Embracing Her Heart Read online

  As shocked as Grace was to learn Brindle had only been with Trace, she knew better than to hope her wild sister might tame her ways while she was in Paris for six weeks this summer.

  Brindle put another teenager in charge of the class while she introduced Nat to Grace.

  “I’m so excited to meet you,” Nat gushed. “I really wanted to take your class, but I also wanted to be here for the kids, and my mom said it was more important to see this play through than to work on another project.”

  Nat spoke fast, fidgeting first with her glasses, then the hem of her shirt, then her glasses again. Grace found her nervousness endearing and her excitement inspiring.

  “I know she’s right,” Nat said, “but I wish I could have done both.”

  “I admire you sticking with the play. Your mom was definitely right about that. In the arts, seeing your dream become a reality is a tricky and exciting process. The more control you have, the better.”

  As they made their way down the hall to the classroom Brindle suggested they use, Grace realized that achieving her dreams had also been tricky for other reasons. She’d lost a lot of the joys of life in the process. She wondered if there was a way to slow down, and if so, what ramifications it would have on her career.

  If I don’t, what will it mean for me and Reed?

  Why did it seem like everything good in life required a painful choice?

  Chapter Fourteen

  THE NEXT FEW days flew by in a blur of conference calls, teaching, and mentoring during the day and laughter and loving at night. Grace’s love for Reed blossomed into a love truer and deeper than anything she’d ever known. Friday afternoon as she taught the class at the bookstore, she couldn’t believe tonight marked the end of her first week at home. How had the time moved by so quickly? She and Reed had gone furniture shopping Wednesday evening, and once they’d gotten past needing to cuddle and kiss on every sofa—just to be sure they were comfortable—he’d bought a beautiful dark blue couch and love seat that had an antique feel, a glass coffee table with leather around the edges, and a plush throw rug. They’d also picked out a dining room set made from refurbished barn wood, which fit the relaxed yet elegant feel of the room perfectly. The furniture had been delivered last night, and it had completely transformed the already gorgeous house into a warm and inviting home. Grace couldn’t help feeling like they were building a home together, but she tried not to get drawn in by that aspect, because it was Reed’s home, and she had her own to return to in two weeks. But she enjoyed setting up his home with him. He had a keen, artistic eye.

  She looked around the table at the other artistic individuals she was spending time with, huddled together discussing character arcs and plots. Wednesday’s class had been even more thrilling than the first. They had been hard at work creating an outline of the script they wanted to write.

  “Okay, ladies,” Grace said. “Are we ready for our discussion?”

  “Yes!” they said in unison.

  “Wonderful. Who’s going to present the story?”

  They exchanged looks among themselves, and Lauryn whispered something to Janie.

  “Sure, I’m happy to,” Janie said. “Do the rest of you want me to start?”

  They all agreed, and Janie said, “Our script is called I Ain’t No Cinderella. Our heroine is sharp, rebellious, and is not about to wait around for her prince.”

  “And the prince is not badass enough for her, so she’s going to snub him and hit on a biker,” Nana interjected. “He’s badass.”

  “Mm-hm,” Hellie agreed. “The prince is a sissy. Our girl needs a real man, and she’s not about to wait around for him to come to her.”

  “That biker’s going to have his socks knocked off,” Janie said. “There’s a big community barn dance, kind of like the monthly jam sessions the Jerichos host.”

  Phoenix narrowed her green eyes and said, “And the stepsisters are total bitches, but Cinder, that’s our heroine’s name, is going to put them in their places right off the bat.”

  “And the stepmother is kick-ass from page one. We all agreed that we hate that stereotype of the wicked stepmother,” Lauryn explained. “But it’s normal for sisters to annoy each other, regardless of if they’re step or bio.”

  Grace’s pulse kicked up at such a unique idea. “The premise sounds fantastic, but it’s all going to be in the writing. There’s got to be more than just rebellion. What can you tell me about your character arcs?”

