Saving Grace (Madison Falls) Read Online Free Page B

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Chapter 5
    Glitter rained down around the treble clef as tears dripped from Grace’s cheeks.
    Barely making it home in time to keep her emotional outburst private, she had fished the water globe out of the shopping bag, knowing its tune would help pull every bit of sorrow from the corners of her soul. She’d slumped against the living room wall where she remained now, at least an hour later. What else did she have to do besides wallow in grief?
    As if her life hadn’t been bad enough—with the murder, then the ordeal with Kirk—it had only gotten worse with her dad’s diagnosis. She’d been so wrapped up in protecting herself that she hadn’t realized till it was too late how sick he was. Her mom had tried to tell her, but Grace had been too absorbed in her own problems. Besides, she hadn’t wanted to endanger her parents. If Kirk knew where they lived…. A tremor shot down her back. Her intentions had been good, but would she ever stop blaming herself for not being there when her dad died?
    She rubbed her eyes as the question ran through her mind for the millionth time.
    Exhausted from the flood of feelings that had been building for months, she wiped her eyes with her fingertips and scolded herself. Would it really hurt you to buy a box of Kleenex?
    Looking around, she realized this was the most time she’d spent in this stark colorless room, which actually had some cute features. It certainly deserved more attention than she’d given it. She pulled herself to her feet and placed the water globe ceremonially in the center of the mantel. Taking a step back to admire it, she had to admit that this tiny bit of home decor had been a good idea. It lifted her spirits just looking at it.
    She let out a sigh. What a wasted day. Bad enough that she’d plummeted into unexpected emotional despair at the reminder of her father, but she’d neglected the most important item on her To Do list. Find gainful employment . She rubbed her temples. True, her savings were now safely tucked away, but they wouldn’t last long, especially now that she had a house payment.
    The ping pong of the doorbell nearly propelled her out of her skin. She stared at the door. What was she going to do, run? She didn’t have an escape plan. This was her escape plan. How could a person flee any further than the middle of nowhere?
    “Yoo hoo!” A female voice sounded from the front porch.
    Grace took a careful step toward the door. Any person who would utter the phrase ‘yoo hoo’ couldn’t be much of a threat.
    Biting her lower lip, she twisted the lock and pulled the door open a few cautious inches. There stood a pleasant-looking, thirty-something woman with honey blonde hair pulled up into a ponytail and a plate of large brownies in her hands.
    “Hi!” she chirped. “I’m Lucy Branigan. I live right across the street. Welcome to the neighborhood.”
    Grace willed the adrenaline in her system to return to its holding tank. “Uh…thanks. I’m Grace.”
    What now? Should she invite her in? She would never do such a thing back home, but then people there didn’t generally appear at a stranger’s door wielding baked goods. This was a different world.
    She took a step back. “Would you like to come in?”
    Lucy and her sunny disposition stepped inside and looked around. “Sure looks different. I guess the real estate agency thinks no one has an imagination. White, white, white. Reminds me of the hospital.”
    “Yes.” Grace forced a casualness she wanted to believe. “It’s very healing.”
    Lucy chuckled with a friendly, Kate Hudson kind of lilt. “Oh, these are for you.” She handed over the plate as if she were presenting an award.
    Grace inhaled the chocolaty aroma, remembering that she hadn’t eaten in a while. The tension in her shoulders eased. It might be nice to have a woman to talk to. “Why don’t you stay and have one? I could make some coffee.”
    Lucy smiled. “Anything to keep me away from my pile of