His Saving Grace by Lyn Cote

Author:Lyn Cote
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2004-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Gracie chewed her lower lip as Jack parked in front of her house. “Thanks for bringing me home early.” She reached for the door handle, eager to get away from him.

“Hold it. It’s late. I’m walking you in.” He released his seat belt. It slithered into its holder.

“No.” She gripped the handle. I don’t know what we’ll find inside, Jack, and I don’t want you to see my family this way.

“You’ve been upset since you got that phone call—”

Her phone buzzed again. What now? She lifted it from her pocket. “Hi.”

Gracie, I need you at home,” her dad urged. “Now.”

“I’m in front of the house. I’ll be right in.” At her father’s anxious voice, her pulse raced. She felt a little sick as she hung up. “I’ve got to go.”

“I’m coming with—”

“No, I…” Please, Jack, don’t. This is too personal.

Unfazed, he climbed out, zipped around and met her at the curb. “What is it?”

Under the bronzed sky, she shook her head, unable to put her hesitance into words. She headed for her front gate.

But Jack kept up with her.

As she unlocked the front door and hurried inside, he doggedly followed her into the foyer.

Raised male voices greeted them.

Gracie rushed into the first-floor flat. In the living room, Mike and Troy faced one another. Their hostile expressions—so out of character—made the hair on her nape stand up.

“I’m not standing for this!” Troy shouted.

Her dad’s hair was mussed and tension stiffened his posture. Stress showed in the way he edged forward, confronting Troy. “I called Annie immediately after this arrived for you. She said she’d come as soon as she could. She’s on her way. Why won’t you agree to talk this over with her?”

“She’s gone too far.” Troy shook a sheaf of papers in Mike’s face. “And I don’t want to talk to her.”

“She said she’d be right over—” Mike insisted, reaching for Troy’s arm.

The front door opened. Annie walked in.

Gracie took a step forward.

“You!” Troy’s voice was accusing.

“Yes, me. Dad called and I came.” Annie tossed a defiant glare at her husband.

Gracie froze where she was, unable to believe what was happening around her. Lord, it’s worse than I thought. Help us.

Troy waved the document in Annie’s face. “You’ve gone too far—”

“Really?” Annie lifted her chin. “I think it was the very least I could do in the situation you put us in—”

“Me?” Troy glared. “I didn’t walk out.”

Her head cocked, Annie folded her arms in front of her. “I was forced out. It was your way or the highway.”

Oh, Annie! Gracie turned to Jack. “We should go and let them—”

“I,” Troy yelled, “never said that—”

“Stop this!” Mike roared.

Silence.

Gracie realized Jack had moved to her side. She put out a hand. He took it and she clung to him.

“This is not the kind of home where family members yell at one another.” Mike looked at Annie and then Troy. “Now, we’re going to sit down and discuss this like a family.”

“Yes, listen to Dad,” Gracie coaxed.

“I’m not discussing anything here.

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