Chapter Twenty-One

The early morning sun poked through the trees and spilled through the windows of the kitchen. Grace made tea in the microwave relocated to the spare bedroom. This room would make a nice office. She pictured cream walls and a wool area rug in the center over walnut floors. Burlap drapes on the windows and a tall plant in the corner. But the new owners would choose the decorations. She would leave them the bare bones.

She took her tea and went outside. She was starting to like the front porch. It was quickly becoming her favorite spot in the house. Probably because it wasn’t stripped down to nothing or completely covered in Sheetrock dust. She passed the plastic chair, the only place to sit for now, and bounded down the steps, trying to ignore Blaise’s house.

Debris peppered the front lawn. Paper had blown into the bushes. Jud hadn’t done a very good job of making sure everything went into the dumpster. Was that deliberate defiance? With her tea in one hand, she moved around the lawn, throwing garbage away.

The idea of dinner with Blaise had kept her awake all night. She’d tried to tell herself it was only dinner. Not a proposition. He was just being neighborly. Isn’t that what southern folk did? But there was nothing neighborly about the way he stood so close to her or the way he touched her hair. No, that was a skilled romancer, and the skilled romancer scared the pants off her. Oh, Lord. Bad pun. She groaned and kept her gaze on the lawn.

She should just tell him no. She and Chloe could grab dinner at Jake’s. But if she went, she could redeem herself for that awful no-dinner comment. Every time she thought of it or the way his eyes twinkled last night when he reminded her made her cheeks burn again. If she didn’t know better, she’d think she was having a hot flash. Did he want to see her getting hot? She covered her face with her hand. What had she gotten herself into?

Caught in the branches of the spirea, she found receipts faded from the years, a pink sales slip for a refrigerator, and a letter from an assisted living. She stopped. Assisted living? The hairs on her arms stood up.

The letter was addressed to Nancy Templeton, welcoming her to Shadow Lawn Assisted Living. It was a standard form letter, but at the bottom, someone had handwritten a message:

“Looking forward to your arrival on March 29.”

Based on the date of the letter, that was ten years ago. The house sat empty for ten years? No wonder it looked the way it did. And who had looked forward to Nancy’s arrival at a place most went into and never came out?

The growling of an engine rolled toward her. Beau’s faded red truck turned into her driveway. Jud slouched in the passenger’s seat, head tilted back as if he might be asleep. Grace shoved the letter in her back pocket and threw the rest of the papers in the dumpster.

“They’re back.” Chloe stood on the porch, a mug in her hand and a smile on her face. She had twisted her hair into a knot on the top of her head. She wore a blue T-shirt and gray sweat shorts that barely covered parts better left clothed. Her feet were bare and toes polished lime green. The nose piercing twinkled in the morning sun. Grace swore that thing mocked her.

“Go put on different shorts.” Grace tried to swat her away, but Chloe bounced down the steps.

“Why? I just got these.” Chloe stood beside her and watched as the men peeled themselves from the truck. “I don’t have to help today, do I?”

“What else were you planning on doing?” The tension began to weave its way into her shoulders.

“I don’t know. Get some sun, maybe. Walk into town and see about some kind of a job.” Chloe pulled her phone from the pocket of her shorty shorts. How could shorts that size even have a pocket?

“There’s plenty to do right here. You can pitch in and help Beau. That will be job enough.”

“Mom, I didn’t come down here to do hard labor.”

“Too bad. That’s what you’re doing.” Grace glided forward. “Good morning, Beau, Jud.”

Jud offered a head nod as he pulled tools and lumber from the back of Beau’s truck. A little acknowledgement might’ve been nice.

“Morning, Miss Grace.” Beau saluted her with his coffee. “We’re going to get started putting those two rooms back together today. I hope everyone is ready to work hard.” He looked around. “Where’s Cash? That boy better not plan on being late.”

“He was sick last night. Stomach bug. I’m not sure he’ll be up for work today.” No sooner had she said that than Cash dragged himself across the lawn. The circles were still under his eyes, but his coloring had gone from dishwater gray to parchment.

She met Cash halfway before Beau could say anything else to him. “How are you feeling?”

“Lousy, but I can work.”

