Chapter Five
Grace slowed when she reached the city limits of Legacy. She hadn’t been home for nearly ten years, and she was a bit ashamed of that. Tad didn’t care much for Grace’s parents, or Texas for that matter, so he always found an excuse why they and the kids couldn’t go for a visit.
The only times Grace’s father and mother had seen their grandchildren was when they came to Grace’s home, or when Grace would meet them halfway in between for a weekend so they could see the kids.
Looking back, she hated herself for allowing Tad to control her the way he had, and rob her parents and her children of the precious time they could never get back. Now, Grace’s father was gone, and her children would never know what a wonderful man he was.
But it appeared they would get the chance to know Grace’s mother, Ida. Grace noticed how pretty the town was. The streetlights were new and looked like old-fashioned carriage lamps. The roads looked freshly paved, and there didn’t appear to be an empty storefront on the main street.
Grace slowed even more as she neared the Apothecary Shop, Summerfield’s Herbs. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the front window with its pretty gold writing the door her mother had saved so long for with Tiffany-style border on the clear inset panes and the dark walnut frame that was polished to a shine.
How many days as a child had she played in the back room or watched her dad work, listening as he explained what he was doing? How many afternoons after school had she come into the shop to tell her parents about her day?
So much of her life was tied up in that place. She had not realized until this moment how much she missed it, missed this town. And him. Beau. God, she didn’t want to let her mind go there.
Grace had spent the last fourteen years fantasizing about Beau Legacy and mentally kicking herself for breaking up with him all those years ago. The what ifs had plagued her for years. The memories of his kisses and his touch haunted her, became the stuff of fantasy, secret thoughts she turned to during those moments of self-pleasure.
You’re pathetic. Grace was ashamed. She’d left Legacy determined to make something of herself, to get her education, and make a mark in this world. Instead, she’d dropped out of college after only two years to marry Tad and had become the next generation of a Stepford wife, the perfect wife, and a mother who stayed in the background and supported her husband and his career.
Beau Legacy wouldn’t even recognize the woman she was now. Hell, now that she’d walked away from Tad, she hardly recognized herself. Grace forced those thoughts from her mind and reached over to shake Sherri gently. “Almost there, punkin.”
Sherri blinked several times, opened her eyes, and looked out of the window. “Is this where Grandma lives?”
“Yes, this is Legacy.”
“That’s a funny name.”
“Well, I guess. But it’s where I grew up. Isn’t it pretty?”
“I guess. I like those lights on poles. Where does Grandma live?”
“Not far. Just on the other side of town.”
Grace glanced over at Sherri, who was watching the passing scenery. She remembered being eight and walking to her parents’ store after school. Her mother would give her enough money to buy a soda and a pack of cheese crackers from the local pharmacy, which boasted an actual counter and soda fountain.
She felt so grown-up sitting on that stool, eating her crackers and drinking her soda. Grace always had a book in her satchel and she would read, living in the pages of the book and dreaming of adventures she would one day have.
Those were good memories. She hoped she could help her children build some just as good.
They passed out of town and into the residential area. There were new housing developments now, leaving less open space. Grace was surprised at how many new homes there were.
Two miles out of town, the density of the homes started to thin. By the time she reached the road where her mother lived, the houses were spaced more widely apart, each dwelling occupying anywhere from a half of an acre to three acres.
Annie Rose Lane was the name of the street she’d grown up on, and where her mother still lived. As soon as she spotted it, she spoke up. “This is it. Annie Rose Lane.”
“This is where Grandma lives?”
“It is.” Grace made the turn onto Annie Rose Lane.
“Which house is hers, Mama?” Sherri was now sitting up straight, her face pressed close to the window.
“That one on the right down there. The yellow one with the white fence.”
“Oh, that’s a pretty house.” Sherri turned the other way in her seat to call to her brother. “Wake up, Theo. We’re almost at Grandma’s house.”
“Grandma?” Theo yawned, stretched, and then grunted as Paws climbed over the seat and onto him. “Get off, Paws. Where’s Grandma’s house?”
“Right here,” Grace said as she pulled into the driveway.
The house was exactly as she remembered. Wood siding painted a soft yellow with white shutters and trim. The wide wraparound porch on the ground level was the home of two porch swings, white wicker furniture with green and yellow cushions, and hanging plants overladen with blooms.
“Let me come around and get you out,” Grace said as she opened her car door.
The moment she stepped out of the car, it hit her. Peace. God, how long had it been since she’d felt that? It almost took the strength from her legs. She opened the front passenger door, helped Sherri out, and then opened the back-passenger door.
Theo had some competition trying to get out of the SUV. Both Paws and Brick were competing to be first to the door. Grace lifted Theo out and then let the pets jump out. There were no leash laws here, so they would be fine. They’d do their business and then come looking for their family.
“This is pretty, Mommy.” Theo took her one of her hands as she set him on his feet.
“This was Mama’s home when she was little,” Sherri said from the other side of Grace.
“This was your home, Mommy?” Theo looked up at her.
“It was, sweet pea.” Grace heard the front door of the house open and looked up to see her mother push the screen door wide. “And that’s my mama. Your Grandma. You remember her, don’t you?”
“I do.” Sherri tore her hand from Grace’s and ran up the sidewalk and steps and into her grandmother’s waiting arms.
“Oh, my goodness, you’ve gotten so big,” Ida said as she hugged Sherri. “And you’re pretty as a picture.”
Sherri giggled, clearly delighted with the praise. Ida released Sherri and stooped down to look at Theo as he stopped at the foot of the steps, still clutching Grace’s hand. “My goodness, that big boy can’t be Theo, can it? Why the last time I saw Theo he was just a little squirt.”
“I not a squirt,” Theo said.
“Well, no you’re sure not. So, you gonna come give your ol’ Gran a hug or what?”
That was all the encouragement it took to have Theo running into her arms. Grace saw the tears sparkling in her mother’s eyes and realized just how selfish she and Tad had been to keep the kids from seeing their grandparents more.
Ida stood and her gaze locked with Grace’s. “There’s my girl.”
Maybe it was all the stress of the past month or past years. Maybe it was because it had been so long since anyone had spoken to her with such kindness, or maybe it was the unconditional love she saw shining in her mama’s eyes. Whatever it was, it tore a sob loose from her chest and the next thing she knew, Grace was wrapped in her mother’s arms.
Less than a minute later, Sherri and Theo were on either side of her, arms around her and Ida in a big group hug. Brick roared up yipping and dancing, and even Paws joined in, winding around and around everyone’s legs.
“Welcome home, Gracie girl,” Ida whispered. “I sure have missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, Mama,” Grace replied through her tears. “It’s so good to be home.” And at that moment she realized, it was not just empty words. It really was good to be home. For the first time in years, she felt like she could breathe.