Grace (The Family Simon 5)

“Mom, I really don’t understand—“

“You obviously don’t understand or you would have called me as soon as you could and put my mind at ease. But you didn’t for the same reason that Beau didn’t call me. He knew I’d ask questions and he wasn’t prepared to answer them.”

Here we go, Grace thought.

“Do you know where Beau was when his appendix burst?”

Grace shook her head wearily. “No, Mom, I don’t. I was what, fifteen? I think?”

Eden’s voice rose a tad. “Your brother was spending the weekend with a woman, Grace. A woman who was quite a bit older than him, if you get my meaning. A woman who happened to be the mother of one of his teammates. It was highly inappropriate.”

Oh. This was news to Grace.

“Do you see where I’m headed with this?”

“Um, not really.”

“You’re not staying at the hotel.”

Grace stared at the phone. She wished it was dead.

“No. I’m not staying at the hotel. I’m at a friend’s place.”

“You don’t have any friends in New Waterford, Grace. At least no friends I’ve ever met.”

“Mom, it’s not what you think.”

“You don’t know what I think because you haven’t asked. But here’s what I know. This Matt Hawkins is a troubled young man and you’ve got a history of trying to save troubled young men. I know he was in Nashville.”

“How do you know that?” Honestly, what the hell?

“Betty told me he was in Nashville.”

Okay, Grace was getting fed up. Her private life was private. She didn’t need attitude from her brother. She didn’t need her sister-in-law messing in her business. And she sure as hell didn’t need grief from her mother.

“Look, you don’t know anything about Matt.”

“I know enough. I’ve met the man at several family functions. Beau’s wedding being the first. I remember how infatuated you were with him.”

“Infatuated! I’m not infatuated with him.”

Her mother paused and her voice softened. “He’s a handsome devil, I’ll give him that. And I totally understand why women are attracted to the dark and dangerous type. But Grace, men like that are not always redeemable. Sometimes men like that are damaged for life. You need to know what you’re dealing with. I’ve heard things...and I can’t help but worry about any involvement you might have with the man.”

Grace leaned against the wall, staring out into the dark. “You only know what you’ve heard. You only know what he let’s you know. There’s so much more to Matt. So much that he doesn’t let anyone see.”

“Grace. I’m speaking from experience. I know things, because I’ve lived. That man has been broken—“

“Oh my God, mother. Why would you say something like that?”

“Look into his eyes, Grace. Really look. And you’ll see what I see. I’m telling you this because you’re my child, my daughter, and I don’t want to see you hurt. That man will break your heart if you let him. Please don’t do anything stupid. Please think things through before you act.”

For several long moments the only sound Grace heard was the wind blowing across the porch. It was eerie and haunting. She gave her head a shake, wanting to get rid of the feelings washing over her. “My phone’s going to die. I don’t want you to worry about me, Mom, okay? I’m good.”

Her mother started to speak but then her phone went dark and that was that. Pocketing her cell Grace slowly walked back to the kitchen. The fire was stoked something fierce and Matt was seated at the low table across from Dory, the runt of the litter in his arms.

Grace’s heart swelled at the sight.

He glanced up just then, his face a wonder of shadows—dark and light. “Bluebell?” he asked, flashing a smile that made her heart constrict.