Beau was on them in a flash. “You’re going to do no such thing. Look at ya, boy. You’re in no shape to work, and I don’t want you getting hurt. My word is final. March yourself back in the house. You come back to work tomorrow.” He turned on his heel and stomped away.

“I agree with him.” Grace patted Cash’s shoulder. “Go inside. Take it easy today. There will still be plenty to do tomorrow.” They were already behind schedule. At this point what difference did another day make? Just that she might be homeless, but hey.

“Miss Grace, let’s get a move on.” Beau waved her in from the porch.

“Go home.” She shooed Cash back toward his house. She took a quick glance, but there was no sign of Blaise. She ran across her lawn and up the front steps. “Beau, you have to get started without me. I have an errand to run.”

“Mom.” Chloe’s voice echoed in the barren room. “You can’t leave me here.”

Grace searched for her purse and car keys. “You’ll be fine. Beau will tell you what to do. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Where are you going?”

If Grace didn’t know better, she’d swear Chloe sounded three again.

“Your momma said not to worry. First thing is go change into something more suitable for work. The whole neighborhood is going to get a show they didn’t pay for with you dressed like that.”

Chloe glared at Beau, and Grace bit her lip not to laugh. She wanted to kiss the man. Chloe spun on her heel and tramped down the hall. She accented her departure with the bang of her door. Beau shook his head and laughed.

“Do you have children?” She suddenly wanted to know because he handled Chloe better than she did.

“Wasn’t in the plan. Now go and come back. We’re already shorthanded.”

She didn’t waste another second, but she did glance back at Blaise’s. Cash had gone inside, which she was glad for, yet a part of her hoped to see Blaise. The crazy part, she was sure, the part of her that was anticipating dinner later, but a part of her nonetheless.

She hit the brakes at the end of the road. She hadn’t thought about what she was doing, and that realization stunned her. She didn’t know where she was going and had no idea what she would do when she got there.

A car behind her beeped. She threw on the blinker and headed toward town. The library parking lot offered a spot to gather her thoughts and come up with a plan. She fished the letter from the assisted living place out of her back pocket and opened the windows to let in the morning warmth. It was going to be another hot one, but the heat relaxed her. She wished it were warm in Jersey year round. What was it like in Heritage River in the winter? Did it snow? Did the neighbors decorate their houses in white lights for Christmas?

Grace punched the address into the GPS. It would take her an hour to get where she was going. That wasn’t terrible, and if the traffic was light, hopefully, not much longer than that. She could be there and back by lunchtime.

Whom had Nancy Templeton sold the house to? That’s all she wanted to know. Simple. Easy. And that would be the end of it. Her curiosity satisfied. No one would have to know where she went, so there would be no violation of the sales agreement. She wanted to know who cared enough to gift her the house. Was it really so much to ask? She’d spent her life afraid to ask for help because it always came with a price tag, and now a total stranger had helped her in a way she could never have imagined. Why the anonymity? If Nancy Templeton refused to say or threatened to rat her out, that would be another story, one she would have to deal with when she got there.

Going to see Nancy was the most impulsive thing she’d done since agreeing to fix up the house. Two things in one summer. She was starting to feel like a new person.

She dropped the car into reverse. A car pulled in alongside her. The driver waved frantically. Grace squinted to get a better look through the glare against the glass.

“Grace.” The woman jumped from her car. “I’m so glad you’re here. I was just thinking about you and wanted some input on the fundraiser.”

“Savannah.” Grace let out a long sigh. If she didn’t leave now, she’d never be back before lunch, and possibly the whole day would go by with just Beau and Jud working on the house. Chloe wouldn’t be much help, no matter what Beau threatened her with. She plastered a smile on her face. “It’s nice to see you.”

Savannah dipped her head into the back seat of her car and came out holding a folder. “What a morning. The sun’s barely up, and I feel like I’ve put in a full day.” She yanked her dark hair away from her face. “I need some input on the seating arrangements.” She flipped through the pages in her folder. “We have to accommodate a stage and seating area, or we could make it standing room only and then I want to set up tables for people to eat at. This is what I was thinking.” She handed Grace a diagram.

“Could I take this with me? I’m about to head to an appointment. Sorry.”

