For the love of Grace

Protect Grace

Protect Grace

Preacher POV

After I returned to the church I had a nagging feeling. I didn’t know what God was trying to tell me so I decided to pray about it. I made my way to the front of the church and knelt on the steps to the altar. “Lord, please guide me down the path you want me to take. I know not what you do. I only wish to follow on the path you choose for me. Please help Ryan Brannigan heal and learn from his bad choices. Please protect my nephew and Grace. Please let no harm come their way. In Jesus' name Amen”. As I finished my prayer, Dean came in with his tool box.

“Hey Uncle Ray, which door needed to be fixed?”

“Hey son, listen I’m glad you are here. I need to speak with you for a moment.” I told him.

“OK, what’s up?”

I paused for a moment, praying my decision to tell him would not be a bad one. “I went to the police station today with Mrs. London to speak to chief Brannigan.”

“What for?” he asked.

"It seems that Ryan is harassing Grace.” I said.

“Yes, I know. He left her a threatening note on her door. She’s been really upset about it. I wanted to rip his head off, but I promised I’d stay away.” he said.

“I think that’s for the best son.” I told him.

“How did you find out about this? I didn’t think she told her mom about the note.”

“She didn’t. Peggy got a call from Sarah at the flower shop saying Ryan was parked outside watching Grace and was about to get out of his truck. She thinks he was going to come up from behind her and do, God only knows what. But luckily Sarah was there and interfered.” I said.

“He did what?” Dean dropped his tool box and started making his way towards the door.

“Dean you need to think this through son, this is not the way. Come back here and pray with me son. You’ll feel better.”

Dean POV

Hearing Ryan was following Grace again, made my blood boil. As I started walking to leave the church my uncle begged me not to go.

“Come and pray with me son, you’ll feel better,” he said.

“Feel better? How is praying going to make me feel better Uncle Ray? This man is constantly trying to hurt the woman I love. I need to go be with her. I need to make sure she gets home alright.” I said.

“I think that’s a good idea son. Just make sure you head straight there. If you see Ryan call the police and avoid him.” I headed back towards the doors.

"If I see Ryan I’m going to hurt him,” I mumbled.

I got to the flower shop about twenty minutes later. I put my truck in park and took a look around. I didn’t see Ryan or his truck anywhere. I looked in the shop and saw Grace talking with a customer. Her smile was infectious. I didn’t want to go in there with negativity so I took a minute to pull myself together. I reminded myself how important this woman was to me. I never wanted her to see that angry side of me again. Ryan brought that side out of me and unfortunately, this morning Grace saw it. When she took a step away from me today because of how angry I was, it broke my heart. I never wanted her to be afraid of me. I’d protect her with my life. Once I was ready, I hopped out of my truck.

When I walked into the store and Grace saw me she waved to me and said, “give me just one minute.”

She turned back to her customer and finished ringing her up. “Have a great day!” I heard her say.

She skipped over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Hey there handsome what are you doing here?”

I put my arms around her waist and pulled her in close. “A little birdy told me you were hungry and I thought maybe you’d like to go to dinner?”

Grace leaned and looked over at Sarah, “a little birdy huh? And did this little birdy also tell you that Ryan followed me to work today?”

Busted, I thought to myself.

“Baby you know I can’t let anything happen to you. You asked me not to go after Ryan and so far I have respected your wishes but I will not allow you to be alone no matter where you are going, day or night. I will be by your side.”

Grace looked at me and tilted her head to the side. “Day or night? No matter where I go?” she asked sweetly.

“That’s right.” I told her.

With a sky smile, Grace looked up at me and said, “So what if I have to go to the bathroom?” clearly she's being a smart ass.

She thought she was going to outwit me? Ha! I looked at her, and as serious as I could I said, “Then I’ll be in the corner waiting to hand you the toilet paper.”

Grace started cracking up and I heard Sarah laughing too. “You are too funny! And a little crazy,” Grace said.

“You have no idea.”

When it was seven O’Clock I helped the girls close up shop and I walked Sarah to her car. “Thanks for giving her mom the heads up Sarah. I appreciate you looking out for my girl.” I told her.

“Hey, she was my girl first.” she said with a wink.

“She sure was. My apologies ma’am. Have a good night. Get home safe.” I said as I closed her door for her.

I returned to my truck where Grace was sitting texting someone. “Who’s that darlin?”

“Abbie, she heard about everything going on and she wanted to check up and make sure I was OK.

"That was nice of her. When am I going to meet her? I think it’s time don’t you?” I said looking at her out of the corner of my eye.

“Oh I’m sorry! You are absolutely right. With everything going on I haven’t even thought about it. You should absolutely meet my best friend.” She said with a smile.

“Great! How about tonight? Invite them to dinner.” I told her.

“Tonight? They have 2.5 kids, babe. I doubt they can get a sitter with a minute's notice.”

Just then Abbie texted her and Grace read it out loud “so can you ask Dean which restaurant we are supposed to meet y'all at?”

Grace looked up from her phone and asked, “How did she find out about dinner?”

“I may have gotten her number from your mom and called her a few hours ago.” I said, shrugging my shoulders like it was no big deal.

“And she was able to get a sitter?” Grace asked surprised

“Your mom offered to go and watch the kids.... I believe she said and I quote: “Since I don’t think I’m getting any grandbabies any time soon, I might as well watch someone’s kids.”

Grace palmed her forehead. “I cannot believe that woman.”

I laughed. “What’s the matter? You don’t want kids?” I asked.

Grace POV

Dean’s question surprised me. I didn’t think he would be ready to discuss kids. I hesitated, I wanted to be honest but I didn’t want to scare him off.

“Dean, I want kids. Honestly I want two or three kids. I’ve always pictured myself with two boys and a little girl. After I was married of course.” I looked at his face waiting for a reaction. He stayed quiet. Oh no, I scared him.

“Darlin, I am so relieved to hear you say that.”

I almost did a double take. “Really? You want kids?”

“Kids? Hell yea I want kids. I want a whole football team. I want to get married and have a big party with all of our friends and family.”

Hearing him say that melted my heart and gave me some peace. I was so scared he wouldn’t want kids. Not many men do. “I had no idea you felt that way,” I said.

“Well, we never really talked about it darlin. We talked about the future, you said you wanted us to live together and of course you have mentioned marriage, but we never talked about kids.” he said.

“Well, I’m glad we are on the same page. But a football team? Really?” I replied, incredulously.

“Hell yea!” he said, excitedly.

“Oh brother!” I groaned. “I am not pushing a football team out of my v****a!” I said with a laugh.

“OK, OK, we will go with your version and have 3...for now.”

For now? I thought to myself. How soon did he want to start this future?