breath but didn’t stir. “Honey, you want me to carry you into the house?” That always got a reaction.
Grayce sat up and opened her eyes. “I can walk. I’m fine.”
Grayce didn’t like his tendency to bundle and cart her around. She had refused his offer to carry her to the car after the FBI interrogation. She had no desire to be treated as if she were a damsel in distress. She didn’t understand that he needed to hold her. He needed the comfort. It wasn’t every day that a man felt totally helpless.
“I think you’ve got company.”
The front door opened and a crowd streamed out onto to the front porch. Davis saw James and Hollie and, damn it, Aunt Aideen. Who had told her? Two women stood next to his aunt that he didn’t recognize. He assumed that the women were Angie and Maddy, the two missing Marines. Hunter Hines stood behind the women.
Nick, and Talley stood with Hollie. And obviously the other couple were Grayce’s parents, with Grayce’s mom an almost identical match to Grayce.
Grayce and Mitzi both bounded out of the car. The group cheered as Grayce rushed into her mother’s arms. Grayce’s dad encircled both women in a warm embrace. Mitzi sat next to the reunited family. Tears poured down Grayce’s mother’s cheeks. Her dad furtively wiped away a tear. Everyone grew silent with the family’s touching reunion. James was wiping tears from his eyes with a polka-dot handkerchief.
James turned to the group, “Let’s break into the champagne I brought. It’s time to celebrate.”
The group followed James into the house.
Davis hung back from the family, uncertain what his part should be. Finally, Grace turned and beckoned him over.
“Mom and dad, this isn’t the way I hoped for you to meet Davis.” Her voice choked up.
Davis stepped onto the porch.
Grayce’s mom had clear hazel eyes, not as green as Grayce’s. She wore high heels which didn’t make up for her size—as tiny as Grayce.
“Davis, I’m so pleased to finally meet you. I’m sorry that my work prevented Tom and I from having you over for dinner. I promised Grayce that once I got the grant finished, I’d have you over. Grayce explained the deadline, didn’t she?”
Grayce’s teeth bit into her lower lip.
Mrs. Walters had her arm still around Grayce’s shoulders. She squeezed a bit harder. “Grayce Ann Walters, you didn’t explain about my deadline? The poor man probably thinks that we never wanted to meet him.”
“Mom, I’m sorry. Your schedule never came up.”
“No harm done, Christine. We’re meeting him now.” Mr. Walters turned toward Davis. His face was warm with a broad smile. He extended his hand.
“Davis, my mother has been out of the country writing a grant with other researchers and has been unable to have you for dinner.”
“Very funny, miss smarty pants,” Grayce’s mother chided.
Grayce looked at Davis. Her lips were parted, and her eyes glinted with a mischievous glow.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Davis.” Mr. Walters gave a firm handshake and looked directly into Davis’ eyes. This moment was as intimidating as meeting Dr. Z—the other important man in Grayce’s life. “You look like the kind of fellow that might be able to handle Grayce’s interesting talents and her wild adventures.”
Davis wanted to tell Grayce’s father that this last adventure had aged him, but he didn’t wish to subject Grayce’s parents to the violent craziness that their daughter had experienced.
James came out on the porch with two glasses of champagne. James passed the full coupes to Grayce and to her mother. “I think you need this, before Grayce tells of her latest misadventures.”
“There really isn’t that much to tell, James.” Grayce was giving James a disapproving look which he predictably ignored.
“Nice try, Grayce.” James moved next to Mr. Walters. “Tom, I brought a bottle of Scotch since I know you’re a Scotch drinker. I wish I could report that Grayce has a full bar, but your choice is Champagne or Scotch.”
“Scotch it is.”
“Come into the house, and I’ll pour you ‘a wee-dram.” James did his best imitation of Aunt Aideen’s sham Scottish brogue. “Davis’ aunt is making headways into the Scotch.” James put his arm around Christine’s shoulder. “Your shoes are divine. Are they Louboutin?”
“No they’re Sophia Webster. She’s a British Designer. Do you think they’re too young for me? ”
“Never, Christine. The shoes are ageless, like you.”
Christine tittered, and Tom shrugged his shoulders at James’ exaggerated gallantry.
After everyone had moved inside, Davis stepped closer to Grayce, wanting to pull her into his arms. He restrained himself. He was feeling very shaky about all he had experienced in the last seventy-two hours. He didn’t know if he could live through another day like today.
Grayce took a sip from the glass. “James has the best taste in everything. Fabulous French champagne.” Her lips were moist, and all he could think about was licking the essence off her plump lips.
“Did you see my parent’s eyes? Pure relief. I feel badly that I’ve put them through another stress.”
“Honey.” He no longer cared about the guests. He wrapped his arms around Grayce, inhaling her sweet scent. “All I saw was two parents who love their daughter.”
He kissed the fine little hairs around her forehead. “They’re your parents. They don’t want you to protect them.”
