Love Inspired Suspense December 2013 Bundle: Christmas Cover-Up\Force of Nature\Yuletide Jeopardy\Wilderness Peril (58 page)

The elevator opened again, and Brad and Laura Austin rushed into the room. Grace ran to Laura and embraced her. “We came as soon as we heard. How's Alex?”

Grace pulled back from Laura and looked from one to the other. Their faces mirrored the fear in her heart. She'd held her feelings at bay ever since she'd arrived at the hospital, but with the arrival of her and Alex's two best friends her resolve flew out the window. She put one arm around Laura's waist and one around Brad's and dissolved into tears. They pulled her close and let her cry for several minutes before Brad pulled loose and led her to the couch.

She sank onto the hard cushions, and Laura sat down beside her. Brad stood in front of them. “Would you like something to eat or drink? Some coffee maybe?”

Grace shook her head. “No, thank you. I just want to know how Alex is.” She looked from Brad to Laura. “I thought we were both going to die on that bridge tonight, and all I could think about was how we'd wasted so many years when we could have been happy.” She burst out crying again.

Laura put her arm around Grace's shoulders and smiled. “It's not too late. You and Alex can still have a life together if you love each other.”

Grace looked up, her vision blurred by her tears. “That's just it. I love him so much, but I have no idea how he feels about me. He still blames me for our breakup, and now he wants to move to Florida. What will I do if he leaves?”

Brad's eyes grew wide. “Move to Florida? He hasn't said anything to me about it.”

Grace sniffed and wiped at her eyes. “Well, he has to me. He knows I love him, but it's like he wants to punish me and get as far away from me as he can.”

Laura placed a hand on each of Grace's shoulders and looked into her eyes. “And just how does he know you love him? Have you told him so?”

“Well, no, but I've tried to show him with my actions.”

Brad squatted down in front of Grace and smiled. “I think you and Alex have a communication problem. When you see him, tell him how you feel. Give him a chance to tell you his feelings. You and Alex have driven Laura and me crazy for years. We're ready for you two to decide if you belong together or not.”

Laura laughed. “He's right, Grace. God has given you another chance with Alex. Don't ignore it because of what you think he feels. Find out.”

Grace reached out and clasped Laura's hand, then Brad's. “I'm so thankful God gave me friends like you. I remember when you were going through all your problems, and look at you now. You're happy...”

“And we're going to have a baby,” Laura interrupted.

“What?” Grace squealed. “Why haven't you told me?”

Laura smiled. “We just found out, and you've been busy the past few days.”

Grace hugged her friend again. “Oh, I'm so happy for you and Brad. I knew you two were meant to be together.”

“Just like you and Alex are,” Laura said.

Before Grace could respond, she glanced up at the doctor walking into the room. She jumped to her feet, and all the police officers moved in to hear what he had to say. He approached Grace.

“Miss Kincaid, I believe you're the one who came in with the patient.”

“Yes, doctor. How is he?”

“He's in recovery and doing well. He lost a lot of blood, but we were able to repair the damage. If all goes well, he should be able to leave the hospital in a few days.”

A sigh of relief went up from the assembled officers, and they smiled and patted each other on the back. “We're all relieved to hear that, Doctor,” Chief Watson said. “Detective Crowne is a valuable member of our force. Thank you for taking care of him.”

The doctor nodded. “It was my pleasure.” He turned to Grace. “The patient is awake and is asking to see you. Do you want to go in?”

“Oh, yes. I need to see him.”

The doctor smiled. “I thought you might like that. Come with me. I'll take you back.”

At the door Grace turned and smiled at Laura, who gave her a thumbs-up. She returned the gesture and followed the doctor down the hall. A few hours ago she had climbed over a barrier on the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge and feared Alex would die before she had a chance to tell him she loved him.

But he wasn't going to die. Not tonight. And God had given her this time to make things right between them. And that's what she intended to do.

FOURTEEN

G
race stopped at the entrance to the cubicle where Alex lay and took a deep breath. Her gaze scanned the tubes and machines hooked to his body, and her heart lurched. Had the doctor been honest with her about Alex's condition?

She spied a nurse coming down the hall and stopped her. “Excuse me. I wondered about all the tubes attached to Alex Crowne.”

The nurse smiled. “That's standard after surgery. Don't worry. We'll probably disconnect some of them by the time he gets to his room.”

Grace sighed in relief. “That makes me feel better. Is he awake?”

“He's been going in and out. You can have a seat in there and wait. The effects of the anesthetic should wear off soon.”

“Thank you.”

Grace stepped back into the room and walked to the bed. Alex's hand lay out from under the sheet, and she covered it with hers. She threaded her fingers between his and remembered how holding his hand had always made her feel so safe. She hoped he could feel the same from her now.

His eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes blinked open. He stared upward for a moment but then turned his head to face her. “Grace.” Her name sounded almost like a croak coming from his lips.

She smiled and bent over him. “I'm here.”

His gaze took in her face. “Are you all right?”

“I am because of you. I don't know how you were able to walk up to the bridge. I thought Mr. Caldwell had killed you.” A tear rolled out of her eye, and Alex reached up with his free hand and wiped it away.

