I, Gracie - Sharon Sala Page 0,105

now, I'm just taking care of business, getting me where I'm supposed to be next."

Then she went to the workroom, and the morning flew, and when her lunch time came around, she didn't linger.

"Hey, where'd Gracie go so fast?" Reba asked.

"She had to go see a man about the rest of her life," Donna said.

Reba's eyes widened. "What?"

"She's going home to pack. John's moving her into his place today."

"Aw, man. She's so lucky," Reba said.

Donna thought of all the hell that girl had been through, and then shook her head.

"No... This isn't lucky. This is her coming out of a really dark place, and it's about damn time."

When they drove up to the big log house, the smoke coming out of the chimney was her own smoke signal, welcoming her home. John had all her things in his SUV, pulled over for her to park beside him, then walked her across the deck. She was about to enter the house as she always did when John stopped her.

"Wait," he said. He opened the door, then picked her up in his arms and carried her across the threshold. "Welcome home, my darling. Welcome home," he said, and sealed it with a kiss. "Stay inside where it's warm. I'll carry everything in, and then we can get everything where it needs to go afterward."

"I can help," Gracie said.

"I know...but I still don't want you carrying heavy stuff, okay?"

She nodded, and then walked toward the big fireplace and backed up to the fire, warming her hands, and then her feet as she turned.

She watched him scurrying in and out with her things, and when the last load was in, he kicked the door shut behind him and started up the stairs.

"I'll carry them. You can unpack and put away," he said.

Gracie was so happy, she all but danced up the stairs. She'd spent nights here plenty of times, but she'd never been "in residence" before, and it was exciting.

John had made room for her clothes in the big walk-in closet and had emptied three drawers in his dresser for her. He was excited, too. A huge milestone was taking place in his life, as well. From this day forward, he would be her protector and her partner. She would be someone to cherish, and the person he trusted who would always have his back. That someone he'd always wanted to come home to was finally here, and her name was Gracie.

That evening, after everything had been carried into the house and Gracie's clothes were hanging in the closet next to John's, and her great-grandmother's cuckoo clock was hanging on the bedroom wall, and her Mama's quilt was on a trunk at the foot of John's bed, something wonderful happened.

It began to snow.

Gracie saw it first and came off the sofa with a squeal.

"John! Look! Look! Those are snowflakes!"

He got up and followed her to the window, looking out across the front deck to the yard and the surrounding trees.

"It sure is! It's the Ozarks, welcoming you home," he said, and hugged her.

She turned, her dark eyes shining. "I love that," she said. "Let's go out on the front deck. Just for a bit. It's falling so soft, floating down like feathers. And there's no wind. Oh my God, snow in Sweetwater didn't fall, it blew sideways."

"Sure," John said. "Let me get our coats."

Gracie was still at the window when he came up behind her and held out her coat. She slipped her arms into the sleeves, and then buttoned it up while he was putting on his coat. She missed seeing him pat the pockets before opening the massive front door.

"After you," he said, watching with delight as Gracie walked out.

She stood in the middle of the deck, completely silent, feeling the flakes melting on her skin.

"It's magic. The silence is magic, and everything is so beautiful. It's like standing in a snow globe."

John slipped his hand inside the pocket of his coat. He could feel the little velvet box against his palm. He'd had it for a long time, waiting for Gracie, and now she was here.

He walked up in front of her, suddenly blocking her view. Then before she could open her mouth, he dropped down on one knee with the open box in his hand.

"Gracie Jean, you are my love, and you are my lover. You are the voice of my conscience, and you are my best friend. I trust you to the depths of my soul and with all