  “Oh! I can tell you about Cinder!” Lauryn chimed in. “She’s been through the ringer. Her mother was a drug addict, father was pretty great, but he died right before the script starts. She was never a real daddy’s girl, but she always had him watching out for her.”

  “He had her back,” Phoenix added.

  “Yes,” Lauryn agreed. “But she’s never really let anyone take care of her. So she has a hard time letting her stepmom do it, and she fights her every step of the way.”

  “And there’s a big blowout with the sisters, where they call her on not letting them be part of her life in any real way, and that’s why they’re so bitchy,” Janie explained. “That comes in Act II.”

  “Those are great twists for not only Cinder, but the sisters, too.” Adrenaline coursed through Grace at the prospect of an angsty script. They discussed the other characters, setting, and structure. She wished Nat could be there. She’d love being part of this group, and the direction of their story, too. Grace had given her guidance about how to shorten the play, and she had been emailing revisions to Grace to review. It was coming together beautifully.

  Amber peeked her head into the room and said, “Excuse me, Grace, but I’m closing up early and heading out to meet Aubrey Stewart. She’s got some great ideas for expanding the shop. Can you set the alarm when you’re done?”

  Grace glanced at the clock and realized they’d run almost an hour over their designated class time. She was supposed to meet Reed at seven fifteen for dinner.

  “Sure. Sorry we ran so late,” she said to Amber. “Give Aubrey a hug for me.”

  Amber had gone to Boyer University just outside of New York City, and she’d connected with a group of girls who all shared a love of writing. They’d rented a house where they’d lived like a sorority and had started their own sisterhood called the Ladies Who Write. Aubrey and two other house sisters now owned a multimedia corporation, LWW Enterprises, with offices across the United States—and they had since purchased that sisterhood house to use for LWW retreats. Grace was glad to see Amber put as much effort into her friendships as she did her work. Lord knows I don’t do that often enough.

  “Stay as long as you’d like,” Amber said. “Aubrey’s just passing through, so it’ll be a quick hug.”

  As she ducked out of the office, Grace began gathering her papers. “We should wrap up for the day, too. When you have your first few pages ready, we’ll begin critiquing the dialogue.”

  “We’re already done writing Act I,” Janie said. “We’ve been getting together for a few hours each day, and these ladies are brilliant.”

  “Oh, please!” Hellie said. “We’re all brilliant. Janie, it’s your expertise that finesses our ideas into magical moments.”

  “Wait a sec. You’re done with Act I?” Grace asked.

  “And halfway through Act II,” Janie explained.

  “We’ve been working hard while you’ve been playing house with your hunka hunka burning love,” Nana said, and pushed a stack of papers across the table to Grace. “I have to get out of here before Poppi chows down on Ho Hos for supper. You know how much of a sugar fiend that man is.”

  “I’d better go, too,” Janie said. “Boyd and I are going out.”

  “I have a hot date with my flute.” Lauryn glanced at Phoenix and said, “I’ve finally convinced Phoenix to play her banjo at next Friday night’s jam session at the Jerichos.”

  Phoenix rolled her eyes and pushed to her feet. Today she sported black-and-silver biker boots, black jeans, and an
Aerosmith T-shirt. Her eyeliner was bright blue, and she had a pink feather hanging from a tiny braid on the right side of her head. “She wants me to show my inner hick. But I only agreed because she promised to play her flute.”

  “Hey, girlie.” Nana pointed at Phoenix. “You watch your mouth. I’m proud of my inner hick, my outer hick, and everything in between.”

  “I’m sorry, Nina,” Phoenix said.

  Nana glared at her.

  “Nana,” Phoenix corrected herself. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but not everyone’s cut out for small-town life, right, Grace? I mean, just look at Grace’s outfit. She looks like she stepped out of a fashion magazine with that awesome, drapey black shirt and that skirt with the slanted silver zipper pockets. I’d kill for those black leather heels with silver buckles. I mean, if you pair them with a black leather skirt you’d look all BDSM, but with that tan skirt, it’s totally chic, like you’re going out to a five-star restaurant or something. Nobody dresses like that here. I don’t think anyone would ever think Grace was from around here.”