“I knew I had to get to you before he killed you.”

She frowned. “But how could you walk? The EMTs were astonished that you could go that distance when you had lost so much blood.”

“It was something your father said to me that got me there. He told me when he didn't think he could go any further, he asked God to take over, and He gave him the strength he needed. God did that for me, too.”

She smiled and squeezed his hand tighter. “He'll be so glad to know that.”

“Over the past week I've come to realize what a wonderful man your father is. I look forward to getting to know him even better.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, that reminds me. You don't know why Mr. Caldwell decided to add me to his list of victims.”

He listened as she related what her old teacher had told her in the van. When she'd finished, he shook his head. “Your father told me there were people he'd been unable to approve loans for who hated him. I never thought any of them could be the murderer in our case.”

Grace closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head. “It's just all so unbelievable, but we did it, Alex. We found out the truth about Landon's death just like we promised his father we would.”

Her hand still covered his, and he tightened his grip as he glanced down at their intertwined fingers. “We did. Now what are you going to do with Landon's ring?”

She pulled free of him and held her hand up. The tiny birthstones in the ring sparkled, and she looked at it for a moment before she slipped it from her finger and dropped it in her purse. “This ring belongs in the past like so many things in my life do. I feel like I've helped an old friend by finding out the truth about his death, although I found out some things I was sorry to know. Now I can let that part of my life go.”

“We did what we promised Mr. Mitchell. I wish he was here today to know about it,” Alex whispered.

She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “I do, too, but enough talk about sad things. We need to be happy. You're going to be all right, and there are some things about our past that we need to get settled.”

“I think so, too, but first I have a question. Has anybody called my father?”

“Captain Wilson called him when he called Patrolman Grayson's parents. And by the way, that young patrolman is going to be okay, too.”

“Good. So would you mind if I called my father before we talk about whatever it is you have on your mind? I want him to know I'm okay.”

Grace nodded and reached for his cell phone, which lay on the bedside table. “Want me to connect it for you?”

He shook his head. “I have him on speed dial. I'll do it.”

She handed him the phone and sat down in the chair beside his bed. He put the phone to his ear and waited for his father to answer. It only took a moment.

“Hi, Dad,” he said. “I'm in recovery and wanted you to know I'm okay.”

He nodded while he listened, and Grace gazed at his profile. Even with all the tubes and machines as well as a five o'clock shadow, she didn't think he'd ever looked so handsome. Her heart swelled with love for him. Now if only he could feel the same about her.

“Yeah, it looks like I won't be able to make it for Christmas.”

Grace's heartbeat quickened. Maybe he wanted to spend it with her.

“I doubt if the doctor will want me to travel that soon,” he continued. “I may have to postpone the trip for a few weeks, but I'm still coming.”

Grace swallowed her disappointment. So his plans for going to Florida were still in place, which meant he still wanted the job there. She brushed at a tear in the corner of her eye.

“But when I come, I'm going to bring someone with me—my fiancée.” He turned to look at her. “Do you think you can get some time off to go visit my father?”

All she could do was stare in dumbfounded disbelief and nod. Alex laughed and winked at her before he turned his attention back to his father. “Yeah, it's Grace. Who else would it be? I'll call you later today and let you know how I'm feeling. Bye, Dad. I love you.”

He ended the call and handed her the phone. “Dad said to tell you hi.”

She frowned, shook her head, and placed his cell phone back on the table. Then she rose to her feet and stared at him. “What just happened here?”

“You mean the part about you being my fiancée?”

“Yes, where did that come from?”

He reached for her hand and laced their fingers together. “When I woke up on that riverbank and thought Patrick Caldwell was going to kill you, I regretted every minute that we'd been apart. I knew if God let us live, I was going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you for being such a jealous guy and ruining our chance at happiness years ago.” He paused and pulled her closer. “I've never quit loving you, Grace. Please let me show you how much.”

“B-but you told your father we were engaged, and you didn't even know if I love you or not.”

“Yes, I do.”

She smiled at him. “And how do you know?”

His eyes sparkled. “Because there's been a bond between us since we were ten years old. It grew deeper as we got older. I've never loved anybody else, and I never will. We've wasted enough years when we should have been together. If you'll marry me, I'll do everything in my power to make you happy. I'll leave Memphis if you want to go back to the networks. My life is meaningless if you're not in it. How about it, Grace? Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”

Tears filled her eyes. “I've loved you for as long as I can remember. I don't want anybody else but you.” She leaned closer and squeezed his hand. “But I don't want the networks. I want to live our life together here where we met and grew up. All I want is you.”

“Then marry me,” he whispered. “I don't ever want to be away from you again.”

“Neither do I. Yes, I'll marry you.”

He released her hand, grasped the back of her neck and pulled her head down until their lips touched. “I love you, Grace Kincaid,” he whispered.

“And I love you, Alex Crowne,” she answered.

She pressed her lips to his, and her heart soared. The love they shared had never died, and she could hardly wait to begin their new life together.

