47 Destinies: Finding Grace (7 page)

“Robert, Leslie wanted me to let you that she left, took a taxi, and will meet you at home,” Grace said quickly before she added, “I am going to go take a look outside on the terrace.”

Grace left before she could gauge Robert’s response.  She had a feeling that he was not going to take it well.  Grace stepped outside.  The terrace was empty except for one couple off in the back corner.  Grace put her hands on the rail and stared out at the ocean.  Mounds of black rocks jetted above the water line causing the waves to splash bright white foam upon them.  Batches of seagulls settled on the rocks awaiting their next flight to find more fish.

“Are you hiding from someone again?” Todd asked as he joined Grace at the rail. “Last time I saw you, you were practically running out of the fashion show.”

“You saw that?” Grace said, embarrassed to remember that night.

“It was a hard to miss a tall blond woman storming out of the room,” Todd answered. Not wanting to hurt Grace’s feelings, he added, “Of course, your date might have had something to do with it.”

“He was terrible.  I don’t think I have ever met such a critical person.  No wonder he needs a dating service,” Grace said, trying not to be too hard on the guy. “Then again, I signed up for the same service.  What does that say about me?”

“Well, I was a little perplexed to see you on a date after the conversation we had at Samantha’s party.  Did you bend under the pressure?” Todd said, more as a joke.

“I guess I did.  Feelings of sadness were becoming a daily routine for me at the time.  I thought if I met new people that I might be able to move on with my life.  Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.  Since my last dating disaster, I haven’t been on a date in over five months,” Grace responded, astonished by her own honesty.

Todd was taken aback.  He wasn’t used to someone being so candid about their feelings.  Most people would hide anything perceived as a weakness.  Grace took it head on and accepted herself.  It was a remarkable characteristic which few possessed. 

He took a moment to analyze Grace.  Anyone who looked at her would agree that her surface beauty was remarkable, but what interested Todd was the woman hidden within; that woman was full of warmth, love and passion.  He wondered how to reach that side of her.

The walls she built around herself seemed insurmountable.  Todd wasn’t even sure he was ready to venture out into the world of actively living again, but there was something about Grace that kept moving him toward her.  It was as if he was being pushed forward by some invisible force.

“The last couple of years have been rough on you.  I’m not sure what is worse in life: losing someone who loved you or being left by someone you loved,” Todd said, deciding to match Grace’s honesty with his own.

Grace turned to look Todd straight in the eyes.  The sadness that she noticed at their first meeting was still there.  “What happened to your marriage?”

Todd inhaled deeply and let it out slowly.  He brushed his hand through his hair before answering Grace’s question.  “Some say that it takes two to make a marriage work and two for it to fall apart.  I have been trying for years to figure out where I went wrong with my ex-wife, Melissa.  I guess one of my mistakes was falling in love with the wrong person.  I really loved her.  I gave her my full heart and she still left me.  She said I wasn’t enough for her.  What does that even mean?  I gave her all of myself.  I showered her with attention, material objects and an abundance of love.  I didn’t want her to go.  I tried everything to get her to stay.  I suggested marriage counseling.  My pastor was willing to meet with us, but Melissa would have none of it.”  Todd paused for a minute.

“She just kept repeating that I wasn’t enough for her.  She not once even said she was sorry.  She just left one night and never came back,” Todd said, staring the entire time out at the water.  All the hurt and pain flowed out of him.  It took everything within him to keep his emotions in check.  Why did he just tell Grace his deepest feelings?

“I’m really sorry, Todd.  I understand what it is like to experience loss.  Even though I know that Derek loved me, where is he now?  Where is he when the kids are sick and I am up all night with them?  Where is he when I am all alone in the evenings?  Where is he on all the special occasions and holidays?  I built my entire life around him and now I am all alone.  I don’t think anyone knows how much they love someone until they are no longer there to love,” Grace confessed, as her eyes were moist. 

