Saving Grace (Bear Creek, Texas)

Hannah burst into tears after Ida told them about Grace. “Poor Grace. I noticed she always looked so sad but I didn’t want to pry by asking too many questions.”

Hannah explained to Ida what had taken place at the dance. Ida glared at Jackson, making him feel like a naughty school boy as she gave Hannah a tissue.

“Grace and I just clicked when we met. I haven’t had a best friend like her since Lisa when I was in high school. Now I have a feeling she’ll make excuses not to hang out with me, all because of Jackson!”

Ida took Hannah into the kitchen for some tea while glaring at Jackson. He felt remorseful now. He didn’t really understand why he treated Grace so badly, but he couldn’t get her terrified face out of his mind so he headed to Randy’s where he didn’t have to think.

As soon as he walked into the darkened bar he ran into Ben, the town sheriff. Ben Parker sat next to Jackson at the long wooden bar counter and ordered a beer. They had been friends since grade school. Ben was Jackson’s age, with brown wavy hair and green eyes.

Jackson asked Ben what he knew about Grace Henderson. What was the mystery surrounding her?

“You know I can’t give out personal information like that, Jackson,” Ben replied, talking over the country music playing in the background. He set his beer down on the counter and looked over at his long-time friend. “I could lose my job. Besides, it is private. Bill already told me how you scared her at the dance. He was livid. If he had his way, you’d be rotting in a jail cell right now.”

“For what, scaring that little mouse?” Jackson scoffed, sipping on his beer. “Bill mentioned Grace suffered something bad and was here to recuperate. She’s been hanging out with Hannah a lot and I was just curious about her, that’s all.” He was intrigued by Grace and he didn’t know why, and he wasn’t about to admit it out loud either. It wasn’t as if she dressed to catch attention. She downplayed her looks, but he didn’t like feeling such strong emotions toward another woman. Every time he looked into her big brown eyes he couldn’t help himself from feeling something and it made him angry. Emotions were something he didn’t like dealing with these days. “She barely speaks up for herself and she jumps at every shadow. You know I don’t like people who keep secrets.”

Ben sighed and nodded. “If you only knew what that poor girl has been through, Jack. Try to leave her alone since you don’t like her. She is harmless and doesn’t need to be harassed.”

Jackson scoffed. “What is it about her that everyone is hell bent on protecting that little mouse?”

“Well, she is no Kelly, so get that out of your mind. Man, how could you be taken in by that fake bitch? I tried to tell you. I dated her once last year and saw through her games quickly,” Ben told him, shaking his head at his long-time friend.

Jackson grimaced, hating to be reminded of his foolishness over Kelly. He had let Kelly’s good looks and bedroom skills blind him to her true personality, yet he was mad at the world as if it was their fault and not his own. Maybe Hannah was right. He had changed. Was it right for him to continually take out his own pain and hurt on others? Right away he thought of Grace’s shocked look when he had tried to kiss her. Why couldn’t he get her wounded expression out of his head? “Yeah I know, Ben. I was a complete idiot over that bitch and I hate myself for it. You can’t say anything to me that I haven’t already told myself over and over.”

“Well, drinking your sorrows away doesn’t help either, Jack. You’re letting Kelly win by turning into a drunk. Is that really what you want?” Ben asked seriously. “Think about that for a while, my friend.” The two men sat in silence until Ben gave in and gave Jackson a little bit of information. “Look, between you and me, I will tell you Grace was abused by a boyfriend and it was a bad deal. Flo is her mom’s childhood friend and offered to help Grace gain her strength back, physically and mentally. She is not here to grab you or your wealth. This stays between us, okay? So just stop harassing the poor girl. People here really love that little girl and I’m afraid if they start a lynch mob to come after you I won’t be able to save your sorry ass.”

