I, Gracie - Sharon Sala Page 0,57

ID and frowned. She didn't know any Henry Owens, but she'd sent out a lot of applications. She pulled in to the first empty parking spot she saw and answered.

"Hello."

"Gracie Dunham?"

"Yes?"

"Miss Dunham, my name is Henry Owens. I own the Beef Master Grill. I just learned of what happened to you today and wanted to call and personally apologize for the appalling way in which you were treated. I also want you to know that Mr. Lassiter is no longer employed with me. I hope you will accept my apology, and if you so choose, I would be honored to interview you, personally, for the job."

Gracie was stunned. "Thank you for the apology, but I don't want back in that work environment."

"Mr. Lassiter lost his cool after you left, and to make a long story short, the entire wait staff and kitchen staff walked out on him. At this moment, the place is closed. I'm trying to get the staff back for an evening service and will be taking Greg's place myself until I can hire a new manager. So I can assure you, there will be no hard feelings in that respect," Henry said.

"Good Lord," Gracie said.

"That's not what I said when I found out about it. I do not condone sexual harassment on any level. That will not happen again on my property, but it's your call. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, I understand, but I would still like to meet you...at your convenience, of course."

Gracie didn't hesitate.

"I'll meet with you, but that's all I can promise."

"Wonderful. Thank you for understanding. Do you want to try this again tomorrow...say 10:00?" Henry asked.

"Yes, I can do that," Gracie said.

"Excellent! I'll see you in the morning. Call this number when you get here, and I'll let you in, myself."

"Yes, sir," Gracie said.

"Thank you," Henry said. "And again, my sincere apology for what happened. By the way...I saw on your application that you are new to Branson. Have you found a place to stay yet?"

"Yes."

"Excellent," Henry said, and disconnected.

Gracie stared at her phone, then dropped it back in her purse. Talk about whiplash. She'd been furious only minutes ago, and then this happened! Not only did she have a second interview, but a big apology from the owner himself.

She could only imagine his stress level right now. The whole staff had walked out! That would have been something to see. But that was his headache, not hers, and right now, she needed wardrobe and shoes.

Chico's was first, and then she'd go from there.

John worked all day with only one thought in mind: hoping Gracie would call him tonight. He was excited and hopeful, and trying not to make too much of a new thing. But he felt fourteen all over again, remembering the day the new girl in school just smiled at him, and when she had, he'd gotten so flustered, he'd walked into the wrong classroom and sat down before he'd realized he wasn't supposed to be there.

Gracie was the same, wild, excited, unknown.

He'd bombed out with the new girl, but he had a better feeling about Gracie. Fate had already put them together twice, without either one of them even trying. He was older and wiser, now. This time, he wasn't lost. He knew exactly where he was going.

When the workday was finally over, he stopped to pick up smoked ribs and sides, then headed home. As always, he began unwinding as he drove, and by the time he reached the cabin, he was at peace.

He ate ribs on the back deck while watching the deer coming out of the forest and the birds going home to roost. When he was through, he carried everything back inside, cleaned up the kitchen, and then went back out with a cold beer to wait for Gracie's call.

Gracie had shopped for clothes, shoes, and even underwear, and as she was browsing through a mall, stopped in at a nail salon for a mani-pedi, then had to blink away tears at the luxury of having that done. It had been so long since she'd taken care of herself, that she didn't know how to receive it. She finally left the mall, dumped her bags in her car, and drove away. As she left the parking lot, she saw a Gatlin Landscaping truck pulling a trailer load of equipment, and thought of John. He must be something of a successful businessman to have his own company and multiple crews on the job.

She wondered