Page 88 of His Saving Grace

The darkness engulfed her before she could reply.

Grace tried not to laugh at Jake’s stupid joke, because it hurt too much. His chest compressions had left a couple of her ribs cracked. Add to that the surgery to remove the bullet and the soreness from her healing, collapsed lung, and she was less than top-notch these days. “Don’t make me laugh,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself, as if that would help.

“Sorry,” Jake said, although he didn’t look the least bit like he meant it. He just grinned at her from where he was perched on the uncomfortable chair next to her bed. The same place he’d been for the last eight days. The bruises around his eyes had turned that sickly greenish-yellow. Didn’t stop him from being as cute as hell. But then, maybe she was biased.

Eloise, who’d also been a permanent fixture this last week, tutted and slapped him on the arm. And then her hand rubbed the spot, as if she was trying to rub out the sting. It was such a mom thing to do.

For a moment, sadness bubbled up inside her and her eyes stung. She stared directly at the harsh, white overhead light, willing the tears back. She refused to cry anymore. She’d shed enough tears. And not just regarding the incident, as she’d decided to call it.

She’d bawled like one of those annoying baby dolls last night, after visiting hours were over, and everyone who’d come to keep her company had been kicked out. Because not one of those people yesterday had been Mason.

Things had been different between them.

Since she’d told him she loved him.

At first, he’d come to the hospital to see her, to keep her company, every day. But, as the days wore on, he stayed for fewer and fewer hours. Which was understandable, because he had things to do outside of hanging out with her. But it was more than that.

He’d pulled away from her emotionally, too. Every day, she could feel the gap between them widening. Soon, it was going to be so big, there’d be no way back. That made her ache in a way her physical injuries couldn’t touch.

And then, yesterday, he hadn’t come by to see her at all. It had completely gutted her.

Why, oh why, did she have to blurt out that she loved him?

Stupid morphine, loosening her tongue.

But if she was being honest, she wasn’t upset she’d told him. Just disappointed in his reaction.

“Everything okay, sweetie?” Eloise took her hand, patting the back all motherly-like.

Grace smiled and placed her hand over Eloise’s. “Yeah. The doctor said I can get out of here in another day or two.”

Eloise sat on the bottom of the bed. “That’s great. But I don’t think you should stay alone in the guest house—”

“Eloise, I don’t think—”

Jake’s phone blared, and both she and Eloise turned to look at him. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. A slow grin spread across his face. He jumped to his feet and pointed at them. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” And then he slipped out the door.

Eloise turned back with a confused look on her face. “What on Earth?”

Grace went to shrug and then remembered how much it would hurt, so shook her head instead. “I have no idea.”

Jake popped his head in the room, a dopey, adorable grin on his face. He ducked back into the hallway and then the door opened.

Bella barreled in, her tongue hanging out, tail wagging.

Grace laughed, and it felt like the first time in forever. It also hurt like hell, but it was totally worth it. “Hello, gorgeous.” She reached down and Bella licked her fingers.

Eloise stood up, hands planted on her hips. “Jake, I don’t think…”

Grace looked up.

Mason stood in the doorway, Bella’s leash clutched in one hand, his cane in the other.

Her stupid heart fluttered like it had sprouted stupid wings, and was trying to flap its stupid way out of her stupid chest. Why did he have to look so good? And why did she have to love him so damn much?

“Jake, why don’t we go and get some tea.” Eloise hurried over and grabbed Jake’s arm, pulling him out into the hallway. The door whooshed closed behind them.

Grace stared at Mason, couldn’t tear her gaze away, even if she’d wanted to. Whatever this was, she would face it with dignity, her head held high.