Savannah looked up from her folder, and her eyes grew to the size of coffee mugs. “Oh, my. I didn’t even realize. I’m so sorry. I’ve been running on all cylinders. I’m not thinking you might have somewhere to be. Please forgive me. Adam is always complaining about me doing that.”

“It’s not a problem. I will look this over and give you any ideas I have. Maybe tomorrow?” She hoped Savannah didn’t ask her to meet later. She didn’t want to explain about the dinner.

“Tomorrow’s fine.” Savannah looked back at the library, then at Grace. “You weren’t coming to the library?” She checked her watch.

Heat filled Grace’s cheeks. “Uh, no. I just pulled over to check directions.”

“Where are you headed? I can probably give you some landmarks.”

Her tongue tripped over the lie she was about to tell. She had to swallow hard to keep from spilling like an oil tanker on its side. “It wasn’t really an appointment. Beau wants me to choose a countertop. I’m headed to the big stores to compare prices.”

Savannah wrinkled up her nose. “Beau is letting you buy from a box store?”

“He doesn’t know I’m going. It’s just to check prices. Please don’t tell him. I’m trying to cut corners wherever I can. I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone local. I just don’t know how far I can stretch the renovation budget.” As far as Grace knew, Savannah didn’t know the house was a gift or that money had been put aside for the renovations, and she wasn’t going to pick now to explain it.

“I can certainly understand staying in the budget. My lips are sealed. Okay, then.” Savannah turned and waved her hand. She glanced back over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Good luck with the counters.”

Grace let out the breath she was holding. She checked the time on the dashboard. If she hurried, she might still be back in Heritage River before the end of the day.

****

Grace gobbled up the last of the granola bar she kept in her purse. She’d left without eating breakfast, and her stomach growled louder than a rabid dog, and she didn’t want to stop anywhere and waste time. Thankfully, she always had a snack with her.

Finding Shadow Lawn Assisted Living wasn’t as bad as she thought it might be. The main building, a Victorian-style house with gabled roofs and a wraparound porch, sat at the end of a long tree-lined driveway looking down on the property surrounding it. Behind it were smaller buildings, some resembling cottages sitting semicircle to an open grassy area. The website boasted a pond and walking trails for their more mobile guests.

She closed the screen on her phone and took a deep breath. What was she going to say to Nancy Templeton, if she even found her here? Maybe it would’ve been better to call first instead of taking an hour-long drive and lying to Savannah of all people. Planning did have its advantages.

She was here now. No point in turning back. She pushed herself from the car and marched up to the front door. Potted plants adorned the porch; a wind chime played its soft, sweet music. Wicker chairs offered places to sit and take in the rolling property.

The door swung open against her touch, and she found herself in the grand foyer. A staircase swooped down into the center of the room. Victorian sofas in soft-colored damask created a sitting area in front of a fireplace. A large rectangular wool rug with matching muted colors added the perfect cozy touch. A flower arrangement of white lilies in a crystal-cut vase decorated a marble-topped table made of birch. A reception area was on her left. The place smelled of flowers and antiseptic.

She approached the opening. A young woman with thick black eyeliner and blonde hair pulled back in a tight ponytail greeted her with a wide smile. “Welcome. How can I help you today?”

Grace smoothed down her blouse to keep her hands from shaking. “I’m looking for someone.”

The smile dropped off the blonde’s face. “One of our residents?”

Grace forced a smile on hers. “Yes. Nancy Templeton. I was hoping to visit with her.” She hadn’t considered whether a place like this had visiting hours. Probably not for the healthier residents. Did healthy resident even apply to Nancy Templeton? Boy, she really hadn’t thought this through.

“Oh, Nancy. Sure.” The smile returned. The woman punched something into the computer in front of her. Her brow creased, and she leaned closer to the screen. “Looks like she’s been moved.”

Grace’s heart filled with dread. “Is the new assisted living close by?” She’d have to take the chance and drive to wherever she needed to. She’d come this far.

“Excuse me? Oh no.” The blonde woman laughed. Her top canine tooth was yellowed, and Grace tried not to stare. “Nancy’s been moved to our Rolling Hills section. You can follow the hall to the end and make a left. Go through those doors. Someone there can direct you.”

