Chapter Thirty-one
Gracie was working solely on the business side of Full of Grace. She had finally begun to have a personal life. She spent time reading, exercising, and trying new homemade dishes out on Marcus—even some Marcus wouldn’t dare touch. She made time to attend a few of Marcus’s football games. When he officially introduced her as his girlfriend, her comfort zone kicked up to a whole new level.
Their bond had grown significantly as they spent more time together. Wednesday night Bible study had become a ritual for them, as well as attending their church homes on alternating Sundays.
One particular Wednesday night, Marcus stunned Gracie when he drove to a restaurant instead of church. Her eyes showed excitement and surprise.
“Marcus, what are we doing here?”
“What do you mean?” Marcus turned to her. “Did you forget that it’s Valentine’s Day? Besides, we haven’t had dinner.”
Gracie smiled from ear to ear. “What about church?”
“Oh, we won’t get in trouble for missing one Wednesday night study. What’ll you say?’
“Well. Since you talked me into it,” Gracie laughed. “Okay.”
A valet opened Gracie’s door and extended his hand to her. She took it and exited the truck.
Gracie smiled throughout dinner. The restaurant’s relaxed atmosphere and happy patrons added to her happiness. She and Marcus sat in an intimate corner, candles illuminating their faces. She didn’t think she could be any happier. When Marcus reached inside of his shirt pocket, her eyes widened with curiosity.
“Gracie,” Marcus began, “this is not to hold onto you. I’m for that. It’s not to keep you. God’s for that. But this is to show you that I would love to have you in my life forever.
“This ring is not an engagement ring, it’s a promise ring. I promise to be the best boyfriend and friend, period! If you’ll allow me, I’d like to stay around as long as I can.”
With the softness in her eyes and hope in her heart, Gracie nodded yes. Marcus came around to her and placed the ring on her finger, before hugging her and kissing her forehead.
After dessert, Gracie and Marcus headed out of the restaurant toward the valet. As they stood waiting for Marcus’s truck, Gracie spotted a long-time client coming out of the restaurant. She hadn’t seen her around the gym, so she decided to say hello.
“Dominique!” Gracie yelled as she waved her arms. “Hey there.”
Gracie’s smile fell slightly as she walked toward Dominique and noticed her standoffish stance. The petite, older woman stood ramrod straight and her eyes wandered around, never resting on Gracie for too long.
“Uh, hello there,” the woman said. She stepped back when Gracie offered her a hug.
A cold chill crept up Gracie’s back. For a split second, she shared a confused look with Marcus.
“Oh, okay,” Gracie said. “Um, anyway, I’ve been trying to contact you because I noticed that your membership went inactive. Are you pulling your membership from the gym?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, but yes I am.”
Gracie took a tentative step toward Dominique and stopped when the woman’s eyes rose.
“May I ask why?” she asked. “Is there something I can help you with? You’re a great client and I would hate to see you go.”
Dominique attempted to speak, but no words came out. Her husband pulled up and blew the horn. She turned halfway toward the car and stopped.
“The thing is, Gracie,” she said, turning to face Gracie and Marcus, “with so many diseases going on in the world, I can’t be ignorant and risk my life just for a flatter tummy. I’d rather have a tummy tuck than die in your gym.”
Gracie stood in complete astonishment as Dominique rushed into the awaiting car. Not even Marcus’s reassuring hug and warmth could remove her stunned reaction.
Marcus practically had to carry Gracie from the car to her apartment. Inside, Marcus sat her down and made a pot of coffee.
“Was the lady talking about Kendra?” Marcus asked, once he brought in two mugs of coffee, sugar, and cream.
“I think that’s exactly what she was talking about,” Gracie answered. She sipped her coffee. “I just don’t know how she got her information.”
“You don’t think Kendra told, do you?”
“I doubt it. She’s so jittery about anyone knowing about her, she wouldn’t risk it. Dillian’s out of the question, too. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt me intentionally. Maybe it’s whoever keeps calling and hanging up?” Gracie was now getting the calls every day. Marcus looked at Gracie in surprise since he knew nothing about the calls.
The phone rang.
“Speaking of which,” Gracie said, “can you get that while I use the little girl’s room?”
“Sure,” Marcus said, making a mental note to ask Gracie about the hang-up calls.
When Marcus answered the phone, a gruff voice yelled, “Can you be so nice to tell your little girlfriend that her whole world will crumble down once her ex-man and friend are revealed to the public? Dominique Watson is just one of many who will walk away from her business.”
“Who is this?” Marcus asked. He stared at the phone as the voice was replaced by a dial tone.
Gracie reentered the room and found Marcus still staring at the phone.
“Who was it, Marcus?”
“I don’t know.” He hung up the phone. “Whoever it was made it clear that they were going public about Dillian and Kendra.”
Gracie fell onto the couch. “What?” she asked with her voice in its highest pitch. “What is going on?” She straightened herself on the sofa and looked at Marcus. “I’ve actually been getting these hang-up calls, but I didn’t know it was going to get this deep.”
“You should have told me Gracie. This person is trying to ruin you.” Marcus shook his head and sighed. “I hate to say this, Gracie, but I think it’s Michelle that’s been calling you.”
“Do you really think she’s that hard up? I just can’t believe that she would go through all this.”
“Gracie, the girl had papers already drawn up for me, ready for me to sue you.” Taking a breath, Marcus continued, “A while back, Michelle invited herself over to the house and pulled out some paperwork, what I thought was bogus paperwork. She had Dillian’s test results ... she had some paperwork, a contract I think, that she wanted me to sign in order to sue you.”
“What! She went that far?”
“Yeah. I’m afraid so.”
Gracie didn’t know where she was going to get the guts to do so, but she needed to warn both Dillian and Kendra. Fasting and praying were her only options to find peace to help them. Even though they had given her nothing but pain, Gracie knew what Jesus would do.
On a daily basis, Gracie sought after God’s heart. She needed to hear from Him and to go in the way He wanted her to go. It was a fight she had to fight and wouldn’t let go until she heard from the One who had pulled her through in so many ways. Without a doubt, Gracie knew God’s voice.