Author's note: I never saw "When hope calls" so read this story without thinking about it. I simply love Grace's character and I think that she would be perfect for our dear Lucas.

Okay! Time for them to meet! —--‐—-- Chapter 3

Grace tightened her shawl around her shoulders as she tried to push down the streets as fast as she could.

Stupid rain!

She was finally done with all the jobs for the day and went to send a telegram to a lawyer in San Francisco, requiring some additional information on a couple that applied for the adoption. If everything goes well, baby Michelle will get a new home with loving parents.

Grace smiled to herself as she closed the door of the telegraph office and walked down the stairs.

And all of a sudden, rain poured from the sky.

Gasping, Grace looked in front of herself, down the darkened street. Few people hurried to get away from the storm and she grimaced as she felt cold autumn rain reaching her skin.

She hurried down the street, rounded the corner and felt a strange feeling in the left part of her chest. Like something was squeezing her heart. She stopped, trying to calm down her breath and ease the heart palpitations she felt.

What's wrong with me?

Swallowing hard, Grace ignored the pouring rain as she took a few deep breaths to calm herself. Physically, she was fine… But, her heart constricted with some odd feeling.

Shaking her head, she quickened her steps, desperately trying to wipe the rain from her eyelids.

It was like the sky was crying…together with her heart…and she didn't know why.

She quickly crossed the street, turn around the corner and that was when her heart called out to her to stop.

Like in a slow motion, she looked up, her right hand wiping her face in vain.

And that was when all hell broke loose.

Through the veil of raindrops Grace looked up toward a cabin that was a few steps away, noticing a door opening and a young man stepping outside. He said something to somebody inside the cabin, opened umbrella and started to walk.

Headlights from the car broke through the night.

"What are you doing here?", Grace heard the man ask and then watched as an older man left the car.

A metal sound of unlocking the gun was heard and Grace felg a tug at her heart.

Call it a human instinct to help others. Call it foolishness. Call it a miracle, call it whatever you want, but something inside Grace snapped.

"NOOO!!"

She launched herself on the side of the attacker, grabbing his arm that held the gun. Surprised at first, the man stumbled, but seeing that she is alone and a woman, he smirked with menace and wrestled her.

"Where did you fly from, little beauty?", she heard his growl and felt his other hand grabbing her hand that was reaching for the gun. She yelped in pain and in a blink of an eye figured out a way to beat him.

She bit him on his arm, hard. His gun dropped from his hand as he howled in pain.

Grace gasped, pulling away. In the next second she saw a young man grabbing the attacker and punched him until he fell down next to his car, unconscious.

She looked up, trying to calm down her breathing.

Only to have her breath completely taken away by the sight of two warm brown eyes that looked at her in wonder.

"Are you all right?", he asked, concern colouring his deep voice. He quickly took her hand to take a look at it and Grace hissed in pain. He grimaced "Sorry".

She glanced down at her hand being held in his. His fingers gently inspected skin on her wrist and she hissed in pain again.

"It's swollen. Come on, we have to take care of it. I'm taking you to the hospital", he spoke in a no-nonsense voice.

"No, Sir, it's not necessary…", Grace tried to object but he interrupted her.

" Seriously? You just saved my life and you think that I will leave you standing here in the rain with a hurt arm?", he shook his head, looking down at her hand again "Not a chance".

Grace opened her mouth to protest again when the doors of the cabin slammed open and two men ran out.

"GOVERNOR! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?

Grace's throat tightened and her eyes widened. Did she just…

"Governor Bouchard, what happened?, one man asked while the other picked up still unconscious attacker from the floor.

"Lets act, talk later", the governor replied "Where's the nearest hospital?"

"Two blocks from here", a man replied "But, governor, shouldn't you check who this man is and why…"

"I'm sure you can bring him inside, tie him up and call the sheriff until I get back", he looked back at Grace…

…And for a moment time stood still…

He held her gaze for a moment longer until he noticed her visibly shivering, her hair plastered around her face, raindrops pouring down two of them.

In the next second he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. Her scarf laid on the floor, in the mud, long forgotten.

"Come on. Lets get you to the hospital" he spoke slowly. His eyebrows slightly creased as he silently asked "What's your name?"

Grace blinked, her lips slowly moving.

"Grace. Grace Bennet."