An Unforgettable Lady

Her mother's eyes misted over, the smallest of changes, easily missed. Grace reached across the table for her mother's hand. She was surprised when they remained linked for a few moments.

"You always looked up to him," her mother murmured. "Your faith was enviable."

Grace frowned. Enviable? What an odd way to put it, she thought. Especially coming from her mother, who had made it her life's work to support the man.

Carolina pulled back, put the pen down, and lifted her coffee cup to her mouth. She blinked in quick succession a number of times.

"Do you miss him?" Grace asked quietly.

"Of course. I lived with the man for forty-six years. One gets used to having them around. How is your coffee? Mine is a little cool."

Grace sighed. She never drank caffeine late at night and had no intention of trying whatever had been placed before her.

"Mine is fine," she murmured.

"Which reminds me," her mother said. "We're closing up Willings late this year because of your father's death. I want you to come to Newport for Columbus Day weekend."

"Alright."

"You and Ranulf will come together." Her mother's eyes sharpened over the rim of her cup.

Grace stiffened.

She should just get the announcement over with, she thought. She wasn't going to change her mind about the divorce and time wasn't going to alter her mother's reaction.

"Mummy, I need to talk to you about something."

A familiar male voice interrupted her. "Mrs. Hall, how are you?”

"Jackson Walker!" Her mother exclaimed, accepting a kiss on her cheek. "I was hoping you would come over. How are you?"

"I'm well." Jack smiled and his regal face looked less austere.

"How is Blair?"

"Perfect in every way."

Grace heard her mother laugh and let the conversation fade away. She looked over at Smith. He was drinking coffee while his eyes were fixed in her direction.

"Did you hear that, Grace? "

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Jack and Blair will come over Columbus Day weekend, as well."

"That's wonderful."

Grace offered an enthusiastic smile to her old friend but, as she looked into his eyes, she knew she hadn't fooled him. When he turned to go, he rested a hand on her shoulder. Leaning in to kiss her cheek, he whispered, "Call me if you want to talk, okay?"

She nodded, placing her hand over his. "Thank you."

Jack strode out of the room, waving to a few of the other diners as he left.

"Such a lovely gentleman, that Jackson," her mother said. "You know, if you hadn't found Ranulf, he was the one I'd hoped you'd marry. The Walkers are an excellent family and he is such a success."

"Yes, he is."

Her mother glanced over at a grandfather clock. "It's late. I must go."

As they were walking to the cloakroom, her mother said, "You were about to say something?"

"It was nothing, Mummy. Nothing at all."

chapter

10

Eddie let out a whoop of joy as Smith tossed his leftovers into the front seat. " Bonus! So what am I eating? Lobster Newburg? Filet mignon?"

They were waiting while Grace and her mother said good-bye in front of the club.

"I think it's spaghetti."

Eddie craned around. "Let me get this straight. You go into a place like that and you order freakin' spaghetti?"

"I didn't order it." Grace's face was showing strain as she smiled and nodded. He was amazed that her mother didn't pick up on it.

"What do you mean you didn't order it? Did a fairy just wave a wand and it appeared ?"

"Don't know about the fairy but it was delivered by an evil little henchman."

Eddie laughed. 'I'm not going to go there."

"Wise of you."

After her mother had been swallowed into a black Town Car, Grace came over to the SUV and Smith opened the door for her. While Eddie pulled away from the curb, Smith glanced across the seat. She looked like she'd been pulled through a wringer but she wasn't asking for pity. There were no heaving sighs of exhaustion, no emotional tirades about whatever was wrong with her mother.

Just quiet forbearance. Delicate strength.

Funny, he'd never thought the two words could be used together.

"Rough meal?" he said.

She leaned her head back against the seat and glanced at him sideways. Her eyelids were half closed. "It could have been worse."

She turned away.

They'd gone about three blocks when Smith said sharply to Eddie, "I think we're being tailed. Pull over."

Grace's head snapped up as the Explorer halted. A white car passed them.

"That looks like the sedan that tailed me to my father's funeral," she said.

"Follow it," Smith told Eddie.