“But when Cassie died, I felt like I was required to make them happy.”
“Your parents are happy. They’re grateful to have a daughter to love after losing one.”
Grayce leaned against him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled close to his chest.
James opened the screen door. “Grayce, everyone is waiting for the guest of honor and for a recounting of today’s adventure.”
Davis bent down and whispered. “We’ll talk later, honey. We’ll straighten all this out. I love you, Grayce.”
“Ditto, Davis.” Grayce giggled. “I like the sound of ‘Ditto, Davis’.” She tittered. “I don’t think I should be drinking champagne when I’m so tired.”
“If you don’t behave, I’m going to have to carry you.”
“You’re such a brute.” She melded her body against his and pressed her wet lips against his. “My brute.”
Grayce was ebullient. She was grateful to be surrounded by the people and animals she loved. She resolved on the spot that she’d be better about including them in her life.
Hollie rushed up before Grayce could get through the doorway. “Boss, it’s my fault. Nick and I should’ve stayed at the office.”
Nick walked over and put his arm around Hollie. He looked down at her with a sweet look of caring. Hollie was captured in his stare. Clearly, Grayce wasn’t the only one who had an interesting day.
“I’m sorry Dr. Walters, but I don’t think it would’ve made a difference if we had stayed at the office. Brandon Billow followed you to Mrs. Leary’s. When Hollie and I found the chat about the group meeting at Pier 69, we had to act.”
“You three stopped a bomb from exploding. The FBI agent told me how Talley uncovered the bomb that was in one of the protestor’s backpacks. Obviously, our heroine is tired from her adventures.”
Talley and Mitzi were sleeping side-by-side in the center of the room.
The champagne and exhaustion began to catch up with Grayce, who was already feeling giddy. Her hand wobbled when she raised her glass. “I want to make a toast to our heroes and heroines. Everybody raise your glass to thank them for preventing a disaster today.”
Nick’s cheeks colored a bright red. Hollie beamed up at him. Angie and Maddy raised their glasses to Grayce. Hunter Hines gave a slight nod.
Talley continued to soundly sleep, as did Mitzi. Perhaps dogs had better sense than the rest of us—p sleeping when exhausted and foregoing the champagne and parties.
Davis was talking to his aunt. He wasn’t pleased by whatever she had said. She probably was telling him about the prediction.
James raised his glass. “And to the person who started the whole adventure. Without her, Angie wouldn’t have been found, the plot to bomb the waterfront wouldn’t have been foiled, and Grayce wouldn’t have been abducted. Let’s raise our glasses to our dear friend… Emily Chow.”
Everyone said in unison. “JAAAAAMES.”
And then everyone started to laugh.
Grace looked around at the full circle of family and friends. It was right to share this moment with them.
“You’re up, Grayce.” James waggled his eyebrows. “We’ve heard about the bomb on Pier 69, but we don’t know the details of your day.”
Grayce took a gulp of champagne. Sharing her experience with the people she loved would be a challenge.
“You have to understand…” She looked at her parents and Davis. “All I ever wanted to do was help Mrs. Hines. Then events got tangled and convoluted. I don’t expect that I’ll understand the whole chain of events for quite a while. I thought Hunter was behind the plot.” Hunter Hines smiled at Grayce. The first time she had seen him smile. Everyone chuckled as if it were a joke, then waited expectantly for her to continue.
“It was all a fluke that Brandon Billow observed me at the house on 65thand then again on Beacon Hill. He was part of the ecoterrorist group and planned the real bomb. Although he planned to kill the Port Commissioners, he never planned to hurt me. What Agent Andersen explained to me in my debriefing was that Brandon became obsessed with me. I somehow represented his mother, and he wanted me to witness his crowning achievement. He apparently wanted to impress me and never had plans to harm me. I was never in any real danger.”
James rolled his eyes, knowing exactly how she was avoiding stressing her parents. Davis’ warm eyes and crooked smile showed his support. He understood and accepted her need to protect the people she loved.
Aunt Aideen stepped forward, a glass of Scotch in her hand. “Grayce, you didn’t start the story at the beginning. The adventure all began with a prediction.”
All eyes turned toward Aunt Aideen. Grayce began to worry, uncertain what Aunt Aideen would share.
“I read Grayce’s tarot cards and predicted she would go on a dangerous adventure, and, in the end, she and Davis would protect each other, and strengthen their relationship. The cards never lie. Am I not right?” She looked directly at Grayce.
Grayce shared a moment of harmony with Aunt Aideen. She and Davis had come through danger and hurt and were stronger by the journey.
“I’d like to make another prediction,” Aunt Aideen said.
Davis and Grayce shouted simultaneously. “NO!”
The large woman gave a belly laugh. She raised her glass of Scotch. “All I was going to say is ‘A h-uile là sona dhuibh’s gun là idir dona dhuib which means ‘long life will come to all in the room’.”