This epilogue started the whole story…and then the image of Grace alone in the warehouse. Isn't the muse an interesting creature?
/././
Months later…Grace's first holiday break…at the Williams family cabin…
Grace slipped out of bed; her bare feet hit a cold floor. She grabbed a pair of socks from Uncle Steve's suitcase in the room across the hall. Giggling, she ran downstairs.
Snow had fallen through the night, laying down a thick blanket of white. A blizzard, if you listened to her dad. They'd be snowed in for days. It didn't matter to her. Uncle Steve would get them home in time for New Year's. Will had invited her to a party. No way was she missing it – even if Tani and Junior were chaperones.
She could hear Charlie squealing outside. How long had he been up? Poor Uncle Steve, sharing a room with her super hyper brother. Bunkbeds stacked to the ceiling. Her dad had offered but Charlie had insisted. All he wanted for Christmas was a snowman and Uncle Steve. Goofy kid. He'd get those things with or without using up his Santa wish.
The Christmas tree twinkled. Danno had switched on the lights. Presents were piled beneath the long green branches on top of a red embroidered skirt her gramma Clara had sent them. Round two of present palooza would begin after breakfast. Her dad and Uncle Steve had gone overboard. Grace was still overwhelmed by all the normal things even months after being kidnapped. Sighing, she focused on the holiday music floating on the aroma of her lifeline.
Where was Danno? Silly question.
Grace found her dad sitting at the small kitchen table, drinking coffee and reading the paper. She grabbed a mug and filled it. Her dad didn't blink at her caffeine consumption. He rarely nagged her about anything these days. Tilting his head back, he grinned at her. All goofy and fond.
"Pancakes?" he asked.
She answered, "Always, Danno."
He pushed away from the table and went to work. "Shoo. I need the room."
"You don't want help?"
"You and Uncle Steve are on cleanup."
Which ultimately meant Uncle Steve would do it all.
"Go." Her dad bumped her with his hip and said, "I've got this, Monkey."
And Grace wasn't stupid enough to hang around.
Walking to the huge picture window, she checked the time. It would still be night in Hawaii. Too late to call Will. Instead, she sent a text. Merry Christmas.
He immediately texted back the same greeting and then added. Love you.
Ditto. She replied. See you in 6 days. Miss you.
Can't wait. Will answered, plus lots of emojis.
Grace laughed and put her phone away. She turned just as Charlie plowed into her, shaking a mantle of snow all over the floor.
"You're as bad as Eddie!" She said with a raised eyebrow and frown. Her brother was a sugar-filled madman. Right then, she wanted to trade him for their better-behaved dog who was back home being spoiled by his aunties and uncles. Everyone had pitched in to make this trip possible.
Charlie giggled and ran off, chased by Danny's scolding, "You better not be tracking snow all through the house!"
Steve leaned in the kitchen doorway watching, Santa hat sideways on his head. Grace caught his eyes and smiled. He winked at her, and she melted. He'd been her rock.
They were beginners. Both starting new chapters. Grace creating a life of her own. And Steve building something with Danny. Undiscovered territory, he'd called it. Grace would never call it luck.
/././
Thanks, as always, for reading. Until next time…