Saving Grace Read Online Free PDF

Mrs. Jenkins is up from her nap.” How any babysitter could fall asleep while on duty was beyond Grace.
    “Yes, about that. May I speak with HW?” Chord’s voice had taken on a sense of severity that had not been there before.
    “Uh oh. What happened?” Grace asked. “Do I want to know?”
    “Probably not.” Chord took a deep breath. “Hand him the phone, please.”
    Grace handed the phone to HW who put it to his ear. “Dad, she’s taking us for snow cones!”
    All the excitement drained from HW’s face. “But dad, we were only trying to help her. She always loses her glasses so Cart and I thought if we super glued them to her face when she was asleep, then she wouldn’t lose them again.”
    Grace smashed her lips together to keep from laughing. Super gluing the glasses to the face was pretty sound logic. It made sense to a couple of eight-year-olds.
    Both HW and Cart hung their heads. HW handed the phone back. “He wants to talk to you.”
    She put it to her ear. “Yes.”
    “I’m pretty sure you’ve got a lecture all planned, but I don’t have time now. You can just say I told you so.” Chord sounded rushed.
    “No worries. I was just marveling at the boys’ creativity. They were just trying to help. Their execution could use a little work, but the idea was sound.”
    “Wow, color me surprised. I thought for sure you’d launch into some parenting speech.” He spoke fast.
    “Nope. I don’t like to be predictable. Plus, I like your kids.”
    Cart smiled up at her, and she winked at him.
    “Good, because I need a favor.” He took another deep breath, and she got the impression asking for favors was hard for him. “Can you watch them until I get home around seven? I know you’re probably busy, and they aren’t you’re responsibility, but Mrs. Jenkins quit. I don’t have anyone else.”
    “Poor Mrs. Jenkins, can’t see genius even with her glasses glued to her face.” Grace high-fived HW.
    Chord laughed. It was deep and genuine. “I’ll pay you fifty bucks an hour. Please say yes, because I need to run.”
    “Sure. I’d love to hang out with the Robbins clan.” Grace let out her own deep breath. “And if you’re covering expenses, we’re going to the Austin Children’s Museum.”
    “Whatever it takes. I’ll text you a picture of my credit card. Be gentle.” A door opened, and the faint shouting voices were back. “Thanks, I owe you.”
    He hung up. A couple of seconds later, her phone beeped with a text. It was a picture of fingers holding a credit card.
    Fifty dollars an hour. Maybe she could parlay this into something full time. Tonight, she wouldn’t have to sing for her supper because after the museum, she was taking the kids home, and they were cooking a proper meal.

 
     
     
Chapter 5
     
     
    At seven-thirty-two, Chord clicked the garage door opener and pulled into the five-bay garage. After he put the car in park, he turned off the engine.
    He was tired, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. The owner’s meeting hadn’t gone well. Several of the player’s contracts were up for negotiation, and the money-men on both sides were haggling, leaving him caught in the middle.
    The only thing that had made today easier were the funny pictures Grace texted of the kids enjoying the train, snow cones, the park, and the museum. She liked his kids and had a way with them. More than once, he’d wished he was there having fun right along with them. Hanging out with his kids and watching their eager faces while they experienced something new and exciting.
    His headed pounded, and every single molecule in his body hurt. The headache had started around noon, stuck with him all day and was now doing its best to split his head open. He needed food, a long hot shower, and a good night’s sleep. Since they’d already ordered pizza twice this week, they’d find some other takeout place, and he could manage the hot shower, but the good night’s sleep wasn’t