Sorry that I didn't post this sooner--I've been under the weather. Anyway, here is a peek at Grace.
Saving Grace
Grace inhaled, the scent of lavender and rose sachets inundating her senses. The late morning sun streamed in through the long, wall-length windows, helping to dispel the chill her thoughts had brought on.
She glanced around her. Lightly Seasoned was all she had. Thank God it was making a profit, not an easy feat for a newly opened business. It was hard to believe that she and Emily had turned their dreams into a reality. They’d made the consignment shop bright and welcoming to everyone who came in, working long hours to give it a personal touch, which had obviously paid off.
Grace sighed. Time to get back to work.
She picked up a few navy-blue dresses in different styles from a box on the floor and placed them together on the revolving rack.
She glanced toward her sister and smiled. "I know you’re worried about me, Em, and I love you for it. But I’ll be fine. I just need to stay busy."
Her remark fell on deaf ears. "You need to slow down, Grace. And for God’s sake, eat something."
"If I promise to eat, will you lay off awhile?"
"It’s a start, but you need to pace yourself, too. Chicago P.D. can do without your brownies for one event."
Grace’s hands unconsciously clenched at her sides. "But that’s the only way I can keep in touch with Vincent’s friends. I don’t want to lose them, too."
"I hate to say this, Grace, but maybe you won’t be able to move on until you do put Vince and the police force behind you."
Grace’s patience slipped. "I can’t do that. Vincent wouldn’t like it. He was such a dedicated cop. He’d want me to stay involved."
Emily shook her head again, her strawberry-blonde bob swinging in her face. Grace’s hair used to be the same vibrant shade before Vincent had passed away.
"I thought you wanted to have children. You can’t do that with a ghost."
Grace didn’t understand why her sister wanted her to lose more than she’d already lost. What was wrong with helping out at the police functions? Wasn’t that a good thing? Weren’t people supposed to get involved, help wherever they could? Emily acted as if she was doing something wrong.
Heck, she could have gone in another direction after Vincent died. She could have picked up a bottle the way his partner, Cord, had. Everyone knew how he’d fallen. Made a point of telling her that little tidbit. She hadn’t seen Cord in months. He hadn’t even bothered to pay his respects at the funeral. That in itself still hurt and made her angry.
When she’d heard Cord resigned from the force two weeks later, she’d been shocked. Why hadn’t he told her he was leaving? He had become family when he’d been partnered with her husband. For two years, Cord and Vincent had been inseparable, at work and off duty. But for whatever reason, Cord had disappeared without saying a word to her. Another painful blow. First losing her husband, then him. He should have stuck around to help her through the months of missing Vincent with every breath she took. But Cord hadn’t cared enough to do that.
"When are you going to bury Vincent, Grace?" Emily drew Grace back to their conversation. One she was putting an end to right now.
"What is this? Why all the sudden resentment for Vincent?"
"I don’t resent Vince, Grace. I just think it’s time for you to let go."
"I’ll decide when it’s time to pack Vince’s things and say goodbye." Grace held on to her temper. "Until I do, I want you to respect my wishes and let me deal with this in my own way, all right?"
Emily came over and hugged her. "Okay. But promise me you’ll take better care of yourself."
Grace drew back and smiled. "I promise. Can we get the last of these dresses hung now, so we can go have lunch?"
Her sister’s round face lit up. "Now that’s music to my ears." Emily patted her oversized belly.
I'm off to work on something...not sure what yet.
Jerri
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