Promise of Grace by Bonnie K. Winn

Author:Bonnie K. Winn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2003-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Nearly two weeks later, Noah stood at the barbecue pit in his backyard, gazing at the hot coals. Friends were starting to filter through the gate, and the low rumble of conversation scattered around him.

He hadn’t invited too many people. The members of his band, friends from church and his family. Then, on an impulse, he’d invited Grace and her aunt.

Although he had intended to broaden the distance between them, he was worried about Grace. Her depression was a visible thing and Ruth had again asked for his help. He hadn’t been able to refuse.

He thought Grace would be comfortable at the barbecue. She had met everyone he had invited except for his family. The open acceptance she’d received from Cindy, Katherine, Robert and the members of his band had given her the courage to risk meeting a few people.

When his friends had heard about Grace’s unfortunate accident, each had been eager to help her ease into new situations and become a part of the community. Cindy and Katherine had convinced her to meet their families, and she had done well on those outings.

Still, he knew Grace was anxious. This would be her first group situation. He didn’t count the numerous times she went to his office or the hospital. There she was in the company of other injured or ill people.

Noah had told Grace that he had also invited his family. When she balked, he reminded her of his mother’s accident. His family had heard about Grace and wanted to meet her.

His mother, in particular, had felt an instant empathy with Grace when she’d heard her story. But all of his family was sensitive to the injuries Grace had received.

Even though her anxiety was visible, Grace reluctantly agreed that she would meet them, as well.

Leaving the grill, Noah checked the long table he had set up on the rear deck to hold the food. Everyone would bring a dish—salads, baked beans and desserts. His specialty was barbecuing brisket, a long, slow process that made the meat tender and succulent.

He reached for a few more folding outdoor chairs to add to the ones he had already set up in the yard. The large lawn was one of the many things he liked about his nineteenth-century home. The generous grassy area was only a portion of the acreage that had come with the house. There was still plenty of land in slowly growing Rosewood, so there wasn’t a rush to reduce yards to the postage-stamp size often found in larger cities.

For the most part, Noah had kept the integrity of the original house. He liked the faded brick, the tall, distinctive gables and the charm only age could provide.

He had added the wide, long wraparound deck to the rear of the house, but he hadn’t sacrificed any of the tall, aged trees that provided enough shade to cool the hottest Texas days. They, along with decades-old rosebushes and gardenias, defined the large space, making it cozy, inviting.

Glancing around the yard,

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