“So I allowed everyone to talk me into dating again.  I dated several different men and none of them were even respectful enough for me to consider another date.  I have given up completely on men.  From now on, I am just going to focus on my kids.  They are all I have left.”

Neither spoke for quite some time.  Both lost in their own separate pain, yet somehow connected by it.  While the pain was present, something else was also there, a mutual understanding.  What had been missing in both of their lives was someone who understood what each had experienced.  Neither Grace nor Todd wanted to break the special bond of peace which had been created by this realization.  Peace had been an emotion which eluded both of them for years.  To feel its presence was soothing.

While standing together, the sun began its majestic decent into the ocean.  It was far lovelier than Grace had first imagined it could be.  The colors appeared more vibrant.  The beams of light bounced off the ocean waves and lit up the sky.  Grace’s heart soared.  Something inside her began to breathe again.  She had no idea its cause, but relished every single second it provided.  She paused to thank God.  This desire surprised her.  After Derek’s death, she completely blocked God out of her life.  She blamed God for taking Derek.  Yet somehow in that exact instant, she felt compelled to thank God for the beauty before her.  It had been so long since she really saw and felt beauty.  It stirred her heart.

Todd was also experiencing the same sensations as Grace.  His heart opened again.  He felt a freeing sensation that was intoxicating.  A warm feeling stirred in his soul as he took in the unfolding changes of the sky.  While the sunset was a part of the experience, it was more a symbol of the awakening that was occurring inside of him.  He was tired of catering to the negative thoughts which held him in a vice grip.  He was done watching life pass him by.  He wanted to live again.

Todd turned to Grace. “Let’s go for a walk down by Sutro Baths.  We have time before dinner.”

Grace happily accepted. “I would really like that.”

Todd took Grace’s hand in his and led her down the stairs.  They walked along the pathway which meandered down to the ocean’s edge.  The sun continued its rapid dive, casting various spectrums of colors across the sky.  They followed the dirt path through the weather beaten trees and coastal vegetation.  Grace couldn’t get enough.  Todd’s large hand felt incredible in Grace’s small hand.  It was warm and gripped her tightly when they came across challenging areas of terrain.  As the sun moved slower down into the ocean, the cool breeze began to push itself out upon the land.  Todd took off his sports jacket, and without a word, put it across Grace’s shoulders.  Grace felt safe and protected.  She could smell his masculine cologne and it brought tingles of desire all over her body. 

Neither wanted to upset the delicate balance they both sensed, so they continued without words.  They walked through a tunnel and peered out the end at the ocean.  The sun finally met with the water and hovered above it, connecting one to the other for just minutes before splitting off and disappearing into the horizon.  Todd led Grace back up the hill.  He paused when they reached halfway.  He stared Grace in the eyes for what felt like eternity.  Grace was unsure what he would do next.  He had been the perfect gentleman thus far.

“Grace, your inner strength has brought me healing today.  I will never be able to thank you for that gift,” Todd said as he bent forward to pull Grace into his arms. 

He held her for several minutes, savoring her heartbeat on his chest.  She was delicate and strong at the same time.  His attraction for her was undeniable, but the feelings which developed that evening went much further than just desire.  Grace was very special and he wanted to take his time in getting to know her. 

As Todd pulled away, Grace leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on his cheek.  She smiled and put her hand back in his.  They walked to the restaurant.  The stars were beginning to come out when they returned.  After stepping inside, Grace handed Todd his jacket.  They went down to the Terrace Room.

“Do you have a place to sit?” Grace asked when they re-entered the party.  “If not, I have room at my table.  My mother-in-law is ill, so she needed to leave.”

“I would really like to join you,” Todd said, happy that she asked.  On the walk back, he was already plotting ways to spend more time with her. 

When they reached the table, Robert was actively engaged in a conversation with a striking couple around Robert’s age.  Grace did not know them.

“Grace!” Robert exclaimed when he saw her, “I wondered where you went.  I have been talking non-stop about you.  Please meet my dearest and oldest friend Steven and his wife, Tesa.  They are Cora’s parents,” Robert said proudly.

