Saving Grace (Bear Creek, Texas)

“I hate how cool and beautiful you look when I am sure my hair is frizzy and my clothes are sticking to me in this heat,” Grace complained. “I hope it rains and cools down some. I’d love to open my window and smell the rain.”

Hannah laughed and glanced over at Grace sitting on the swing. “You look fine, Grace, but you’re still a newbie to Texas weather. Wait until you’ve been here a few more months and you’ll feel good about the heat.”

Grace wondered if she would be here in a few months. She hated that her life was in limbo at the moment. Although she was finally adjusting to life here in Texas she missed her parents and old friends. She wasn’t sure anything would ever be the same again. She was just trying to get through one day at a time.

“Grace, did you hear me?” Hannah’s voice intruded through her thoughts.

Grace shook her head and smiled. “Sorry, Hannah, I guess I was dozing off after th

at wonderful meal.”

“I said I’m sorry if my brother seemed abrupt. He is so grouchy and bitter. It breaks my heart. You should have known him before.” Hannah sighed, looking so sad.

Hannah’s sadness piqued her curiosity. What could possibly have happened to her brother? “Before what?”

“Before Kelly the Slut ruined his life,” Hannah grumbled, staring at the barn where her brother was even though she couldn’t see him. “About nine months ago he was all in love with Kelly despite everyone’s warnings that she was no good. Jackson defended her and swore that Kelly was so wonderful. He was really into her and although I didn’t like her, it was nice seeing him so happy so I stayed quiet about the whole relationship. Then a few weeks ago he caught that slut cheating on him with our neighbor Eddie Lewis. His family owns the Bar L Ranch down the road. Jackson and Eddie have never gotten along so it really hit him hard to lose Kelly to him. Anyways, Kelly discovered Eddie’s family had more money than we do and she told Jackson money always wins in her book. Jackson was devastated and has been in a rotten mood ever since. All he does now is get drunk at Randy’s Bar in town. Ida and I worry about him, but like Ida says, he is a grown man and we can’t force him to let go of the past. He has to do that on his own.”

Grace sympathized with Jackson’s story. She thought she had hit the jackpot with James. He had always treated her like she was so special to him and all along he had been cheating on her. She wasn’t interested in ever handing over her heart like that to another man. It was scary realizing how easily she had been fooled.

Hannah continued her story. “I miss the old Jackson, the one that smiled all the time and joked around. After our parents died he was always there for me, being my rock even though he was grieving and had to take over the ranch, which was hard work. I feel frustrated because I don’t know how to take away his pain.”

Grace nodded in sympathy with Hannah. She knew her parents and Bill and Flo all worried about her, but Hannah was right. Nobody could force you to forget the past. It was something that a person had to deal with inside of themselves. “Is it the same Kelly that works at Flo’s with me? She’s blonde and pretty but selfish, spoiled—”

“Yeah, that’s her. I couldn’t have described her better.” Hannah laughed, interrupting Grace’s description. “That’s why I avoid going there. I might not be able to resist the temptation of slapping her.”

“If she found herself a sugar daddy with money, why is she still working?” Grace asked. “My life certainly would be more pleasant.”

Hannah laughed. “’Cause sugar daddy was smarter than my brother. Eddie refuses to give her all the money she wants.”

“That’s a sad story and I feel bad for your brother, but I don’t think I made a good impression on him.” The rumbling of thunder was getting closer and it made Grace nervous. Storms reminded her of the night she had been attacked. “You should probably take me back to town before it rains.”

Jackson came out of the house at that moment and overheard Grace. He had changed into a blue buttoned shirt with long sleeves and had put a black cowboy hat on. “I’ll give you a ride home since I’m heading to Randy’s anyway.”

Grace wanted to protest but couldn’t think of a logical explanation and Hannah smiled. “That’d be nice. Thanks, Jackson. I wanted to make sure Goldie was doing okay before I went to bed, anyways.”

Grace thanked Ida for dinner and said her good-byes to Hannah and reluctantly followed Jackson out to his black pickup truck.

She sat nervously in the passenger side, feeling awkward and tongue tied. Jackson had the radio on low as he drove toward town.

“You sure don’t talk much,” Jackson told Grace, looking at her sitting close to the door and acting like she was shy. “Let me guess, you’re a shy girl?”

Grace rang her hands nervously. Her stomach was rolling with nerves and she put her arms around herself, trying to ward off the feeling of nausea that always came when she was nervous. “I don’t know you and you don’t seem the type for small talk,” Grace answered him, looking out the window even though it was too dark to see the scenery, wishing he would drive faster. The roads were empty and dark and the thunder was getting louder and closer.

Finally, after an awkward silence and long drive, he pulled up in front of Flo’s Cafe and Grace jumped out of the truck quickly and mumbled a quick thank-you to him. He made her feel very nervous. Jackson got out and followed her around the back of the restaurant where the apartment stairs were. Luckily she had left the porch light on so it wouldn’t be so dark.

“Come on, Grace. Drop the miss-shy-and-innocent act. Hannah obviously wanted us to get together. She has been pushing me to date again.” Jackson stopped her by grabbing her arm. “Why else would she invite you to dinner?”

Grace looked up into his mocking face and cruel smile and shivered in fear. He was at least six feet tall and had a muscular build. He could easily hurt her. “Hannah wouldn’t do that, and anyway I’m off the dating scene, so let me go. I’m sure there are girls more your type at the bar.”

Jackson looked her over and gave her a cynical smile. “You’re kind of cute. You don’t dress feminine enough to suit me but I can tell you have a good shape.” He pulled her body close to his, and before she could even protest, he started kissing her. His lips were hard and cruel against hers. She put both her hands up to his chest and pushed with all her might, but it was no use. He had a tight grip on her and his chest felt like a brick wall. She could feel herself panicking and breathing hard.

* * * *

Jackson felt Grace’s body shaking and he pulled away from her in shock, letting her go. “Still playing the shrinking violet?”

Grace stood straight and rigid in front of him refusing to let the tears fall from her eyes and show weakness. She stood there glaring at him, disbelief and anger shining from her eyes. “You are a horrible man, Jackson. I am not interested in you and I am not playing hard to get! I can’t believe that for one stupid moment I was feeling sympathetic toward you but no longer, you jerk!” she yelled and ran up the stairs angrily and slammed her door hard.

Jackson stood there staring at the closed door in shock. Why did he feel like he had just fucked up big-time? Was he wrong about Hannah’s new friend? Now he was just confused. He had been so sure it had all been an act. After all, he had money and he’d been told he was good looking. Women chased him all the time. Grace was just like all of them, wasn’t she?