Saving Grace (18 page)

Grace wanted so much for things to work out between them. She wanted to share his life and his family…forever. But she wasn’t willing to mortgage her soul to do it. Her principles were important and had guided her through life. Taking from Chord was wrong—it wasn’t help, it was a hand out. She couldn’t live with that.

A week later, Chord threw back the covers and welcomed the morning. Today was his fortieth birthday. Knowing Grace, she had something planned. He stretched, stepped out of bed, and walked to the bathroom. He’d take a quick shower, and then he’d go down and let the family smother him in happy birthdays.

Fifteen minutes later, he was dressed and walking down the stairs. He walked into the kitchen and scanned it for a huge homemade happy birthday sign. There was nothing.

Grace looked up from the waffle maker. That was strange, he preferred pancakes to waffles, and he’d told her so just yesterday when he’d mentioned that today was his birthday. Surely she’d make his favorite pancakes today of all days. It must be an oversight.

He went to her and kissed her lightly on the cheek. The kids weren’t in the room, so it was okay. Come to think of it, why wasn’t it okay for him to kiss Grace in front of the kids? He’d wait for them to come down, and then he’d kiss Grace again.

“Sorry about the waffles. I know you like pancakes, but we’re out of buttermilk. I’m going to the store later.” With a fork, Grace pried a waffle out and set it on a plate.

“No problem.” He smiled down at her and waited for the flood of birthday congratulations that he was sure were forth coming. He waited and waited. She poured more batter in the waffle iron and closed it. Steam seeped out.

“Eat it while it’s hot.” She handed him the plate with the waffle.

He took it and waited.

“Do you need something?” She looked up expectantly.

“No.” He shook his head. Was it possible she’d forgotten his birthday? Once the kids came down and they happy birthday-ed him to death, she’d remember. Tonight after the kids went to bed, he’d parlay her lapse in memory into some serious groping on the sofa.

He walked to the table and sat. He looked back at Grace. She was prying another waffle out of the maker. “Are you sure there’s nothing you want to say to me today?”

Come on, how many hints did she need? Birthdays were her thing—they were right up there with family dinners and board games when it came to wholesome family fun.

“Nope.” She poured more batter into the waffle maker. “Oh wait.”

She put the cover down on the waffle maker and flipped it over. “The toilet in HW’s bathroom is stopped up. I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty gross. Could you take a look?”

Disappointment consumed every part of him. She’d forgotten his birthday. Grace thought this was just a normal day.

“I’ll take a look at it.” He hunched his shoulders and grabbed the syrup on the table. It wasn’t the real maple syrup he loved, but some fake, corn syrup colored substitute. “Where’s the maple syrup?”

“We’re out. Sorry. I should have gone to the store yesterday, but my meeting with Warren ran over. We’re meeting with Dell Children’s Hospital next week to sign a lease. I tell you what, when Warren sets his mind to something, he gets it done.”

Chord’s top lip curled into a snarl. Not only had she forgotten his birthday, but she was president of the Warren Daniver fan club. This was turning into one crappy day.

“Hey dad.” Cart said as he and HW walked into the kitchen.

“Hey guys.” Chord pulled them into a quick hug. He brightened. They would remember.

“What’s up guys? Isn’t today a wonderful day?” He hinted.

Cart looked around like something wonderful was about to happen. “Sure, I guess.”

“Here y’all go.” With a waffle-laden plate in each hand, she made her way to the table. She set a plate in front of Cart and HW. “Eat up.”

They both grabbed for the syrup, but Cart won and squeezed about a third of the bottle on top of his waffle.

“Save some for me.” HW whined.

“Boys, isn’t there something y’all want to say to me today?” Chord stared down HW.

“Um…I don’t think so.” He took the syrup from Cart and squeezed a huge amount on his waffle. “Oh wait. My toilet is stopped up. It stinks. Can you fix it?”

“That’s it. That’s all you have to say to me today?” Chord shook his head. They had forgotten his birthday. Maybe CoCo would remember.

She walked in and slid into the chair next to him. Yep, she’d remember.

He looked at her and waited and waited and waited, but all she did was pick up the carton of orange juice and pour herself a glass.