* * *

Alex sat down on the sofa in the Kincaids' hotel suite, stretched his legs out in front of him and closed his eyes. He didn't know when he'd ever spent a better Christmas Day. The dinner prepared by the hotel staff had been delicious, but the best part of the meal had been Grace and her parents. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to have his father with them, but he would be here soon.

His father had decided that moving to Florida hadn't been the best choice for him. He'd missed the life he'd known in Memphis, but he'd especially missed being with his son. Now with Alex and Grace getting married, he wanted to be nearby in case there were grandchildren in his future.

The cushion next to him dipped, and he opened his eyes to see Grace sitting beside him. She had her arm on the back of the couch and one leg curled underneath her. She scooted closer and smiled. “What are you thinking about?”

“My dad. I'm glad he's moving back. With him nearby, I can keep a close watch on his health.”

“We both will,” Grace said as she leaned back into the cushions. “Did you get enough to eat?”

He groaned. “I'm stuffed more than the turkey was, but I think I'll be hungry again by nighttime.” She laughed, reached over and trailed the tip of her forefinger down his jawline. He closed his eyes at the pleasure that raced through him. “I always liked it when you did that.”

“And I always liked it, too.” She leaned closer and brushed her lips across his. “It's almost been a perfect day, hasn't it?”

He nodded. “It has. Now all that's left to do is open the presents. I can hardly wait to see what you got me.”

She laughed and arched her eyebrows. “If I'd had more time to shop, I could have gotten something better. But all my time these past few days has been spent playing nurse to a grumpy patient.”

“And you've done a mighty good job, ma'am. I may decide to keep you around for quite a while.”

She laughed and swatted his leg as the bedroom door opened and her father's wheelchair rolled into the room. Her mother followed behind. “It sounds like everybody in here has the Christmas spirit,” Mr. Kincaid said as he came to a stop. “I move that we keep the festivities going by opening presents.”

Grace clapped her hands and smiled. “And I second the motion. All in favor say aye.”

All four yelled their response at the same time. Mr. Kincaid smiled at his daughter. “Grace, do you want to do the honors and pass out the gifts?”

Fifteen minutes later Christmas paper and ribbons littered the floor. Grace jumped up and ran to give her parents each a kiss. “Thank you for everything you gave me. I love the clothes, and the jewelry will set each outfit off.”

Alex held up his present. “Mr. Kincaid, I can't believe this. A private suite with catering and a server for the remainder of the Memphis Grizzlies' season? This is too much.”

Mr. Kincaid waved his hand in dismissal. “Not at all. If you decide you like having the suite, I'll get one for the whole season next year. I do have to warn you, though, that Grace would rather go to a play at the Orpheum than see a basketball game. I thought if you didn't mind, I might go with you sometime.”

Alex's throat closed up, and tears stung his eyes. He'd never thought to see the day when Grace's father would tolerate his presence, much less want to hang out with him at a ball game. It only reaffirmed what he was just beginning to understand—with God nothing was impossible.

“Thank you, sir. I'd like that a lot.” He took a deep breath and rose to his feet. “Now there's something I'd like to do.” He looked at Grace. “Please come sit down.”

She looked at her mother and laughed. “This sounds interesting.”

She sat down on the couch, and he turned to face her parents. “As you know, things happened rather quickly over the past two weeks. When I woke up in the hospital, all I could think about was how much I loved Grace and how much time we'd wasted being apart. When she came to see me in recovery, I'm afraid I didn't give her a very romantic proposal. In fact, I informed her we were getting married.”

Her parents smiled, and her father shook his head. “That's all right. We're glad you're both safe and weren't hurt.”

“I am, too, but I really feel like I should have talked with both of you before we started making plans. I really want to be a part of this family, and I want to make sure you want that, too.”

Her father nodded. “You needn't worry, Alex. We couldn't be happier to have you for a son.”

“Thank you, sir.” He reached in his pocket with his good arm, pulled out a ring box, and knelt in front of Grace. He opened it and looked up at her. “Grace Kincaid, I love you with all my heart. Please marry me and make me the happiest man on earth.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she looked at the ring, then back at him. “It's a beautiful ring. And nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.”

Smiling, he pulled the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. “Now it's official. I don't want that ring to ever come off your finger.”

“It won't,” she whispered and leaned forward to kiss him.

They pulled apart, but Alex didn't want to move. It had been so long since he was this happy he wanted to keep looking at her and soak up every inch of the woman he'd loved since he was ten years old. After a moment her father's discreet cough caught his attention, and he rose.

“Have you two decided when you want to have the wedding?” her father asked.

Alex shook his head. “I don't know. We haven't had a chance to talk about where we're going to live. I don't think my apartment's big enough. Grace couldn't get all her clothes in the tiny closet.”

Her mother laughed and nodded. “She'll need some room, that's for sure.”

Grace frowned. “We also have to think about you two. Who will help you at night, Mother, if I'm not there?”

Her father shook his head. “You're not to worry about me. I'm going to hire a personal assistant as soon as we get back in the house. We'll make it fine, and I don't want you to start married life with your parents. So I decided to do something about it.”