Page 57 of Finding Us

I take the tea from her. “You wouldn’t be in the way. I’m sure he’d love to have you stay with him.”

“William has offered, but he’s so busy with work and—” She stops and I know she wants to say he’s busy doing whatever the organization makes him do but she can’t. It’s something we’re not supposed to talk about.

“What about Sadie’s mom? She doesn’t work. You should stay there for a couple weeks. See your grandkids.”

“Victoria’s never been too fond of her in-laws. Arlin and I tried for years to get her to warm up to us, but she wasn’t interested.” Grace sighs. “Sometimes I think she only married Royce because of the plans they had for him.”

Lilly runs into the kitchen with Pearce and Garret right behind her.

“We got you a present!” She hands Grace a box.

“My goodness. Thank you.” Grace leans down by Lilly. “Do you want to help me open it?”

Lilly nods and Grace takes her hand and leads her to the table to sit down. I can already tell those two are going to get along great. Grace is really good with kids. I would’ve loved having her as a grandma when I was Lilly’s age.

“Oh, my, this is beautiful,” Grace says as she pulls a vase from the box. It looks like handblown glass and has swirls of color in it.

“Daddy let me pick it out,” Lilly says. “Do you like it?”

“I love it.” She sets the vase down and gives Lilly a hug. She looks up at Pearce. “Thank you, Pearce. That was very kind of you.”

He smiles. “I assumed you could always use another vase with all those flowers of yours.”

“Yes. In fact, I’ll put some in there right after lunch.” She stands up and motions us to the table. “Please, sit down. Let’s eat.”

After lunch we go outside and sit in the gazebo that’s in the middle of her flower garden. Lilly runs around chasing butterflies. It’s a perfect day, sunny and around 75 degrees.

We stay there the rest of the afternoon, talking and drinking lemonade. It would be completely relaxing if I weren’t worrying about the scene at the restaurant yesterday. I can tell Garret feels the same way.

At 5, when Grace gets up to go inside, I follow her into the house and tell her that Garret and I need to talk privately to Pearce. She doesn’t ask why. She calls Lilly to come inside, saying she wants to show her something.

When I get back to the gazebo, Garret is already telling his dad what happened. I take a seat next to Garret and he reaches over to hold my hand. It’s like an automatic response now. Whenever we’re near each other, we instantly hold hands. The old Jade would’ve gagged at this display of affection, but the new Jade loves it.

“Why would they just show up like that?” Garret asks his dad. “Have they been following me?”

Pearce crosses his arms over his chest. “Not that I know of, but then again I’m not high enough up to be given that information.”

“What are you saying?” I’m starting to panic. I thought Pearce would tell us not to worry. But he didn’t. “Are they going to try to take Garret again? Or try to stop the wedding?”

Garret lets go of my hand and puts his arm around me, gently massaging my shoulder. “Jade, relax. That’s not what he’s saying.” He looks at his dad. “That’s not what you meant, right?”

“No.” Pearce rubs his chin. “It could just be a coincidence they were at the same restaurant as you, although it doesn’t sound like the type of restaurant they would eat at. And I don’t know why they’re in town so early. Our meeting isn’t until Wednesday.”

“What does that mean?” I stare at Pearce trying to read his expression. “You’re totally freaking me out here.”

Garret holds me closer. “What is this meeting about?”

Pearce glances at me, then back at Garret. “You know I can’t tell you that.”

“But Harper’s dad will be there?” Garret asks. Pearce doesn’t answer so Garret says, “Mr. Roth told us you were meeting with Kiefer.”

“I see. I’m surprised he would share that information. Then yes, we’re meeting with Kiefer at the hotel I’m staying at.”

“Why are you meeting them in the same town where Jade and I live? You couldn’t meet them somewhere else?”

Pearce nods. “Kiefer and I both insisted we meet in LA but Roth and the others wouldn’t hear of it. They picked the place.”

“Why?” Garret holds me even tighter, his body tensing up. “Why there? What are you not telling us?”

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