Minding Grace

18: Running After You Is Like Chasing The Clouds

Lucy.

Grace felt a combination of anger and disappointment flow through her at the thought of her sister-in-law's actions from last night.

And disbelief.

What Grace couldn't wrap her head around was that Lucy had never wanted for anything in her life, whatever she wanted, or didn't want, was handed to her on the proverbial silver platter.

So, heaven help anyone when she didn't get what she wanted.

And what Lucy wanted...was Harry.

Grace inwardly cursed herself for putting Harry in this position, she should have stopped him, she shouldn't have encouraged it.

Did she encourage it?

Yes.

Yes, she must have, somewhere along the line, she must have.

Her stomach twisted itself in knots knowing that Lucy could potentially still tell James what she knew.

Should she tell James first, get in before Lucy does?

Should she-

"What?" Grace looked up to see James staring at her from across the kitchen table.

"I said that I'll be out tonight for a dinner..." he says, his gaze shifting guiltily to his plate before looking back up at her, his face now frowning, "Grace...are you okay?"

"Me?" she replied, "um...yeah..."

He regarded her for a moment, knowing she was usually composed to some level, ready to let fly with some sharp retort or biting retaliation.

He'd always loved how she was a bit of a smart arse.

But today she seemed sluggish and not quite herself.

She seemed...out of sorts.

"Are you sure?" he reached out across the table and laid his hand over the top of hers.

Grace slowly looked down at James' hand on hers, looking at it like it was something foreign before pulling away from him.

"I think I just had too much to drink last night," she replied vaguely, grabbing hold of her plate and standing up to take it over to the kitchen at the same time Harry walked in with the girls ready for breakfast.

"Did something happen last night?" James asked, trying to figure out what had her so rattled.

The sound of the plate hitting the ground shattered around her feet as everyone looked over at Grace.

"I..." she mumbled before bending down to pick up the larger ceramic pieces with her shaking hands before another set gently took the pieces from her without saying a word.

"I've got it," Harry said, quickly squeezing her hand in reassurance.

"I should get dressed..." she said to no one in particular as she stood up, seemingly going through the motions of kissing the girl's good morning.

"Don't forget the afternoon tea we're having today," James reminded her, his nose back into his newspaper, his attention taken from Grace.

She stopped short suddenly.

"What afternoon tea?" she asked.

"Have you forgotten?" James asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone, "for those new investors.  They're coming to look around the property before they sign the contracts..." he trailed off, seeing the confusion on her face, "just make sure you're presentable."