Saving Grace (Bear Creek, Texas)

He heard Grace’s voice around the corner, she sounded upset, and he followed it. During dinner he couldn’t help noticing how snugly the emerald silk dress fit her body, wrapping around her like a glove. He sat there, ignoring his own date and wishing he was the one wrapped around Grace’s body.

He saw Grace pushing Nathan away from her as he turned the corner and he saw red, feeling possessive even though he knew he had no right to. He angrily pulled Nathan away from her, grabbing him by the collar and shaking him. “She said no, Nathan. Now go inside and sober up or I’ll do it for you.”

Nathan looked up into Jackson’s angry face and sobered up a bit. “Umm okay, sorry,” he said, quickly going inside to escape Jackson’s wrath.

Jackson looked at Grace who was trembling and wiping the tears from her eyes with her hand. She wouldn’t look him in the eye and kept her gaze downward.

“Thanks for helping me,” Grace said, moving away from an angry-looking Jackson and wanting to go find Bill and Flo. Coming tonight had been a huge mistake.

Jackson was angry at Nathan for touching Grace and all he wanted to do was comfort Grace and protect her, which made him angrier at himself for being taken in by Grace’s little-miss-innocent act. He still wasn’t sure if she really was as reserved as she acted or if it was all some kind of game. She looked pale and distraught, but women could act. He had found that out the hard way. He had been so sure Kelly loved him, but look how that had turned out.

“What’s your game anyway?” he asked furiously, looking at her through narrow, cold eyes. “Were you teasing the poor guy and then decided to say no? Do you make it a habit?”

Grace gasped and shook her head, her dismay clearly visible on her face. “No, I wouldn’t do something so horrible! I came out here for a moment alone. I didn’t think Nathan would follow me and I told him I didn’t want to kiss him, but he was drinking and wouldn’t listen.”

Jackson didn’t want to believe she was innocent. “You’re new in town and no one knows anything about you. Why so secretive, Grace? Are you hiding something? It’s no use. I’ll find out what you are hiding sooner or later.”

“Did you find out we have money?” Jackson scoffed cynically. “Is that why you made friends with Hannah? First she’s giving you rides everywhere, now she is lending you her clothes. What’s next, Grace? If you’re using Hannah to get to me it’s a lost cause. I’ve sworn off women for a while.”

“No, how can you ask me that? You’re wrong. I really like Hannah. She’s been a good friend to me and I haven’t asked her for any money,” Grace denied, her voice breaking with pent-up emotion and her eyes wide and full of shock. “And I am not interested in an angry, bitter drunk like you, Mr. Hawthorne,” she said with honestly and bravery she wasn’t really feeling. Sure he was handsome, but as soon as he opened his mouth she was reminded why she didn’t want to get involved with a man again. “I wish you would just leave me alone!”

“I’ll find out what you’re hiding, little girl. And you’ll find out I don’t make a good enemy.” He took a threatening step toward her. His eyes were glittering with anger, which scared her and she took a step back and screamed out in fright.

Bill and Flo were coming out at that moment looking for Grace and saw how frightened Grace was standing against the wall. Her face was white and she was trembling with fear with Jackson hovering over her.

“What is going on here?” Bill asked angrily as he saw Grace crying. “Are you threatening my goddaughter, Mr. Hawthorne?”

Grace ran into Flo’s arms, trembling and shaking. “Take me home, Flo. It was mistake to come out tonight, I should have known better. Tonight was a mistake.”

Flo hugged her. “You’re safe, Gracie, sweetie, but come on. We’ll take you home.” Flo gave Jackson a dirty look as she led Grace away from him. “You should be ashamed of yourself, young man. Out here harassing innocent young ladies. Your aunt Ida would be ashamed of you at this moment.”

Jackson felt pretty low and didn

’t need the Walters yelling at him. He couldn’t understand his own actions where Grace was concerned. He was physically attracted to her despite her shy, reserved act but he no longer trusted in his own emotions. Not after the fool he had made of himself over Kelly. “I was just asking her some questions. It’s not my fault she’s scared of her own shadow,” he stated crossly, feeling defensive.

Bill looked at him with an angry face. He was as tall as Jackson and looked him straight in the eyes. “Stay away from Grace. That girl has been to hell and back and came here to rest, not be harassed by the likes of you.” They put Grace in the car and left.

Jackson went back inside feeling guilty and he didn’t like dealing with his emotions. What was he becoming? He didn’t even like himself right now. He went back into the dance and took Hannah aside and explained what had happened. She yelled at him and Nathan both. Jackson took his date home barely speaking to her, which made Nancy mad and she slammed the door as she got out of his truck, not bothering to wait for him to walk her to her door. He winced and went home instead of Randy’s. He took a bottle of whiskey to his room and poured himself a glass as he looked out his bedroom window. He couldn’t get Grace’s frightened expression out of his mind. But women are treacherous creatures, he told himself, remembering Kelly’s betrayal. Regrets piled up into the loneliness of the night. But it wasn’t Kelly’s face in his dreams tonight. It was a redheaded woman with big, sad brown eyes, pleading with him not to hurt her.

Chapter 5

Hannah called Grace the next day to apologize. She was feeling very bad about what happened at the dance, especially since she had given Grace her word that Nathan was harmless. She had been so caught up in flirting with Todd that she had forgotten Grace’s fears. Jackson and Nathan had told her what had happened outside although she was sure Jackson’s version was edited. Her brother was even grouchier around Grace, and Hannah couldn’t understand why. Grace was shy but very sweet. She scolded both Nathan and her brother but Grace had already left with Bill and Flo.

“It’s not your fault, Hannah. I have bad luck with men, which is why I don’t like to date. As for your brother, he hates me and thinks I’m using your friendship to go after him and his money,” Grace explained. “I hope you don’t think that, Hannah, because it is not true.”

“Of course not! Jackson is delusional, Grace. Let’s meet for lunch,” Hannah pleaded. “I feel like a bad friend, Grace. I promised you I’d keep you company and instead I got caught up in impressing Todd, who turned out to be a conceited jerk.”

“There is no need to feel bad. I should never have agreed to go. I have to go, Hannah. Bill and Flo are taking me sightseeing in Austin. I’ll be gone all day. I’ll call you when I can,” Grace said vaguely. She didn’t come to Bear Creek to add more stress to her life.

Hannah hung up the phone, feeling sad and wiping the tears from her eyes. She sat on the couch lost in thought. She knew in her heart Grace would probably avoid her from now on especially because of Jackson. She was always so busy between the shelter and the ranch that she had never made many friends. She had enjoyed Grace’s company so much.

* * * *

“What’s wrong?” Jackson asked, coming into the living room, alarmed at seeing his sister crying. Hannah never cried.

“You accused Grace of being after our money and then you scared the crap out of her. Can’t you see she is not like Kelly? I don’t know you anymore, Jackson, and it breaks my heart. You’re letting Kelly win by being so mean and nasty to everyone,” she yelled in a heated voice. “You’re not the brother I love, Jackson. You’re a stranger that I don’t like.”

Ida came into the room, overhearing Hannah’s words. She hugged Hannah to try and comfort her but she gave Jackson her I-am-so-disappointed-in-you look. “You better not be mistreating Grace, young man. She is as sweet as they come and if you can’t see that then just stay away from her. Bill and Flo haven’t said much, but I know she has a tragic past and came here to recover from some injuries.”