“Thank you.” She smoothed her blouse again and followed the directions. She should turn right around and go back to Heritage River. This was crazy. She was invading some stranger’s space. Did it really matter who Nancy Templeton sold that house to?

It did matter. To Grace anyway. No one had ever given her anything that didn’t cost her in some way. If she could figure out who gave her the house, she could prepare for whatever that price tag would be. And there would be one. There was always one. No one gave anything away for free.

She pushed through the double doors. Rooms were lined up on either side of the doorway. Patient names were posted alongside each door. Some patients had cards and pictures drawn by young hands and reading “I love Grandma” and “Happy Birthday, Noni” taped to their doors. Grace found a nurse’s station and approached a young man with thinning hair, who was scribbling notes into a binder.

“Excuse me.” Her voice came out garbled and rough. She tried again. “Excuse me. I’m looking for Nancy Templeton.”

“She’s outside on the patio. Go through the dayroom.” He pointed at the end of the hall.

Grace hurried through the dayroom. Patients sat in chairs, their chins pressed against their chests, some staring off into space. A woman with a shock of white hair sat alone at a table, speaking to someone only she could see. The Rolling Hills section appeared to be for the patient with more advanced needs.

She pushed through another door, and the warm sun and fresh air greeted her. She took a deep breath. She stood on a paver patio. Several tables and chairs were scattered around for patients to gather, but the only person out here was a woman, sitting in a chair with her face to the sun. Her long, white hair brushed her shoulders. Her arms stuck out of her shirtsleeves like curtain rods. Her bony knees poked against her blue pants.

Grace took a tentative step. “Nancy?”

The woman turned from the sun. Her face was lined with years of experience. She glanced at Grace with confusion etched in her blue eyes. Nancy turned to look at the door, then back at Grace. “Hi,” she said, but the look remained. “Thanks for coming by.”

“My name is Grace Starr.” She stuck out a hand, but Nancy ignored it. “May I sit down?”

“Sure. We’re having lunch soon. You came in time for lunch. I’ll tell them to set another place for you.” She rose, but Grace placed a hand on her arm.

“Thank you, but please don’t go to the trouble. I won’t be staying that long. I was hoping I could ask you a question.”

“I don’t know where that book is. I put it down, but I can’t remember where. You’re going to have to find it yourself.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m not here about the book.” Grace sank back in the chair and yanked her hair away from her face. This whole escapade had been foolish. But she was here, so she might as well try. “Nancy, do you remember your house on Dogwood Drive?”

Nancy’s face lit up. Her eyes brightened, and the lines on her face smoothed. For a second Grace could see a glimpse of the woman Nancy was a long time ago. “I love that house. I carved my initials in the tree in the backyard. My mother was mad because I used her good knives.”

Was she talking about the house on Dogwood or another house? “Do you remember who you sold the house to?”

A darkness passed across Nancy’s blue eyes. “My mother sold the house? She didn’t tell me.” Tears filled her eyes. “I have to stop her. She can’t sell the house. I’m going home tomorrow.” She began to get up, but Grace stopped her. Nancy stared at her as if she’d just noticed Grace for the first time. “Do I know you?”

“No.” Telling this woman she lived in her house would be a bad idea. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Your mother won’t sell the house without discussing it with you.”

Nancy eased back in the chair and clutched her shirt in a fist. “Thank goodness. But I should call her.” She looked around the outside area. “I don’t remember the number. Do you know her number?”

Grace’s heart broke for this woman, and she’d come here and made things worse. “I’ll get someone to help you. I’m sorry to bother you.”

Nancy smiled at her. “It was nice to see you again.” She turned her face back toward the sun.

Grace returned to the nurse’s station. “I’m sorry. I might’ve upset her. I didn’t mean to. But could you check on her? She seemed determined to make a phone call.” She wrapped her purse strap around her shaking hands.

The young man stood and offered a warm smile. “She wants to call her mother. She always does. I’ll go out and check on her, but she’s probably forgotten all about it by now.”

Grace forced her legs forward and made her way back to her car. She rested her head on the steering wheel. “Well, that was a bust.” Just when she thought she might have a lead. But it bothered her more that the sweet woman was ill and she’d upset her.