Before Grace could respond, Todd had Cora’s mother in an embrace.  “Tesa, it is wonderful to see you.  When did you all arrive?” Todd asked with tenderness.  Grace was touched to see his affection.

“Tesa, Steven, I’d like you to meet Grace Locke,” Todd said after finishing his embrace.

“I have heard so much about you both.  It is truly my pleasure to meet you.  I am so excited to welcome Cora into the Locke family!  She is like a sister to me,” Grace said very warmly.

“I heard my name,” Cora said, coming up from behind.  “Todd, Grace, I was looking for you both.  My parents have been asking about you,” Cora said with a puzzling look on her face.  She was happy to see that they were sitting together.  “I hope you can stay at this table and keep my parents company.”

Without giving away his recent interactions with Grace, Todd stated, “Anything for the bride.  Grace, is that alright with you?” Todd questioned, giving Grace a secret wink.

“I would love to talk more with your mom.  I want to dig up some dirt on you for the bachelorette party,” Grace said, teasing Cora.

“Funny, Grace.  I will check in with you all later,” Cora replied, happy with her expert matchmaking skills.  Maybe if she was lucky, Todd and Grace would find the same happiness that she had with Brent.  Cora began scheming ways in her mind to make it happen.

When Cora found Brent, he knew she was up to something, “You look like a cat prancing around with a bird in its mouth.  What are you up to?” Brent inquired.

“Sweetheart, don’t worry about a thing.  I have it covered,” Cora said, peering over at Grace and Todd.  They appeared deep in conversation.

“I have a bad feeling it’s something I won’t like,” Brent stated, unsure what mischief his fiancé was involved in.  However, his concern did not last long.  Cora was radiant with joy.  He wasn’t sure if he had ever seen someone so caught up in bliss.  He didn’t want to take that away from her.  Whatever she was up to couldn’t be that bad, he thought to himself.  His father had an eye on Grace and his mother was home sick in bed.  Perhaps Brent’s imagination was getting the best of him.  His future wife’s slight paranoia was already rubbing off on him.

Grace and Todd spent the remainder of the evening side-by-side.  Robert was so engaged with his college pal Steven, he paid no attention to Grace.  Since Cora and Brent were wrapped up in the celebration, it gave Grace and Todd a chance to get to know one another better without interference. 

Grace caught Cora glancing over their way throughout the evening with a huge smile plastered all over her face.  Grace knew what Cora was thinking and didn’t care one bit.  It felt amazing to have an adult conversation with a man who wasn’t slimy, rude, or indecent.

After the bridal shower ended, Todd walked Grace out to her car.  They stood outside for over twenty minutes actively engaged in conversation.  When they parted, Todd gave her a huge hug and kissed her on the cheek.  He took Grace’s number and email.  He also asked if she was free the following Saturday.  Grace eagerly accepted his invitation for a date.  She couldn’t remember the last time she had that much fun. 

Chapter 4

G
race was singing and dancing around the kitchen the morning after the couples’ bridal shower.  While Grace was singing, Bella walked into the kitchen.

“Mama, why are you singing my princess song?” Bella inquired.  She wasn’t used to seeing her mother so happy.

Grace let out a deep rolling laugh.  “I didn’t realize that I was singing one of your songs.  You caught me!  Mama feels like Cinderella at the ball,” Grace said as she twirled Bella around the room.

“Mama, I want to go to the ball, too,” Bella squealed back to Grace.

“Someday you will, Princess.” Grace didn’t want to get ahead of herself.  She simply wanted to enjoy every remaining sensation from the night before.

The rest of the week flew by for Grace.  She spent a tremendous amount of time picking out the perfect outfit for her upcoming date with Todd.  She would choose one, love it, and then change her mind again.  Grace went shopping twice and brought home three different outfits each time.  In between her clothes dilemma, Grace and Todd were exchanging emails all day long.