Falling Into Grace (25 page)

“We would love to.” I feel good that the kids will be with her, but I want to throw up at the thought of having to face Aiden again. I can’t go back on my word now because I already told Annie and Becca I was going.

“What are you going to wear?” she asks me as we fold the towels.

“I have no idea. Becca is having dresses delivered for us to try on. I told the kids they could stay home and watch us get ready. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, not at all. It will be like prom all over again.” I can tell she is excited. I hear the kids running around in the backyard, and I turn to look out of the back sliding-glass doors. They are running from my dad, who is chasing them all around the backyard.

“Maybe you will meet someone at the charity event.” Mom looks at me with hopeful eyes, but as usual I shoot her down.

“Not likely, Mom,” I say, and she knows not to keep pushing. I go around the island into the kitchen and look for something to make for dinner. I find chicken defrosting in the sink.

“What do you want to make for dinner?”

“Whatever you feel like. I can make chicken cutlets or whatever,” I hear her say as she walks into the bathroom and puts the towels away.

“I’ll make dinner tonight. Do you want gyros?” I know she loves them.

“I don’t have everything you need.”

“I’ll run to the store now and get everything.” I wait patiently as my mom writes out a list of the missing items I need to purchase.

“That should do it.” She hands me money with the list, but I leave the money on the counter. She always does this, and I always ignore her, but I bet one of the kids will come home with it in their pockets.

“I’ll be right back.” I head to my truck and see my phone is lit up from a new message. It’s another message from Aiden.

Don’t ignore me. It pisses me off, and you don’t want to piss me off
.

I delete it. He can go fuck himself.

In the grocery store, I grab a small basket and make my way through the store. I grab all the odds and ends I need for dinner and decide to pick up ice cream for dessert. I pay and head back to my parents. When I see another text, I start to ignore it, until I see Becca’s name.

Change of plans. Dresses are being sent to your house tomorrow at 4
.

Maybe getting dressed up will make me feel better. I will get all dressed up and look sexy, and he will be begging for me, and I will ignore him. I will get back at him.

When I get back to my parents, I start cooking. I always feel more relaxed when I am cooking, especially in my mom’s kitchen. I hear them all out on the deck laughing and teasing one another, and it puts a smile on my face. I make the tzatziki sauce and pour some over the chicken. I start to cut up onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. I place each in its own bowl, then place the chicken in the fridge for a few more minutes. I walk onto the deck and see them all having fun. I sit down in one of the wooden Adirondack chairs next to my mom.

“How’s dinner going?” my dad asks.

“Good. Everything is all prepped. I’m just waiting on the chicken to marinate a bit longer.” I smile and enjoy the easy conversation. The
kids start to tell my parents about what they did at recess, and I take the opportunity to slip back into the house and finish cooking dinner.

The night goes by so fast. After dinner we have ice cream, and it’s after seven before I realize it. We all say our good-byes and head back home. When I pull in the driveway, I see the Tiffany’s bag between my storm door and front door. I want to kill Aiden, and I want to kill Sam even more for leaving it there. I get out of the car faster than the kids and grab it before they can ask me about it. I shove it in the coat closet.
Asshole
, I think to myself. I begin to busy myself with the nightly routine of bath time and bedtime.

I take my sleeping pill right after I tuck the kids in.
I can’t keep taking them
, I tell myself, but it doesn’t stop me from popping one and a half pills into my mouth. I swallow them down with a glass of water and head right to bed. I turn the TV on to drown my thoughts. I feel the sensation of sleep creeping over me and give into it.

The next morning I again wake up to a rooster and music. I roll over and turn them both off. I notice a new text from Aiden, and it makes me want to throw my phone.

I will come to your house if you don’t respond back to me
.

I roll my eyes at the phone. I know I will need to deal with him eventually.

What do you want?

That should do it. I put on the Weather Channel and I feel my phone vibrate.

You
.

He is such an asshole. I start texting him back.

Well, that’s not going to happen, so get over it and move on. Forget my name and delete my number
.

