Escaping Grace: A Turning Grace Novel Read Online Free

allowed my hand to feel the warm, smooth stones protruding out while keeping steady on our descend.
    We reached the bottom and were immediately in the courtyard of the compound. We walked toward the first structure on the right of the square formation that they were positioned in. Now I could get a better view of what looked like huts or cabanas from far away, but they were much more sophisticated up close. There were transparent, white sheaths draped over the sides. I suppose it gave the illusion of a cabana, however, the structure seemed to be well-built and sturdy and made out of some kind of thick wood. Maybe even bamboo. The roof was covered in thatch, but I was sure it was much tougher than it looked.
    It was rather wide and deep…more so than it seemed from above. There was a sign dangling above the open door that read: VENICE.
    We continued walking to the next structure, almost identical to the first one. Except, this one read: LAGUNA.
    I followed Number One up the porch and through the entrance.
    Once inside, he led me down a long, wide hallway. The walls were bright white and my flip-flops smacked against the heels of my feet and the hardwood floor.
    I know. I normally wore my Chuck Taylors. I had a million pairs in all different colors, but I knew I was coming to an island so I packed a few beach-worthy essentials.
    We passed multiple doorways, some closed and some slightly ajar. I caught glimpses of beds and dressers, which confirmed that they were bedrooms.
    We finally reached the end of the hallway, my “suite” I presumed. Number One opened the door inward and gestured for me to go in.
    I stepped in slowly, not sure of what I was going to find. But I didn’t know why I had any hesitations.
    It was beautiful! And rather spacious.
    There was a queen-sized bed and a wooden dresser on one side. A desk and an armoire aligned the other wall with a door leading to what I assumed was my own bathroom. Straight ahead was a sliding glass door that led to a tiny screened-in patio. It was open, allowing the warm breeze to flow freely through the white, see-through curtains.
    Half of the view from the patio was the Venice hut, the other half was of the white sand and waves crashing on the beach. It wasn’t attached to the room next to mine, but I could easily see my neighbor’s patio.
    I turned around to face Number One.
    “Your things are on the bed,” he stated.
    “Yeah, thank you. Um…so does everyone’s room look like this?”
    “Yes, pretty similar. I will leave you to get settled in. I’m right outside the door if you need me.”
    “Well, don’t you have other things to do?” I asked. I mean, he didn’t have to be with me all the time.
    “No, Grace.” And with that, he shut the door.
    I stood in the middle of my room with only the sound of the ocean. Alone.
    Although I had been on a plane, on a bus, and on a boat for about three days at this point, it all suddenly seemed to be happening so quickly. And it all seemed to finally feel real.
    I glanced around my room. It was very bright, even with the gloomy weather. There was nothing on the walls, definitely something I would have to change. Even a calendar would make it feel more humble, and necessary to keep track of how long I was here.
    I sat on the bed, sinking into a delightful mush of down comforter and memory foam. Ahh…yes. I would sleep really well on this.
    I got up to walk the length of the room. The dresser and armoire were a matching set of espresso-colored dark wood. I opened the armoire doors. It was very beautiful and detailed with tribal-like carvings. I grazed my fingers over the smooth texture and admired the artistry.
    As I outlined the armoire doors with my fingertips, the bouncing screensaver on the computer caught my eye. Emails.
    I sat down on the ridiculously comfortable office chair and moved the mouse to awaken the hibernating modem. After logging into my email account, I waited patiently for the unread messages to load.
    I