  Grace glanced down at her outfit. It was one of her favorites, and Phoenix was right about the heels. In fact, that’s why she’d bought them, because they could be office chic or nightlife sexy. She suddenly realized that around here the outfit just made her look like she thought a lot of herself. Or like she wanted other people to stop and take notice. The thought made her woozy. That was not who she was, and she hoped other people didn’t see her that way.

  “Everyone appreciates different things in life,” Grace finally said with a stab of discomfort, as if she were somehow dissing her family by agreeing. Suddenly she wondered if her family, or the people who knew her, thought she’d been putting her family down all along by trying to run from her roots.

  On her way out to her car, she tried to convince herself she was overthinking her appearance and pulled out her phone to text Reed and let him know she was late. There was a message waiting for her. You. Me. Under the stars. Tonight.

  That sounded like the perfect night. She sent a quick reply telling him she was running late. She still had a hard time believing that he was in her life again.

  As she climbed into her car, she found a single wildflower on the passenger seat. She smelled it, remembering how he used to leave a single flower for her in the funniest places. She’d found them in her cheerleading bag and on the field before a game. Even though he’d never left a note, she’d always known they were from him, even the very first time when she’d come outside before school and found one under the windshield wiper on her car. And when her sisters had found them, she’d turned the situation on them and questioned which of their boyfriends had left them a flower.

  On the drive to her parents’ house, her emotions skidded and whirled between thoughts of Reed and stewing over her revelation about how she might have hurt her family’s feelings. By the time she arrived, she’d gotten herself upset about being called out for not looking like she was from Oak Falls, despite the fact that she’d worked hard to achieve exactly that.

  Dolly and Reba greeted her at the kitchen door with wagging tails. “Hey, girls,” Grace said as she wound around them toward her mother, who was chopping vegetables. Her hair was pinned up in a ponytail, giving her a youthful appearance.

  “Hi, sweetie. Did you see how much Reed got done on the porch? It’s so beautiful. How was your class?”

  Grace had been too distraught to notice the porch. “Class was great. I loved it.” She snagged a piece of cucumber and bit into it.

  “But…?”

  She took another bite and said, “No but.”

  “Maybe not about the class, but I know you, Grace, and there’s a but hanging in there somewhere trying to get out.”

  Grace sighed and leaned against the counter. “Someone said I don’t look like I’m from here.”

  “Mm-hm.” Her mother handed her a piece of a carrot. “And?”

  “It just bugs me. You know I’m not embarrassed by you guys, right?”

  “Ah, there’s the but.” Her mother set down the knife, and her expression turned serious. “Grace, you’ve always wanted more than what this town had to offer, but that doesn’t mean you wanted a different family or that we’re not good enough for you. We know that, honey.”

  She let out a relieved sigh. “Thank goodness.”

  “But…” A small smile curled her mother’s lips. “People change, honey. Just because you have what you thought you always wanted doesn’t mean you always have to want those same things.”

  “I love producing.” She heard the lack of enthusiasm in her own voice and knew her mother had, too. She’d already pissed off the director she’d wanted to hire by telling him she didn’t want to use the script he’d presented. And now she was back at square one, trying to figure out which script had the most potential for funding and the best chance at sought-after actors. Even the thought of dealing with entitled actors who might have once been driven by their passion but whose passion had become twisted and driven them to be some of the most annoying people on the planet made her less enthusiastic about pouring her heart and soul into each production.

  “If you say so.” Her mother began chopping again. “If you want to talk about it, I’m here.”

  “I know. Thanks, Mom. Do you mind if I stay at Reed’s tonight?”

