Falling with Grace - Page 193

“Where did you go?”

“Mamá came home.” I tucked my hands into my pockets and stalked towards her. “She wishes you’d go outside.” My shoulder hit the wall as I leaned against it in front of her.

Grace stared up at me with her round emerald eyes and a smile, the physical remnants of her ordeal long gone. “Does she?”

“Mhmm.” I nodded. “You know her memory is fading, but the one thing she seems to remember is you and that damn puzzle.” I gave a slight chuckle, my ankle crossing over my other as I stood.

Grace’s delicate smile spread to her eyes. “She’s still working on it?”

I gave a subtle shake. “She hasn’t touched it. I think she’s waiting for you.”

She sucked her lower lip into her mouth and touched the healing two-week-old phoenix tattoo behind her ear. “I think I might be ready for that.”

“Yeah?” My brow raised, and I inhaled a deep, heavy breath through my nose.

“I’ve missed feeling normal, Elias. I just want that again.”

My fingers traced the contours of my phone in my pocket. “Nothing says normal like sitting in silence for hours with Mamá while she hunts for the perfect spot.”

Grace giggled, and my chest filled with lightness, warmth, and saccharin.

“Come on.” I held out my hand, and she dropped her feet to the floor, her warm hand sliding into mine. “I’ll sit with you if you want.”

She shook her head and straightened out her sweater. “I told you, you don’t have tobaby me.”

“I’m not babying you.” My fingers slid between hers. “I’m making sure you have everything you need.”

“You do more than enough, Elias.” We walked out through the bedroom door, her breaths growing heavy. “I’m sure you have lots of work to get done.”

“It can wait.”For you.

“Well, thank you.” Her fingers squeezed mine as I led her down to the foyer and into the conservatory where Mamá still sat with her tea, gazing out the window.

“Look who I found, Mamá.”

She turned, her face brightening as she set down her cup. “Grace.” Mamá moved to stand, and Valaria rushed forward, gripping her elbow. “Where have you been?”

“Hola, Rosa.” Grace’s lip turned up as she withdrew her hand from mine and stepped towards the table. “Do you want to finish our puzzle?”

“I haven’t touched a single piece.”

Mamá shuffled towards her seat, and Grace leaned into me. “Why is she in mourning clothes?”

“Church,” I whispered. “She’s worn them since you came home.”

She scrunched her chin and nodded as she left my side, her fragile frame sitting beside Mamá.

“You can go, Elias. Grace and I are just fine without you hovering.”

My chest tightened, and my gaze darted to Grace, her sheepish smile half hidden behind her fingertips. “You’ll be okay?”

She nodded, the regal sun shining through her chestnut hair, brightening her eyes.

“I’ll be just outside if you need me.”

“Okay.” Grace smiled and picked up a puzzle piece as if her nightmares dripped away from her fingertips and melted to the floor. As if the horrors plaguing her hadn’t sucked her into an abysmal state for the past few weeks.

She glanced up at me through her lashes and gave a muted chuckle, my feet unmoving as I soaked in her happiness.