“I don’t think . . .” She didn’t want to push him away, but making love tonight was too hard.
He stood and caressed her cheek, looking at her like she was the most prized diamond in the world. “I just want to hold you tonight. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
His words hit her like a bomb, shattering any semblance of whatever walls she had left.
He swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. Pulling back the covers, she crawled to the middle of the bed and lay down. She watched while he took off his clothes and climbed in next to her.
She lay on her side and he snuggled up to her back, wrapping a strong arm around her waist. She interlaced her fingers with his and closed her eyes. Soul-numbing peace filled her until there wasn’t a space in her body.
What she was looking for, she’d found. What had seemed to escape her was now within her grasp. All she had to do was take it. She couldn’t let fear dictate her life anymore. She refused.
Pulling his fingers up to her mouth she kissed his knuckles and closed her eyes.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, she would finally tell Sloan everything.
***
The sun hung high in the sky and spilled through her bedroom window. Grace glanced at the clock and frowned. 11:00 a.m. Ignoring the clock, she rolled over to snuggle with Sloan only to find the bed empty.
She sat up, listening for any signs of water running.
Nothing but silence.
She threw the covers off and got out of bed. She winced as a dull pain shot through her stomach. She couldn’t worry about that right now. She needed to find Sloan before she lost her nerve.
After checking the bathroom, she walked into the kitchen. Sitting beside a freshly made pot of coffee was a note.
“I didn’t want to wake you. You needed the sleep. When you get up, come on down to the police station to fill out your report. I’ll be waiting for you.”
Love, Sloan.
Her heart fluttered in her chest. Sloan was a man who was willing to risk his reputation and life for her. She owed it to him to face the consequences of her past and tell him the truth.
More than anything she wanted a future with Sloan. She just hoped that after she confessed to him that he would still want a future with her.
***
Sloan arrived at the police station to find the place in an uproar. The place was packed with half the town, all trying to find out what had happened last night.
“Sloan.” Gene, the peanut farmer, grabbed his arm. “Tell me it’s not true that Chris Meadowbrook hit Grace.”
Sloan narrowed his eyes, getting angry again just thinking about it. “Yes, he did.”
Mrs. Malcolm crossed her arms and lifted her chin in the air. “Well, I don’t believe it. I had him in my Sunday School when he was little and he would never do such a thing.”
He wanted to tell her maybe if she had actually gone over the Golden Rule instead of serving Kool Aid and cookies and calling it a day Chris might have learned something. He gritted his teeth. He didn’t need to stir up any more shit. From the looks of things, half the town was torn over to who to believe.
John Meadowbrook, Chris’s father, burst through the front door. He wore a black suit and red silk tie. He’d probably driven back from Memphis last night when he heard about the incident. The crowd went silent. It was like watching the red sea split as people moved to let him walk toward Sloan.
The police chief blew out a breath and stepped up beside Sloan.
“Who do I need to talk to about filing a complaint?”
“Mr. Meadowbrook, what kind of complaint would you be filing?” the police chief asked.
“Have you seen my son? His nose is broken and his jaw is cracked. I want this man”—he stuck his finger at Sloan—“brought up on charges of police brutality.”
“That’s bullshit.” Grace shoved her way through the crowd.
Sloan’s heart ached when he saw the pain in her eyes. She was hurting yet she was still here trying to do what was right.
“Excuse me? Who are you?” Mr. Meadowbrook looked down his superior nose at Grace.
“I’m one of the women your son attacked.” Grace clenched her hands and stood next to Sloan.
Sloan knew it took a lot for her to stand up to the richest man in town. His chest swelled with pride.
“Sloan was trying to protect me. He got there after Chris choked me and kicked me in the stomach.” She pulled the scarf away from her neck. Red and purple marks went around her neck like a noose. A collective gasp rose from the crowd. Even Mrs. Malcolm grimaced at Grace’s wounds.
“My son would never do such a thing. Besides if he did, why isn’t Melanie pressing charges?” He smirked.
“What?” Grace looked up at Sloan.
Mitch eased over to them. “Melanie wouldn’t press charges last night. I tried to talk to her again this morning and she’s still not changed her mind. All we have is Grace’s word.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Grace looked back at him.