“What dad? Your staring is creeping me out.” CoCo’s eye went huge. “Oh my God. Do I have a zit?” She threw down her napkin and ran to the nearest bathroom.

It was official. His family didn’t love him, Grace didn’t care, and they had all forgotten his birthday.

***

That evening, Grace tore the price tag off the dress and swore. She shouldn’t have bought it, two hundred dollars was more than she’d spent on herself in a very long time. Or ever. Bargain shopping was as ingrained in her as deeply as Jesus.

After unzipping the tiny excuse for a black dress, she shimmied into it. The guests for Chord’s party would start arriving in less than an hour and the guest-of-honor was being delayed by Clint Grayson. She did a mental inventory…three bartenders were setting up—two outside and one inside, Devon and his mom were catering the food, the cake had arrived an hour ago from PattiCakes, the DJ was setting up poolside, the rental company had provided tables, chairs, china, and linens, she’d had a photo booth set up in the blue living room, and a valet parking cars at the neighbor’s house. What was she missing?

She stepped into the mile-high black satin shoes she’d scooped up from the Lakeway Thrift Store, and admired herself in the full-length mirror in her bathroom. The loose curls framing her face were feminine, and the light makeup made her eyes appear even darker brown. Telling herself she’d primped because she wanted to look good was a lie, and since she never lied to herself, she was willing to admit that she’d done this all for Chord.

Sleeping with him might not be the best plan, but making him drool over her had nothing to do with it. Wanting a man and knowing he wanted her too was the best ego boost.

This morning, Chord had been so disappointed because he thought no one had remembered his birthday. She laughed. He’d kept asking if anyone had anything to say to him today. It was priceless. By the time breakfast was over, he’d been totally deflated. She and the kids had high-fived each other on the way out.

She clicked the bathroom light off, walked out her bedroom door, and strutted down the hallway.

CoCo saw her first and her eyes went huge. “Wow. Dad’s not going to know what to do with himself when he sees you.”

Grace stopped short. “I don’t know what you mean.”

CoCo shot her a yeah-right look. “If there was any more sexual tension in this house, it would explode.”

Grace went from mortification to embarrassment and back to mortification. Words eluded her.

“If you’re wondering about dad and other women, he doesn’t date much…well except for Debra, but since she’s a crazy bitch I don’t think she counts.” CoCo smoothed the wrinkles out of her own silver party dress and put her arm around Grace. “He likes you, and I think you like him. Why not go for it?”

Grace was taking relationship advice from a fourteen-year-old…who was about to turn fifteen. “When’s your birthday?”

“September twentieth.” She smiled. “I fudged it a little bit when I met you.

Grace cocked her head to the left. “What else have you fudged since I’ve been here?”

“Nothing.” She laughed. “I promise.”

“You look very nice tonight.” Grace touched the silver sequins at CoCo’s shoulder. “Any one in particular you’re trying to impress?”

“Nope.” She twirled making the full skirt bellow out. It was a beautiful knee length dress of silver sequins and raw silk. “This was my mother’s…you know…one of the ones she didn’t take with her.”

CoCo smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes. They’d never really talked about her mother leaving.

Grace brushed a wayward blonde curl out of CoCo’s eyes. “My mother wasn’t around either. I had my aunt, but it wasn’t the same. I know it’s hard.”

She’d opened the door as wide as she’d felt comfortable.

CoCo took Grace’s hand. “You’re here now. I’m not alone in a house full of stinky boys anymore.”

“They do smell. Why is that?” Grace looked at CoCo for the answer.

She shrugged. “No clue.”

“I plan to get to the bottom of that weird smell.” Grace nodded.

“Are you sure you want to know?” CoCo’s eyebrows arched. “Some mysteries are better left alone.”

“Wise beyond your years, grasshopper.” Grace squeezed her hand lightly.

“So about dad. I think you should date him.” CoCo’s smile turned mischievous.

“What are you planning?” Grace had a bad feeling.

“Nothing. Only tonight, I’m spending the night with my friend Becca and the boys are going home with Clint and Summer.” CoCo’s smile was downright devious.

“I don’t understand.” Grace couldn’t figure out CoCo’s motive. Did she want Grace to sleep with her dad? “Why tell me this?”

“You’ll have the house all to yourselves. Make the best of it.” CoCo winked.

