Restoration (14 page)

Chapter 15

The funeral was held
two days after Christmas, on Grace’s birthday. She didn’t sit with the family during the service, but chose to let them grieve privately. She and Valerie stayed to the back of the church, her eyes watching Drew move through the service. His face remained stoic during his eulogy, though she could tell he was working hard to control his emotions. His voice broke only once when his eyes, searching the crowd, found her from the pulpit.

“Why aren’t you sitting with him?” Valerie whispered as the congregation rose to sing one of Mary’s favorite hymns.

“I’m here. He knows I’m here. He needs to be with his dad—his family.”

“From the look on his face, I’d say he needs
you
.”

Grace shook her head. “The last thing I wanted when John died was someone clinging to me.”

“
You
are his person. This is completely different from John.”

The service concluded and the family was escorted out, trailing behind the casket. Grace gathered her coat and purse in preparation to join the congregation as they filed out. She watched David, somber and weeping, walk mournfully behind his wife’s casket, while Drew followed in his wake.

Tears welled in her eyes at the sight of the broken men. Memories of John’s funeral swam in her head. The remaining family, Mary’s sister and brother-in-law, came last, looking sad, yet peaceful, as if they understood Mary’s suffering was finally over. Grace’s eyes found Drew’s as he came down the aisle. His expression shattered all of her walls.

He does need me.

She walked purposefully from the row of pews she was standing in, took his hand, and joined his family.

“Thank you.” He leaned his head against hers and kissed her temple softly.

Ten’s closed for the week of Mary’s death and reopened on the second day of January. A month had passed since, and the town was back to normal.

“How can they all be so happy?” Valerie asked as they navigated the icy sidewalk leading to the cottage.

“Life goes on, people would rather forget than be sad.”

“How’s David doing?”

“He’s coping. It’s tough. I used to think it would be easier if you could see it coming. I was wrong. It’s just as hard.”

Both Drew and David were still raw, but healing slowly. Grace, all-too-familiar with grief, tried to be what they each needed. She brought meals to David twice a week and even sat to eat with him every once in a while.

“How is Drew?” Valerie, observant as ever, clearly knew Drew was more of a challenge.

“I don’t know how to get through to him.” Grace shook the light snow from her hair as they entered their little house. “He’s so distant. It seems like for every step David makes forward in the healing process, Drew falls further back. He’s angry, but won’t talk about it.”

“Maybe you need to make him talk. Everyone grieves differently. You can’t expect him to deal the same way you did.”

Grace opened her laptop and sat at the table, mulling over Valerie’s words.

“Mmm. Maybe.”

Grace glanced at the clock as she put the finishing touches on yet another reworked blueprint for the construction crew. It was just after five o’clock, the crew would be packing up to head home for the evening. There was no point in her trudging to the site to give Mick the changes tonight. She would have to do it first thing in the morning.

“Changes done?” Valerie asked with a glance at the rolled-up blueprint Grace was sliding into a protective tube.

“Yes, and I think it’ll be the last of them, actually.”

“Do you need me to take them over to the crew?”

“Nope, I’ll do it in the morning. I’m going that way anyway.”

Valerie cocked her eyebrow. “No, you’re not. I have to see Mick sometime. Things didn’t work out between us. That doesn’t mean I stop doing my job.”

“If you’re sure. I really don’t have a reason to go that way at all, but I don’t mind taking them.”

“I’ll make sure they’re there by eight.” Valerie took the tube. “Now, on to other business. Your birthday.”

“That was a month ago.”

“Yep, and we went to a funeral. It’s time to celebrate. I’m taking you out for a night in London. We’re going dancing, Grace McConnell. See if Drew wants to come, but either way, this Friday after work we’re heading out.” She turned on her heel and clomped up the stairs to her room. “Wear something hot!” she called down before her door shut.

Grace’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water for a moment. She actually liked the idea of getting out and playing a little. She loved dancing, even if she was awful at it.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed Drew’s number, but got no answer. He was probably still at the store. She pulled on her sweater and heavy coat to keep out the frigid January wind.

