47 Destinies: Finding Grace (17 page)

“Leslie, it is my pleasure to introduce Todd Harcourt.  Todd, Mrs. Leslie Locke,” Grace said proudly.

“Mrs. Locke.  I have heard so much about you,” Todd said as he extended his hand.  Leslie was shocked by Todd’s extremely good looks.  When she heard about Todd, she imagined some sort of tiny shrew.  Todd’s blond hair and broad build was completely unexpected.  He was dressed appropriately for an afternoon party, but not too casually.  His clothes were clean and pressed.  Standing next to one another, they made a remarkable couple.  No wonder Grace fell for the man’s deceitful charm; he was drop dead gorgeous.

“I have heard about you as well,” Leslie replied with a tilt of her head.  She was going to need to change her game plan with this man who weaseled his way into her family.  He was obviously far more dangerous than Leslie first imagined.  He was already upsetting Brent and causing Robert to become irrational.  No matter what Todd said, his charm would not work on her.  As Leslie studied her enemy, Bella bounced into the room and jumped into Todd’s arms.

“Grandma, this is my friend Todd.  He was just pushing me on the swing set.  He pushed all of my friends, too,” Bella reported as she threw her arms around Todd’s neck.  “Todd, come back and play with us.  Please!” 

“Anything for the birthday princess!  Would you and your friends like to play a game of hide and seek outside?  Maybe Mattias and Parker would like to join us?” Todd asked sweetly.

“YES!” Bella answered enthusiastically.  The two left the room hand-in-hand.  Todd was thankful that Bella rescued him from the Wicked Witch of the North.  Leslie was far more frightening than he imagined.  Brent looked like a pussycat compared to his mother.  During his brief introduction to Leslie, Brent remained stoic.  Todd was sure that Brent wouldn’t be coming to his rescue.  He was going to have to rely on Cora and Robert for help.  Unbeknownst to Grace, she was also going to need help of her own.

“Bella adores Todd,” Grace said as she watched the two leave the room.  “She invited Todd to her party last week.  He was a good sport about coming.”

“When did you start seeing Todd?  Is it serious?” Leslie asked in an attempt to understand how far the situation had gotten out of control.

Grace smiled before she answered.  “I don’t know your definition of serious, but we’ve been seeing each other for a few months now.”

“Months!” Leslie looked like she had been slapped across the face.  “I thought you were done with dating?”

“I was,” Grace replied sheepishly.  “But then I got to know Todd and things changed.”

“Why have you kept this from me?”

“I don’t know.” Grace had wondered the same thing herself.  On several occasions she almost told Leslie, but she didn’t want the judgment to begin. Truthfully, Grace was afraid that Leslie wouldn’t approve of Todd’s job or pay grade. 

“Is it because he’s divorced?”

“No, that doesn’t bother me.  It wasn’t his fault,” Grace defensively stated.

“Everybody plays some role in a divorce, Grace.”

“You are being unfair.  You don’t even know him!” Grace raised her voice at Leslie.

“I know enough to be seriously concerned.  What are his intentions?  To prey on a young wealthy widow with two small children?  How is he going to support your family?  His job is so dead-end.  I can see why you are attracted to him.  He is insanely gorgeous.  But, really Grace?  There is no future with a man like him.  It’s fine to go out a little, but to introduce him to the children.  What were you thinking?  I am sure you are embarrassed, but you should have told me,” Leslie said, already planning how Grace could get rid of the loser.  Leslie was plain floored by the whole recklessness of the situation.

Grace was utterly speechless.  It took everything within her to regain her composure.  She was raised to always be proper, especially in emotional situations.  “I am far from embarrassed.  In fact, I haven’t been this happy in years.  Todd is understanding, kind, wonderful with the children and …”

“Way below your level in society,” Leslie interrupted.  “He is simply not good enough for you!”

“I cannot believe you just said that, Leslie.  Did Brent put you up to this?  Has he encouraged you to say these terrible things?” Grace questioned as her eyes spit fire at Brent across the room.  It was the first time Leslie had ever disapproved of Grace’s actions.  Grace was so upset that she was shaking.

