Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
The room was silent, and I looked toward her parents. Richard was watching me closely, his shoulders not as tense as they had been.
“I will look after her,” I assured them. “Her well-being means everything to me.”
Katy stood. “We’ll go and let her sleep. But we’re staying in a hotel, and we’ll be back tomorrow.”
I nodded, unable to take my eyes off Grace. “See yourselves out. I don’t want to disturb her.”
Katy leaned down and brushed a kiss to my forehead. It was an unexpected motherly gesture, and I met her kind gaze with a confused smile. I had never received an act as sweet.
Richard remained uncharacteristically silent.
Grace
There was smoke. It billowed and swirled all around me. I couldn’t find the door. I knew I had to get out, and my movements became more frantic as I searched for a way to escape. I was trapped all over again. There was a voice calling my name, and I tried to locate it in the heavy gray mist that was overtaking me. I knew that voice. If I could find that voice, I would be safe.
It came closer. “Gracie, darling. Open your eyes. I’m right here.”
My eyes flew open. Jaxson was hovering over me, his expression concerned. I heard an odd noise, and it took me a moment to realize it was me. I was gasping for air, crying, clutching at him. He wrapped me in his arms, enclosing me in his embrace.
His voice washed over me, low and gentle.
“It’s all right, Gracie. You’re safe. I’m here, darling. I’m right here.” He pressed a kiss to my head. “It was a dream.”
“There was a fire,” I gasped. “I couldn’t get out.”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “There was a fire. But you did get out. You got your neighbor out, too. It’s over now. I have you.”
I inhaled deeply against his skin. His warmth sank into me, banishing the shivers, his scent surrounded me, driving away the acrid smell that lingered in my nose. His closeness erased the lingering terror.
He eased back, wiping my cheeks. “Better now?”
“Yes.” I cleared my throat, grateful when he handed me a glass of water. The cold liquid felt good on my throat. I looked around in surprise. I was in Jaxson’s bedroom. “How did I get here?”
“You fell asleep while your parents were here. After they left, I brought you in here.”
I recalled the visit. “My father was rude.”
He lifted one shoulder. “It’s fine. He was upset.”
I searched his eyes, seeing only concern. “You came for me. You found me.”
“I saw the live report on the news. I recognized your building. I had to come find you.” He cupped my face. “Tell me what you remember.”
I frowned as I thought about it.
“Say it, Grace. Get it out so it doesn’t lurk in your mind. They said on the news there was a gas explosion.”
“That makes sense. I was napping in my chair, and the next thing I knew, there was a loud boom, and the window beside me blew out. The explosion threw me from the chair. I hit my head.”
“That explains the cuts on your arms and the gash on your head.”
“I knew I had to get out. Smoke was filling the hallway, and I got to the back steps. Then I remembered Mrs. Nelson. I had to go back. I knew if I didn’t help her, she would die.” I gripped his arm. “Is she okay?”
“Thanks to you, she is.”
I breathed a sigh of relief and took another sip of water. “I don’t remember much. Somehow, I got her, us, outside. I think I half carried her. There were people and fire trucks. Lights. Someone gave me a blanket. A bottle of water. Told me I had inhaled a lot of smoke. I stayed with Mrs. Nelson.” A long, shuddering breath escaped my mouth. “I was cold and scared. Confused.” I met his eyes. “And then you were there.”
“Thank god,” he breathed out. He leaned his forehead to mine. “I have never been so scared in my life, Gracie. I couldn’t find you. I kept thinking you were still in that burning building, and I couldn’t get to you.”
“But you did.”
“Yes. Once they released you, I brought you home, and your parents showed up. You were so exhausted, you fell asleep.”
I touched his chin in gratitude, noticing his grimace. I looked closer and saw a bruise.
“Did my father hit you again?” I asked, aghast.
“He was upset. Luckily, his aim was off this time.”
“He needs to stop this!”
“I know.” He leaned close, a smile playing on his lips. “If he doesn’t stop giving me facers every time he sees me, I’m going to begin to think he doesn’t like me.”
“Don’t make light of it.”
“Given everything else, it doesn’t matter, Grace. Besides, thanks to your mom, I think he might ease off a bit.”