Ten’s was quiet, with the exception of a handful of after-work shoppers picking up a few things for their dinner. Henry, the sole cashier, looked bored, ready to close up. Grace smiled to herself as she thought of the remaining three hours he had left until closing time.

When he saw her, he waved and smiled. “Hi ya, Grace. Drew’s upstairs.”

“Thanks, Henry. Is it all right if I go on up?”

“Should be fine.”

She walked up the flight of stairs to the business office and rapped on the door.

“What?” Drew shouted from inside the office.

She opened the door and stepped inside. “Drew? Is this a bad time?”

He peered up at her over his computer. He was wearing his black-rimmed glasses and his hair stuck out wildly. His face softened when he saw her. “Did I forget we had plans?”

“No. I was actually hoping to make some.”

“Really? What do you have in mind?”

“Well, Valerie wants to take me to London on Friday night to go dancing for my birthday.”

Drew’s brow furrowed. “Your birthday? Oh, Christ, Grace! I’m such a tosser. Of course we should celebrate. I’m not much of a dancer, though.”

“That’s fine, you can watch,” she said, with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

He closed the distance between them, pulling her into his embrace. “I’m sorry I forgot.”

“Are you kidding? It was your mother’s funeral. I really didn’t think you needed to worry about me.”

He quickly pulled away from her. “Wait right here.” He strode quickly to his desk and pulled open the bottom drawer. He produced a simply wrapped present and handed it to her with a sheepish grin. “I didn’t completely forget.”

As she opened the small package, excitement bubbled inside her. The box was small with a tartan lid. She lifted the top and saw a beautiful pendant of sterling silver designed in the style of the Scottish thistle emblem. She ran her fingers lightly over it and pulled the chain and pendant out of the box. She slipped the necklace over her head and smiled up at him.

“It’s the thistle, the flower of Scotland. I thought it could be a reminder of our trip.”

“I love it . . . so much, Drew.”

She pulled him down for a kiss, their lips brushing softly at first. A spark ignited as they touched and it grew before they could contain it. They hadn’t been together since Mary’s death and the tension built quickly between them. She moaned against his mouth and pressed forward, but his glasses bumped her nose.

“Oh, bloody hell!” he exclaimed, pulling back and ripping his glasses off his face.

His hands went around her waist and he pushed her to his desk. She obliged by hopping up to sit on top of it, twining her fingers in his hair.

“I’m not used to the glasses. You don’t wear them much.”

“I’ve not gotten my new lenses ordered. Things have been busy.”

She reached around and pulled him down for another kiss. His hands ran up her sweater and under the cups of her bra. The phone on the desk rang, interrupting the passion that was just beginning to build into something more.

Drew gave her an apologetic look and reached to answer. When he laid the phone back down, a disappointed frown colored his features. “There’s a problem with a delivery I need to tend to. Can we pick this up again soon?”

“Definitely.”

“I’ll ring you when I’ve got it sorted.”

She kissed him and slid off the desk, smoothing her sweater and readjusting her bra. “You’d better.”

Things with Drew turned around after Grace’s visit to Ten’s. The
last few days had felt normal, steady, and she thought he was truly on the road to recovering from the loss of his mother. It was late in the afternoon and she was preparing to finish up her last project. Drew was set to pick them up in just a few hours and as she looked at the clock for the third time in five minutes, she felt a twinge of nervousness.

What if it’s too soon for him? I don’t want him to feel guilty for having fun.

She remembered the sharp stabs of pain she’d endured in the months after John’s death. Each time she laughed or even smiled, her subconscious would rear its ugly head and shame her for thinking about being happy. Why should she be happy when John couldn’t be anything anymore?

As the clock slowly crept toward the final moments of their workday, Valerie and Grace were both restless. When all of Grace’s urgent items had been checked off the to-do list, she closed her laptop and looked at her friend.

“That’s it for the day. Time to get ready.”

Valerie smiled and jumped up from her seat. “Yes! I’m so excited! I’ve wanted to take you to London since we got here.”