Jackson snorted at that comment but nodded, feeling his stomach tighten up in knots at the thought of someone hurting Grace. He ordered another beer, thinking about what Ben had just told him. Now he felt really guilt ridden for all the things he accused Grace of. Maybe she really was reserved and quiet after being hurt by her boyfriend. It was going to be hard to apologize, but Grace deserved that at least. He admitted to himself he had been acting like a jackass. How could he be so wrong? After Kelly he had no longer trusted his own judgment but maybe it was time to let go of the past and move on with his life. He had a lot to think about, and he wouldn’t be able to do that drunk. He put his beer down and just stared at the bottle, losing the taste for it.

“Now let’s talk about that pretty little sister of yours. Is she ready to settle down with me yet because I am tired of waiting for her to come to me,” Ben asked, lightening the mood when he noticed Jackson’s deep frown. Ben had been chasing Hannah Hawthorne for a year now but she refused to be caught.

Jackson laughed at Ben and shook his head. “Miss Independent herself? Don’t hold your breath, Ben. She says she refuses to join your harem of loose women and she’s right. You know how protective I feel over my baby sister. If you play games with her I’ll be obligated to kick your ass, sheriff or not.”

“What women? I work like crazy and that’s all I seem to do these days,” Ben replied, shaking his head in denial. “My intentions toward Hannah are honorable.”

Jackson smiled at Ben as he talked about Hannah but he couldn’t stop thinking about Grace. He should at least try to make amends by saying he was sorry. He was usually very suave with women but he had been behaving like a total jerk lately, and he felt ashamed of himself.

He went straight to Flo’s cafe the next morning after tossing and turning all night until he made a decision. It was time to stop moping over Kelly. His pride had been more bruised than his heart, he finally ad

mitted to himself, and it was time to move forward with his life. He went into town with a new fresh attitude. He had an overwhelming desire to glance at Grace once and see if she was okay. He couldn’t erase her scared expression away. He wanted to know what had happened to her. How could someone hurt her? The thought had made him so mad, and then he realized how badly he had scared her when she didn’t deserve it, and his own guilt rose.

Grace was busy at a table serving customers. She looked up when he entered and glared at him and ignored him completely. Kelly came running up to him, patting her blonde hair and smiling flirtatiously.

“Jack, baby, I knew you would stop being mad at me sooner or later.” She smiled, hugging him.

Jackson gave Kelly a disgusted look and pushed her away. Did she honestly think he would ever want her back? How many times did he have to tell her that? “Well, you’re wrong, Kelly. I meant it when I said I never wanted to see you again. I am so over you. You’re Eddie’s problem now, that poor bastard.”

Kelly gasped loudly, her eyes narrowing with hate. “How dare you. Then why are you here?”

“To talk to Grace, not that it’s any of your business,” he told her, stepping away from her, not wanting to deal with her whining. Now he looked at her and saw how fake her smile was and how selfish and spoiled she really was. What an idiot he had been, but no more.

Kelly sneered, giving Grace a vindictive look but Grace was busy taking care of her customers. “That little scaredy-cat? Please, even you have better taste than to be interested in that plain Jane.”

Before Jackson could answer and defend Grace, Flo came up to them. “Please lower your voices. People can hear you. You are not welcome here, Jackson, after the way you treated Grace. Kelly, get to work now before you don’t have a job.”

Kelly stomped off angrily, glaring at them both, and Jackson told Flo, “I’m not here to start trouble, Mrs. Walters. I just want to apologize to Grace, that’s all. I was out of line and shouldn’t have yelled at her. I feel bad.”

“I’ll give her the message but she is terrified of you, Jackson,” Flo stated crossly, not giving an inch or letting him by. “I think it’s best if you leave her alone. She is here to recover, not do battle with you.”

Jackson sighed. Recover from what? he wondered. This wasn’t going to be easy. It was going to be an uphill battle just to talk to Grace. It wasn’t going to be easy to fix all the mistakes he made with her but he had to try. “Just tell her I didn’t mean to scare her and I am sorry.”