She pulled back onto the road and turned up the radio to clear her head and keep the tears from running down her face. She didn’t want to think about Nancy Templeton again because she was afraid that was how she would end up. Alone. Forgetful. Who would visit her? She had no one. No siblings, no cousins, no parents. Chloe had one foot out the door already, and Grace was certain when the other foot followed, she’d see very little of her daughter. That was Grace’s biggest fear. The more the real world drew Chloe in, the further she’d go from Grace. Children growing up and moving on was supposed to be the cycle of life, but losing her daughter to adulthood still tore her soul out. The fact they hardly got along didn’t make Chloe’s leaving any easier.

She swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks. The real reason Chloe left Larry’s was she knew somewhere deep down she could never outrank Annie. Two women in the same house fought for the alpha spot. So she hopped on a plane to be with her mother. The one woman she could push around.

The car sputtered and jerked. She glanced at the dash. In all the rush and emotions, she hadn’t noticed the low fuel light. How long had it been on? She hit the signal and pulled onto the shoulder. The car coasted to a stop. She turned off the engine, and when she tried to restart, the engine coughed and stopped. She tried again. More coughing and no going.

She growled. Never in her life had she run out of gas. Where was the nearest gas station? The GPS could probably tell her, but she didn’t have one of those red cans to hold the gas. Can one be bought at a gas station? She shoved her way out of the car and kicked the wheel, hurting her toe in the process. That’s what I get for kicking in sandals.

Cars flew by in a flurry. Her car shook, and her hair blew up around her ears. Standing on the side of a major highway while cars passed was probably not a good idea. She hopped back in and checked the GPS for the gas station. Eight miles away. How long would it take to walk eight miles and back? By the time she got home, she wouldn’t be able to help with the house. She’d have to call Blaise and cancel dinner. He’d think she was making it up. Who runs out of gas?

It would be faster if someone could bring the gas to her, but how would she manage that? Who could she call? And she didn’t have AAA because Larry made her cancel it once she got a new car. “Bastard.” Cursing made her feel better for about two seconds.

No point in calling Chloe, so Grace searched her contacts for the one person she could call.

“What?” was the response when the call was answered.

“Hi, Beau. It’s Grace.”

“I know who it is. Where are you? You’ve been gone a long time. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and this crew isn’t getting much done. If you want to make that deadline, you’ve got to pitch in.”

She wanted to roll down the windows to get some air, but she’d never be able to hear with the cars going by. “I’m sorry. I’m having car trouble. Is there any way you can bring me some gas?”

“I don’t have the time to bring you gasoline. I can’t leave the job. Call a tow truck.”

She had to pull the phone away from her ear to keep his response from busting an eardrum, and she could still hear him just fine. She sat up straighter in the seat. “I don’t know who to call. And don’t yell at me. It was an accident.” She would never have called if she wasn’t desperate. She couldn’t stay at the side of the road. Should she call nine-one-one? It wasn’t exactly an emergency. Better leave the police to the real problems. Her face was impossibly hot.

“Where are you?” Beau’s voice softened.

She told him.

“For land’s sake. I’ll call over to Lewis’s garage and have old Pete send his truck.” He ended the call.

Grace leaned her head against the seat and closed her eyes. “Dumb ass.” Her stomach growled. It would be hours before she could eat. Something knocked on the window, and she jumped. She bit her lip to keep from screaming.

A tall man with sunglasses leaned close to the window. “Do you need help?”

“I’m fine. Thanks,” she said through the closed window. Thankfully, the doors were locked.

“Can I call someone for you?”

“No. I’m fine, really. Thanks, but you can go.” She made a shooing motion with her hand.

“Lady, you can’t stay on the side of the road. I’ll call the police for you if you don’t have a phone.”

“Get out of here.” She shouted, and the muscles in her neck tightened. “I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”

Her screams made the man jump. He muttered “crazy,” which she could hear and really wasn’t about to argue with, and turned away. His car was parked behind hers. He hopped in and pulled into traffic.