I feel better after I write this, but begin to wonder how I got here. How did I get caught up between two brothers? I vow to never see either of them ever again, then realize I still have to see them on Friday. Shit… I get up, shower, and start my day. I head down early and make the kids a big breakfast. When they come down and see it, they get all excited, like it’s their birthday. I feel good today; I’m going to
have a great day at the spa. The morning flies by, and I drop the kids off at school. Instead of going home, I stop and grab a cappuccino then head down near the water to clear my mind. I wander around the marina and look at the boats. I reach the end of the dock and stand there, looking out over the water. The view is beautiful, and it makes me miss the view of Vineyard Sound. I begin to think about Grant. I definitely was stupid for fooling around with Aiden, but Grant was different. I miss him. I miss the day we had together. The easy conversations and the easy silence we had. I dull ache starts to spread in my heart. I stretch to see if it goes away and it doesn’t so I head back to the truck.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

I
drive to the spa to start my relaxing day. I check my phone, and I am happy to see Aiden hasn’t texted me back. As soon as I walk in the spa, the relaxing aromas start to calm me. I’m escorted to a room where I can store my things and get undressed and slip into a lush robe. I enter the room where my massage is; the next few hours are tranquil. I walk out feeling like a million bucks. My nails and toes match, with a French manicure, and my hair looks healthy again. I love the way they blow out my hair. It’s shiny and feels silky. If only I could make it look this good on my own.

I do a good job of distracting myself in the hours between the spa and picking up the kids; I go to the mall and go on a mini-shopping spree. I think for a moment that I might be having a mental breakdown, but I push it out of my head each time I swipe my card. I go home to drop off all my bags, and when I pull in the driveway, I see flowers lining my walkway.
What the fuck is he up to now?
I get my bags out of the truck and walk past all the flowers. I put the bags in my room and go back outside to survey the flowers. I jump as my phone starts to vibrate; I look at the number and don’t recognize it.

“Hello.”

“Hannah Winterfield.”

“Yes.” I start to pace the walkway.

“Is this Hannah Redman Winterfield?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Hannah, it’s Shane Grace.” I hear him start laughing a bit, and I realize I do know the voice.

“Shane, is everything OK with your mom?” I start to panic.

“Mom is doing fine. I was calling because I just met with Kevin Waters, and he name-dropped your name. I was confused at first when he used the name Winterfield, but then he let me know Redman is your maiden name.”

“Yes, it is. I use it at work, and I’m sure you already figured out why.” Shit, I should have been more honest with them.

“Yes, because of the director. Kevin gave me all the gossip about you.” He is laughing now.

“I hope it wasn’t all bad.” I cringe.

“Oh no, Hannah, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just surprised that our paths are crossing. I am interested in one of the buildings you have. I spoke with Kevin, and I need you to come in to sign off on all the paperwork tomorrow, if that’s possible.”

“Yes, of course. Anything that Kevin needs me to do, I will.”

“Hannah, I’m sorry to hear about your husband. I had no idea. I know this has to be hard for you, coming in to sign as his power of attorney.”

I stare down at the flowers and feel the hurt in my heart.

“Thank you, Shane. It hasn’t been easy, but I own half of the company, so I pretty much do what Kevin needs me to do.”

“Great. What time works for you tomorrow? I know you have the kids, so if we need to meet on your schedule, I have no problem moving meetings around.”

Shane is such a nice guy. I wish Aiden were more like him.

“Does eleven thirty work?”

“Perfect. I can make that happen. Annie tells me you are going to come on Friday.”

“Yes, it happens that a friend of mine was invited last week, and I will be her plus one. Small world, isn’t it, Shane?” I smile thinking about it.

“Yes, it is. OK, well, if you have any questions, call this number I just called you from, it’s my line at the office. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

“Me too. Bye, Shane.”

“Bye, Hannah.”

I hang up and wonder when Kevin will call me about this. Just then I see his number on my phone.

“Hey, Kevin, I heard we have a meeting at eleven thirty tomorrow?”

“How the hell did you know so quickly? I just got out of there.”

“The Grace men work quickly.” I laugh as I say this.

“It’s at eleven thirty?”

