Page 39 of Guarding Grace

“As soon as you’re done,” Peyton murmured as I got close, “your next is waiting in demo two, and…” She motioned toward my upset friend. “…she needs a minute.”

I nodded, although I didn’t recall that we’d booked anyone before the Morgenthous this afternoon.

“It’s been wonderful meeting you, Grace,” Gina said as she grasped my hands. “I can’t wait to get started, and also to tell all the ladies about you. Seeing how these changes will look in my house with that system was simply marvelous.”

“Call Peyton here when you know your husband will be out of the house and we have a window to bring the sample materials over.” She’d said she planned to have the installation done during their upcoming Europe trip and surprise him upon his return.

The next step was to bring samples of the materials that would be used so the customer could touch them, feel them, and appreciate—or not—the colors and textures involved. We couldn’t allow pictures alone to suffice. And we had to take exact measurements, of course.

Her face lit up. “I will. This is going to be so exciting.”

We said our goodbyes, and Marci escorted her to the door. I turned to Peyton after Serena left. “Who’s in demo two?”

“She called this morning and couldn’t wait. Her name’s…” She consulted her notepad. “Maria Torelli.” She shifted her eyes toward the reception couch. “He’s her driver.”

“Torelli? I don’t recognize the name.” But a personal driver spelled money in this town.

“And your friend?—”

“Gracie…” Serena came barreling down the hall from the restrooms. “I’m here to rescue you.”

I opened my arms to her and the predictable bear hug.

“I heard what happened,” she said. “Tell me you’re okay.”

I nodded. “I’m good.” Opening my arm toward my office, I suggested, “Let’s step in here a moment?”

Not wanting to rehash this morning’s events in front of my employees, I closed the door after us. Instead of sitting, I leaned against the desk.

“Duke said you got attacked again after you snuck out this morning.”

“Yeah,” I admitted, looking down.

“Are you really okay? Maybe you want to take a day off and talk.” Having been kidnapped herself, Serena was probably the only person I knew who understood the terror.

“No. My kids here need me. This business doesn’t run itself.” I slipped up using the wordkids, but didn’t correct myself. Peyton had accused me of being a mother hen with my employees, and rightly so. My people deserved a boss who would look out for them in the way that I hadn’t been.

Serena folded her arms. “You can’t help them if you put yourself in danger, girl.”

“I’ve already had that lecture. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“And he was right.” She stepped forward and took my hands. Hers were warm. “Look, I was stubborn and acted out like you did, ignoring some of Duke’s advice. It was a bad idea. Instead, you should stop hating him and let him help you. He cares.” She eyed me a moment. “You know, Terry was beyond pissed at Duke for letting you get away.”

Hearing that tugged at my heart. I shrugged. “I had to. Elliot needed me.”

“And,” she added, “I got in trouble for not watching you closer.”

“Sorry. I couldn’t take the chance that you’d try to stop me.”

“And I would have, as soon as you mentioned Elliot.” She leaned against the chair back. “That guy needs to grow up, and you need to stop enabling him.”

“Maybe,” I allowed.

“You can’t bail him out of every situation.”

I’d gotten this same lecture from Terry a dozen times. “You’re right.” Agreeing with her was easier than trying to explain my need to be there for Elliot when nobody else would.

“Lucas has everybody looking for the little dipshit as if he caused this.”