Her heart crashed against her ribs. She gripped the steering wheel to keep her hands from shaking. She was not about to take help from a total stranger. Finding women stuck on the side of the road was exactly how serial killers caught their prey. Even that time her tire blew out coming home from work when it had been dark and cold, she had opted to walk down the highway instead of taking help. Walking down a dark highway was dangerous too, but that choice was the lesser of two evils in her mind. When the off-duty police officer had offered to change her tire, she wouldn’t get in his warm car even after he showed her his identification. You could never be too sure. Safer to freeze on the side of the road.

Now she was sweating and didn’t see much choice except to get out and stand by the car for a while. She might catch a breeze, but she’d keep her phone in her pocket and her keys firmly between her fingers in case she needed a weapon.

The sun beat on her neck, and the fumes from the cars turned her empty stomach. Some people honked as they passed, but thankfully, no one else stopped. The minutes dragged by and no tow truck. She tried Beau another time, but he didn’t pick up.

She debated sending Chloe a text to see how her day was going but decided against it. She had enough stress to deal with and didn’t really want to know if things weren’t as Chloe thought they should be. As long as Chloe was listening to Beau, she’d be fine, and she couldn’t do anything for Grace anyway. She tried Jenn just to pass the time, but the call went to voice mail and the mailbox was full. Typical.

A pickup truck glided off the road and stopped behind her car. The sun’s glare bounced off the windshield, making it impossible to see the driver. She shielded her eyes with one hand and gripped her keys with the other.

A tall male hopped out of the driver’s side. “Do you northerners make it a habit of running out of gas?”

Grace loosened her grip on the keys, but she looked around for a way to escape. Maybe a tornado would appear and suck her up in its funnel. She’d hoped Blaise would never find out about her stupidity.

“Did Beau make you come?” Her voice wobbled.

Blaise swaggered up to her. “Nah. After he was done yelling about women and cars, I offered. Figured I’d save Pete the drive and Beau the call to bark at him.”

“Beau was yelling?”

“Whole neighborhood could hear him. Where were you coming back from anyway?”

She turned and looked toward the woods. That might be a good place to run and hide. “I’m sorry I inconvenienced you. I’m not the kind of person who runs out of gas.”

“Lighten up, Grace. Ain’t no big deal.” He pumped up his southern accent. “Pop open your gas tank. You know where that button is?” He laughed. “You weren’t trying to get out of dinner, were you?”

He poured the gas into the car, and she held her nose. “It would’ve been easier to call and cancel, don’t you think?” she said.

“Depends.” He dumped the empty can in the bed of his truck. “You should have enough gas to get you to the next station. Get back in the car. The side of the road isn’t exactly the safest place to hang out. I’ll pick you up at six for dinner. Unless you can’t remember the way back.” He wagged his eyebrows above his glasses.

She couldn’t help but smile. “I guess I deserve that. You don’t have to knock on the door or anything like that, you know, later on. I’ll just meet you on the lawn.” She walked around the back of her car, the need to run and hide a little less pressing. “Thanks, Blaise, for coming all the way out here. You didn’t have to do that. I appreciate it.”

“It’s the least I could do for what you did last night for Cash.” He looked down at the ground and kicked the gravel, then looked back up at her. “Guess we’re even now.”

A car whizzed by, leaving a cloud of dirty exhaust behind. “We better get going.” Though she didn’t want to just yet and surprised herself at the thought. “Thanks again.” She jumped into the driver’s seat before another car came and watched in the mirror as Blaise hitched his leg into the truck and slid inside, all smooth and masculine.

“Knock it off before you give yourself a hot flash.” What was she thinking going to dinner with this man? It would be safer to grab takeout and eat in the back rooms of the house, watching House Hunters on her tablet.

She checked the mirror again, and Blaise pointed for her to go first. She edged out into the lane, and he followed. He followed her until she pulled into the nearest gas station, and honked as he drove past.

At least Cash and Chloe would be at dinner. Having the kids with them would be enough cold water to keep Grace from thinking about that man’s dimple. Jenn would squeal if she knew Grace thought Blaise was attractive. Problem was half the female population probably thought that too, and half of that population probably knew how attractive he was under the sheets. She turned up the air conditioner.

It’s only dinner. She tried to convince herself. She could handle a simple dinner.