The Way of Grace (Miller's Creek Novels) by Bryant Cathy

Author:Bryant, Cathy [Bryant, Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: WordVessel Press
Published: 2012-09-24T21:00:00+00:00

14

For a long moment, Matt lost himself in the kiss, not quite believing he was finally kissing her, or that she was kissing him back. But fear crept in, and he pulled away. The last thing he wanted was to take advantage of her vulnerability. One glance at her was all it took to see the wisdom of his decision. She looked ready to collapse, confused and bewildered. He smoothed her hair. “That was beyond nice, but we need to talk.”

She broke free from his gaze and nodded.

Matt held her hand to reassure her. Gracie was the type to over-analyze everything anyone said or did, and then she internalized it, turning even innocent comments and gestures into deadly weapons against herself. More than likely a response held over from her traumatic childhood.

He led her to the couch and sat down beside her, tilting her chin until she met his gaze. “I don’t wanna scare you away, sweetheart, but I have to tell you how I feel. I’m in love with you and have been since that summer two years ago, even after you told me you only wanted to be friends and even after I thought I’d gotten over you.”

Her eyes held a dark softness that threatened to pull him under. In a split second the softness turned to fear.

Hurt slashed into his heart. “Why are you afraid, Gracie? Don’t you trust me?”

Gracie pulled her hand away and rested her face in both palms. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.

He engulfed her in a hug, rubbing a hand along her back. “It’s okay, sweetie, let it out. It’s safe for you to say whatever you need to say, even—” He closed his eyes against the ensuing pain. “—even if it’s something you know I don’t wanna hear.”

They remained in the embrace a long while, Gracie clinging to his neck as if her life depended on it. Finally, she pulled away, streams of tears coursing down her cheeks.

His heart fell. This wasn’t good. He forced a smile and nodded to assure her.

“My life’s in such chaos right now, Matt.” Her words came out choked and broken. “I want to be able to say the same things to you, but I’m so confused, and you deserve better than me telling you one thing now and something else later when things have hopefully calmed down.”

The words churned in his gut, but she spoke from an honest place. “I’ll accept that, Gracie, but I want you to know I’ll still be here waiting. Take all the time you need.”

A half sob sounded in her throat, a sound that tore at his already shredded heart.

“What’s bothering you, sweetheart? Please tell me.”

She said nothing, and tears continued to fall.

“Does it have to do with Elena?”

Gracie remained reticent.

“With Jason?”

Again, she didn’t speak, but now chewed her bottom lip. Finally, she shook her head.

An inner alarm went off in Matt’s head. She wasn’t telling the truth, but who was she covering for—Jason, her boss,

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