“We’ve got two hours. I’m going to take a nice hot bath, have a pre-party glass of wine, and relax.”

Grace padded into her bathroom, wine glass in hand, and found the bottle of Jasmine Essential oil she’d stashed away for just such an occasion. The oil mixed with the hot water and filled the room with the beautiful scent. She piled her hair on top of her head and sank into the steaming water. She noticed her legs needed shaving, as the rough spikes of emerging hair stood up with the temperature change. When she was finished, her legs were smooth and her skin soft from the jasmine. She smelled faintly of the sensual flower and as she breathed in the scent, she felt her shoulders relax and her mind become more peaceful.

A knock on her door brought her attention to the time. She’d spent an hour soaking in the bath and was still not sure what she was going to wear.

“Are you alive in there? I need help with my necklace,” Valerie called.

Grace put on her soft terrycloth robe and opened the door to see Valerie the
super tramp
standing before her.

“What are you wearing?”

“Too much?” she asked, going pink at the cheeks.

Grace took in her thigh-high black stiletto boots, skin-tight mini, and deep V-neck top. “Too little. You look like Julia Roberts and not in a good way,” she said, trying to be kind. “Maybe a longer skirt?”

“Yeah, you’re right.” A deep flush colored her cheeks. “Let me go change, I’ll be right back.”

Grace padded into her bedroom and pulled out a few prospective outfits. Some were too businesslike, others not dressy enough. She finally settled on a deep wine-colored dress that fell a few inches above her knees. It had a slight cowl neckline and a plunging low back. She added a backdrop necklace, with two strands of fine beads that trailed down to the middle of her exposed back, while her gift from Drew nestled itself in the valley between her breasts.

“Wow! That dress is amazing,” Valerie said from the doorway, her new wardrobe choice a relief.

Black leggings replaced the micro mini and while still showing a generous amount of cleavage, she’d ditched the ridiculous hooker-boots. “You look great, too. That’s much better.”

All Grace needed to take care of was her hair and makeup in the forty-five minutes before Drew arrived. She settled on a loose braid that fell to one side and light makeup with eye shadow that made her eyes pop.

There was a knock at the door as she applied a light layer of finishing powder and a quick spray of her favorite perfume. She turned to see Drew standing at the door to her room.

“What do you think?” she asked, doing a slow turn so he could take in the low back of her dress.

“I think we’re not going anywhere tonight.”

“What?”

“In that dress? I can barely keep from shagging you right here. There’s no bleeding way I’ll make it all night with you looking like that.”

She fought to control her breath as a delicious heat pooled between her legs. She moved to gather her purse and coat from her bed. He walked slowly behind her and slid his hand up her back with a feather-light touch. She shivered and her skin broke out in goosebumps.

The tinny beep of the cab’s horn interrupted their intimate moment.

“Come on guys! Let’s go,” Valerie yelled from the entryway.

The ride into London was torture for Grace. During the entire journey, Drew ran his fingers up and down her exposed skin, while Valerie, sitting opposite them, remained engrossed with an app on her phone. Grace’s skin was heated. With each pass of his hand, he delved farther into the back of her dress, eventually brushing the outline of her breast. She said a silent prayer of thanks when the cab arrived at their destination.

The club was filled with patrons, even though it was still early in the evening. Valerie led them to a corner booth she’d reserved. As soon as they sat down, Valerie saw someone she knew and ran off to join the undulating crowd. The music was good and Grace was already itching to dance.

Drew smiled at her and leaned in close. “You do realize I’m planning on getting you right pissed? What’s your pleasure?”

“Are you planning on taking advantage of me, Tensley?”

“Quite right and snog you senseless.”

A thrill ran through her. “Hmm, in that case, I guess I’ll have a nice big vodka-tonic.”

Drew returned with a shot and a drink for each of them. “God bless the English transportation system,” he said as he downed his shot.

She laughed and gingerly drank hers as well. “Ugh, tequila.” She made a face and shook her head, raising the cocktail to her lips to wash away the dry taste.