  That earned the brightest smile she’d seen since Reed had picked her up for their first date. Her mother set the knife down and wiped her hands on a dish towel. “Mind? I’ll help you pack.”

  Grace laughed as her mother grabbed her arm and dragged her toward her bedroom with the dogs on her heels.

  “I can’t believe you’ve waited this long.” Her mother went to the bed and picked up the big stuffed bear. “Are you taking Greedy Boy?”

  She’d told her mother she’d given the bear that name because Reed had greedily eaten the majority of their popcorn at the fair. Her mother had bought it hook, line, and sinker. Now she wondered if she really had…

  “No.” Grace opened her smallest bag and began packing. “He’d take up the whole bed. I’m not moving in. I’m just staying for a night or two.”

  “Mm-hm.”

  Grace’s cell phone vibrated. She snagged it from the nightstand and read Reed’s text. I’ll be right over.

  “I assume that’s your man?” her mother asked.

  “Yes. He doesn’t know I’m bringing an overnight bag. I wish I could be there when he reads this text.” She typed out a reply, unable to quell her grin. Wait there. I’m packing a few things to stay overnight. I’ll meet you at your place. Her phone rang seconds later.

  “Oh! Someone’s happy,” her mother said. “I’ll leave you alone to chat.”

  Grace mouthed, Thank you, and answered Reed’s call. Before she could say a word, he said, “You’re staying over?”

  “Unless you mind?”

  “Does a bear mind hibernating in the winter?”

  She tried to tamp down the thrill skittering through her. She couldn’t afford to get caught up in a fantasy, but she refused to let her temporary stay keep her from enjoying every minute she could with Reed.

  “Well, make room in the cave, because I’m just going to take care of a few things, and then I’ll be on my way.”

  REED WAS PACING the porch when Grace pulled into the driveway. He’d spent the last two hours getting ready for their date, and knowing she was staying over offered the perfect end to what he hoped would be an incredible evening. When she stepped from her car, he lifted her off her feet, kissing her as he twirled her around.

  “Tell me you’re staying again,” he said, but before she could answer, he kissed her one more time.

  “I’m staying.”

  “I think I’ve waited my whole life to hear you say that.” He brushed his lips over hers and realized he had been waiting, but he wanted a hell of a lot more than a night. “I’m actually going to wake up with you in my arms tomorrow?”

  “For as many tomorrows
as you want until I go home.”

  He was torn between elation and heartache, knowing their relationship had an end date. Or at least a pause date. One look in her loving eyes and elation won out. He set her down and led her to his truck.

  “Where are we going?” She hurried to keep up in her high heels.

  “We’ll bring your stuff inside later. I have a surprise for you.” He helped her into the truck. When he climbed in on the other side, she scooted over next to him. That simple move made his heart sing. He was dying to give her the news about his contract being ratified for the theater, but he’d planned a special way to share it.

  He drove to the Majestic, and as he parked out front, he said, “I know how much you love this theater, so I thought we’d finally see a movie here.” He grabbed the cooler and backpack he’d prepared and led her through the long grass to a blanket and the equipment he’d set up behind the theater.

  “Is that a projector? We’re literally watching a movie here?”

  “Yup. The projector runs off my computer and projects onto the back of the building. Beckett clued me in to these awesome speakers, which will give us the feel of being at an outdoor theater.”

  “This is going to be so fun! But what if we get caught? People will see the lights from the road.”

  The theater sat at an angle, hiding the far side of the rear from view. Making out had never been a problem, but she was right; people would surely find out they were watching a movie. He didn’t care who knew as long as he had this special night with Grace.

  “It’s okay. I hear the owner’s a great guy.”

  “If you say so. I guess the worst that can happen is someone tells us to leave. I can’t believe you set all this up. When did you become so tech savvy?”

  “I didn’t. Beckett helped me. That guy knows computers as well as he knows numbers.”

  “That’s not surprising. Most of his business is online. I can’t believe you left your equipment out here. Anyone could have stolen it.”