Page 14 of Saving Grace

Going home to my parents isn’t an option. Even now. Especially now. Going home with my tail between my legs after they tried to get me to see I was making a huge mistake isn’t something I can bring myself to do. No, if this is rock bottom, I’m making the most of it.

Fresh start.

New life.

New possibilities.

As far away from Mississippi as possible.

I wince as the smile that tugs on my lips with the glimmer of hope aches the left side of my face. With a heavy heart and shredded soul, I put all my focus into making it across the county line and into the next state. Then the one after that.

A large wooden arch towers over the entrance of the ranch.

R & R Ranch

R & R Rawlins

The place was easy enough to find. And the further down the drive I get, the more impressive the property is. Blue rattles along the gravel driveway. She’s low on fuel and running hot. I can tell by the heated engine oil fragrance she’s sporting.

“Almost made it, girl. Hold on.” I pat the wheel and look for a place to park. Decided on beside the homestead gate, I let her idle for a moment before killing the engine.

A woman waves from just inside the yard and wipes her brow before making her way to the gate. Six white cabins with red trim sit along a winding stream behind the main homestead. Two barns—one that looks like stables, and a larger one to the east. The doors are closed, but it’s enormous. Must be the event venue mentioned in the ad. Four of the cabins have guests, judging by the cars parked in the small driveways in front of each.

The gate squeaks, and I wipe my hands on my shorts. They feel too short. Since beggars can’t be choosers when fleeing one’s home, this is what I have. I plaster on a bright smile and hope it’s enough to distract her from my inadequate clothes and bruised face. No amount of concealer was enough to hide the damage. Even after twenty minutes of trying my best to cover the impact of Joel’s hand on my face, a shadow is still noticeable.

“Hi, I’m Grace. I’m here about the cleaner position.” I offer her my hand.

She smiles, and the happiest green eyes framed by dark blonde hair light up. She frowns for a moment, and I am one hundred percent certain she is staring at my broken face. I swallow and make a point of looking around the ranch. “It’s an amazing place you have here.”

“I’m sorry, hon,” the older lady says with a sad smile. “The position is already filled.”

My gut sinks.

My hopes have been rising with every mile I drove down this dirt road. “Oh, okay. Sorry to have wasted your time, Mrs. Rawlins.”

“Did you come far?” Her face is wrinkled with concern now.

“A little, but not to worry, I can find something back in town.” I wring my hands together in front of me.

“Before you go, come in for some tea. You look like you could use something sweet.”

The air in my lungs rises, only to lodge in my throat. She’s definitely figured it out, then.

“That’s not necessary. Thank you anyway, Mrs. Rawlins.”

“Goodness, y’all call me Louisa. Mrs. Rawlins was my mother-in-law.”

The ad was placed by a Ruby Rawlins. Who is this lady, then?

“So, you’re not Ruby?” I ask.

She gestures for me to follow her into the house. I follow, looking around at the old trees in the front yard, the fairy lights draped from every single branch. I bet that’s stunning at nighttime. I’m sad I won’t get to see them now.

We walk inside, and Louisa calls out for Ruby. Footsteps rush down the stairs in the center of the front room. A blonde woman, around ten years older than me, skips down them. Her brown eyes land on me and a smile stretches her face.

“Ruby, this is Grace. She drove all the way here for the cleanin’ job.” Louisa waves a hand toward me as she walks to the fridge and pulls out a jug of what I assume is sweet tea.

“Oh wow. I hope you didn’t come too far.” Ruby shakes my hand.

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