“Why are you doing this?” Grace hoped she hadn’t been too obvious about Chord.

“Dad’s into you. It’s about time he found someone nice. He’s lonely, and I want him to be happy. You two deserve some time alone, so I’m giving it to you.” CoCo sounded so adult. It broke Grace’s heart. The girl should be drooling over boys, worrying about her next math test, and shopping for the perfect pair of shoes. Instead she was worrying about her dad. Chord had raised some pretty awesome kids.

“Thank you. I’ll um…” be happy to sleep with your dad didn’t sound like the right thing to say. “Thank you.”

Grace looked CoCo up and down. “I’ll be calling Becca’s mother to check if you made it there safely.”

“I thought you might.” CoCo grinned. “She’s waiting for your call.”

Grace put her arm around CoCo. “You’re such a good girl.”

CoCo put her arm around Grace’s waist. “I know. It’s a burden.”

“And so humble too.” Grace hugged her tighter. She loved this girl so much. All of them. She’d never been this happy…ever.

Chord wanted to go home, but instead he was stuck at the office in a meeting. He glanced at the Rolex on his wrist. It was six o’clock on the dot. Clint droned on about passing percentages and something else Chord had totally forgotten. It was all he could do to stay awake much less pay attention.

Clint checked his watch. “Okay, I think I’m done. How about a birthday drink?”

Chord sat up. “You remembered?”

“Of course I remembered. Last year you whined so much about no one remembering your birthday that Summer put it on the house calendar. She would have made you a cake, but she had a doctor’s appointment and tutoring last night.” Clint hunched his shoulders. “Sorry.”

At least someone had remembered.

“No worries.” He tried to not sound so disappointed, but a birthday cake would have been nice—maybe with a candle or two. Was that too much to ask? He remembered everyone else’s birthday.

Now his inner, angry child was coming out.

“How about I take a rain check on the drink. I want to get home in case my family wants to surprise me with a homemade birthday cake.” Chord tried to smile, but it was weak at best.

Clint blanched a little, but nodded. “Sure.”

Chord didn’t wait for his old friend to leave his office, he just grabbed his laptop case and walked out. “You’ll catch the lights on your way out, right?”

“You bet, coach.”

Chord made it down the stairs and out the back door in record time. True, it was his birthday, but he wanted to get home because he didn’t want to miss anything. Grace was always up to something, and if he worked late, he missed out on some of the family fun. Not a month ago, he’d dreaded going home and had done whatever he could to work late. Now, from the time he left in the morning, he counted the minutes until he could return home.

He clicked the alarm on his suburban and opened the door. After putting the key in the ignition, he turned it and nothing happened. He tried again. Nothing but dead air. Come on. All he wanted to do was go home. The universe was against him. Just for fun, he tried again. Still nothing. He popped the hood, got out of the car, and walked to the front.

He looked around at all the metal and hoses, but since he didn’t know anything about cars, engines were a mystery to him. He slammed the hood in frustration.

“Need a lift?” It was Clint.

“Yes, if you don’t mind. I’ll call a tow truck when I get home.” He could borrow Grace’s car tomorrow to drop off the kids, and she could use his Porsche. At least he didn’t have to wait up here for someone to tow his car.

“Don’t call a tow truck. My car guy, Mario, is home for Spring Break from Texas A&M this week. I’ll have him come over and take a look. The kid can fix anything with an engine.” Clint clicked the key fob, and the lights on Clint’s black Porsche Cayenne blinked. Clint had bought the car on the way home from the doctor’s appointment confirming Summer’s pregnancy, because now that he was a family man, his two seater would no longer work.

“Thanks.” Chord climbed into the passenger’s seat.

Thirty, long and agonizing minutes later, they pulled into Chord’s driveway. Clint had taken the longest possible way to Chord’s house, and once, he’d actually gotten lost. If he didn’t know his friend better, he’d have mentioned the possibility of dementia to Summer.

Clint pulled up to the door. Chord glanced at the house. All the lights were on. Maybe it was another one of Grace’s scavenger hunts. Clint put the car in park and turned off the engine.

“Mind if I come in and say hey to the kids and Grace?” Clint loved his kiddos and he and Summer used to watch them when he needed a night off.