“You don’t even know Todd.  And you sure don’t know me.  I have been hiding in this house for years since Derek died, just wasting away.  I have been miserable and depressed.  I even went to a counselor because I was in such despair.  Todd is a wonderful man who has breathed some life into me again.  He has helped me get my bearings and discover who I am and what I want from life.  I am something I haven’t been in years…happy!  What right do you have to come into my house and judge him?  Who are you to tell me what is good for my life?”  Grace shouted at Leslie and then ran upstairs crying.

Leslie turned to Brent and said, “She obviously is very vulnerable right now and prime prey for a predator like Todd.  We are going to have to do something about this situation quickly.  We owe it to Derek.  You promised Derek that you would look after Grace when he passed.”

“Mother, you are taking it too far.  I can’t say that I like the man or that he is even close to being good enough for her.  But Grace says she is happy. What if we just watch their relationship closely?  I am not sure that our interference will help.  I tried that approach already and it didn’t go over well with Grace or Cora,” Brent responded to his mother.

“Darling, you men are all alike.  You think something like this will just resolve itself?  Did you see that look in her eye?  She is obviously falling in love with the man.  Poor Grace, she has no idea what she is doing right now, especially if she had to go to counseling.  Well, I am not going to just stand by.  I love those children too much.  I refuse to let some low-life come into their lives and ruin them,” Leslie said with an air about her before she marched out of the room.  She was going to have a word with the man herself.

Brent went upstairs to talk with Grace.  He heard her crying as he opened the door to her bedroom.  “Grace, it’s Brent.  We need to talk.”

“I meant what I said earlier, Brent.  Don’t press me on this.  I may be a polite southern girl, but I also have a temper,” Grace said as she dabbed at the mascara that ran under her eyes.

“I am very familiar with that temper of yours.  Derek told me numerous stories about when he was in the dog house.  Of course, he deserved it each time and he was the first to admit he was wrong,” Brent recalled the memories as he picked up the wedding picture of Grace and Derek from her vanity.  “I miss those days.”

“I miss him too.  You have no idea how lonely I have been, Brent.  I can’t keep his memory alive by locking myself up in this house any longer.  At least you have Cora to fill in some of the void Derek left behind.  What do I have? These old pictures?  Memories?  Well, it isn’t enough for me anymore.  And most of all, it isn’t fair to the children.  You should have seen them the other day when we all went on a picnic.  Todd was showing Mattias how to throw a Frisbee and Bella took a nap on his lap.  They have been talking about Todd non-stop since they met him.  They miss having a man in their lives.  I know you love them and I appreciate all you have done, but someday you will have children of your own who will need your attention.  Mattias and Bella could use a father to teach them things and love them.  I know Derek loved them, but he is gone,” Grace said, pacing back and forth.  Even when she was upset, she was a vision as she stopped pacing and sat on the bed.

“Grace, did you just say ‘father’? I am just concerned that it is all moving too fast for you.  How much do you really know about Todd?  Have you met his family?  Where do they live?  What was his childhood like?” Brent asked gently as he sat next to Grace on the bed.  “There are some big issues you will need to face like your wealth compared to his questionable financial situation.”

“You mean like the same issue you have between your wealth and Cora’s questionable financial situation?  You’re one to talk, Brent.”

“Ok, you have a point.  I just want to protect you, Grace.  I love you and the children very much.  I promised Derek that I would watch over you.  I gave him my word.  He trusted me with your well-being.  I consider you my sister,” Brent said tenderly.  He took Grace’s head and leaned it on his shoulder.

“I love you too, but you have to trust my judgment.  I would never bring someone into the kids’ life that was dishonest or unsafe.  Plus, Cora has known Todd for many years.  Do you doubt her judge of character?”

“About that, has Cora talked to you about her past with Todd?” Brent inquired.

“If by past you mean that they went on a few dates, I already know that.  Todd told me right up front,” Grace revealed.