“Yes. I just talked to Shane, and he wanted to make sure I was able to juggle the kids and the meeting.”

“Well, that was nice of him, and I’m sorry. I had no idea they didn’t know about Chase or the director. I spilled the beans on that one.”

“No, it’s OK. Mrs. Grace knew, and I believe Grant knows. I didn’t really want to make it known to them, but it’s no big deal now.” I pick up one of the vases, bring it around to the garbage can, and slam it down.

“What the hell was that?” Kevin asks.

“I was just taking out the garbage.” I grab the trashcan, drag it over to the walkway, and throw away all the flowers.

“Kevin, I have to get the kids. I will see you tomorrow at their office.”

“I’ll pick you up.”

“No, don’t worry. After the meeting I have to leave to pick up the kids. What happens if you get caught up or have to stay?”

“All right, I will see you tomorrow. Bye.”

“Bye.” I hang up the phone, slip it into my pocket, and throw away the last vase of flowers. Twelve in total, and they filled up the can. I place it back behind my fence and give it the finger as if it were Aiden.

The rest of the day goes by at warp speed after I get the kids, and before I know it, the house is quiet and I find myself taking the sleeping pills again. I feel like a junkie, but it doesn’t stop me. I need to sleep and not think of Chase, Aiden, or my meeting tomorrow. I pray when I get into bed that I won’t see Aiden, and that it will go smoothly tomorrow. I hope someone hears me. I just hope Chase doesn’t, because he would be disappointed in how I have been acting these last few days. I let go and fall asleep, thanks to the sleeping pills.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

T
he next morning I wake up before the alarm goes off. The house is quiet. I run through my routine feeling relaxed. When I look in the bathroom mirror after I turn the shower on, I notice my hair still looks kick-ass, so I tie it back and get in. I think about all the new clothes I bought yesterday, and I know exactly what I will be wearing. I got a new, black, pencil skirt that flares out at my knees and a new green blouse. I want to look my best in case I bump in to Aiden, and the green will defiantly bring out my eyes. I grab the new heels I got and do my makeup. I study my face. The dark circles aren’t as bad as usual, and I guess it’s from the sleeping pills. They are making me better.
I should keep taking them
, I tell myself, even though
junkie
pops into my head when I think this. I apply my usual makeup and wake up the kids.

While we are eating breakfast, Ella stares at me.

“Mommy, why do you look so pretty today?” Her question makes me smile.

“I have a meeting with Uncle Kevin today for Daddy’s company.”

She just smiles at me and finishes her breakfast. We get out the door in record time. I drop them off, then head back to the house to get out all of the paperwork. I go into the safe and pull out the envelope that I haven’t looked inside of since the last time I had to sign for Chase a few months ago. It holds his death certificate and
the paperwork for me as the power of attorney. I flip through it all and head into the kitchen, where I hear the phone ringing.

“Hello,” I say as I lean it against my shoulder.

“Han, what’s up? Did the dresses come yesterday?”

“Bec, what are you doing up already?” I look at my watch and see it’s before six there.

“I’m on the plane getting ready for takeoff. I have a meeting as soon as I land.”

“Oh, the dresses are here. I didn’t look yet. I was going to wait for you.”

“Try them on. Have fun today.”

“I wish. I have a meeting today with Kevin for the company, but I will be home before you get here.”

“Have fun. I’ll see you tonight.”

I hear the dial tone before I can respond. She always does that. I clean up the kitchen, then move to the living room and pick up the toys on the floor. Once I’m finished, I see it’s a quarter after ten. I put on my heels and head out.

I arrive at the Grace Industries building with fifteen minutes to spare. I find a parking space down the block and walk into the giant building. I head through the massive lobby and hear my name. I turn and see Annie.

“Hannah, I was hoping I would catch you.” She walks right up to me and kisses my cheek, then hugs me.

“Annie, it’s so nice to see you.”

“Shane told me you would be here today for a meeting.” I can tell by her look that’s not all he told her. “Hannah, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.”

“Annie, please, you don’t have to,” I say, putting up my hands. I don’t want to feel like this before my meeting. I know the meeting will be hard enough on me.