Chapter 12
Grace
My heart is so full, I have to fight the tears. Caleb exposed his own scars to help Joe accept his.
I remember the day Joe’s family came after he was transferred to us. Jaxon went out of his way to get his family to visit. His mother took one look and walked out. His father shook hands and stood talking for maybe ten minutes looking everywhere but at his son, then left. They haven’t been back.
Caleb pulls something out of a bag, hands it to Joe and it’s obvious they are talking about their scars. Maybe it’s also a start in Caleb’s own acceptance.
The soldier working clay with me draws my attention. Another thirty minutes and I start packing up. Caleb is by my side immediately carrying the empty art bags to the truck.
“Where do you want to eat?” he asks.
“There’s a new Indian food restaurant that just opened, Mumbai Palace. I’ve only had Indian food once in Grants Pass. I’d love to try it again.”
“Sounds good. It’s a little early for dinner. Would you like to shop a little or stop at Muggs Up?”
“Mugg’s. We need to buy more coffee beans anyway.”
When we walk in, we see Sheriff Harker. He waves us over to his table. Maizie meets us and takes our order.
“Learn anything new?” Caleb asks.
“Seems a couple other families closer to the main road west of Grace’s area have noticed people crossing in the woods. Have you had a chance to check out the woods behind Grace’s yet?”
“No, but I will tomorrow.”
“Thanks. I don’t like the thought that there may be some troublemaking vandals out there. If they start a careless fire, we’ve got trouble. Checked with a couple other towns to see if they’ve had fire issues. But none so far. Bigger issue is runaway kids. They asked us to keep our eyes open.”
“Do you have a tracker on staff?” Caleb asks.
“Couple amateurs.”
“Preach’s rafting season is almost over.
You might want to talk to him. He was one of the best when we served together.
He grew up on a remote mountain and knows his way around in the wild.
He may be open to doing some work for you.
Knowing Preach, he’d do it for the hell of it, just to stay out of town. ”
“Thanks. Let’s see what you find first. How do I leave Preach a message?”
“He’s a little anti-electronic. He keeps a phone but rarely turns it on.
He and I were planning on sharing the cabin Jaxon owns that’s up the mountain from Grace.
I’ll drop a note off for him there and tell him to call you when he gets back.
Fair warning. If you ever want him to contact you again, you need to be specific.
‘Call me oh-six hundred hours.’ He’ll only try once. Another one of his quirks.”
“Got ya.”
Before we leave, Caleb stocks up on more of his favorite Muggs coffee and we head to the restaurant. He seems well versed on the menu and when I describe the red stuff with chunks of cheese that I liked before, he knows just what to order.
I loved it all: Paneer Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, and the vegetable Samosas he ordered. And I am totally hooked on the Mango Lassi.
He promises to take me to Grants Pass or Rogue River soon so we can try other foods that aren’t typical in our little town of Kennedy.
It’s after nine by the time we get home. He checks the house and the studio before telling me he’s going to do a perimeter check.
“Do you really think we need to keep doing that?”
“Yeah, babe. I’m not messing around with your safety. I’ve got warning traps and I need to make sure they haven’t been tripped. I want you to lock up after me and if someone comes to the door, you call me. If it’s not the sheriff or Jaxon don’t answer.”
After he leaves, I take a shower. Feeling feminine for the first time in years, I apply lotion and perfume before drying my hair and fluffing it with a curling brush. Staring at my reflection, I realize that I’m moving forward. I’m letting go. Hands braced on the counter, I struggle to breathe.
What am I doing? It’s too soon. Is it too soon? Am I a bad person? Am I being selfish?
I loved you, Guy. This... This is different.
You are perfect, Grace. And you are doing exactly what you are supposed to do. What I want you to do. Don’t let my memory hold you back. Remember me fondly, but it’s time for you to live your life.
I give my head a shake. Whether I’m hearing voices in my head or just losing it in general, I know Guy would want me to keep living.
Tying my robe at the waist, I cross the living room to the bookcase.
Lifting the photo of Guy that I’d laid flat before, I smile at the kids in the picture.
Young, right out of high school, perfectly attuned to each other as best friends who’d grown up together.
We could finish each other’s sentences and always knew what the other was thinking.
He’s right. It’s time. You will always be in my heart, Guy. Always. Say Hi to Grams and Gramps for me.