“I have to give him credit for being honest,” Brent admitted.

“He’s a really good man.  You haven’t even bothered to get to know him.  You just formed your own opinion and went into guard dog mode!  Could you please just give him a chance?  For me?” Grace pleaded. 

Brent was stuck.  Grace was one of the only people in his life who saw Brent clearly.  His difficult façade was merely a cover for his compassionate heart. 

“Alright Grace, for you.  Now fix your makeup and come back downstairs.  We have a birthday princess who we need to celebrate.” Brent hugged Grace closely before he left the room.  He would do anything for her, even give Todd a second chance. 

After he shut the door, Grace fixed her smudged makeup.  She peered in the mirror to reapply her eyeliner.  Derek suddenly appeared.  He smiled and then his image faded.  Grace paused before she resumed putting on her makeup.  She wasn’t sure how much more drama she could take in one day.

While Brent was talking with Grace, Leslie made a beeline outside to interrogate Todd.  She found Todd actively playing with the kids.  He was one smooth operator.

“Todd, come have a seat here with me.  I brought you some lemonade.  I thought you could use a drink after playing with the children,” Leslie stated in a false sugary voice.  She was not fooling Todd. 

“How thoughtful.  Thank you.” Todd took the glass and drank it down.

“I’ve heard you work here in the city.  How long have you lived in San Francisco?” Leslie inquired.  She needed ammunition against the man.

“I’ve lived out here for about ten years.  How about yourself?  Have you always lived in the Bay Area?”

Leslie was taken aback.  She was used to being the one to ask the questions.  “No.  I’ve lived in many places.”

“Where were you born?” Todd asked with curiosity.

“Back east,” Leslie vaguely responded.  “Tell me about your family, Todd.  Do you have any brothers or sisters?  Where do you parents live?”

Todd instantly was uncomfortable.  He did not like discussing his family with anyone, especially someone like Leslie.  But he also did not want to give Leslie anything damaging that would influence Grace.  “I have a wonderful older sister.  We are very close.  She lives in Santa Barbara.  My parents are both retired.  They live out of state.”  Todd was proud of his nonchalant answer.  It was all true, even though he held back most of what she would have loved to know.

“Cora tells me that you are divorced.  What a shame.  When did your marriage end?”  Leslie asked with a half-smile.

“Melissa filed for the divorce over three years ago,” Todd answered without any emotion.  He was furious inside with Leslie’s lack of sensitivity, but he was not going to show it.

“Divorces can be expensive.  It must have been rough on you financially,” Leslie said, turning the knife deeper into Todd’s heart.

“Do you have personal experience with divorces, Leslie?” Todd fired back.

“No, but I have several friends that have been through a divorce which cost them a large sum of money.”

“I didn’t fight her requests, so it didn’t take very long.”  Todd peered off at the ocean view.  He knew the day was going to be challenging, but he had no idea the lengths Grace’s family would go to tear them apart.

“Todd, it is so nice to see you,” Robert said as he walked over to interrupt the interrogation by pulling Todd into a gigantic bear hug.  “I was thrilled when I heard you were here.  There is a baseball game on in the living room.  Come keep me company.”

“Robert, that sounds good to me! Leslie, thank you for the conversation,” Todd said politely as he rose to follow Robert.  Brent was in the living room watching the game.  He looked up when Todd and Robert walked into the room, but didn’t say anything.

“Have you been keeping up with the San Francisco Giants?  They are looking pretty good this year.  As you know, I am more of a football guy, but I do like to see those Giants play.  Can I get you a drink?”

“Thanks, Robert.  I could use a beer.”

“You’ve been cornered by my wife.  You may need more than a beer,” Robert laughed.

“She is a bit direct.”

“She has a tendency of inserting herself into other people’s business where she doesn’t belong.  Don’t let her get to you.”

Todd laughed.  “Thank you.  And, thank you for getting me out of that corner earlier.”

Bella came running into the room and squeezed herself between Robert and Todd on the couch.  “Grandpa, are the Giants winning?”