he were saying anything at all. But she felt his body tremble, and she knew that she’d keep him, close to her heart, for as long as it took to bring him back to himself.
“But they’re still pressing charges?” Grace turned around to see his face now.
He brushed his fingers across her forehead. “As far as I know. They just let me out on bail. I’ll still have a court date.” He huffed out a breath. “I think it’s time I get a lawyer. Even though I’m not sure how I’ll afford a decent one.”
“But we can work to find more evidence, right? We’re so close. We both know it was Eric who set you up.”
Jaime didn’t say anything. He just touched her lightly, like he was memorizing her shape. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he admitted.
“Why not? Who else is going to do it but us?”
“You keep saying us. Graciela, I can’t let you keep doing this.” He stroked her cheek. “You’re at odds with your family because of this. Because of me. And who knows what Eric will do. He’s a wild card. I’m not going to put you in danger for me.”
She stared at him. Was he really giving up? “I’m not just going to let you rot in jail.”
“I know that, and I’m grateful for your help. But I’m also know that if you push further, something is going to happen.”
She was about to tell him he was overreacting, but at the look on his face, she bit her cheek instead. She didn’t feel like she was in any danger, and her family could go rot. This was about him, not anyone else.
At her stubborn expression, he pressed her fingers. “Don’t do anything else. Please. For me? This is my battle, not yours.”
Her heart sunk, but she nodded tightly. The thought of giving up when they were so close ate at her. But Jaime’s relieved sigh showed her that in this way, she could take off at least one of the many burdens on his shoulders.
And at any rate, she could keep working without him ever knowing about it.
Jaime left to go home shortly thereafter. Although Grace had asked what he was going to do, he’d just shaken his head and kissed her goodbye. She didn’t know what that meant. Was he staying here? She didn’t want him to leave, of course, but at the same time, she’d have a difficult time staying in a place that had thought so poorly of her.
The thought was too depressing, though. Leaving Joy’s to get some fresh air, Grace wandered down Main Street, running into a few locals but for the most part, keeping to herself. The day was cold, and as she walked by the buildings and saw all of the Christmas lights and trees decorated in the windows, she realized that Christmas was only a week away. How had that happened?
She stood in front of the local antiques shop, where they’d put up a bright silver tree covered in pink lights and ornaments. The shop owner, Dotty, had a thing for pink. The entire window had spots of pink: a pink tree skirt adorned the bottom of the tree, and was that pink cotton snow underneath? For some reason, the bright lights of the tree and the vague sound of Christmas music brought tears to her eyes.
The weight of the world fell upon her shoulders. She didn’t know who to turn to anymore. Her parents had decided she wasn’t worth the trouble, and Adam was too overwhelmed with the vineyard and with his own life. Joy had been there for her, but even Joy had her limits. And now Jaime was probably leaving Heron’s Landing. Where did she fit in all of this?
She walked away. She went down to the creek, which had long frozen over. Tying her scarf tighter about her throat, Grace sat down on a log and stared at the bare trees. Her mind emptied of everything. A kind of peace settled on her at last, and she took a deep breath, hoping she could hold onto it as long as possible.
It wasn’t meant to be, though. She heard footsteps behind her, and when she turned, her eyes widened when she saw that it was Eric of all people. She’d never seen him walking around Heron’s Landing, let alone come down to this creek. He didn’t seem particularly interested in something as boring as nature.
She didn’t have anything to say to him.